How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Line). We used the line numbering found on Librarius's online edition.
Quote #7
For which Almachius dide hym so bete
With whippe of leed, til he the lyf gan lete.
(405 - 406)
The way in which Maximus loses his life is slightly more passive than Tiburtius and Valerian's martyrdom. His life "gan lete," or simply departs his body. The implication may be that Maximus was not intending to be a martyr: his death was simply a side effect of his testimony to the sainthoods of Tiburtius and Valerian.
Quote #8
Han noght oure myghty princes to me yeven
Ye, bothe power and auctoritee
To maken folk to dyen or to lyven?
Why spekestow so proudly thanne to me?
(470 - 474)
Almachius's claim to hold power over life and death certainly suggests that he considers himself god-like. This pride may be his fatal flaw, the thing that prevents him from seeing the truth of Christianity as all other characters have. Too much power does, indeed, corrupt absolutely in this tale.
Quote #9
'Thou seyst, thy princes han thee yeven myght
Bothe for to sleen, and for to quyken a wight.
Thou that ne mayst but oonly lyf bireve,
Thou hast noon oother power, ne no leve!
But thou mayst seyn thy princes han thee maked
Ministre of deeth.' (482 - 487)
Cecilia's point here is that Almachius can only take, not give, life. Later, of course, even this power will be deprived of him when he is unable to bring about Cecilia's death.