The noble Martyrdom of seven brethren, refusing to eat swine's flesh: and boldly admonishing king Antiochus of his damnable state. 41. Lastly the mother (having encouraged her sons) likewise dieth gloriously.The noble Martyrdome of seuen bretheren, refusing to eate swines flesh: and boldly admonishing king Antiochus of his damnable state. 41. Lastly the mother (hauing encoreged her sonnes) likewise dyeth gloriously.✦
And it came to pass, that seven brethren together with their mother being apprehended, to be compelled by the king to eat against the law swine's flesh, were tormented with whips and scourges.AND it came to passe, 4. that seuen brethren together with their mother being apprehended, to be compelled by the king to eate against the law swines flesh, were tormented with whippes and scourges.✦Contigit autem et septem fratres una cum matre sua apprehensos compelli a rege edere contra fas carnes porcinas, flagris et taureis cruciatos.
2But one of them which was the first, said thus: What seekest thou, and what wilt thou learn of us? we are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God, coming from our fathers.But one of them which was the first, sayd thus: What seekest thou, and what wilt thou lerne of vs? we are readie to dye rather then to transgresse the lawes of God, coming from our fathers.✦Unus autem ex illis, qui erat primus, sic ait : Quid quæris, et quid vis discere a nobis ? parati sumus mori, magis quam patrias Dei leges prævaricari.
3The king therefore being iratus: wroth, angry commanded frying pans, and brasen pots to be heated:The king therfore being wrath commanded frying pannes, and brasen pottes to be heated:✦Iratus itaque rex, jussit sartagines et ollas æneas succendi : quibus statim succensis,
4the which forthwith being heated, he commanded his tongue, that had spoken first, to be cut out: and the skin of his head being drawn off, the ends also of his hands and feet to be chopped off, the rest of his brethren, and his mother looking on.the which forthwith being heated, he commanded his tongue, that had spoken first, to be cut out: and the skinne of his head being drawen of, the endes also of his handes and feete to be chopped of, the rest of his bretheren, and his mother looking on.✦jussit ei qui prior fuerat locutus amputari linguam, et cute capitis abstracta, summas quoque manus et pedes ei præscindi, ceteris ejus fratribus et matre inspicientibus.
5And when he was now made in all parts unprofitable, he commanded fire to be put unto him, and that breathing as yet he should be fried in the frying pan: wherein when he was long tormented, the rest together with the mother exhorted one another to die fortiter: bravely, valiantly,And when he was now made in al partes vnprofitable, he commanded fire to be put vnto him, and that breathing as yet he should be fried in the frying panne: wherin when he was long tormented, the rest together with the mother exhorted one an other to dye manfully,✦Et cum jam per omnia inutilis factus esset, jussit ignem admoveri, et adhuc spirantem torreri in sartagine : in qua cum diu cruciaretur, ceteri una cum matre invicem se hortabantur mori fortiter,
6saying: Our Lord God will behold the truth, and will take pleasure in us, as Moyses declared in the protestatione: an occupation; solemn declaration of the Canticle: And in his servants he will take pleasure.saying: Our Lord God wil behold the truth, and wil take pleasure in vs, as Moyses declared in the profession of the Canticle: And in his seruants he wil take pleasure.✦dicentes : Dominus Deus aspiciet veritatem, et consolabitur in nobis, quemadmodum in protestatione cantici declaravit Moyses : Et in servis suis consolabitur.
7That first therefore being dead in this manner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stock: and the skin of his head with the hairs being drawn off, they asked if he would eat, before that he were punished throughout the whole body in every member.That first therfore being dead in this maner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stocke: & the skinne of his head with the heares being drawen of, they asked if he would eate, before that he were punished throughout the whole bodie in euerie member.Mortuo itaque illo primo hoc modo, sequentem deducebant ad illudendum : et cute capitis ejus cum capillis abstracta, interrogabant si manducaret, priusquam toto corpore per membra singula puniretur.
