292 PASSION OF PEBPETVA AND FELICITAS.
place. And when the populace calledfor them intothe
midst,that as the sword penetratedinto theirbody they
might make theireyes partnersin the murder, they roseup
of theirown accord,and transferredthemselveswhitherthe
peoplewished ; but they firstkissedone another,that they
might consummate theirmartyrdom with the kissof peace.
The rest indeed,immoveable and in silence,receivedthe
sword-thrust;much more Saturus,who alsohad firstascended
the ladder,and firstgave up hisspirit,forhe alsowas waiting
for Perpetua. But Perpetua, that she might tastesome
pain,being piercedbetween the ribs,criedout loudly,and
she herselfplaced the wavering righthand of the youthful
gladiatorto her throat. Possiblysuch a woman could not
have been slainunlessshe herselfhad willedit,becauseshe
was fearedby the impure spirit.
• O most brave and blessedmartyrs! O trulycalledand
chosen unto the gloryof our Lord Jesus Christ! whom who
ever magnifies,and honours,and adores,assuredlyought to
read theseexamples forthe edificationof the church,not less
than the ancientones,so that new virtuesalsomay testify
thatone and the same Holy Spiritisalways operatingeven
untilnow, and God the Father Omnipotent, and His Son
Jesus Christour Lord, whose isthe gloryand infinitepower
forever and ever. Amen.