The Himn of the Robe of Glory

The original title of this beautiful Gnostic Poem has been lost and it is now generally referred to as The Hymn of the Soul. Preuschen however calls it The Song of Deliverance (Das Lied von der Erlosung); while in my Fragments (1900) I ventured to name it The Hymn of the Robe of Glory. I here also prefer to retain this title as it seems the more appropriate.The original text of the Poem is in Old Syriac in lines of twelve syllables with a casura and so in couplets for the most part of six syllables. The Hymn itself is a truly poetic inspiration and deals with far higher mysteries and experiences. The hymn tells the story of a boy the son of the king of kings who is sent to Egypt to retrieve a pearl from a serpent. During the quest he is seduced by Egyptians and forgets his origin and his family. However a letter is sent from the king of kings to remind him of his past. When the boy receives the letter he remembers his mission retrieves the pearl and returns.G. R. S. M.