PERPETUA AND FELICITAS. 283 CHAPTER III. ARGUMENT. — Perpeluais again temptedby herfather. Her thirdvision,whereinsheisledaway tostruggleagainstan Egyptianfor a reward ; shefights,conquers,and receives thereward. 1. "Again, aftera few days,Pudens, a soldier,an assistant overseer1of the prison,who began to regard us in great esteem,perceivingthat the great power of God was in us, admitted many brethren to see us,that both we and they might be mutually refreshed. And when the day of the exhibitiondrew near, my father,worn out with suffering, came in to me, and began to tearout hisbeard,and to throw himself on the earth,and to casthimselfdown on hisface, and to reproachhis years,apd to uttersuch words as might move allcreation.I grievedforhisunhappy old age. 2. " The day beforethaton which we were to fight,I saw in a visionthat Pomponius the deacon came hitherto the gate of the prison,and knocked vehemently. I went out to him, and opened the gate for him ; and he was clothedin a richlyornamented white robe,and he had on manifold 'calliculae.'2 And he said to me, 'Perpetua,we are wait ing for you; come!' And he held his hand to me, and we began to go through rough and winding places.Scarcely at lengthhad we arrivedbreathlessatthe amphitheatre,when he led me intothe middle of the arena,and saidto me, 'Do not fear,I am here with you, and I am labouringwith you ;' and he departed. And I gazed upon an immense assembly in astonishment. And becauseI knew thatI was given to the wild beasts,I marvelledthatth wild beastswere not let looseupon me. Then therecame forthagainstme a certain 1 Optio. 2 It stemsuncertainwhat may be themeaningofthisword. Itis variouslysupposedtosignifylittleroundornamentseitherof clothor metalattachedto thesoldier'sdress,or thesmallbellson thepriestly robe. Some alsoreadtheword " galliculfe,"smallsandals.