d in
the garment of penitence. Standing on the sepulchre, and lifting up
his hands to heaven, the tears streaming in floods from his eyes, he
cried aloud unto God saying,

"O God, I thank thee, King of glory, alone mighty and immortal, that
thou hast not despised my petition, and hast not held thy peace at my
tears, but hast been pleased to turn this thy servant, my father, from
the way of wickedness, and to draw him to thyself, the Saviour of all,
departing him from the deceitfulness of idolatry, and granting him to
acknowledge thee, who art the very God and lover of souls. And now, O
my Lord and God, whose ocean of goodness is uncharted, set him in that
place where much grass is, in a place of refreshment, where shineth the
light of thy countenance. Remember not his old offences; but,
according to the multitude of thy mercies, blot out the handwriting of
his sins, and destroy the tablets of his debts, and set him at peace
with thy Saints whom he slew with fire and sword. Charge them not to
be bitter against him. For all things are possible with thee, the Lord
of all, save only to withhold pity from them that turn not unto thee;
this is impossible. For thy pity is poured out upon all men, and thou
savest them that call upon thee, Lord Jesu Christ, because glory
becometh thee for ever and ever. Amen."

Such were the prayers and intercessions that he made unto God, by the
space of seven full days, never leaving the grave, and never thinking
of meat or drink, and taking no refreshment of sleep: but he watered
the ground with his tears, and continued praying and moaning
unceasingly. But, on the eighth day, he went back to his palace and
distributed amongst the poor all his wealth and riches, so that not one
person was left in want.

XXXVI.

In a few days, after he had ended this ministry, and emptied all his
coffers, in order that the burden of his money might not hinder him
from entering in at the narrow gate, on the fortieth day after his
father's decease, and in remembrance of him, he called together all his
officers, and those who wore soldiers' attire, and of the citizens not
a few. Sitting in the front, according to custom, in the audience of
all he said, "Lo, as ye see, Abenner, my father the king, hath died
like any beggar. Neither wealth nor kingly glory, nor I his loving son,
nor any of his kith and kindred, has availed to help him, or to save
him from the sentence without reprieve. But he is g