but his slayer might not live in full health,
because that both his eyes burst out of him,
and fell to the earth with Alban's head,
that he might understand whom he had killed.
They beheaded afterward the faithful soldier
who would not behead the holy man,
and he lay beside Alban, believing in God,
baptized with his blood, and departed to Heaven.
Afterward, when the executioners came to their lord,
and related the wonderful signs which Alban had wrought,
and how he was blinded who had beheaded him,
then he bade them stay the persecution, and spake reverently
of the holy martyrs, whom he could not turn
from God's faith by the terrible torments.
In that same persecution were [also] slain
Aaron and Julius, and many others,
both of men and women, widely throughout England,
killed by tortures for Christ's faith,
and they departed victoriously to the true life.
Then the persecution ceased, and the Christians came
out of the woods, and out of the wastes, where they had been hidden,
and went amongst men, and restored Christianity,
and repaired churches that were wholly ruined,
and dwelt there in peace with true faith.
Then they built likewise a worthy church
to the holy Alban, where he was buried,
and there frequently were miracles performed
to the praise of the Saviour who liveth ever in eternity.
This was done before that strife came
through Hengest and Horsa who defeated the Britons,
and Christianity was again dishonoured,
until Augustine re-established it,
