Probus answered: “The Lord knoweth it, and hath seen the violence I have suffered.”
The President said to the executioners: “Apply the branding irons to the calves of his legs.”
Probus replied: “Neither the fire, nor the torments, nor thy father, Satan, can turn the servant of God from his confession.”
The President said to his servants: “Let sharp nails be heated, and put them into his hands.”
Probus answered as he suffered this: “I thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast made my hands worthy, to suffer for thy name.”
The President said: “The many torments have deprived thee of thy mind.”
Probus replied: “The great power which thou hast, has not only made thee a fool, but also blind; for thou knowest not what thou art doing.”
The President said: “Thou who hast been tormented on thy whole body excepting the eyes, darest thou speak thus to me?” “Pinch his eyes,” said he to the executioners, “that he may gradually become blind.”
When this had been done, Probus said: “Behold, thou has also deprived me of my bodily eyes, but thou shalt never be permitted to destroy the eyes of my faith.”
The President said: “Dost thou think thou wilt survive all these torments, or that thus thou shalt die happy?”