Felix's hope of splendid bribe from Paul Was brighter, that, of those who brought him cheer In prison, some from wealthy Sidon came. Here the ship touching, Julius, of his grace, Granted to Paul the freedom of the shore. With grateful gladness there, Sidonian friends, Women and men, with children, welcome him. Full in mid-winter, lo, a moment's spring! So did a sudden-blossoming scene of home Smile briefly bright about this homeless man, This prisoner of the Lord--for the Lord's sake, And for his own sake, dear--most human heart! In whom his office of apostle wrought To heighten, not to hurt, the faculty, As it left whole the lovely need, of love. He went thence clothed upon the more with sense Of love his from so many, like a shield Barring his heart from harm; and in his heart Love buoyant more to bear what harm must fall. From Sidon sailing, they, still northward driven By wind that would not let them as they wished Southwestward to the south of Cyprus isle Win with right way the Mysian port, their aim-- So hindered, those Greek seamen warp their wake With zigzag steering over whitening waves, Until they feel that current of the sea, Northwestward with perpetual ocean-stream Washing the Cyprian shore to easternmost, Thence veering toward the mainland, and along The Asian border drawing to the west. There, on such river in the ocean borne Whither they will against a wind adverse, They, wise with much experience of the sea, Yet in the lee of neighboring Cyprus seek A pathway sheltered from that roughening wind. So, forward fairly, the Cilician sea They traverse, with the mountains on their left, Sheer through the length of sunny Cyprus drawn, Building a sea-wall, to break off the wind. Over against, to be descried, though far-- Well by two hearts on board that vessel felt, Paul and his sister Rachel--to the north, Lay the long reach of the Cilician shore. Those (thither strained their homeward-yearning eyes) There, tearful, saw remembered Taurus tower; Whence river Cydnus rushing snow-cold down, Wild from his mountain to the stretched-out plain, Tames him his torrent to a pace more even; And yields to be a navigable stream For Tarsus, cleft two-fold, upon his banks, A seaboard city inland from the sea.