So they went away, And, lodged in prison, those four captives sang, A silent melody making in their hearts, "With tribulation, peace!" until they slept. But Rachel having followed at remove Behind them, saw where they were put in hold, Then, hedged about meanwhile with purity, With convoy doubtless too of angels hedged, Gladly on such an errand earthward come, Invisible bright legion hovering round!-- Safely returned to sleep in Stephen's house. There she abode, and thence, an angel she! Went daily to and fro between Ruth's house And Ruth in prison, bearing messages, Refections often bearing, food or drink, Her own housewifely skill and instinct nice, With other comforts portable, sometimes, Pillow or cushion, rug or robe or shawl, Such as might serve to cheer the homesick heart In any there imprisoned, with sweet sense At least of loving thought from one for those In bonds, as herself with them bound; the while That for the orphaned children she made home. Nor ever failed to Rachel full supply Of all whatever need there was to her. Month after month, her cruse was brim with oil, With meal her measure, large replenishment. God put it in the heart of Saul to send, Diverted like an irrigating rill Full all its season from the affluent Nile, A secret stream of various providence For Rachel and for Rachel's fosterlings Fed from the fountain of his patrimony. BOOK XI. SAUL AND HIRANI. Saul, ill-content with his own prosperity in persecution, retires gloomily, late at night, to his desolated home. He vainly tries to sleep, and, rising very early, goes to consult Gamaliel. Returning, he encounters Shimei, who, with gibes, instigates a further act of persecution on Saul's part, cunningly contriving it to make refusal impossible. Saul attempting the arrest proposed by Shimei meets with opposition, which the latter has secretly inspired. The persecutor in consequence narrowly escapes violent death, being rescued at the critical moment by Shimei; who himself, with a band of servitors, makes the arrest unsuccessfully attempted by Saul alone. The man arrested confesses Jesus before the Sanhedrim, constant against every inducement to deny his Lord. He is scourged, at the instance of Shimei, and finally, at the instance of Mattathias, stoned; Saul in both cases giving his vote against the man. SAUL AND HIRANI.