Page:Aelfric's Lives of Saints Vol 2.djvu/223

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house. Earnestly the emperor saw this wonderful spectacle, that the lioness touched them not; then bade he fetch a brazen ox and heat it and put the saints therein. Then came thither countless folk, both of Christians and heathens, to this spectacle; for they desired to see how the saints would suffer. Then besought Eustace that they would allow them time to commend themselves to God, and they stretched up their hands to God, saying, ' Lord God, Creator of all creatures, visible and invisible, Thou Who to all art invisible in Thy Majesty, by us verily Thou wast seen as Thy will was; hear us now, dear Lord, praying to Thee; behold now our desire is fulfilled, that we might come together, and merit to receive the fellowship of the saints, even as the three youths who were tried by fire and yet denied Thee not. Let us now. Lord, end (our lives) by this fire; and give to those who on earth shall be mindful of us the meed in Heaven of Thy Glory with us; and give them sufficiency on earth; and if they, either on the sea or on the land, are endangered, and they call on Thee through our name, may they be delivered from every danger; and if they fall into sins, and they then adjure Thee by our humility, give them, Lord, forgiveness of their sins; and to all those who make memorial of us, and glorify Thee, give them aid and help them; grant. Lord, that this fire's heat may be turned to wet dew, and let us end (our lives) in it; and may it please Thee, as to our bodies, that they be not separated, but let them be here laid together.'

When they had said this, then came a voice from heaven thus speaking: ' It shall be as ye pray, and much more, because ye were striving in good life, and ye were enduring manifold temptations, and nevertheless were not overcome. Come now in peace, and receive the crown of glory of your victory; and, in exchange for these transitory evils, enjoy the eternal goods to ages of ages.' When the blessed saints heard this, then gave they themselves to the fire, and straightway the heat of the fire cooled, and they then praised the glorious and laudable Trinity, and sung a psalm to God, and gave up their souls in peace to Christ; and the fire touched them not, not even a hair of their heads. Verily after