[Illustration: Titlepage] _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ THE EPIC OF PAUL A SEQUEL TO "THE EPIC OF SAUL" The action of THE EPIC OF PAUL begins with that conspiracy formed at Jerusalem against the life of the apostle, which in the sequel led to a prolonged suspension of his free missionary career. It embraces the incidents of his removal from Jerusalem to Cæsarea, of his imprisonment at the latter place, of his journey to Rome for trial before Cæsar, and of his final martyrdom. The design of the poem as a whole is to present through conduct on Paul's part and through speech from him, a living portrait of the man that he was, together with a reflex of his most central and most characteristic teaching. Its descriptions are vivid, and it brings the reader's mind into close touch with the great spirit of Paul. It is a poem in which dignity, beauty, and power are commingled with a rare charm. "Paul, the new man, retrieved from perished Saul, Unequaled good and fair, from such unfair, Such evil, orient miracle unguessed!-- Both what himself he was and what he taught-- This marvel in meet words to fashion forth And make it live an image to the mind Forever, blooming in celestial youth."--_From the Proem._ _AN APPRECIATIVE CRITICISM._ "Noble as was Dr. Wilkinson's 'Epic of Saul,' his 'Epic of Paul' is even nobler. The kingliness of its range; the majesty of its principal figure; the fascination of its subordinate figures; the subtlety of its characterizations; the pathos of its interviews; the intricate consistency of its plot; the conscientiousness of its exegesis and allusions; the splendor of its imaginations; the nobility of its ethics; the stateliness of its rhythm; the grandeur of its evolution--these are some of the characteristics which make 'The Epic of Paul' another necessary volume in the library of every clergyman, philosopher, and litterateur." --REV. GEORGE DANA BOARDMAN, D.D. _8vo, Cloth, Gilt top, 722 pp. Price, $2.00, post-free._ _Both books together, $3.00._ FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY, Publishers, New York THE EPIC OF SAUL BY WILLIAM CLEAVER WILKINSON AUTHOR OF "THE EPIC OF PAUL" FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY NEW YORK AND LONDON 1898 COPYRIGHT, 1891, BY FUNK & WAGNALLS; 1898, BY FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY. [Registered at Stationers' Hall, London, Eng.] PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. CONTENTS. PAGE Book I. SAUL AND GAMALIEL, 5 Book II. SAUL AND THE SANHEDRIM, 37 Book III. SAUL AGAINST STEPHEN, 59 Book IV. STEPHEN AGAINST SAUL, 87 Book V. SAUL AND SHIMEI, 113 Book VI. SAUL AND RACHEL, 139 Book VII. STEPHEN AND RUTH, 159 Book VIII. STEPHEN MARTYR, 183 Book IX. RUTH AND RACHEL, 209