2. Why, then, are you disturbed? I will
never willingly desert you, though if force is used, I cannot meet
it. I shall be able to grieve, to weep, to groan; against
weapons, soldiers, Goths, my tears are my weapons, for these are a
priest’s defence. I ought not, I cannot resist in any other
way; but to fly and forsake the Church is not my way; lest any one
should suppose I did so from fear of some heavier punishment. You
yourselves know that I am wont to show respect to our emperors, but not
to yield to them, to offer myself freely to punishment, and not to fear
what is prepared for me.