Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/181

 John—not rejoicing but sorrowing over the physical trouble of that (man).

65. And Andronicus was sad, and carried a hidden sorrow in his heart, and wept bitterly, so that John could only silence him by saying to him, "Drusiana has departed this life for a better hope." To this answered Andronicus, "Of this I am certain, John, and I have no doubt in the belief in my God. But my hopes are mostly grounded on this, that she departed this life pure."

66. After she was interred, John took Andronicus apart, and, having learned of the cause, he sorrowed more than Andronicus. And he kept silence, considering the threats of the enemy, and sat down a little. When the brethren were assembled to hear which words he would say concerning the departed, he began to speak:

67. "When the helmsman who crosses the ocean has landed with the ship and passengers in a quiet haven free from storms, he feels secure. The husbandman who gave the seed-grains to the ground, and cared for them with great pains, is only then to enjoy a rest from his labors when he has sheltered abundant corn in his barns. Whoever promised to take part in the race should only rejoice when he has obtained the price of victory. Whose name is entered on the list of prize fighting should only triumph after he received the crowns. And thus it is with all races and arts, when they disappoint not at the end, but are so carried out, as they were intended.