280 THE PASSION OF and I ateit,and allwho stoodaround saidAmen. And at the sound of theirvoicesI was awakened, stilltastinga sweetnesswhich I cannot describe. And I immediately relatedthistomy brother,and we understoodthatitwas to be a passion,and we ceasedhenceforthto have any hopein thisworld. CHAPTER II. Argument. — Perpetua,when besiegedby Iterfather,comforts him. When ledwithotherstothetribunal,sheavowsher selfa Christian,and is condemned with the restto the wildbeasts. She prays for her brotherDinocrates,iclto was dead,whom in a visionshe perceivesto be afflicted, and tobe releasedfrom thepains ofpurgatory. 1. "After a few daysthereprevaileda reportthatwe should be heard. And then my father came to me from the city, worn out with anxiety. He came up to me, thathe might cast me down, saying,'Have pity,my daughter, on my grey hairs. Have pityon your father,if I am worthy tobe calleda fatherby you. If with thesehands I have brought you up to thisflowerof your age,ifI have preferredyou to allyour brothers,do not deliverme up to the scorn of men. Have regard to your brothers,have regard to your mother and your aunt,have regard to your son,who willnot be able to liveafteryou. Lay asideyour courage,and do not bring us allto destruction; for none of us willspeakin freedom ifyou shouldsufferanything.' These thingssaidmy father in his affection,kissingmy hands,and throwing himself at my feet;and withtearshe calledme not Daughter,but Lady. And I grievedover the grey hairsof my father,thathe alone of allmy familywould not rejoiceover my passion. And I comforted him, saying,'On that scaffold1 whatever God willsshallhappen. For know thatwe are not placedin our 1 " Catasta,"a raisedplatformon whichthemartyrswereplaced eitherfortrialortorture.