12.  However, that I may dwell awhile upon this point, and luxuriate in my story as men do who are eyewitnesses in some marvellous event, Some edd. read “in the spectacle,” which would make better sense, but has not ms. authority. that noble man, fortified with the sign of Christ, and defending himself with His Mighty Word, entered the lists against an adversary experienced in arms and strong in his skill in argument.  In no wise abashed at the sight, nor shrinking at all from his high purpose through flattery, he was an athlete ready, both in word and deed, to meet a rival of equal power.  Such then was the arena, and so equipped the champion of godliness.  The judge on one side was Christ, arming the athlete with His own sufferings:  and on the other a dreadful tyrant, A dreadful tyrant.  The Evil One:  with Billius and Clémencet.  Julian was antagonist, not Judge—unless we consider that he combined unfairly the two offices. persuasive by his skill in argument, and overawing him by the weight of his authority; and as spectators, on either hand, both those who were still left on the side of godliness and those who had been snatched away by him, watching whether victory inclined to their own side or to the other, and more anxious as to which would gain the day than the combatants themselves.