The President said: “Thou madman! how long wilt thou remain thus obstinate? Seek at least to die upon thy bed.”
Andronicus answered: “As long as I live, I shall overcome thy wickedness.”
The President said: “Heat the branding-irons red-hot again, and put them between his fingers.”
Andronicus replied: “O foolish despiser of God! Thou art full of the wicked thoughts of Satan. Seest thou not that my body is almost consumed through the manifold torments thou hast inflicted upon me. Thinkest thou that now at the last I shall begin to fear thy devices? I have Christ dwelling in my heart, and despise thy torments.”
The President said: “Thou miscreant! knowest thou not that this Christ, whom thou worshipest became man, and was punished under the Judge Pontius Pilate?”
Andronicus answered: “Be silent, for it is not lawful for thee to speak evil of him.”
The President said: “What gainest thou by thy faith and hope in this man whom thou callest Christ?”
Andronicus replied: “I have thereby in expectation a great reward and gain; hence I endure all this so patiently.”
The President said: “Break open his mouth, and take meat that has been sacrificed, from the altar, and force it into his mouth, and pour in wine also.”
Andronicus called God to witness, saying: “O Lord! Lord! behold, what violence I suffer!”