Acts of Paul and Thecla

Historical source scan page 161

184 ‘THE HISTORY OF THECLA. daughter, that she may live; for thus I saw in my dream.” And at that moment Thecla arose, and lifted up her voice,* and said: ‘“‘God, who art in Heaven, the Father of the Most High, grant to queen Trypheena, according to her wish, that her daughter may live for ever.” And when the queen heard these things, she sat in mourning, and was weeping and saying: “ This beauty of thine, Thecla, te-morrow again the beasts will devour it.” | And when it was dawn, Alexander ran‘ (and) came (ܩܢܕ)‎ to lead Thecla away, because he was giving the (exhibition of) beasts‘ to the city at the theatre.* And he answered and said: ‘ Lo, the hégemdén 1s sitting, and the whole people are hurrying us; give us Thecla who is (sentenced to be) devoured by the beasts, (and) we will carry her off.’ And Tryphena cried out® at him bitterly ; and at the sound of the cry which she uttered at him, he fled. And the queen answered and saith: ‘Thy help, O God, (I implore); for lo, twice is there mourning in my house, and I have no one to help me; for my daughter lives not, who is dead," and there is none of my kinsmen to stand at my side, and I am a widow. Go, Thecla! Thy God will help thee.” And again the hégemén sent young men for her to fetch her down.' And queen Tryphsena did not let go ® D. omits this clause. > D. of Jesus the Messiah. ep. omits ran. 1 D. was exhibiting the beasts. ° D. to the people, and omits at the theatre. D. omits this last clause. £ D. And Thecla was sitting (there). When queen Tryphena had looked upon him, she cried out. h DPD, omits these words. 1D. to bring her.