-

52

that the brother of Abraham, was an astrologer and a fireworshipper, therefore the fire did not injure Abraham. Aspark of fire then burnt Haran. All the nations recognisedthe superiority of God by the miraculous escape of Abraham.3. Adrianus orders his army to worship him. He declaresthat within three years he will capture the Temple. Threephilosophers dispute with him. One says how can a newking be recognised in the very house of the other, so hemust first go out of God's house. The second asks him tocreate heaven and earth, the third asks for a ship whichhad foundered in the midst of the sea. And his wife tellshim to return to the owner the property which had beenentrusted to him( i. e., the soul); only then can he be re-cognised as a god. Upon this he relinquishes his design.

4. Hiram, king of Tyre made seven artificial heavens placedon pillars of iron, first of glass, sun, moon and stars. Se-cond of iron, with a lake of water in it; third of tin with pre-cious stones rolling over it( thunder). Fourth of lead, fifth ofcopper, then silver and gold and on the top a couch of goldand precious stones and pearls. By moving it he producesscintillation( lightning). The Prophet Ezekiel carried up tohim tells him that although he has been promised long lifehe will not live for ever.

5. Alexander the Great tied two eagles together with meatin front of them, so they fly upwards with him until hiseyelids dropped from the cold. He then descends in a glassbox to the depths of the sea, but hearing a voice saying:" The iron of the axe has been falling seven years alreadyand has not yet touched the bottom," he gives it up and

ascends.

5a. Alexander goes to the kingdom of Ķaşia, then to Karta-gena ruled by women. He is told that if he conquers it willbe a shame to him and that if he is conquered the greatershame to him. He then goes to Afriķi, is presented withfood made of gold as he had only come for gold. He is presentat a trial. A man finds a treasure in a field bought fromanother man, he wishes to return it to the former owner