An energy of earnest in Paul's voice, A tender earnest, full of love and fear, Fear without dread, serene vicarious fear (Yet faithful sympathy with God expressed) The solemn somber of a lighted look In him, reflected as from some unseen Region where light was more than luminous, Appalling, like the splendor of a cloud Whence deep the thunder now begins to break-- These, with his words themselves infusing awe, Made Stephen feel his heart in him stand still. Both for meet reverence toward the reverend man Who spake these things, and likewise to assure Himself that he in nothing failed the full Sense and effect of all that he had heard, Stephen his hush awe-struck, of thought, prolonged. Then, partly from a certain manliness Innate in him, inalienably his, Which, while of noble and ennobling awe It made his spirit but more capable, Yet kept him ever conscious of his worth, And would not suffer that, with any thought Quick in him and still seeming to him true Or worthy to be questioned for its truth, He should, howso abashed, abandon it-- Partly self-stayed so in a constant mind, But more, supported by his perfect trust Well-grounded in his kinsman's gentleness And tact of understanding exquisite, Stephen returned to press his quest once more: "I must not seem insistent overmuch, O thou my kinsman and my master dear, To whom indeed I hearken as to one Divinely guided to be guide to men; But a desire to know not yet allayed, Perhaps I ought to own, some haunting doubt, Prompts me to ask one question more of thee.