The Legend Of The Quatuor Coronati.

Eodem tempore jubente Dioclitiano perfecta est concha porphyritica cum mala et herbacantio per manus Claudii , Simphoriani , Castorii et Nicostrati , et allata sunt ante conspectum Dioclitiani Augusti . Et

placuerunt ei omnia , et dono multiplicavit Simphoriano , Clandio , Castorio et Nicostrato .

Tunc Dioclitianus dixit : Volo columnas cum capitibus foliatis abscidi de monte porphyritico , dictantibns Clandio , Simphoriano , Nicostrato et Castorio . Hoc andientes philosophi indignati sunt

vehementer , quia jussio Dioclitiani urgebat . Accedentes autem ad montem , designavernnt partem lapidis qui incideretur , Tnnc oravernnt et fecerunt signum crucis Christi , et dictn . ntes et dolantes . ceperunt artifices quadratarii incidere lapidem ad collarium columne , et opernbantur cotidie per menses tres . Explicita autem una colnmna mirifica

arte perfecta , dixerunt philosophi ad Claud inm , Simphorianum , Nicostratnm et Castorium et Simplicinm : Vos qui donolocupletati estis , date operam in aliam columnam incidendam . Quareanobisdisceredisideratisartem ? Respondentes ii qninque dixerunt :

In nomine domini nostri Ihesu Christi in quern confidimus , incidimus et hanc aliam columnam , sicut et priorem . Et clantes operam , cum snmmo studio intra dies viginti sex inciderunt aliam columnam . Tunc philosophi indignantes dixerunt : Hec carmina non sunt nisi magice artis .

Et ita scnlpentes factnras diversi open ' s dabant studium , et bene sequebatur eos ars consilio eorum qui nichil per peritiam artis philosophic faciehantnisi in nomine Christi

opera-, bantur nitide . Hoc videntes philosophi , suggestionem dedernnt Dioclitiano Augusto dicentes : Summe princeps et ornator seculi , magnum est consilium precepti vestri et mansuetudinis in opera mentis

designate ut lapis preticsus incidatur ad mirificum ornamentum reipublice vestre , et multa opera clara facte sunt

At that same time , at the command of Dioclitian , the porphyry shell was made with " mala et herbacantis" b y the hands of Claudius , Simphorian , Castorius , and Nicostratus ; and their work was brought to the notice of Dioclitian Augustus . And everything

pleased him , and he heaped gifts on Simphorian , Claudius , Castorius , and Nicostratus . Then Dioclitian said : I desire foliated columns with capitals to he hewn from the mountain of porphyry

under the supervision of Claudius , Simphorian , Nicostratus , and Castorius . When the philosophers heard this they were very angry , because the command of Dioclitian was

urgent . But going to the mountain they shaped a part of the stone which was hewn . Then they prayed , and made the sign of the cross of Christ , and the masons superintending and chipping the stone began to hew it at the collar of the

pillar , and worked daily for three months . But when one column was exposed to view , fashioned with wonderful art , the philosophers said to Claudius , Simphorian , Nicostratus , and Simplicius : You who are rich in this

gift ; give your labour to the hewing of another column . Wh y do ye wish to learn the art from us ? the five replying , said : In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ , in whom we trust , we will hew this other pillar as we

did the first one . And giving attention to their task , with great exertions they hewed out another column in twenty-six days . Then the philosophers were angry , and said : These are nothing else but charms of magic art . And sothey took pains in carving

ob-, jects of varied workmanship , and their art served them in good stead , on the plan of those who did nothing by skill of the art of philosophy , but performed exquisite work in the name of Christ . When the philosophers saw this they

made a suggestion to Dioclitian Augustus , saying : Mighty Prince , adorner , of this age , great is the sagacity of your command and clemency in this work of carving the mountain , that the precious stone should he hewn for the wonderful