University of Virginia Library

In Affrica no pen with inke can shew
The Cruelties Gods Saints did undergoe
Their bodies were with shells to pieces torn
Women had one leg tide and then in scorn
Hoist up on high, their heads hung downward then
For an uncomely, Cruell sight to men.
Strong boughs of boistrous trees by Engins bowd
Their martyres legs unto the same they Crowd
And tide, then on a sudden let them fly
And rend them do and take their limbs on high,
Which cruelties for many years were such
By tens, by twenties, thirties (nay its much)
By sixties and by hunderds oft they slay
Men Women Children tortur'd in a day.
Some burnt, some were beheaded; yet some in
Step out at bar as other's sentenc'd, sing
And tune forth Psalms of praise and this did last
In their sharp tortures till their dying gasp.
Some had their soft Ears board, their Nostrills slit,
Their Hands cut off, joynts outed, Limbs off split,
Their bodies torn to pieces, some by law
Have left legs sawn of by a burning saw,
Their right Eyes by a bodkin dug out, and
Their holes seerd then they're to the Mine pits damnd.
Here now at Alexandria forth is brought
The Noble Philoramus by Christ taught,
The City Governour in place of trust
In weighty Matters of the Empire just
In Roman honours guarded in such strain
With a brave troop of souldiers for his train.
Now leaves his honours, Riches, Wife and babes
And all Entreaties of such things; and wades
To Christ his Onely Wealth, Joy, Glory bright
In blood, Whose head they With the sword off smite.

Now Phileas Bishop of Thmuis who
Was famous for Politick Rule also
Had oversight of Publick Liturgies
And Philosophick Studies dies.
Nylus and Peleus Who bishops were
In Egypt were burnt down to ashes there.
Hysechius, Pachamy, Theodore
In Egypt also bishops and more ore
Peter the bishop of Christs Church that shone
At Alexandria whose fame's well known
For Piety and Patern to Christs flock
And Shephards too, and with him of this stock
Faustus Ammonius, and Didius
Choice ministers and full three hundred thus
Were slain with axes for Christs Gospell sake.
Oh Egypt how doth this thee glorious make?
Menas who was of Egypts souldiery
Did shew himselfe in Christian Chavilry
Most expert and in tortures thus declar'd
There's nothing in my minde may be compar'd
With heavens kingdom, nor can all the World
Be worth one Soule, if in the balance hurld.
Who can us from our Lord Christs Love ere part?
Shall Anguish or distress? I've learnd by heart
Of my Dear Lord and King, not such to feare
Who can't th'Soule, though may kill th'body here.
And when as being judgd, at block he was
His heart arose and thus his praises up pass
I thanke thee do my Lord God who hast mee
Partaker of thy pretius death made bee,
And hast not me devoured by fierce foes
But constantly in thy Pure Faith repose
Myselfe to this my latter end which said
He yields himselfe and off they strike his head.
Antino did her Christian Souldiers give
To Martyredom eternally to live
Ascla Philemon Apolonius
Amongst the rest were executed thus.
And thus this Cruelty did overflow
All Egypt, Thebes, and Lybia also
And Mauritania did feel this smart
That drove her pretious spirits from her heart.
It ran into the Ilands. Samus ile
Were lanced by it for a while
And Sicily had Eighty martyr'd in't
Excepting one did deeply of it drinke.
But now my Pinace is at Sea. I'le steer
To Europe brave to see what times were there.