Paul had stood listless with his eyes downcast And with his heart withdrawn from what he heard, And Felix had felt effect that penetrated Yea even his triple mail of insolence And dashed him sore; he had rallied all his force Against it to maintain his tone assumed Of falsely-festive brutal cynicism. Helplessly dumb he hearkened, while Paul replied: "Lord Felix cannot know the grace of God, Whereof mine is but trust and stewardship. My power of healing is not mine, but God's; I have it, not to use it as I will, But as God wills, who shows His will to me. I dare not, would not, use it otherwise, I could not, He would take it away from me; Would not continue it rather, for it is Dependent momently on His immanent will. I had no hint from Him as of behest That I accomplish thine announced desire. I might have promptly sent thee back such word By thine own messenger; but I had seemed So to be wanting somewhat in the heed Due to thy station; I therefore came myself To tell thee, O lord Felix, to thy face, That I am servant of the Most High God, Subject as such to no man's bidding, thine Or other's, and not free to mine own choice. Yet so I half misrepresent myself, For to mine own choice I feel wholly free, My choice being His who works in me to choose. Toward Simon, although he love me not, I bear, God is my witness, no ill will; instead, Would I could serve him! and perhaps I might, I know not, were his heart but right with God. Let him renounce his ways of wickedness; God to all men is good who will repent. But His face is as fire not to be quenched, Wrathful, devouring to the uttermost, Against all, no respect of person, who Strengthen themselves in their iniquity. None shall escape at last, although, because God's judgment is a while delayed, they may Dream that it never will descend on them. Delay is but forbearance, not neglect; God's goodness leadeth to repentance; woe, Woe, yea, and sevenfold woe, alight on those, All, who despise that grace of God in Christ!" No shudder of terror swept over Felix now, As when that wave of trembling shook him so At Cæsarea in the judgment hall. He recognized an echo in Paul's words Of what he heard that day from those same lips And then thought dreadful. 'Strange,' he dully mused, 'How moments of weakness sometimes find out men! Why should I then have feared, and naught to fear, Save words, mere words? Solemnly spoken, aye, And I could not but hearken to the man, Majestic in his gesture and austere. Even now I sit and listen to the voice, But I am fenced and mailed that it hurts not. Would that I felt but half as safe from Rome!'