l loss: and the next
day before dawn the combat was renewed with greater vehemence than
before, the trumpets cheering the men on both sides, and again a
terrible slaughter of each took place, both armies struggling with the
most determined obstinacy.

7. But on the following day both armies by common consent rested from
their terrible exertions, the defenders of the walls and the Persians
being equally dismayed. When a Christian priest made sign by gestures
that he desired to go forth, and having received a promise that he
should be allowed to return in safety, he advanced to the king's tent.

8. When he was permitted to speak, he, with gentle language, urged the
Persians to depart to their own country, affirming that after the losses
each side had sustained they had reason perhaps to fear even greater
disasters in future. But these and other similar arguments were uttered
to no purpose. The fierce madness of the king robbing them of their
effect, as Sapor swore positively that he would never retire till he had
destroyed our camp.

9. Nevertheless a groundless suspicion was whispered against the bishop,
wholly false in my opinion, though supported by the assertions of many,
that he had secretly informed Sapor what part of the wall to attack, as
being internally slight and weak. Though the suspicion derived some
corroboration from the fact that afterwards the engines of the enemy
were carefully and with great exultation directed against the places
which were weakest, or most decayed, as if those who worked them were
acquainted with what parts were most easily penetrable.

10. And although the narrowness of the causeway made the approach to the
walls hard, and though the battering-rams when equipped were brought
forward with great difficulty, from fear of the stones and arrows hurled
upon the assailants by the besieged, still neither the balistae nor the
scorpions rested a moment, the first shooting javelins, and the latter
hurling showers of stones, and baskets on fire, smeared with pitch and
tar; and as these were perpetually rolled down, the engines halted as if
rooted to the ground, and fiery darts and firebrands well-aimed set them
on fire.

11. Still while this was going on, and numbers were falling on both
sides, the besiegers were the more eager to destroy a town, strong both
by its natural situation and its powerful defences, before the arrival
of winter, thinking it impossible to appease the fury of their k