this Maximus spake to the martyrs thus:
'I would also despise this world's sweetness,
if I knew of a surety that your words were true.
Then said the younger brother to him, out of his bonds,
'Our Lord Christ will cause that thou shalt see,
when we are slain, how our souls depart
with glory to Him, if thou wilt now promise
that thou with all thy mind wilt repent of thy wickedness.'
Then Maximus said to the martyrs thus:
' may fire consume me if I bow not to Christ
after I see how your souls depart
to the other life whereof ye speak.'
Then said the holy brothers whom he was leading in bonds;
' command these executioners to keep us alive
in thine own house now for this one night,
until thou be baptized from former sins,
that thou mayest, by God's help, see that vision.'
Then they were brought in bonds to his house,
and the blessed Caecilia with venerable priests
soon came thither, and they sat that night,
speaking concerning Christ until the executioners believed,
and were baptized by the aforesaid priests.
Lo then! in the early dawn the precious maiden,
Caecilia, cried, and said to them all:
'Now, oh ye soldiers of God, cast away from you boldly
the works of darkness, and be ye now clothed
with the armour of light for this conflict.
Ye have fought a very goodly fight;
ye have fulfilled your course, and have kept the faith;
go to the crown of glory of the winsome life
which the righteous judge will give you as reward.
Then they were led for their faith to death,
and beheaded with the sword. Then Maximus beheld,
