Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/325

 on a cheap dress, and shoes on his feet, and, looking sad and dejected, he went to salute the king. Upon seeing him, the king said, "Why art thou so sad, and why didst thou come in such an attire? And thy face is also changed." Charis answered and said to the king, "I have to tell thee of something new, and of a new devastation which the commander Sifôr has brought upon India: a Hebrew magician whom he has in his house and who leaves him not. Many go to him, whom he teaches a new God and gives them new laws, of which no one has ever heard, by saying, 'It is impossible that you enter into the eternal life which I preach to you, unless you give up your wives, and the wives also give up their husbands. It happened that my unhappy wife also went to him and heard his words. And she believed them, left me during the night, and ran to the stranger. But let Sifôr and the sorcerer hidden in his house be brought to thee, and punish them, that not all of our people perish."

102. When his friend Misdai heard this, he said to him, "Be not sad and discouraged! I will have them brought here, and I will avenge thee, and thou shalt have thy wife again. For if I avenge others who cannot avenge themselves, I will avenge thee above all." And the king went out and sat upon the seat of judgment. Being seated, he ordered to call Sifôr, the commander. And having come into his house, they found him at the right hand of the apostle, and Mygdonia at his feet, listening with the whole people. And the king's messengers came