"Ars Quatcor Coronatorum."*

"ARS QUATCOR CORONATORUM . " *

( Concluded from page 79 . ) rglHE Legend , as contained in the " Bi-eviarum secundem usum Romanum , X- Senet , " 1477 , is as follows : —¦ In sanctont-m martyram quatuor coronatorum . OUATIO . l ' ro ; sta quo * . Grant , Oil God , that the glorious martyrs Claudius , Niche-stratus , Symphorianus , Castorius , and Simplicius , whom we acknowledge as steadfast in their faith ,

may intercede for us with thee . LECTIO I . Cum- percxisset . It came to pass that when the Emperor Diocletian journeyed to Pannonia , in order that in his presence mutals might be taken from the rocks , that when he had assembled together all the masters in metals he found among them men endowed with great experience in the art : Claudius , Castorius , Symphorianus , and JN icostratus , who were marvellously learned in the art of cutting stone ( in arte quadrataria , quadrataria , 1518 ) . These men were secretly Christians , who observed the commands of God , and did all tilings which as sculptors they executed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ .

LECTIO II . Venium est anient , etc . It camo to pass , however , that one day , by command of the Emperor Diocletian , the artificers were preparing to make a statue of the Sun-god , with his four horses , and all things thereunto belonging , the chariot and the horses , out ot the Thasian stone . f At the same time , when all the artificers and philosophers were meditating thereupon , the former began to speak in dissenting terms . LECTIO Iff . Et cum- incidisstint , etc . And when they had found a great block of Thasian stone they did not think it fit for the statue , according as the Emperor Diocletian had commanded , anil for many days thereafter a great contention arose between the artificers and the

philosophers ( Masters of the work and native Masters , 1518 ) . However , on a certain day all the artificers ( six hundred aud twenty-two iu number ) aud tho five philosophers assembled together in order to examine the structure of the stone and the veins thereof , and there arose a prodigious contention between the artificers and the philosophers . LECTIO IV . Tunc ceperunl . Then began the philosophers to dispute with Claudius , Symphorianus , and Simplicius , and said—Wherefore obey ye not , with your skill , the commands of the most devout Emperor Diocletian , and fulfil not his desire ? Claudius answered anil said—Because we may not blaspheme our Creator and sin against him , because we may not be found guilty in his sight . Then said unto them the philosophers—Hence it seemeth that ye are Christians . And Oastorious answered and said—Verily we are Christians .

LECTIO V . Tunc philosojphi . Then the philosophers ehose other artificers and stonecutters ( artifices quadratarios ) aud caused them to make a statue of Asclepius out of the Proconnesian stone , which was brought unto the philosophers after thirty-one days . Thereupon the philosophers informed the Emperor Diocletian that the statue of Asclepius was finished , and he straightways commanded that it should be brought before him that he might look upon it . When he beheld the statue he marvelled much and said—Veril y this is a testimony of the skill of those who have our approbation in the art of sculpture . LECTIO VI . Pli-ilosophi dixerunt . Then the philosophers said—Most sacred Emperor ,

know that those whom your majesty has declared to be the most learned in the art of cuttingstone ( arte quadrataria ) , Claudius , Symphorianus , Nicostratus , Simplicius , and Castorius , are Christians , and by their magic words subject the Iranian race . Diocletian said unto them —If they may not obey the commands of the law , and if the charges of your accusation be true , then may they suffer the penalty of offending against the gods ( sacrilegii ) . LECTIO VII . Tunc Diocletianus . Then Diocletian , in consideration of their skill , commanded the tribune Lampadius , and said—If they will not offer sacrifice to the Sun-god , then take them and scourge them with stripes anel scorpions . But if they will consent , then lead them to submission ( due eos ad mansuetudinem ) . Eive days afterwards Lampadius sat in judgment in that place , and commanded the herald to summon them before him , and showed