buried the martyrs whom the wicked man slew,
and daily distributed alms to the needy,
until the impious persecutor heard of their deeds.
Thereupon Almachius bade summon the men,
and asked them instantly with fierce threatening
why they buried those who despised his commands
and lay slain because of their guilt,
or why they secretly distributed their possessions
to mean men by unwise counsel?
Then Tiburtius answered the wicked man and said:
' Oh! that the saints, whom thou hast bidden men to slay
and whom we have buried, would at least
have us as slaves in their service! '
Thus they discoursed a long time until the wicked man
commanded men to beat the second brother with clubs;
and a certain counsellor spake thus to the cruel one:
'bid them, master, be put to death, since they are Christians;
for if thou delayest, they will deal their goods
to the poor and needy; and thou wilt punish them afterwards,
and yet wilt not have the goods because of thy delay.'
Then Almachius bade his wicked torturers
bring the brothers in bonds together
to the heathen temple, and bade them sacrifice;
or they should be straightway slain by the sword.
So Maximus with other torturers led them,
as the wicked man had commanded, to the place of execution.
Then wept Maximus because they were going to die,
and asked the brothers why they went so blithely
to their own execution as if to a banquet.
Then said the elder brother; ' we should not hasten to death
with such great bliss, if we were not verily going
to a better life, after we are slain;
even to the eternal life, as we have learned of a truth.'
Amongst these exhortations, whilst they were hurried forward,
