ir sufferings to the eve of their death, is
as follows: "We were in the hands of our persecutors, when my father,
out of the affection he bore me, made new efforts to shake my
resolution. I said to him: 'Can that vessel, which you see, change its
name?' He said: 'No.' I replied: 'Nor can I call myself any other than I
am, that is to say, a Christian.' At that word my father in a rage fell
upon me, as if he would have pulled my eyes out, and beat me: but went
away in confusion, seeing me invincible: after this we enjoyed a little
repose, and in that interval received baptism. The Holy Ghost, on our
coming out of the water, inspired me to pray for nothing but patience
under corporal pains. A few days after this we were put into prison: I
was shocked at the horror and darkness of the place;[1] for till then I
knew not what such sort of places were. We suffered much that day,
chiefly on account of the great heat caused by the crowd, and the
ill-treatment we met with from the soldiers. I was moreover tortured
with concern, for that I had not my infant. But the deacons, Tertius and
Pomponius, who assisted us, obtained, by money, that we might pass some
hours in a more commodious part of the prison to refresh ourselves. My
infant being brought to me almost famished, I gave it the breast. I
recommended him afterwards carefully to my mother, and encouraged my
brother; but was much afflicted to see their concern for me. After a few
days my sorrow was changed into comfort, and my prison itself seemed
agreeable. One day my brother said to me: 'Sister, I am persuaded that
you are a peculiar favorite of Heaven: pray to God to reveal to you
whether this imprisonment will end in martyrdom or not, and acquaint me
of it.' I, knowing God gave me daily tokens of his goodness, answered,
full of confidence, 'I will inform you to-morrow.' I therefore asked
that favor of God, and had this vision. I saw a golden ladder which
reached from earth to the heavens; but so narrow, that only one could
mount it at a time. To the two sides were fastened all sorts of iron
instruments, as swords, lances, hooks, and knives; so that if any one
went up carelessly he was in great danger of having his flesh torn by
those weapons. At the foot of the ladder lay a dragon of an enormous
size, who kept guard to turn back and terrify those that endeavored to
mount it. The first that went up was Saturus, who was not apprehended
with us, but voluntarily surrendered himse