XXIV.
JULY 30. ABDON AND SENNES, KINGS.
In the days of Decius the diabolic emperor
there were two kings, Abdon and Sennes,
believing in Christ with true faith.
Then their fame reached the bloodthirsty emperor
who then ruled alone over the whole earth;
and all other kings kneeled to him,
and their dominion continued as he alone willed.
Then sent Decius to the aforesaid kings,
and bade that they should be brought in bonds to him,
desiring to turn them from God's service
to his errors and to his idolatries.
So then the executioners bound the kings,
and brought them in iron chains to the wicked [Decius],
for the faith of Christ, unto deadly tortures.
Then Decius bade the holy kings
to sacrifice to his gods, but they answered thus:
' We offer our sacrifices to the living God,
Jesus Christ, and we hope in Him;
do thou thyself sacrifice to thy shameful gods.'
Then said Decius, the devil's worshipper;
'For these men must be prepared the sharpest punishments.'
Abdon and Sennes answered him thus,
' For what waitest thou, Emperor? declare what thou wilt,
that thou mayest know of a truth that we are without care
through our Saviour Christ, who hath the power
utterly to overthrow thy counsels and thyself,
and to destroy [thee] for ever.'
