Gamaliel spoke half as from reverie, Lapsed in oblivion of the present need. "Rabban Gamaliel," bold upspoke the boy, "Thy saving power I pray thee now put forth To pluck mine uncle from the jaws of death. I promise gladly then to bring thee Saul, If so I may, when, by thy counsel, I Have set him safe from those that seek his blood. These have their mouth agape already now, Their throat an open sepulcher for him. I see, I see them spring upon their prey-- O master, master, must he die like this?" The passionate pleading boy dropped on his knees, And the knees clasped of the thus roused old man. "Yea, I remember," now Gamaliel spoke; "Weep not, my boy, but haste, my bidding do." Therewith Gamaliel clapped his aged hands, When instantly a servant to his call Stood on the roof with, "Master, here am I." "An inkhorn and a pen, with parchment; speed!" Shot from Gamaliel's lips, so short, so sharp With instance, that the man not went, but flew. "Make thou a table of my knees, and write," Gamaliel to forestalling Stephen said; "Write: 'I, Gamaliel, send this lad to thee; I know him; he will tell thee what concerns Thy hearing; thou canst trust him all in all.' There, so is well; now superscribe it fair: 'To the chief captain of Antonia.' Run, carry this--stay, I must sign it first With mine own hand for certainty to him. Up, haste thee to the castle, ask for Saul, Him tell what thou hast learned, and show him this; Saul will to the chief captain get thee brought, And thou hereby shalt win believing heed. No thanks, and no farewell, but thy feet wing!" So sped, but of his own heart better sped, Stephen quick got him to the castle gate, Where, with Gamaliel's seal displayed--his truth, Patent in face and voice, admitting him-- He gained prompt privilege of speech with Paul. Paul heard the tidings that his nephew brought And, summoning a centurion, said to him: "Pray thee, to the chief captain take this youth; He has a matter for his private ear." So the centurion, taking Stephen, went To the chief captain, and thus spoke to him: "The prisoner Paul bade me to him and asked That I would bring this youth to thee, who has A certain matter he would tell thee of."