fear, having with him however some scanty food, and came to his companions and told them everything; how fearfully the emperor had commanded concerning them, that they should be sought for everywhere ; and they, the Saints, when they had heard that, all feared and cried to God, and with very great lamentation commended to Him all their lives. Nevertheless, Malchus their serving man was ever among them, and the scanty food which he had brought thither he served to them carefully, that they might a little refresh themselves, and that they might be the more heartened against the accursed strong one and the old adversary. When they all came together and sat in the midst of the cave, that they might eat in common, then their eyes were filled with tears and all their hearts sadly grieved; meanwhile it became evening, and the sun sank to rest while they were weeping and talking anxiously; then, among them, one by one they napped, and so long reclined that they were all asleep together ; all their eyes were made heavy by the manifold bitter tears which they had let fall there, and in that great sorrow they lay and slept. But God the Almighty Creator, who is the Ruler of all creatures, who to His chosen is as mild as is a mother to her own child, Himself ordained for the Seven Saints, that they should sleep thus, for the great wonders which afterward He willed to do; these Saints, whom He was minded further to reveal to all the world. He Himself thus ordained these things, and by His mighty disposing ordered it, that none of them should feel how they fell asleep, and none of them knew where their souls rested. It was all unknown to them, but it was fully known to God. They all lay sleeping upon the earth, and thus in the confession of God's name they fell into that quietness; and the money that they had there in their scrips lay also with the Saints upon the earth. When the sun began in the morning to show to all men her bright beam, then the emperor bade search diligently wherever they could hear of the Saints. Then every man, according to the command, went everywhere ; they searched in the country, they asked
