Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/305

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THE ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE INFANCY.
189

my lady, lady Mary, and began to kiss the Child, holding him above their heads, saying, Blessed is thy mother, O Jesus, O Saviour of the world; blessed are the eyes which enjoy the happiness of beholding thee.

CHAPTER XXII.

Then both the sisters said to their mother, Our brother indeed, by the help of the Lord Jesus Christ and the salutary intervention of this girl, who made known to us Mary and her son, is restored to human form. But now since our brother is unmarried, it is meet that we should give him to marry this damsel their servant. When they asked this of lady Mary, and she had given them her consent, they prepared a splendid wedding for the girl, and their sorrow being turned into joy, and their mourning into dancing, they began to be glad, to rejoice, to exult, and to sing, for great joy adorning themselves in raiment most splendid and pure. Then they began to repeat hymns and praises, and to say, O Jesus, son of David, who changest sorrow into joy, and lamentations into gladness! And Joseph and Mary remained there ten days. Then they departed, receiving great honours from these people, who bade them farewell, and returned weeping from bidding farewell, especially the damsel.