Callista : a Tale of the Third Century
Page 44
"Cneius Messius Decius Augustus II., and Gratus, Consuls, on the seventhbefore the Calends of August, in Sicca Veneria, a colony, in the Secretaryat the Tribunal, Martianus, procurator, sitting; Callista, a maker ofimages, 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 havemade 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 lastlove; for all were true in their time.
"CALLISTA said: I worship my true Love, who is the Only True; and He isthe Son of God, and I know none but Him.
"MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: You will not worship the gods, but youare willing to love their sons.
"CALLISTA said: He is the true Son of the True God; and I am His, and Heis mine.
"MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: Let alone your loves, and swear by thegenius 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 ismadness; 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 trueLord and Love is stronger.
"MARTIANUS, the procurator, said: You are bewitched; but we must undo thespell. 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 bebrought 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, asyou 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 hewill 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; perhapsshe will find her god there also.
"Then the procurator entered into the Secretary, and drew the veil; anddictated the sentence for the tabella. Then he came out, and the praecoread it:--Callista, a senseless and reprobate woman, is hereby sentenced tobe thrown into the Tullianum; then to be stretched on the equuleus; thento be placed on a slow fire; lastly, to be beheaded, and left to the dogsand birds.
"CALLISTA said: Thanks to my Lord and King."