Of those who sailed on that good ship for Rome Were Felix and Drusilla with their train; And their train was, by one addition, more Than when the shipwreck cast them on the isle. This was a slave, a Phrygian runaway, Out of Colossæ strayed to Melita But in his wish and purpose aimed for Rome: He should be safely lost in multitude Drowned in the depths of that metropolis. The shifty Syrus, fond of his device, And not without true kindness in his heart, Meeting the fugitive had befriended him. Onesimus--such name the bondman bore-- He wisely warned that, wandering unattached And destitute (for spent long since was all He had in starting from his lord purloined), He advertised himself for what he was, A vagrant slave, and ran a needless risk. "Attach thyself," said Syrus, "to the train Of my lord Felix; I will manage it He shall receive thee; he delights in pomp And show as does Drusilla too his spouse, And they would gladly swell their retinue With one head more to make them great at Rome. This gets thee thither whither thou wouldst go; Once there, thou quittest at thine own good will Thy dear adoptive master's service--no Exchanges of farewells betwixt you twain-- And hast thy freedom, safe of course from him, Lord Felix, who will have no claim on thee, And well removed from fear of thine own lord." He added in pathetic humor half: "Remember Syrus when thou art thine own And hast perhaps some small peculium gained, And in turn help who freely now helps thee." Onesimus, so doing as Syrus planned His part, was reckoned of lord Felix slave, And on that vessel sailed with him to Rome.