All round them here great architecture rose, Temples, basilicas, long colonnades, Triumphal arches, amphitheaters, Aqueducts vaulting with colossal spring As if in huge Cyclopean sport across From pier to pier of massive masonry; Stupendous spectacle! but over all, To Paul's eye, one sole legend written large, Not Rome's majestic history and power, But her abjectness in idolatry; Rome's captive pitied her, and would have saved! Crowning the summit of the Capitoline, The palace of the Cæsars wide outspread, A wilderness of building, hung in view. To Burrus, the prætorian prefect, here In due course Julius gave his prisoners up; But ere he deemed himself acquitted quite Of his debt due to Paul he gained for him From Burrus, a just man, the privilege Of living as in free captivity In quarters of his own, at small remove From the prætorium yet in privacy. With Paul abode his sister and her son; Ruth nigh at hand with her Eunicé lodged-- Protected, for again from these not far The faithful Luke and Aristarchus dwelt. A season the disciples of the Lord In Rome supplied to all their frugal needs; But each one had some handicraft or skill Which soon found chance and scope to exercise Itself to purpose; and with cheerful toil In thankfulness they earned their daily bread. Two years long here, as late in Cæsarea, Paul waited on the wanton whim of power; A prisoner in chains, accused of crime, And even the right of trial still denied. Yet, though both night and day, asleep, awake, Bound to a ruthless Roman soldier arm To arm, he, the great heart, the spacious mind, Was not uncomforted, not void of joy: He had at full his fellowship of love, And, better, he could freely preach his Lord. Besides, whatever soldier guarded him, That soldier, if his heart was capable At all of gentleness for any cause Toward any one, was softened toward this man Whom he felt ever strangely toward himself As toward one not so happy in his lot Considerate, regardful, pitiful; And whom not seldom, with a sweet constraint Persuaded or compelled, he listened to Telling him of a Savior that could save Even to the uttermost, therefore also him.