"My mother is Paul's sister," Stephen said, "And she, all in her secret heart, divined Some mischief that impended over him, And bade me hasten to the wise and good Gamaliel, counsellor to her and all, And ask if he knew aught, or aught advised, That touched the safety of her brother; he Was once Gamaliel's pupil well-beloved. It came to pass, as I devoured my way Through the deep dark before the earliest dawn, Whetted to heed whatever might be sign Of import to the purpose I would serve, That a low noise of voices, and a ray, Shot, so it after proved, athwart the night From out a lantern, for an instant bare, That some one carried underneath his robe, And, by pure hap, or haply for a hint From far to comrade, or to light his course, Let shine that moment through the parted folds-- It chanced, I say, that such a sudden sign-- For sign I found it--made me haste to hide Where I, unmarked, might mark, both eye and ear. O, sir, God sent those wicked twain so nigh Me I could plainly hear them, every word, Unfold the counsel of their wickedness. As soon as freed by their departure, I Flew to Gamaliel, told him all, from him At last received instruction and strict charge To hasten hither, seek out Paul, access Secure through him to thee, and in thine hand Give this, Gamaliel's word, for proof of me." Stephen stood silent, and the chiliarch read; "Aye, as I thought," he slowly, musing, spoke; "I did not doubt thy truth, my boy, before, I myself did not, though the chiliarch did, As by his office bound to scruple deep, And ever doubt, till doubt by proof be quelled. This well agrees with the wild, heady way Of the whole restless, reckless race of Jews. They count no cost, of peril, or of pain, Loss, labor, naught; impossibility Is but temptation to attempt--in vain. Was never city like Jerusalem, Menace of mob in every multitude! Well, well, my lad, I trust thee, go thy way, Say naught of this to any one abroad; I will take care no harm shall happen Paul. Thou hast well done to bring this word to me; I should have felt it for a vexing thing Had thus a Roman in my custody Disgracefully been slain with violent hands. But thou it seems lovest thy kinsman Paul; Now for thy youth, and for thy comely face, And for the service thou hast wrought for me, I give thee thy request, what wilt thou have? Be prudent, so that I need not repent, And, so that thou need not repent, be bold. Ask widely, wisely, for thine uncle Paul."