Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/261

 erected for the King, Gad, upon beholding it, said to the angels, "I entreat you, my lords, let me dwell in one of these subterranean chambers." But they said to him, "In this building thou canst not dwell." And he said, "Why not?" They answered, "This palace is that which that Christian has built for thy brother." But he said, "I entreat you, my lords, allow me to go to my brother to buy this palace from him. For my brother knows not what it is like, and he will sell it to me.

23. And the angels let the soul of Gad go. And as they were putting on him the burial robe his soul came into him. And he said to those standing round him, "Call my brother to me, that I may beg of him a request." Straightway they sent the good news to their King, saying, "Thy brother has become alive again!" And the King started up, and with a great multitude went to his brother. And having come in he went to the bed as if stupefied, unable to speak to him. And his brother said, "I know and I am convinced, brother, that if anyone had asked of thee the half of thy kingdom, thou wouldst give it for my sake. Wherefore I entreat thee to grant one favor, which I beg of thee to do me, that thou sellest to me that which I ask of thee." And the King answered and said, "And what is it that thou wishest me to sell to thee?" And he said, "Assure me by an oath that thou wilt grant it to me." And the King swore to him, "Whatever of my possession thou shalt ask, I will