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unto thee from Sheba with a weighty message!" (27) [The King]
commanded to take the letter and arrest the bearer. His Majesty
the King wished to act with deliberation and desired to
discover the truth, but those who were present before him
loosed their tongues in violent reprehension, saying, "This
person has shown great presumption and amazing audacity,
for he hath without fear or dread brought the letter of him
against whom all peoples are angered, of him who is banished
to Bulgaria and Sclavonia, into the presence of the King. If so
be that he do not instantly suffer a grievous punishment there
will be an increase of this great presumption." So the ministers
of the court signified [that he should suffer] punishment and
ordered the torture. As the first torment they applied the chain
and rack, saying, "Make known thy other friends that thou
mayest be delivered from excruciating punishment, and make
thy comrades captive that thou mayest escape from the torment
of the chain and the keenness of the sword." But,
torture, brand, and torment him as they might, they saw
naught but steadfastness and silence, and found naught but
dumb endurance [on his part]. So, when the torture gave no
result, they [first] photographed him (the executioners on his
left and on his right, and he sitting bound in fetters and chains
beneath the sword with perfect meekness and composure),
and then slew and destroyed him. This photograph I sent for,
and found worthy of contemplation, for he was seated with
wonderful humility and strange submissiveness, in utmost
resignation.
Now when His Majesty the King had perused certain passages
and become cognizant of the contents of the epistle, he
was much affected at what had taken place and manifested
regret, because his courtiers had acted hastily and put into
execution a severe punishment. It is even related that he said
thrice, "Doth anyone punish [one who is but] the channel of