8But he answering in his country speech, said: I will not do it. Wherefore this also in the next place, received the torments of the first:But he answering in his countrie speach, said: I wil not doe it. Wherfore this also in the next place, receiued the torments of the first:✦At ille respondens patria voce, dixit : Non faciam. Propter quod et iste, sequenti loco, primi tormenta suscepit :
9and being at the very last gasp, thus he said: Thou indeed O most wicked man in this present life destroyest us: but the king of the world will raise us up which die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life.and being at the verie last gaspe, thus he said: Thou in dede ô most wicked man in this present life destroyest vs: but the king of the world wil raise vs vp which dye for his lawes, in the resurrection of eternal life.et in ultimo spiritu constitutus, sic ait : Tu quidem scelestissime in præsenti vita nos perdis : sed Rex mundi defunctos nos pro suis legibus in æternæ vitæ resurrectione suscitabit.
10After him the third is had in derision, and being demanded his tongue, he quickly put it forth, and constantly stretched out his hands:After him the third is had in derision, and being demanded his tongue, he quickly put it forth, and constantly stretched out his handes:✦Post hunc tertius illuditur, et linguam postulatus cito protulit, et manus constanter extendit :
11and with confidence he said: From heaven do I possess these, but for the laws of God now do I contemn these self same, because I hope that I shall receive them again of him.and with confidence he said: From heauen doe I possesse these, but for the lawes of God now doe I contemne these selfe same, because I hope that I shal receiue them againe of him.✦et cum fiducia ait : E cælo ista possideo, sed propter Dei leges nunc hæc ipsa despicio, quoniam ab ipso me ea recepturum spero :
12So that the king, and they that were with him marvelled at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.So that the king, and they that were with him merueled at the yong mans courege, because he estemed the torments as nothing.ita ut rex, et qui cum ipso erant, mirarentur adolescentis animum, quod tamquam nihilum duceret cruciatus.
13And this being thus dead, the fourth they vexed in like manner tormenting him.And this being thus dead, the fourth they vexed in like maner tormenting him.✦Et hoc ita defuncto, quartum vexabant similiter torquentes.
14And when he was now even to die, thus he said: It is better for them that are put to death by men to exspectare: await, look for hope of God, that they shall be raised up again by him. For to thee there shall not be resurrection unto life.And when he was now euen to dye, thus he said: It is better for them that are put to death by men to exspect hope of God, that they shal be raysed vp againe by him. For to thee there shal not be resurrection vnto life.✦Et cum jam esset ad mortem, sic ait : Potius est ab hominibus morti datos spem exspectare a Deo, iterum ab ipso resuscitandos : tibi enim resurrectio ad vitam non erit.
15And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he looking upon him,And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he looking vpon him,✦Et cum admovissent quintum, vexabant eum. At ille respiciens in eum,
16said: Thou having power among men, whereas thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt: but think not that our stock is forsaken of God.sayd: Thou hauing power among men, wheras thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt: but thinke not that our stock is forsaken of God.dixit : Potestatem inter homines habens, cum sis corruptibilis, facis quod vis : noli autem putare genus nostrum a Deo esse derelictum :
17And do thou patiently abide, and thou shalt see his great power, in what sort he will torment thee, and thy seed.And doe thou patiently abide, and thou shalt see his great power, in what sort he wil torment thee, and thy seede.tu autem patienter sustine, et videbis magnam potestatem ipsius, qualiter te et semen tuum torquebit.
18After him they brought the sixth, and he beginning to die, said thus: Be not deceived vainly: for we suffer this for our own sakes, sinning against our God, and things worthy of admiration are done in us:After him they brought the sixth, and he beginning to dye, sayd thus: Be not deceiued vainely: for we suffer this for our owne sakes, sinning against our God, and thinges worthie of admiration are done in vs:✦Post hunc ducebant sextum, et is, mori incipiens, sic ait : Noli frustra errare : nos enim propter nosmetipsos hæc patimur, peccantes in Deum nostrum, et digna admiratione facta sunt in nobis :
19but do not think that thou shalt escape unpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God.but doe not thinke that thou shalt escape vnpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God.tu autem ne existimes tibi impune futurum, quod contra Deum pugnare tentaveris.
