Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/174

58 and then departed from them. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by David the prophet, saying, Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, ye dragons and all deeps. And the little infant Jesus, walking before them, commanded them to hurt no man. But Mary and Joseph feared greatly lest perchance the little infant should be injured by the dragons. And Jesus said to them. Fear not, nor consider me because I am a little infant, for I was, and am ever perfect: it must needs be that all the wild beasts of the woods should grow tame before me.

In like manner lions and leopards adored him, and kept company with them in the desert: whithersoever Joseph and blessed Mary went, they went before them, showing the way and bowing their heads: and showing subjection by wagging their tails, they adored him with great reverence. Now when Mary saw lions and leopards and various kinds of wild beasts coming round them, she was at first exceedingly afraid: and Jesus with a glad countenance, looking into her face, said, Fear not, mother: because they come not for thy hurt, but they hasten to come for thy service and mine. By these sayings he removed fear from her heart. Now the lions walked