University of Virginia Library

One Victor was at Xanthus for Christ name
With eighteen score more worthy Christians slain.
The Holy man Cassianus Pastor chiefe
At Brixia di'd, but fell by this sharp griefe
For being now betrusted with a Schoole
He did apply himselfe thereto and rule
Comily-Forum is the place he's at.
The Tyrant hearing of it, as he sat
In judgment: treats him and Condemns him too
To be bemartyred by his Schollar so
He's given to them to attend their Will
And pleasure with, so be they do him kill.
They handle him full sadly, some with pens
New sharpned, some with their Pensills, stems
Of Quills, With Penknives, Rulers, plumets and
Such Childish things as are in Schooleboyes hands
That give him many scars and smarting wounds
So that his torment mightily abounds
The greater boyes that stronger were did come
And lay at him but yet the time was long
Wherein his smart and scornfull scoffs did rise,
From such as were malicious arch schoole boyes.
But on it goes untill grim death doth seise
Upon him in this wise and gives him ease.

The Noble brave Barlaam out doth come
All torments suffers in his Martyredome
With an Heroick bravery untill
At point of Death, and yet he never will
Let any Crumb of truth have any wrong
Wherefore they take and lay him all along
Upon their idolls Altar and do put
Fire and some Incense in's right hand and shut
They do the same concluding that the flame
Would make his hand to ope that from the same
The Frankincense might on the altar fall
As sacrificd, but were deceivd withall
For loe the fire eate round his hand, untill
It as with ashes cover'd were, yet still
He held the Incense, and sung thus outright
Blesst be my God that learns my hand to fight
And thus upon the Divells Altar lies
He and is burnt to God in Sacrifice.

Let now the noble Catherine who was
A Virgin brave of Alexandria pass
Among these Martyres, who upon a day
When many Christians were compelld to stay
At Idoll Offrings in their sight in th'place
She groand for griefe, and did unto the face
Maxentius the Emperour withstand,
And did rebuke him for his Cruell hand.
Hence she is cast into the jayle, it's said,
An Angell came that night to her convay'd
Sweet Comfort to her. But the Tyrant flings
Her on th'Eculeon Wrack, and also brings
Her to his four sharp cuting Wheeles by's word
And after that beheads her with a Sword.

Now come we to Julitta, who out came
Unto the judges then, and did complain
Of some one mighty muckworm that had flown
Upon her state, Land, Village, Stock, Slaves known
To be all hers, as his by violence
Whereto the Churle thus pleaded in defence.
She outlawd was because she would not serve
Th'Imperiall Gods nor would from Christ back swarve
This plea's thought good, hence Fire and Incense's brought
She Offer must, and Christ deny, or sought
Relief in vain, Whereto she doth reply
With Valeat Vita, Valeant Opes, aye
Oh, farewell Life, farewell my riches all
I'le part with these rather then let words fall
Against my God Creator, and when prest
By friends to Change her minde she did detest
Their motion. Hence the wicked judge in ire
Doth sentence give she must be burnt with fire.
Whereto with Chearfull Spirit out she goe
And did exhort the Women strong to grow,
They of mans flesh were made, not weake to be
But of his bone to be as strong as hee.
Be weary of your lives in darkness led
And fall in Love, with my Lord Christ and head.
Perswade yourselve, nay Gods good Spirit do't,
That there's a world to come and do you know't
All Idoll Worshipers for ever shall
Tormented be, but then Gods Servants all
Shall Crown'd in glory be eternally
Then lept she in the fire immediatly.