Man through malicious mind more miserable, More miserable man from every cause Of inward sorrow save malicious mind, Never were met and parted than when there Shimei found Saul and left him thus that morn. Once more Saul visited his couch in vain; Sleep could he not, could not but round and round Tread the treadmill of painful barren thought, On this fixed only, with resentful will, _Not_ to do that which Shimei pressed him to. So, having eaten, without appetite, He flung forth in the street dispirited-- Aimless, nor on the way through hope to aim, Hopeless, nor on the way through aim to hope-- Irresolute, deject, energiless, Therefore the destined prey of whatso snare Should sudden first waylay his nerveless foot-- Forth in the street flung, at his door to meet An ambushed messenger of Shimei's, Who from his master gave him written word: "The Sanhedrim to sit this afternoon In council on the case you will present. All feel the utmost flattering confidence That Saul will promptly bring his prisoner in. The bearer of this can guide you to your man." 'Himself false witness now become, the wretch!' Thought Saul. 'This buyer of false witnesses Has falsely told my brethren that I put Myself in pledge to do a special task, His bidding, and has got the council called In expectation on their part from me That I will bring them in this man to judge-- Death doubtless meant, instead of prison, for _him_! The wretch, the perjured wretch, and damnable! Yet for me what escape? Alternative None offers. Yea, denounce might I the man Even to his teeth before them all a liar-- But to what profit? He could truly say I listened, not demurring, when he broached This his new plan, as I had done before Concerning the arrests at Bethany By him projected, meekly made by me! I should seem caviller, than he more false, And trifler with the ancient majesty Prescriptive of the Sanhedrim.' Saul writhed With all the frail remainder of his force, Writhed--and submitted. With the guide he went, And the man found whom he, under duress Resented, sought. The invisible chains which then That captive captor wore, far worse galled him Than those whereof he plained at Bethany. Master more cruel yet the devil can be Than vehement conscience blinded by self-will. Pride driving makes an intimate misery, But a more intimate misery pride driven!