Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 1.djvu/201

 would rather  die  than  take  a  husband.

Then the  daughter  saw  her  father's  trouble,

and spake  to  him  thus  with  pure  intention,

' I  know  that  God  will  never  forsake  me,

cast away  thy  solicitude,  and  promise  me  to  the  general,

that he  may  take  me  after  the  war,

after he  shall  by  victory  conquer  the  Scythians.

For sake  of  this  promise  I  will  have  his  daughters,

Attica and  Arthemia,  in  my  companionship,

until our  nuptials  are  prepared.

Let him  have  forth  with  him  on  the  expedition

John and  Paul,  those  who  are  most  faithful  to  me,

that they  may  tell  him  of  my  ways,

and I  through  his  daughters  will  learn  his  ways.'

It was  so  done,  that  she  took  the  daughters,

and the  general  departed  with  the  expedition.

Then straightway  Constantia  besought  God

with great  fervour  that  He  would  hear  her  prayers  j

'O Thou  Almighty  God,  Who  for  Agnes'  intercession,

Thy great  Martyr,  hast  healed  my  leprosy,

and to  myself  hast  revealed  Thy  true  love,

and Who  hast  promised  us  in  Thy  holy  Gospel,

" Verily  I  say  unto  you.  My  Father  will  give  you

whatsoever ye  ask  Him  here  in  My  Name,"

I beseech  Thee,  my  Lord,  that  Thou  wilt  gain   to  Thyself  these maidens,

and their  father  Gallicanus,  who  desireth  to  take  me  from  Thee,

associate (him)  to  the  purity  of  Thy  faith.

Open the  ears  of  their  hearts  to  the  salutary  lore,

that they  may  love  Thee  only,  and  desire  no  earthly  things,

and attain  with  burning  love  Thy  bridal-bed.'

After this  prayer  the  maidens  bowed

to holy  baptism  ere  the  father  came,

and were  consecrated  to  the  Saviour's  chastity.

Then became  Gallicanus  likewise  converted  to  God,

and straightway  prayed  with  true  faith