And it was so; for after the first wrench, Which well-nigh solved the jointings of their limbs, The spirit rose the sovereign of the flesh And bore those helpless victims of the rack Triumphant as in painless ecstasy. Their mortal frames became as instruments Of music underneath the player's hand; For every quivering nerve within them strung Responded to the running torture's touch In bursts of exclamation like the notes Of a song sung to some pathetic tune Wherein the pathos still keeps triumphing: "Lord Jesus, this for Thee!" "And this!" "O, joy That we are counted worthy thus to suffer!" "It is not suffering, since for Thee we suffer!" Meanwhile to every challenge touching Paul, Though thrills of anguish broke their speech to cries, They said, and would forever only say: "He taught us nothing but to reverence Our masters with all good fidelity Of service rendered them out of true hearts As to the Lord in heaven and not to men." By secret orders from the emperor The torture-room was cunningly contrived To be a sort of whispering gallery, An ear of Dionysius, to resound Whatever might be uttered from the rack Wrung out of victims put to question there-- Words, cries, sighs, groans, or moans of agony-- And carry them to distance where above, If one should listen, they might all be heard. Here Nero laid a listening ear that day-- Seneca's prompting, who was present too-- And heard Onesimus and Syrus bear Their steadfast witness on behalf of Paul, With adjuration mingled of a Name. The not yet utterly extinguished spark Of human in that indurated breast (Perhaps therewith effect of fear infused-- Divinely--at such adjuration heard) Responded in a transitory glow Of something gentle that resembled ruth Toward those poor sufferers faithful against pain; Of something that resembled justice too Toward Paul so stoutly witnessed for by them. He forthwith bade release the witnesses; And hearkened to a counsel touching Paul. For Seneca adventured this to him-- A farewell flicker of his influence, Ere Tigellinus overbore him quite--: "Shouldst thou think well it might indeed be well, To loose this Jewish prisoner from his thrall-- He giving surety under ample bond To answer with his person at the bar Of Cæsar upon summons, to be tried Whenever shall appear accusers sent Accredited from Jerusalem to Rome." So out of darkness there sprang up a light To Paul, and for that present he went free.