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And I came out of the East by a road difficult and fearful, with two guides,17
and I was untried in travelling by it.18
And I passed by the borders of the Mosani (Maishan) where is the resort of the merchants of the East,19
and reached the land of the Babylonians ‹and came unto the walls of Sarbug›.20
But when I entered into Egypt, the guides left me which had journeyed with me.21
And I set forth by the quickest way to the serpent, and by his hole I abode,22
watching for him to slumber and sleep, that I might take my pearl from him.23
And forasmuch as I was alone I made mine aspect strange, and appeared as an alien to my people.24
And there I saw my kinsman from the East, the free-born25
a lad of grace and beauty, a son of princes (or an anointed one).26
He came unto me and dwelt with me,27
and I had him for a companion, and made him my friend and partaker in my journey (or merchandise).28
And I charged him to beware of the Egyptians, and of partaking of those unclean things (or consorting with those unclean men).29
And I put on their raiment, lest I should seem strange, as one that had come from without30
to recover the pearl; and lest the Egyptians should awake the serpent against me.31
But, I know not by what occasion, they learned that I was not of their country.32
And with guile they mingled for me a deceit, and I tasted of their food.33
And I knew no more that I was a king’s son, and I became a servant unto their king.34
And I forgat also the pearl for which my fathers had sent me,35
and by means of the heaviness of their food I fell into a deep sleep.Acta Thomae. Anonymous. Oxford. 1924.
Funding provided by University of Virginia; Center for Hellenic Studies.