Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/377

 this Maximus  spake  to  the  martyrs  thus:

'I would  also  despise  this  world's  sweetness,

if I  knew  of  a  surety  that  your  words  were  true.

Then said  the  younger  brother  to  him,  out  of  his  bonds,

'Our Lord  Christ  will  cause  that  thou  shalt  see,

when we  are  slain,  how  our  souls  depart

with glory  to  Him,  if  thou  wilt  now  promise

that thou  with  all  thy  mind  wilt  repent  of  thy  wickedness.'

Then Maximus  said  to  the  martyrs  thus:

' may  fire  consume  me  if  I  bow  not  to  Christ

after I  see  how  your  souls  depart

to the  other  life  whereof  ye  speak.'

Then said  the  holy  brothers  whom  he  was  leading  in  bonds;

' command  these  executioners  to  keep  us  alive

in thine  own  house  now  for  this  one  night,

until thou  be  baptized  from  former  sins,

that thou  mayest,  by  God's  help,  see  that  vision.'

Then they  were  brought  in  bonds  to  his  house,

and the  blessed  Caecilia  with  venerable  priests

soon came  thither,  and  they  sat  that  night,

speaking concerning  Christ  until  the  executioners  believed,

and were  baptized  by  the  aforesaid  priests.

Lo then! in the  early  dawn  the  precious  maiden,

Caecilia, cried,  and  said  to  them  all:

'Now, oh  ye  soldiers  of  God,  cast  away  from  you  boldly

the works  of  darkness,  and  be  ye  now  clothed

with the  armour  of  light  for  this  conflict.

Ye have  fought  a  very  goodly  fight;

ye have  fulfilled  your  course,  and  have  kept  the  faith;

go to  the  crown  of  glory  of  the  winsome  life

which the  righteous  judge  will  give  you  as  reward.

Then they  were  led  for  their  faith  to  death,

and beheaded  with  the  sword. Then Maximus  beheld,