still and did not cry, my lord chancellor and Mr. Rich took pains to rack me with their own hands till I was well nigh dead. Then the lieutenant caused me to be loosed from the rack. Incontinently I swooned, and then they recovered me again. After that I sat two long hours reasoning with my lord chancellor, upon the bare floor, whereas he, with many flattering words, persuaded me to leave my opinions. But my Lord God (I thank his everlasting goodness) gave me grace to persevere, and will do, I hope, to the end.
"Then I was brought to an house and laid in a bed, with as weary and painful bones as ever had patient Job; I thank my God therefore. Then my lord chancellor sent me word, if I would leave my opinions I should want nothing: but, if I would not, I should forthwith go to Newgate, and so be burned. I sent him again word, that I would rather die than to break my faith."
Being led to the stake, letters were brought from the lord chancellor, offering her the king's pardon if she would recant. She not only refused to look at them, but returned this answer: "that she came not thither to deny her Lord and Master." The same letters were also tendered to the other three who suffered with her, who, imitating her example, refused to look at them. Whereupon the lord mayor commanded the fire to be kindled, crying out fiat justitia. And the faggots being lighted, she surrendered her soul to God.
ASPASIA, a Courtesan of Athens, Mistress and Wife of Pericles.
The education of the Grecian ladies in general, and particularly the Athenians, from their secluded lives,
