A Martyr’s Epitaph. — Section 69

(From ‘Easter Day’.)

I was born sickly, poor, and mean,

A slave:  no misery could screen

The holders of the pearl of price

From Caesar’s envy; therefore twice

I fought with beasts, and three times saw

My children suffer by his law;

At last my own release was earned:

I was some time in being burned,

But at the close a Hand came through

The fire above my head, and drew         {10}

My soul to Christ, whom now I see.

Sergius, a brother, writes for me

This testimony on the wall—

For me, I have forgot it all.