From Syria even unto Rome I fight with beasts,'* both by land and sea, both by night and day, being bound to ten leopards, I mean a band of soldiers, who, even when they receive benefits,^ show themselves all the worse. But I am the more instructed by their injuries [to act as a disciple of Christ] ; " yet am I not thereby justified." ^ May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me ; and I pray that they may be found eager to rush upon me, which also I will entice to devour me speedily, and not deal with me as with some, whom, out of fear, they have not touched. But if they be unwilling to assail me, I will compel them to do so. Pardon me [in this] : I know what is for my benefit. Now I begin to be a dis- ciple, and have ^ no desire after anything visible or invisi- ble, that I may attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross ; let the crowds of wild beasts ; let breakings, tear- ings, and separations of bones ; let cutting off of mem- bers ; let bruising to pieces of the whole body ; and let