The President said: “Leave off this useless babbling; come hither, and sacrifice.”
“I do not say much,” replied Tharacus, “but I speak the truth; for I am now sixty-five years old, and have believed thus, and do not desire to depart from the truth.”
Demetrius, the Centurion, said: “O wretched man! spare thyself, sacrifice, and follow my advice.”
Tharacus answered: “Depart from me, thou servant of Satan, with thy advice.”
Maximus commanded them, to put heavy iron chains on him, and take him back to prison, and to bring forth another.
Probus examined.—Demetrius, the Captain, said: “Lord, here is one already.”
Thereupon the President said to Probus: “Tell me first thy name.”
Probus answered: “In the first place, my noblest name is, that I am a Christian; secondly, men call me Probus.”
The Proconsul asked again: “Of what nation and descent art thou?”
Probus replied: “My father was from Thracia, a citizen, born at Pergamus, in Pamphilia; but I am a Christian.”