ccomplishing this, the poor man applied it to its proper use. Place
then a bridle upon thy thoughts; and no more upbraid the righteous
Disposer of all things, as thou but lately didst. For he is just, and
strong, and patient."

VIII.--PLACIDUS.

In the reign of Trajan there lived a knight named Placidus, who was
commander-in-chief of the emperor's armies. He was very merciful, but a
worshipper of idols. His wife too was an idolater. They had two sons,
brought up in all magnificence, and from the kindness and goodness of
their hearts, they deserved a revelation of the way of truth.

As he was one day following the chase, Placidus discovered a herd of
deer, amongst which was one remarkable for size and beauty. Separating
itself from the rest, it plunged into the thickest part of the brake.
While the hunters, therefore, occupied themselves with the remainder of
the herd, Placidus swiftly followed this deer's track. The stag scaled
a lofty precipice, and Placidus, approaching as near as he could,
considered how it might be followed yet. But as he regarded it with
fixed attention, there appeared upon the centre of the brow, the form of
the cross, which glittered with more splendour than the noonday sun.
Upon this cross an image of Jesus Christ was suspended; and the stag
thus addressed the hunter: "Why dost thou persecute me, Placidus? For
thy sake have I assumed the shape of this animal. I am Christ, whom thou
ignorantly worshippest. Thine alms have gone up before me, and therefore
I come; but as thou hast hunted this stag, so will I hunt thee."

Some indeed assert that the image, hanging between the deer's antlers,
said these things. However that may be, Placidus, filled with terror,
fell from his horse; and in about an hour, returning to himself, arose
from the earth and said, "Declare what thou wouldst have, that I may
believe in thee."

"I am Christ, O Placidus! I created heaven and earth; I caused the light
to arise, and divided it from the darkness. I appointed days, and
seasons, and years. I formed man out of the dust of the earth; and I
became incarnate for the salvation of mankind. I was crucified, and
buried; and on the third day I rose again."

When Placidus understood these sublime truths, he fell again upon the
earth, and exclaimed: "I believe, O Lord, that thou hast done all this;
and that thou art He who bringest back the wanderer."

The Lord answered: "If thou believest this, go into the city