Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/106

 more come to us, but when we depart, we shall see his glory, even as we trusted to behold it here. He went not, like Elijah, in a chariot of fire; but did not angels bear away his spirit, when the darkness vanished at the ninth hour, even as the shadows flee on the wings of the morning? We know not.—And is he not a chief among the spirits of the dead, a being above the beings of the earth? Is not Hades moved before him to honour him? Do not the ancient princes of our nation even now bow unto him? Doth not Elijah go before him, and David rejoice to behold him, and Abraham make a place for him more exalted than his own? There shalt thou glory in thy beloved one, and see that he is a greater prophet than Jonas, wiser than Solomon, and holier than our Father Abraham.”

“Would that he himself could return but for one hour, and tell me of these things!” said Mary. “Thou hast seen him like unto a spirit, treading the waters in a storm; thou hast beheld him clothed in light brighter than the sun at noon-day; thou hast heard a voice from the firmament like unto thunder. O that such a voice would speak to mine ears of him,