The mordant sneer corrosive of such speech Ate through the thin mail of Saul's scornful pride, And bit him in his wincing sense of truth. Against these thrusts in no wise could he fence, Having the foothold lost whereon he stood Firm in the conscience of integrity. Unbidden would those words of Stephen, "Pricks To kick against!" returning come to him In memory, while ever, with each return, Fiercer waxed Saul's resistance, fiercer wound Infixing in his secret-suffering mind-- As should the bullock battle with the goads Behind him, shrinking flesh on sharpened steel. So now his wild heart Saul pressed sternly up Against the cruel points of Shimei's jeer, And suffered them in silence. Shimei Felt his own triumph, and at feline ease Leisurely played with his proud captive. "Saul," He added, "you and I are men too wise To waste strength here in mutual blame. Forgive Me that I was so far led on to speak As if retorting word for word unkind. I should have made allowance for your state, Devoid of that just self-complacency So needful to a happy health of mind. Now you and I at bottom are such twins, We ought to understand each other well; It is a shame that this has not been so. Here we are one in aim, and unity In aim--what deeper unity than that Joins ever man and man? Let us strike hands Together, since our hearts beat unison." Not less revolted at these words was Saul, More, rather, that he knew how insincere They were, how hollow, as how void of truth, Spoken in pure malicious irony. The sense of difference his from Shimei, Browbeaten in him, badgered, stunned, ashamed, Could not rejoice in thought, in speech far less, Against that flourished claim of unity. He stood silent, ignobly helpless, while Maliciously his pastime further took With him his captor, who then, sated, said: "Well, Saul, I shall excuse it to a mind In you disordered through late loss of sleep, That you do not invite me in to sit A little at my ease while I disclose The thought I had in coming to you now. Nay, nay"--for Saul, broken in self-command False shame to feel, and false self-blame, as found Defaulting dues of hospitality, Instinctive moved toward making Shimei guest-- "Permit me to decline the courtesy. You are tired, you are very tired, and you should rest. Once within, seated, I might stay too long, Bound by the charms of your society.