With large prosperity and little joy, Thus the first stage of that 'straight path' foreseen By him to Rachel, 'traced in blood and tears,' Saul had accomplished, and the night was late; He parted from his men and was alone. Alone and moody, by the westering moon, His face downcast turned absently toward what Late was his home, home longer not to him, With footstep slow suspended by sad thought-- Which had no goal, but ever round and round On one fixed centre hopelessly revolved-- Saul paced the still streets of Jerusalem, Like a soul seeking rest and finding none. Before the door at length he finds himself Of his own house forsaken yesterday. For an uncertain absence, but for long As he supposed, Saul thence that morn had fled In haste and bitterness. He could not bear To think of meeting Rachel day by day, And that great gulf impassable between Her and himself yawning! he hands imbrued Perhaps in blood of those she counted dear But he most hateful counted bringing home, Her innocent white hands to touch, and feel The difference! Therefore he fled because 'Rachel,' thought he, 'must bide, and bide we twain Cannot.' But now Rachel was gone, and Saul, Alone and lonely, sojourner might be Where brother and sister late had shared a home. He enters noiselessly, and unperceived Steals to his chamber; there upon his couch To restless thought, he, not to rest, lies down. Restless and fruitless, save that, morning yet Pearl-white, untinted with that ruddy flush Of color in the east before the sun, Saul rose, and, after joyless orisons, Went to Gamaliel's house, sure him to find Already on his roof to greet the dawn. "In anguish sore and sore perplexity Of spirit, master," Saul said, "lo, I come To thee, not knowing whither else to go, For solace, and the solving of my doubt." "Welcome thou comest ever, even or morn," Gamaliel said; "but what disquiets thee? When in the council last I heard thee speak, Thou wert all firmness, as one wholly clear In purpose, and thou hadst that glad aspect, Though serious, which befits the mind resolved. Whence, Saul, the change in thee?" "Thou knowest," said Saul "How prospered my attempt, ventured upon Without thy counsel, in that issue joined With Stephen."