The Second Nun's Tale is a translation of a Latin saints' legend. Cecilia, a young Roman woman, wants to remain a virgin, although she has been given in marriage to Valerian. She tells her husband that a guardian angel protects her chastity. Valerian agrees to live a chaste life, if he can see the angel. Cecilia explains that he has to be baptised first by Pope Urban. During the ceremony Valerian is convinced by a miraculous vision. The couple succeeds in converting Valerian's brother, Tiburce. Eventually, the Christians are arrested. When they refuse to worship the pagan gods they are sentenced to death. Cecilia's martyrdom lasts several days. She cannot be killed by heated water and the executioner cannot cut her head off. Before she finally dies she converts more people.

The Second Nun's Tale
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