until they came to the place of execution,
and the martyr asked leave that he might pray
to Almighty God, and commend his spirit.
Then he thanked God for all His mercies,
that He had shielded him against the deceitful devil,
and had given him victory through the true faith.
He prayed likewise for all Christian folk,
and that God would give rain to the earth,
because the heat was then wasting the land.
After this prayer he crossed himself,
and bade his slayer to kill him.
When he was slain, there came straightway thither
the people of his own country, believers in God,
who took his body, and brought it to the city,
wherein he had suffered, and there buried him
with great honour, to the praise of the Almighty.
Then the Lord sent rain-showers,
and watered the earth, which before was burned up,
even as George had prayed, before he bowed to the death.
Lo, then, Datian was suddenly slain
by fire from heaven, and his companions together,
as he was going homeward with his high thanes,
and he went to hell before he reached his house;
and the holy George journeyed to Christ,
with whom he ever dwelleth in glory. Amen.
