VII.
JANUARY 21. SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN.
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan,
found [written] in old books concerning the blessed Agnes,
how she endured cruel persecution in the city of Rome,
and in girlhood suffered martyrdom.
Then wrote Ambrose concerning the maiden thus.
At that time there was a noble maiden
called Agnes, believing in the Saviour,
in the city of Rome, gentle and wise,
a child in years, but old in mind.
She contended through faith with the fiendlike rulers.
and in her thirteenth year lost mortality,
and found eternal life, for that she loved Christ.
She was fair in countenance, and fairer in faith.
When she returned from school, a youth wooed her,
son of Sempronius, who was set over the city
[to rule] as prefect, and who was an idolator.
Then straightway his kinsmen offered to the maiden
costly robes, and promised [her] yet costlier ones,
but the blessed Agnes despised it all,
and recked no more of the treasures than of a reeking dunghill.
Then the youth brought to the pure maiden
precious gems and worldly ornaments,
and promised her riches if she would [have] him.
Then Agnes answered the youth fearlessly,
'Depart thou from me, thou fuel of sin,
food of crime, and nourishment of death,
depart from me ! I have another lover,
