Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/233

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THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.
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already half-dead, and without heat, she said to me, O, my beloved son, clearly his feet now begin to grow cold, and are like the coldness of snow. Then when his sons and daughters had been called, she said to them. Come, all of you, and approach your father: for certainly he is now come to his end. Assia, the daughter of Joseph, answered, saying. Woe, unto me, O, my brethren, surely this is the same disease as was that of my beloved mother. And she wailed and wept, and all the other children of Joseph lamented with her. I also, and Mary my mother, wept with them.

CHAPTER XXI.

And turning my eyes to the south side, I saw Death now coming, and all Gehenna with it, crowded with its host and attendants; and their garments, faces, and mouths cast out fire. When my father Joseph saw these come straight to him, his eyes were bathed in tears; and the same moment he groaned in a wonderful manner. Therefore, seeing the violence of his sighs, I repulsed Death, and all the host of followers which attended him. And I called upon my good Father, saying:

CHAPTER XXII.

O Father of all mercy, Eye which seest, and