Then Maximian became inflamed with great anger,
and bade the heathen go and slay the saints,
that men might see how Maximian would avenge
his own dishonour and eke that of his gods.
And they therewith went quickly to fulfil his commands.
Then Maurice, the illustrious servant of God,
and Exuperius, filled with humility,
exhorted their companions to be fearless,
and requested them to cast their weapons away from them,
and for Christ's faith to submit to their executioners,
[going] joyfully to death, even as He [Christ] Himself set them the example
when He bade Peter to sheathe his sword.
In the midst of these exhortations the heathen hastened
with formidable weapons to the pious company,
and slew the Christians, even as the Emperor had commanded,
with their weapons furiously, as one heweth wood;
and the servants of God hastened with gladness,
stretched out their necks to the death for Christ,
and would not with their weapons strive against them,
but hastened with emulation to the terrible swords.
After that the Emperor sent to the executioners,
and bade that they should not leave of that faithful band
one man alive who believed in Christ;
and they so did as the devil's worshipper
savagely bade, and killed the servants of God,
so that not one was left of the company.
Many of God's angels from heaven straightway
received their souls with great joy,
even as God's well-instructed servants sing in hymns.
Then the soldiers divided Christ's martyrs'
weapons and garments, because the bloodthirsty one bade
that each of them should have as spoil
that man's clothes whom he had killed with his weapons.
After this dividing the presumptuous murderers
sat down together with great merriment,