20But the mother above measure marvellous, and worthy of good men's memory, which beholding her seven sons perishing in one day's space, bare it with a good heart, for the hope that she had in God:But the mother aboue measure meruelous, and worthie of good mens memorie, which beholding her seuen sonnes perishing in one dayes space, bare it with a good hart, for the hope that she had in God:✦Supra modum autem mater mirabilis, et bonorum memoria digna, quæ pereuntes septem filios sub unius diei tempore conspiciens, bono animo ferebat propter spem quam in Deum habebat :
21exhorted every one of them in their country language manfully, being replenished with wisdom: and joining a man's heart to a woman's cogitation,exhorted euerie one of them in their countrie language manfully, being replenished with wisedome: and ioyning a mans hart to a womans cogitation,✦singulos illorum hortabatur voce patria fortiter, repleta sapientia : et, femineæ cogitationi masculinum animum inserens,
22she said to them: I know not how you appeared in my womb: for neither did I give you spirit and soul and life, and the members of every one I myself framed not.she sayd to them: I know not how you appeared in my wombe: for neither did I geue you spirit and soule and life, and the members of euerie one I my selfe framed not.dixit ad eos : Nescio qualiter in utero meo apparuistis, neque enim ego spiritum et animam donavi vobis et vitam, et singulorum membra non ego ipsa compegi :
23But indeed the Creator of the world, that hath formed the nativity of man, and that invented the origin of all, and he will restore again with mercy unto you spirit and life, as now you despise yourselves for his laws.But in deede the Creator of the world, that hath formed the natiuitie of man, and that inuented the origine of al, & he wil restore againe with mercie vnto you spirit and life, as now you despise your selues for his lawes.sed enim mundi Creator, qui formavit hominis nativitatem, quique omnium invenit originem, et spiritum vobis iterum cum misericordia reddet et vitam, sicut nunc vosmetipsos despicitis propter leges ejus.
24But Antiochus thinking himself contemned, and withal despising the voice of the exprobrantis: reproacher, reviler, when the younger was yet alive, he did not only exhort with words, but also with oath he affirmed that he would make him rich and happy, and being turned from the laws of his fathers, he would account him a friend, and give him things necessary.But Antiochus thinking himselfe contemned, and withal despising the voice of the vpbrayder, when the yonger was yet aliue, he did not only exhort with wordes, but also with oth he affirmed that he would make him rich & happie, and being turned from the lawes of his fathers, he would account him a freind, and geue him thinges necessarie.✦Antiochus autem, contemni se arbitratus, simul et exprobrantis voce despecta, cum adhuc adolescentior superesset, non solum verbis hortabatur, sed et cum juramento affirmabat se divitem et beatum facturum, et translatum a patriis legibus amicum habiturum, et res necessarias ei præbiturum.
25But when the young man was not inclined to these things, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deal with the young man to save his life.But when the yong man was not inclined to these thinges, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deale with the yong man to saue his life.✦Sed ad hæc cum adolescens nequaquam inclinaretur, vocavit rex matrem, et suadebat ei ut adolescenti fieret in salutem.
26And when he had exhorted her in many words, she promised that she would counsel her son.And when he had exhorted her in manie wordes, she promised that she would counsel her sonne.Cum autem multis eam verbis esset hortatus, promisit suasurum se filio suo.
27Therefore bending towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she said in her country language: My son have pity on me, which have borne thee in my womb nine months, and gave thee milk for three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee unto this age.Therfore bending towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she sayd in her countrie language: My sonne haue pitie on me, which haue borne thee in my wombe nine moneths, and gaue thee milke for three yeares, and nourished thee, and brought thee vnto this age.✦Itaque inclinata ad illum, irridens crudelem tyrannum, ait patria voce : Fili mi, miserere mei, quæ te in utero novem mensibus portavi, et lac triennio dedi et alui, et in ætatem istam perduxi.
28I beseech thee my son, that thou look to heaven and earth, and to all things that are in them: and understand that God of nothing made them and mankind:I beseech thee my sonne, that thou looke to heauen and earth, and to al thinges that are in them: and vnderstand that God of nothing made them and mankinde:✦Peto, nate, ut aspicias ad cælum et terram, et ad omnia quæ in eis sunt, et intelligas quia ex nihilo fecit illa Deus, et hominum genus :
29so shall it come to pass, that thou wilt not fear this tormenter but being made a worthy partaker with thy brethren, take thou death, that in that mercy I may receive thee again with thy brethren.so shal it come to passe, that thou wilt not feare this tormenter but being made a worthie partaker with thy bretheren, take thou death, that in that mercie I may receiue thee againe with thy bretheren.ita fiet, ut non timeas carnificem istum, sed dignus fratribus tuis effectus particeps, suscipe mortem, ut in illa miseratione cum fratribus tuis te recipiam.
