"Yet out of this evil comes some good, since because of his present
affection for me, or my bust, I have now and again for your sake,
Miriam, been able to do service, even to the saving of their lives,
to those of your faith. Here there are many Christians whom it is an
amusement to Nero to persecute, torture, and slay, sometimes by soaking
them in tar and making of them living torches to illuminate his gardens,
and sometimes in other fashions. The lives of sundry of these poor
people he has given to me, when I begged them of him. Indeed, he has
done more. Yesterday Nero came himself to the temple and suggested that
certain of the Christians should be sacrificed in a very cruel fashion
here as an offering to your spirit. I answered that this could give it
little pleasure, seeing that in your lifetime you also were a Christian.
Thereon he wrung his hands, crying out, 'Oh! what a crime have I
committed,' and instantly gave orders that no more Christians should be
killed. So for a little while, thanks to your handiwork, and to me who
am called 'the Model,' they are safe--those who are left of them.
"I hear that there are wars and tumults in Judaea, and that Vespasian,
a great general, is to be sent to quell them.
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