Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/150

 the fire of his soul shone from beneath the brow of age; and how he could even smile as the wife of his bosom bade him farewell, because her death was a testimony to the faith.

“If it be true,” said one who heard, “that Simon Peter was, in the beginning, less steadfast and less patient than his brethren, we see in him the power of the faith; for he died the prince of the apostles.”

“That thus it was with him when the Holy One appeared, I can bear witness,” said a woman who bowed beneath the burden of years. “I walked on the shore of the lake, on the morning when the Teacher called Simon to follow him. The next day, Sadoc, my brother, spoke with him on the paths of Tabor, and they were troubled in spirit because the prophet taught to forgive injuries, and not to resist evil. Sadoc smiled when he told me of this, to think how his spirit was changed. If he yet lived, he would forgive unto our conquerors even such evil as they visit on our land this day.”

“Even as John who liveth to witness it,” said another. “His tongue is feeble with age,