Hymn of the Pearl

Historical source scan page 267

240 THE ACTS OF JUDAS THOMAS. Egypt, and my companions parted from me. 1 went straight to the serpent, I dwelt around his abode," (wait- ing) till he should slumber and sleep, and I could take my pearl from him. And when I was single and was alone (and) become strange to my family, one of my race, a free-born man, an Oriental, I saw there, a youth fair and loveable, the son of oil-sellers ;* and he came and attached himself to me, and I made him my | intimate friend, an associate with whom I shared my merchandise. 1 warned him against the Egyptians, and against consorting with the unclean; and I dressed in their dress, that they might not hold me in abhor- rence,° because I was come from abroad in order to take the pearl, and arouse the serpent against me. But in some way or other they found out that I was not their eountryman, and they dealt with me treacherously, and gave me their food to eat. I forgot that I was a son of kings, and I served their king; and I forgot the pearl, for which my parents had sent me, and because of the burden of their oppressions I lay in a deep sleep. But all these things (ax.%) that befel me my parents per- ceived, and were grieved for me; and a proclamation was made in our kingdom, that every one should come to our gate (i.e., palace or residence), kings and princes of * On ܐ ܠܙ‎ 866 Payne Smith's Thesaurus. > ܒܝ‎ OA MOA MOA, 2 . ܡܫܝܚܝܐ‎ , like ,ܝ ܒܪ ܛܒ̈ܚܐ ܕ ܒܪ ܨܒ̈ܫܐ‎ etc. I cannot say, however, whether I have hit the meaning of the original. Why should this trade be specially mentioned ? ° Or perhaps, that they might not suspect me, that I was come, ete.