Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/395

 and he  himself  came  thereto,  and  saw  the  light,

and bade  him  come  out,  and  began  to  question  him:

' What  is  the  great  power  of  thy  criminal  arts

that thou  performest  such  things  through  fiendly  magic?

Very often  have  I  conquered  the  resolute  sorcerers,

and every  witchcraft  I  easily  overcame;

and the  Chaldean  magicians  and  the  serpent-charmers

I could  ever  subdue  unto  my  will;

and I  never  found  such  stubborn  sorcery;

I desire  now  nevertheless  that  thou  turn  thyself

from thy  Christianity  and  please  our  gods

by worthy  offerings.'     Then  Chrysanthus  answered  him;

' thou  mightest  understand,  if  thou  knewest  any  god,

that I  did  not  these  things  by  sorcery,

but God  Himself  aided  me  with  divine  power;

thy gods  see  not  nor  truly  hear,

but are  senseless,  fastened  with  lead.'

Then Claudius  bade  men  scourge  him  fiercely

with great  rods  for  his  insults  to  the  gods.

Then the  rods  became  wondrously  softened

suddenly in  their  hands,  as  it  were  feathers.

When men  held  them,  they  were  hard  and  rough  (?);

when men  struck,  immediately  they  softened.

Then Claudius  commanded  them  to  let  go  the  saint,

and to  clothe  him  again,  and  he  himself  cried:

'this might  is  not  of  men,  but  is  God's  greatness

Who hath  overcome  all  these  tortures  so  easily.

What will  we  longer  do,  except  all  lie  down

at his  venerable  knees  and  humbly  pray

that he  intercede  for  us  to  such  a  God,

Who maketh  His  worshippers  so  mighty  in  fight? '

Then fell  they  all  with  fear  at  his  knees,

and Claudius  said  to  him,  '  I  acknowledge  of  a  truth

that thy  God  is  true  God,  and  I  myself  now  pray

that  thou  wilt    entreat    for    me    how    I    may   become    His    worshipper.'