About this time, under the same Valerianus, suffered Xistus, or Sixtus, the second of that name, Bishop of Rome: who with vi. of his Deacons,1 (Nemesius being one) was beheaded. At which time also, one Laurence a Deacon, seeing the Bishop led to execution, cried out unto him, saying, O dear father, whither goest thou without the company of thy dear son? meaning himself. To whom he answered with a fatherly discourse: that within three days, he should suffer after a more painful manner: which in deed followed according as he had said: for Laurence having distributed of the goods of the poor, by the charge of the Bishop, it came to the Emperors ear: who (greedy of pray) commanded him to render the treasure unto him. But he instead ⟨p. 38⟩thereof, presented unto him after three days respite, a sort of poor Christians, as the treasure of the Church. Wherewith, taking himself deluded, he commanded Laurence to be broiled on an Iron Gridiron.2 Whereon, after he had suffered a great space, he pronounced these words unto the Tyrant: This side is now roasted enough, turn up O Tyrant: assay whether roasted, or raw, thou think to be better meat.
About this time, vnder the same Valerianus, suffered Xistus, or Sixtus, the second of that name, Bishop of Rome: who with vi. of his Deacons,1 (Nemesius being one) was beheaded. At which time also, one Laurence a Deacon, séeing the Bishop led to execution, cried out vnto him, saying, O deare father, whither goest thou without the companie of thy deare sonne? meaning himselfe. To whom he answered with a fatherly discourse: that within thrée dayes, hee should suffer after a more painfull manner: which in déede followed according as he had said: for Laurence hauing distributed of the goods of the poore, by the charge of the Bishop, it came to the Emperors eare: who (gréedie of praye) commanded him to render the treasure vnto him. But he insteade ⟨p. 38⟩thereof, presented vnto him after thrée dayes respite, a sort of poore Christians, as the treasure of the Church. Wherewith, taking himselfe deluded, he commanded Laurence to be broyled on an Iron Gridiron.2 Whereon, after he had suffered a great space, he pronoūced these words vnto the Tyrant: This side is now rosted inough, turne vp O Tyrant: assay whether rosted, or raw, thou think to be better meate.
- 1Sixtus with six of his deacons.
- 2L. broiled on a gridiron.L. broyled on a gridiron.
