Then the third one, or all in unison, shall say: The boy is fair of face, of active mind, and noble race; it is fitting, in our opinion, that he enter thy service. The king: Praise be to Apollo who rules all, and thanks to you who have made so many countries subject and tributary. And then, addressing the boy: Good boy, tell us, what is thy land, what thy race; what is the faith of the people of thy country; are they gentile or Christian? The boy: My father, Getro by name, is prince of the people of Excoranda; he worships God, who rules the seas, who made us and thee and all things. The king: My god, Apollo, is the god that made me. He is true and good. He rules the land, he reigns in the air; him alone we ought to believe in. The boy: Thy god is false and evil; he is stupid, blind, deaf, and mute. Thou shouldst not worship such a god, who cannot rule even himself. The king: Say not such things; do not offend my god; for if thou dost make him angry, thou canst not in any way escape. In the meantime, the directions tell us, Euphrosina shall discover that her son has been forgotten and shall return to the church. And when she shall not find the boy, she shall sing the following _Miserere_: “Heu! heu! heu mihi miseræ! Quid nunc agam? Quid quæm dicere? Quo peccato merui perdere natum meum, et ultra vivere? Cur me pater infelix genuit? Cur me mater infelix abluit? Cur me nutrix lactare debuit? Mortem mihi quare non præbuit?” The consolers shall come to her and say: In what way does this grieving aid? Cease to weep, and pray for thy son to the highest Father, and he will give him aid. Euphrosina, not heeding the words of consolation, shall continue: Dear son, most beloved child; child, the great part of my soul; now thou art to us the cause of sadness who wert the cause of joy. Comforters: Do not despair of the grace of God. He whose great mercy gave thee this boy, will return to thee either him or another. Euphrosina: My soul is disturbed within me. Why should death delay? When I am not able to see thee, my son, I prefer to die rather than to live. Comforters: Struggle, grief, and despair injure thee and do not profit thy son; instead, from thy wealth give to schoolboys and to the poor. Ask the kindness of Nicholas that he may pray for the mercy of the Father on high for thy son, that thy prayer may not fail. Euphrosina (praying to St. Nicholas): Nicholas, most holy father, Nicholas most dear to God, if thou wishest that I should worship thee longer, cause my son to return. Thou that didst save many in the sea, and three men from the bonds of death, listen to the prayer of me, a suppliant, and assure me that it will be granted. I will not eat of flesh longer, nor partake of wine, nor enjoy anything more until my son shall return. Getro: