ANTIOCHUS. This girl is crazy—a raving lunatic! She calls the ruler of the world a fool!
FAITH. I have said it, and I am ready to repeat it. I shall not take back my words as long as I live.
ANTIOCHUS. That will not be long. You deserve to die at once for such impudence.
FAITH. I wish for nothing better than death in Christ.
HADRIAN. Enough of this! Let ten centurions take turns in flaying her with scourges.
HADRIAN. Most valiant centurions, approach, and wipe out the insult which has been offered us.
HADRIAN. Ask her now, Antiochus, if she will yield.
ANTIOCHUS. Faith, will you now withdraw your insults to the Imperial Majesty, and promise not to repeat them?
ANTIOCHUS. The scourging should have brought you to your senses.
FAITH. These whips cannot silence me, as they do not hurt at all.
ANTIOCHUS. Cursed obstinacy! Was there ever such insolence?
HADRIAN. Although her body weakens under the chastisement, her spirit is still swollen with pride.
FAITH. Hadrian, you are wrong. It is not I who am weakening, but your executioners. They sweat and faint with fatigue.
HADRIAN. Antiochus, tell them to cut the nipples off her breasts. The shame will cow her.
ANTIOCHUS. I care not about the means, so long as she is forced to yield.
FAITH. You have wounded my pure breast, but you have not hurt me. And look! Instead of blood a stream of milk gushes from my wounds.
HADRIAN. Put her on a gridiron, and let fire be placed beneath so that she may be roasted to death.
ANTIOCHUS. She deserves a terrible death for her boldness in defying you.
FAITH. All you do to cause me suffering is a source of bliss to me. I am as happy on this gridiron as if it were a little boat at sea!
HADRIAN. Bring a brazier full of pitch and wax, and place it on the fire. Then fling this rebellious girl into the boiling liquid.
FAITH. I will leap into it joyfully of my own accord.
FAITH. I laugh at your threats. Look! Am I hurt? I am swimming merrily in the boiling pitch. Its fierce heat seems as cool to me as the morning dew.
HADRIAN. Antiochus, what can we do with her?
ANTIOCHUS. That seems the only way of conquering her.
FAITH. Now let my soul rejoice and exult in the Lord.
SAPIENTIA. O Christ, invincible Conqueror of Satan, give my child, Faith, endurance to the end!