He would torment them with greater torments
that they should not so easily end (their life).
Then came they both with blithe faces
and wholly-sound bodies, to the unbelieving judge;
and he was astonished that they were wholly-sound,
and of fair hue, in full strength;
and he asked the warders however they dared
so well feed them, with victuals and drinks.
He could not perceive that Christ himself fed them;
and he asked then with anger the aforesaid bishop,
' Ha! thou Valerius, I ask thee now,
what dost thou, inasmuch as thou darest contend
against the emperor, as if for religion?'
But the bishop answered not the cruel one so readily,
because that God would that he should be overcome
by the deacon in the martyrdom,
who was then ready for the glorious victory.
And that the wicked one might also perceive
that the bishop could with bold faith
despise his torments, since he was (even) overcome
by the deacon, through his belief in the Lord.
Then quoth Vincentius to the venerable bishop —
'Answer the profane one with prompt faith,
that his madness may thus be brought to naught,
by the authority of our Lord's might.
The very serpent speaketh now by the mouth of this profane one,
he who formerly seduced the first-created men,
and with envious malice robbed them of the glory
which God would have given them, if they had obeyed him.
He deserved no glory,
neither did he remain in truthfulness;
but that death which he proffered to the first-created men,