30When she as yet was saying these things, the young man said: For whom stay you? I obey not the commandment of the king, but the commandment of the law, which was given us by Moyses.When she as yet was saying these thinges, the yong man sayd: For whom stay you? I obey not the commandement of the king, but the commandement of the law, which was geuen vs by Moyses.Cum hæc illa adhuc diceret, ait adolescens : Quem sustinetis ? non obedio præcepto regis, sed præcepto legis, quæ data est nobis per Moysen.
31But thou that art become the inventer of all malice against the Hebrews, shall not escape the hand of God.But thou that art become the inuenter of al malice against the Hebrewes, shal not escape the hand of God.Tu vero, qui inventor omnis malitiæ factus es in Hebræos, non effugies manum Dei.
32For we for our sins do suffer these things.For we for our sinnes doe suffer these thinges.Nos enim pro peccatis nostris hæc patimur.
33And if the Lord our God hath been angry with us a little for rebuke and correction: yet he will be reconciled again to his servants.And if the Lord our God hath bene angrie with vs a litle for rebuke & correction: yet he wil be reconciled againe to his seruants.Et si nobis propter increpationem et correptionem Dominus Deus noster modicum iratus est : sed iterum reconciliabitur servis suis.
34But thou O wicked, and of all men most flagitiosissime: shamefully wicked, heinous, be not in vain extolled with vain hopes, inflamed against his servants.But thou ô wicked, and of al men most flagicious, be not in vaine extolled with vaine hopes, inflamed against his seruantes.Tu autem, o sceleste, et omnium hominum flagitiosissime, noli frustra extolli vanis spebus in servos ejus inflammatus :
35For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of the almighty God, and him that beholdeth all things.For thou hast not yet escaped the iudgement of the almightie God, and him that beholdeth al thinges.nondum enim omnipotentis Dei, et omnia inspicientis, judicium effugisti.
36For my brethren having now sustained short pain, are become under the testament of eternal life: but thou by the judgment of God shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.For my bretheren hauing now susteyned short payne, are become vnder the testament of eternal life: but thou by the iudgement of God shalt receiue iust punishment for thy pride.✦Nam fratres mei, modico nunc dolore sustentato, sub testamento æternæ vitæ effecti sunt : tu vero judicio Dei justas superbiæ tuæ pœnas exsolves.
37And I as also my brethren do yield my life and my body for the laws of our fathers: invocating God to be propitious to our nation quickly, and that thou with torments and stripesAnd I as also my brethren doe yeld my life and my bodie for the lawes of our fathers: inuocating God to be propicious to our nation quickly, and that thou with torments and stripesEgo autem, sicut fratres mei, animam et corpus meum trado pro patriis legibus, invocans Deum maturius genti nostræ propitium fieri, teque cum tormentis et verberibus confiteri quod ipse est Deus solus.
38mayst confess that he only is God. But in me and in my brethren shall the wrath of the Almighty cease, which hath justly been brought upon all our stock.maist confesse that he onlie is God. But in me and in my brethren shal the wrath of the Almightie cease, which hath iustly bene brought vpon al our stocke.In me vero et in fratribus meis desinet Omnipotentis ira, quæ super omne genus nostrum juste superducta est.
39Then the king incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly above all the rest, taking it grievously that he was mocked.Then the king incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly aboue al the rest, taking it grieuously that he was mocked.✦Tunc rex accensus ira in hunc, super omnes crudelius desævit, indigne ferens se derisum.
40And this same therefore died unspotted, wholly trusting in our Lord.And this same therfore died vnspotted, wholy trusting in our Lord.✦Et hic itaque mundus obiit, per omnia in Domino confidens.
41And last of all after the sons the mother also was consumed.And last of al after the sonnes the mother also was consumed.✦Novissime autem post filios, et mater consumpta est.
42Therefore of the sacrifices, and of the exceeding cruelties there is enough said.Therfore of the sacrifices, and of the exceeding cruelties there is ynough sayd. *Igitur de sacrificiis et de nimiis crudelitatibus satis dictum est.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.