Acts of Paul and Thecla

Historical source scan page 165

138 THE HISTORY OF THECLA. were worse than the former, they broke out into wailing and say: ‘Thy help (we implore), O God! What do we see in this city ?” And then these women came and cast perfumes upon Thecla; there were some who cast spikenard, and some sweet-marjoram (amaracus), and some tarphuse ;* and they were throwing perfumes into the midst of the theatre upon Thecla. And the beasts, which they had let loose at her, came up to her, and sat down around her, behind her and in front of her, and lay down and slept; and not one of them harmed Thecla. And again ܩܣ)‎ ( Alexander ran (and) came and said to the hégemdn: : '' 1 have two bulls, which are very strong and savage; let us bring them and bind between them this (woman who is) doomed to be devoured by beasts, so that perchance they may become furious and destroy her.” And the hégemén said to Alexander: ‘Go and do whatever seems good unto thee.” And he sent and had the bulls fetched; and they brought Thecla from among the beasts, and took hold of her, and threw Thecla upon her face,’ and took hold of her feet and bound her between the two bulls. And they brought spits and put them in the fire, and made the spits hot with fire, and laid them upon the thighs of the bulls, that they might become furious and in their anger‘ destroy the captive. And the bulls, because of the pain they suffered, sprang up suddenly ; but a flash of fire ran and consumed * the @ I cannot translate this word, which is so written in C. The MS. A has ܛܪ . . ܣܐ‎ , with the letters ܦܘ‎ erased. > C. omits this clause. ° @ and with their feet. 4 0. sprang up sud- denly and ran; but a flame of fire consumed.