“Cneius Messius Decius Augustus II., and Gratus, Consuls, on the seventh before the Calends of August, in Sicca Veneria, a colony, in the Secretary at the Tribunal, Martianus, procurator, sitting; Callista, a maker of images, was brought up by the Commentariensis on a charge of Christianity, and when she was placed,

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: This folly has been too long; you have made images, and now you will not worship them.

“CALLISTA answered: For I have found my true Love, whom before I knew not.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: Your true love is, I ween, your last love; for all were true in their time.

“CALLISTA said: I worship my true Love, who is the Only True; and He is the Son of God, and I know none but Him.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: You will not worship the gods, but you are willing to love their sons.

“CALLISTA said: He is the true Son of the True God; and I am His, and He is mine.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: Let alone your loves, and swear by the genius of the emperor.

“CALLISTA said: I have but one Lord, the King of kings, the Ruler of all.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, turned to the lictor and said: This folly is madness; take her hand, put incense in it, and hold it over the flame.

“CALLISTA said: You may compel me by your great strength, but my own true Lord and Love is stronger.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: You are bewitched; but we must undo the spell. Take her to the Lignum (the prison for criminals).

“CALLISTA said: He has been there before me, and He will come to me there.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: The jailer will see to that. Let her be brought up to-morrow.

“On the day following, Martianus, the procurator, sitting at the tribunal, called up Callista. He said: Honour our lord, and sacrifice to the gods.

“CALLISTA said: Let me alone; I am content with my One and only Lord.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: What? did he come to you in prison, as you hoped?

“CALLISTA said: He came to me amid much pain; and the pain was pleasant, for He came in it.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: You have got worn and yellow, and he will leave you.

“CALLISTA said: He loves me the more, for I am beautiful when I am black.

“MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: Throw her into the Tullianum; perhaps she will find her god there also.

“Then the procurator entered into the Secretary, and drew the veil; and dictated the sentence for the tabella. Then he came out, and the præco read it:—Callista, a senseless and reprobate woman, is hereby sentenced to be thrown into the Tullianum; then to be stretched on the equuleus; then to be placed on a slow fire; lastly, to be beheaded, and left to the dogs and birds.

“CALLISTA said: Thanks to my Lord and King.”