David Hyatt-Bickle Poet Rhyme

Abgar VIII Letter to Bardaisan

A holy letter written by
Abgarus the toparch of Edessa 
To Bardaisan the passerby
Sent to him by Keefa the confessor 

“Abgarus VIII the toparch writing
To Bardaisan, offspring of the dancing river
Son of Nah 'siram and my friend, greeting
I have heard reports of the baptised lamb’s power
Which makes the eyeless see, the lame to walk
Which makes lepers clean, and casts out lion-daimons 
Which even makes the dead alive and talk 
This faithful power exceeds so-called eudaemons 

Indeed, I now believe in Christ Jesus 
The saviour of all, who is either God himself 
Who came down from the heavens above us 
Or the Son of God sent down to save mankind’s self 
I am in need of holy instruction 
In all these high and heavenly matters of faith 
I know from my old life of perdition 
In this world which the dark dragon haunts like a wraith 
Of your deeds that raised the public-spirit 
The healings you performed, the sacred works you wrote 
You are the harp of the holy spirit 
The archer against daimons, cutting every throat 

Therefore, I invite you to the banquet 
In order to illuminate my mind with truth 
In order to seal my soul’s empty pit 
Over my household and kingdom, I have much ruth 

I have a little kingdom that Rome will repress 
But I will welcome you as Christ welcomed the dove: With comeliness” 


(I've based this letter on the ancient Letter of King Abgar V to Jesus (public domain). Though that letter was a third century work, it was likely caused by Abgar VIII of Osroene conversion to Christianity by the Gnostic Bardaisan in 200 AD, Bardaisan was even part of Abgar's royal court. 
I thought it would a fun idea to remake the letter to be correspodence between Abgar VIII and Gnostic Bardaisan instead, as it would be closer to what likely historically happened.)

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