and made to see Syntice, the friend of Migdone, which was wife of Carisius, cousin of the king of Inde. And Migdonia said to Syntice: 'Weenest thou that I may see him?' Then Migdone changed her habit by the counsel of Syntice, and put herself among the poor women, and came whereas the apostle preached. And he began to preach of the maleurté and unhappiness of this life, and said that this life is unhappy, wretched and subject to aventures, and is so slippery and fleeting that when one weeneth to hold it it fleeth away. And after, he began to show to them by four reasons that they should gladly hear the word of God, and likeneth it to four manner of things: first, unto a colour, which lighteth the eye of our understanding; secondly, to a syrup or a purgation, for the word of God purgeth our affection from all fleshly love; thirdly, unto an emplaister, because it healeth the wounds of our sins; and fourthly, unto meat, because the word of God nourisheth us, and delighteth in heavenly love. And in like manner like as all these things avail not to the sick man but if he take and receive them, in like wise the word of God profiteth nothing to a languishing sick man if he hear it not devoutly. And as the apostle thus preached Migdonia believed in God, and refused the company of her husband. Then Carisius did so much that he made the apostle to be set in prison. And Migdonia went to him and asked him forgiveness, because he was set in prison for her sake. And he comforted her sweetly, and said he would suffer it debonairly. And then Carisius prayed the king that he would send the queen his wife's sister
