Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/341

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THE STORY OF VERONICA.
225

disease, lest turning away from the loathsomeness of my affliction, he should be angry with me, and the stroke of my disease come worse upon me, I thought with myself that if I could take hold of the hem of his garment I should be altogether healed; and secretly entering the multitude around him, I stole a cure by touching his hem, — the fountain of my blood stayed, and suddenly I became well. But he the more, as foreknowing the purpose of my heart, cried out, "Who hath touched me? for power is gone out of me;" and I, turning pale, and groaning, supposing the disease would return upon me more violently, falling before him flooded the ground with tears, confessing my daring. But he, being good, had compassion on me, and confirmed my cure, saying, "Daughter, take heart, thy faith hath delivered thee; go in peace."[1] So also do thou, O august one, grant her earnest petition to the petitioner.

And king Herod, hearing these things from the petition, was astonished at the miracle; and being afraid at the mystery of the healing, said, "This cure which hath befallen thee, O woman, is worthy of a very great monument. Therefore, go and erect unto him such a monument as thou wilt, honouring by thy zeal him that healed thee."

And immediately after this, Veronica, who before

  1. Matt, ix., 20-22. Mark v., 25-34. Luke viii., 43 48.