Staurostichon: A Poem on the Mysteries of the Lord's Cross

This page contains a series of poetic lines describing the martyrdom of various saints, followed by the demon's realization of Christ's victory.

The slaughter, stirred up by torments, rendered an innumerable count.
The whistling stones open heaven to Stephen.
Dying, Lawrence despises the burning fire.
Innocent girls (a thing not heard of) undergo rigid death with a constant heart.
Joyful boys are slaughtered at the polluted altars.
Among a thousand deaths, the fire of faith shines brighter, just as gold in the furnaces of the Callaeci.
Then Ignatius, fervent in the Syrian fields, fed the Christ-born sheep; the Roman soldier drove them on, destined to lead them to their deaths in the cruel circus.
Lions fear to touch the sacred limbs of the man, restraining their mouths from the innocent blood.
Whom the sword of the unmerciful, rigid Trajan had drained, immediately, the lictor (for he was dire in his breast) having pulled it out, the honored name of Jesus is seen inscribed on the heart, which sad hell fears from afar, having seen the insignia of the superior right hand.
From that time already, when a vivid ardor burned much, the demon envied man for transcending the star-bearing heavens, from which he, expelled to Avernus, entered the horrible seats in much darkness.
Hence he strives so that hearts might wither in sad luxury, that timid ardor might grow coarse, that the humble might despise those things which swell with vain pride, but Christ conquered, and with superior heat...