1
If, then, a woman, advanced in years and mother of seven sons, endured seeing her children tortured to death, it must be admitted that devout reason is sovereign over the emotions.
2
Thus I have demonstrated not only that men have ruled over the emotions, but also that a woman has despised the fiercest tortures.
3
The lions surrounding Daniel were not so savage, nor was the raging fiery furnace of Mishael so intensely hot, as was her innate parental love, inflamed as she saw her seven sons tortured in such varied ways.
4
But the mother quenched so many and such great emotions by devout reason.
5
Consider this also. If this woman, though a mother, had been fainthearted, she would have mourned over them and perhaps spoken as follows:
6
"O how wretched am I and many times unhappy! After bearing seven children, I am now the mother of none!
7
O seven childbirths all in vain, seven profitless pregnancies, fruitless nurturings and wretched nursings!
8
In vain, my sons, I endured many birth-pangs for you, and the more grievous anxieties of your upbringing.
9
Alas for my children, some unmarried, others married and without offspring. I shall not see your children or have the happiness of being called grandmother.
10
Alas, I who had so many and beautiful children am a widow and alone, with many sorrows.
11
Nor when I die, shall I have any of my sons to bury me."