nevertheless she died not, but continued in prayer
as long as she desired, and said to the people,
'I tell you of a verity that peace is granted
to God's congregation, and the furious emperor
Diocletian is deposed from his empire,
and Maximian the evil-doer is dead.
Even as the city of Catana within its walls
has the powerful intercessions of my sister Agatha,
so am I allotted by Almighty God
now to this city of Syracuse,
to intercede for you, if ye receive the faith.'
Whilst she thus spake, the wicked Pascliasius
was bound with chains, and led before the virgin.
He had previously been accused, for his cruel deeds,
to the Roman people, who governed all the land.
He was then brought in bonds to Rome,
and the senators commanded him to be beheaded,
when he could not excuse his evil deeds.
The blessed Lucy remained in the same place
where she was struck down, until priests came
and houselled her with the holy mysteries,
and she departed to Christ as they were saying 'Amen.'
Then the people reared a church on the spot where she lay,
and hallowed it in her name, to the Saviour's glory,
who ever reigneth as God throughout eternity. Amen.
X.
FEB. 22. CHAIR OF SAINT PETER.
We commemorate in the calendar 'Cathedra Sancti Petri'
seven days before the month which we call March,
Now there are some men who know not what this name signifieth.
