It was a duel of silence betwixt those twain, That slender youth through whose translucent flesh Blushed the bright blood of innocence and truth. That burly man corrupt in every vein With the thick foecal currents of debauch. Ruth and Eunicé would not cower or cry: Eunicé's spirit partook of that high strain Which was her martyr father's, and she now Triumphed to see transfigured to more fair Than ever with his glorious hardihood The youth that worthily bore her father's name And worthily held the empire of her heart. In confidence of Stephen which subtly too Wrought to make him more confident of himself, Eunicé stood confronting the event. Felix succumbed and was the first to speak: "Well, youngster, thou hast struck an attitude! What wilt thou? And what doest thou here? Knowest not Thou beardest thus the lion in his lair?" Felix's air of pride and lordliness Was ever such flatulent swell of windy words. Stephen some space disdained him loftily With dumb and blank refusal of reply; Then grudged him this: "I into the wolf's den Enter to rend the ravin from his paw." The youth thus having spoken half-way turned Toward the two women and with instant voice, Low-toned yet less to be inaudible To Felix than for intimate passion of love, Said: "Haste, fly! I will follow as I may." Ruth with Eunicé had not reached the door When, frantic to be balked of his desire, Felix lunged after them with lusty stride Seeking to stay the damsel in her flight. For all her fear she still forbore to cry, But could not check her impulse of appeal To Stephen, and she uttered forth his name. The eager agile stripling had no need To hear that call from his belovéd; he, Already at her side, had, with clenched fist, Which flashing like a scimitar came down, Smitten Felix on the forearm with such might That for the moment it was numbed with pain, And dropped as palsied from its reach for her. Eunicé with backhanded movement quick Seized, as she flew following her mother forth, On Stephen's girdle behind her and drew him, Willingly led in that captivity, To share their flight and rescue from their foe.