Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/698

684 The tribune, believing a report that they would free themselves by magical practices, treated them roughly. "Why don't you," said Perpetua, "give us some relief? will it not be for your honour that we should appear well fed at the spectacles?" This address had a very happy effect. The day before the show they ate in public, their friends were allowed to visit them, and the keeper of the prison by this time was converted to the faith; they talked to the people, warned them to flee from the wrath to come, and smiled at the curiosity of those who ran to see them.

On the day of trial, joy, rather than fear, was in their looks. Perpetua went on with a composed countenance and easy pace, holding down her eyes, lest the spectators might draw wrong conclusions from their vivacity. Some idolatrous habits were offered them. "We sacrifice our lives," said they, "to avoid this, and thus we have bargained with you." The tribune desisted from his demand. After being scourged, Perpetua and Felicitas, were put into the nets, and exposed to a wild cow. The beauty of the one and weak state of the latter, excited some compassion in the spectators; they drew them back and covered them with loose garments. Perpetua was first attacked; but though she did not faint, her terror had rendered her insensible of what had passed, till she saw on her body and clothes the marks of her sufferings. She caused her brother to be called, and addressing herself to him and another christian, she said, "continue firm in the faith, love one another, and be not offended at our sufferings."

The people insisted on having the martyrs brought into the midst of the amphitheatre, that they might have the pleasure of seeing them die. Perpetua fell into the