and he himself came thereto, and saw the light,
and bade him come out, and began to question him:
' What is the great power of thy criminal arts
that thou performest such things through fiendly magic?
Very often have I conquered the resolute sorcerers,
and every witchcraft I easily overcame;
and the Chaldean magicians and the serpent-charmers
I could ever subdue unto my will;
and I never found such stubborn sorcery;
I desire now nevertheless that thou turn thyself
from thy Christianity and please our gods
by worthy offerings.' Then Chrysanthus answered him;
' thou mightest understand, if thou knewest any god,
that I did not these things by sorcery,
but God Himself aided me with divine power;
thy gods see not nor truly hear,
but are senseless, fastened with lead.'
Then Claudius bade men scourge him fiercely
with great rods for his insults to the gods.
Then the rods became wondrously softened
suddenly in their hands, as it were feathers.
When men held them, they were hard and rough (?);
when men struck, immediately they softened.
Then Claudius commanded them to let go the saint,
and to clothe him again, and he himself cried:
'this might is not of men, but is God's greatness
Who hath overcome all these tortures so easily.
What will we longer do, except all lie down
at his venerable knees and humbly pray
that he intercede for us to such a God,
Who maketh His worshippers so mighty in fight? '
Then fell they all with fear at his knees,
and Claudius said to him, ' I acknowledge of a truth
that thy God is true God, and I myself now pray
that thou wilt entreat for me how I may become His worshipper.'
