those which thou callest gods, being firmly fixed in lead,
and so thou may est certainly ascertain by feeling (them),
if thou canst not see that they are stones.
They would quickly become lime if one put them on a burning pile;
now can they not profit themselves, nor, verily, men;
and they would become lime if one laid them on fire.'
Then the wicked judge became fiendishly angry,
and bade men take her straightway, and seethe her in water
in her own house for the Saviour's name.
So the heathen did as Almachius commanded them;
and she lay in the bath over a burning fire
the whole day and night with uninjured body
as if in cold water, and she did not even sweat.
Then they told Almachius how the maiden continued
in the hot bath with sound body,
and even without sweat. Then sent he an executioner to her,
and commanded him to behead her in the hot water.
So the executioner struck her with his sword
once and again and a third time, but her neck was not pierced;
and anon he left her lying half alive,
because the senate had decreed that no executioner should
strike four times, when he slew a criminal.
Then she lived three days and instructed the faithful,
and committed her handmaidens to the illustrious pope,
and her house was consecrated as a holy church,
where, by the help of God, miracles were often wrought.
And Urban the pope buried her honourably
to the glory of the Almighty who reigneth in eternity. Amen.
