72 THE TREATISES OF CYPRIAN. lings,but glories,givingasgreata witnesstoGod by thevirtue of her eyes,as her childrenhad given by thetorturesand suf feringof theirlimbs; when, afterthepunishment and slaying of six,thereremained one of the brethren,to whom the king promisedriches,and power, and many things,thathiscruelty and ferocitymight be soothedby the satisfactionof even one being subdued,and asked thatthe mother would entreatthat her son might be castdown with herself; she entreated,but itwas as became a mother of martyrs— as became one who was mindful of thelaw and of God — asbecame one who loved her sonsnot delicately,but bravely. For she entreated,but itwas that he would confessGod. She entreatedthat the brotherwould not be separatedfrom his brothersin the allianceof praiseand glory; then only consideringherself the mother of sevensons,if itshouldhappen to her to have brought forth seven sons,not to the world, but to God. Therefore arming him, and strengthening him, and so bearing her son by a more blessedbirth,she said," O son, pityme that bare thee ten1months in the womb, and gave thee milk for three years,and nourishedthee and brought theeup to thisage ;I pray thee,O son,lookupon theheaven and the earth; and having consideredallthe thingswhich are in them, understandthatout of nothing God made these thingsand the human race. Therefore,O son,1do not fear that executioner;but being made worthy of thy brethren, receivedeath,that in the same mercy I may receivethee with thy brethren."* The mother'spraisewas great in her exhortationto virtue,but greaterin the fearof God and in the truth of faith,that she promised nothing to herselfor her son from the honour of the sixmartyrs,nor believedthat the prayer of the brotherswould availfor the salvationof one who shoulddeny, but ratherpersuaded him to become a sharerintheirsuffering,thatinthe day of judgment he might be found with hisbrethren. After thisthe mother alsodies with her children; for neitherwas anythingelsebecoming, 1Otherwise" nine." 2 " Thusitshallturnoutthatyou,"etc.,istheOxfordreading. 82 Mace.vii.27.