The youth was angered, and inwardly blinded
after the maiden's speech, who had spurned him with words.
He straightway fell ill, and drew sighs
from the depths of his breast, lying on his bed.
Then leeches enquired why he was lying there,
and made known to the father the youth's mental disorder.
Then the father sent straightway to the maiden
the same errand which his son had before announced;
but Agnes refused, saying that she would not
by any marriage, ever stain
the noble troth of the first bridegroom.
Then it seemed to the Prefect shameful in his mind
that she should account another before his son.
He strictly questioned, nevertheless, with great threatening
who this bridegroom was of whom Agnes boasted.
It was then told him that she had been a Christian
from early childhood, and so filled with delusion
that she accounted Christ as being her bridegroom.
Lo! then Sempronius, with a loud voice,
bade fetch her home to his judgment-seat,
and first, apart, with persuasive words
flattered the maiden, and after that intimidated her.
But the virgin of God could not be allured
by any flattery from her beloved Lord,
neither was she afraid because of his threatening.
Then Sempronius saw her true constancy,
and told her friends that she would be accused
for her Christianity, which the Emperor abhorred.
After this in the morning the wicked judge bade
fetch the blessed Agnes to him,
and told her repeatedly how his son loved her,
but he had little success, though he spake very much.
He sat there on his judgment-seat, vexed in mind,
and promised to the maiden manifold punishments,
unless she would renounce the true Saviour.
