INSCRIPTION BY POPE DAMASUS IN HONOR OF ST. AGNES

FAMA REFERT SANCTOS DUDUM RETULISSE PARENTES
AGNAN CUM LUGUBRES CANTUS TUBA CONCREPUISSET
NUTRICIS GREMIUM SUBITO LIQUISSW PUELLAM
SPONTE TRUCIS CALCASSE MINAS RABIEMQ(ue) TYRANNI
URERE CUM FLAMMIS VOLUISSET NOBILE CORPUS
VIRIB(us) INMENSUM PARVIS SUPERASSE TIMOREM
NUDAQUE PROFUSUM CRINEM PER MEMBRA DEDISSE
NE DOMINI TEMPLUM FACIES PERITURA VIDERET
O VENERANDA MIHI SANCTUM DECUS ALMA PUDORIS
UT DAMASI PRECIB(us) FAVEAS PRECOR INCLYTA MARTYR.

 Legend has it that a short time ago her holy parents reported that
when the trumprt had sounded its mournful music,
the girl Agnes suddeNly abandoned her nurse's lap.
Willingly she trod underfoot the threats aNd madness of the savage tyrant
when he wished to burn her noble body with flames,
Despite her slight strengTh she vanquished the immense terror
and set loose her hair to cover her naked limbs--
lest a mortal countenance, doomed to perish, see the temple of the Lord.
O kindly saint, worthy of my veneration, holy glory of modesty.
I pray, renowned martyr, that you favor the prayers of Damasus.