Paul slept, in Roman chains, the Christian's sleep, That night, but ill at ease the chiliarch tossed In troubled slumbers. He, with early morn, To council called the Jewish Sanhedrim, Set Paul unbound before them, and so sought The truth to know of what on him was charged. With calmly steadfast eye Paul faced his foes, But Shimei smiled in confidence of guile; Whatever the accused might seek to say, Affront should meet him and torment his pride. Paul, his fixed eyes pointing his moveless aim Full in the faces of the elders, said: "Brethren, in all good conscience have I lived In loyalty toward God unto this day." On such a claim from such a prisoner, Angry the high priest Ananias cried, "Smite him upon the mouth!" to those near by. Paul flamed in answering righteous wrath, and said, Flashing a lightning from his eyes on him: "Smite thee shall God, thou whited wall! And thou, Sittest thou here to judge me by the law, And, the law breaking, biddest me be smitten?" The bolted word had flown and found its mark, And Paul stood quivering with the stern recoil. But the bystanders, tools of Shimei, In chorus of well-simulated zeal Of reverence toward authority, cried out: "The high priest, then, of God revilest thou?" Tempting the outraged man to further vent Volcanic of resentment at his wrong. But Paul had tutored down his rebel will; Meekly he said: "Brethren, I did not know That he the high priest was, for it is writ, 'Of one that rules thy people speak not ill.'" Through such self-recollection and self-rule, Paul, master of himself once more become, Became likewise master of circumstance. Marking that Pharisee and Sadducee Made up the assembly, he, with prudent choice, As Pharisee to Pharisee appealed. "Brethren," he cried, "a Pharisee am I, From Pharisees descended; for the hope And resurrection of the dead it is That I this day am judged." Discord hereon Arose of Pharisee with Sadducee, Which atwain rent the whole assembly there. For Sadducee no resurrection owned, No angel, and no spirit; Pharisee These all confessed. A hideous clamor grew, And certain scribes, who with the Pharisees Sided, rose and, contending stoutly, said: "No evil find we in this man; and if, And if so be indeed, there hath to him A spirit spoken, or an angel--" Thus A hot dissension waxing, and afraid Become the chiliarch lest his prisoner be In sunder torn, the soldiery he sent To pluck him from amidst the wrangling crowd, And lodge him in the castle.