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Vita S. Hilarionis

39.

Comburit serpentem boam dictum. – Duxit itaque eum ad Epidaurum Dalmatiae oppidum, ubi paucis diebus in vicino agello mausitans, non potuit abscondi. Si quidem draco mirae magnitudinis, quos gentili sermone boas vocant, ab eo quod tam grandes sint, ut boves glutire soleant, omnem late vastabat provinciam, et non solum armenta et pecudes; sed agricolas quoque et pastores tractos ad se vi spiritus absorbebat. Cui cum pyram iussisset praeparari, [0049B] et oratione ad Christum emissa, evocato praecepisset struem lignorum scandere, ignem supposuit. Tum itaque cuncta spectante plebe, immanem bestiam concremavit. Unde aestuans, quid faceret, quo se verteret, aliam parabat fugam; et solitarias terras mente perlustrans, moerebat [al. mirabatur] quod tacente de se lingua, miracula loquerentur.

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The Life of S. Hilarion

39.

He therefore brought him to Epidaurus, ¹ a town in Dalmatia, where he stayed for a few days in the country near, but could not be hid. An enormous serpent, of the sort which the people of those parts call boas ² because they are so large that they often swallow oxen, was ravaging the whole province far and wide, and was devouring not only flocks and herds, but husbandmen and shepherds who were drawn in by the force of its breathing. He ordered a pyre to be prepared for it, then sent up a prayer to Christ, called forth the reptile, bade it climb the pile of wood, and then applied the fire. And so before all the people he burnt the savage beast to ashes. But now he began anxiously to ask what he was to do, whither to betake himself. Once more he prepared for flight, and in thought ranged through solitary lands, grieving that his miracles could speak of him though his tongue was silent.