the
persecution overcome by virtue.

Though they suffered both death in one day and in one hour, yet it was
not in one place but in diverse within Rome, and hereof saith a
versifier in this wise: Ense coronatus Paulus, cruce Petrus, eodem--Sub
duce, luce, loco, dux Nero, Roma locus. That is to say, Paul crowned
with the sword, and Peter had the cross reversed, the place was the city
of Rome. And howbeit that they suffered death in one day, yet St.
Gregory ordained that that day specially should be the solemnity of St.
Peter, and the next day commemoration of St. Paul, for the church of St.
Peter was hallowed that same day, and also forasmuch as he was more in
dignity, and first in conversion, and held the principality at Rome.

THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE

St. Paul the apostle, after his conversion, suffered many persecutions,
the which the blessed Hilary rehearseth shortly, saying: Paul the
Apostle was beaten with rods at Philippi, he was put in prison, and by
the feet fast set in stocks, he was stoned in Lystra. In Iconia and
Thessalonica he was pursued of wicked people. In Ephesus he was
delivered to wild beasts. In Damascus he was let by a lepe down of the
wall. In Jerusalem he was arrested, beaten, bound, and awaited to be
slain. In Caesarea he was inclosed and defamed. Sailing toward Italy he
was in peril of death, and from thence he came to Rome and was judged
under Nero, and there finished his life. This saith St. Hilary: Paul
took upon him to be apostle among the Gentiles. In Lystra was a contract
which he lost and redressed. A young man that fell out of a window and
died, he raised to life, and did many other miracles. At the Isle of
Melita a serpent bit his hand, and hurted him not, and he threw it into
the fire. It is said that all they that came of the progeny and lineage
of that man that then harbored Paul may in no wise be hurt of no
venemous beasts, wherefore when their children be born they put serpents
in their cradles for to prove if they be verily their children or no. In
some place it is said that Paul is less than Peter, otherwhile more,
and sometimes equal and like, for in dignity he is less, in preaching
greater, and in holiness they be equal. Haymo saith that Paul, from the
cock-crow until the hour of five, he labored with his hands, and after
entended to preaching, and that endured almost to night, the residue of
the time was for to eat, sleep, and for prayer, which was necessary