Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/445

 Whilst that  the  warders  were  asleep,

then came  there  heavenly  light  to  the  holy  man,

into the  blind  prison,  as  it  were  a  bright  sunbeam.

And a  bed  was  prepared  for  him  with  soft  bedding,

and he  himself  then  sang  his  blithe  psalms,

praising his  Lord  with  his  inward  heart.

Then wondered  the  warders  at  the  winsome  light,

being very  affrighted  at  the  sudden  miracle.

Then saith  the  holy  man,  '  Of  the  heavenly  light

be ye  not  affrighted. I am  now  comforted

with angelic  ministration. Come in  and  behold.

Ye brought  me  into  darkness,  and  I  rejoice  now  in  light;

my bands  are  loosened,  and  I  rejoice  with  a  song.

I am  now  strengthened,  and  softly  underlaid.

Wonder at  this — that  he  who  worshippeth  God

with a  true  confession,  that  he  shall  be  victorious  ever.

Tell now  quickly  your  profane  lord,

what light  I  enjoy,  and  what  (soft)  bedding;

that he  may  yet  bethink  him  of  some  worthy  torture;

may he  diminish  nothing  from  my  glory,

that may  turn  to  the  glory  of  my  martyrdom.

His mercy  alone  I  dread  the  most,

lest he  be  turned  away  so  as  to  take  pity.'

They told  this  then  to  the  fierce  tormentor,

and he  became  vexed,  [the  profane  Datianus],

and, pallid  in  face,  spake  in  answer  to  them:  —

' What  may  we  do  more  to  him,  we  are  now  overcome!

Bear him  now,  I  bid  you,  from  that  blind  prison

to some  soft  bed,  that  so  he  may  rest  him.

I desire  not  to  make  him  more  glorious  still,

(as he  will  be)  if,  tormented  in  the  torments,  he  fails  (dies).'

They then  bare  him  blithely  in  their  arms