"Hear now what I propose. What I propose Is not advice; advice I neither give Nor ask. I do not ask it, for my heart Is fixed; duress of conscience presses me, With flesh and blood forbidding to confer. I must do what I shall, in man's or devil's Despite. I trust I speak not thus in pride. Not therefore that the census of your yeas Or nays may guide me, but that ye may weigh What force my purpose now unfolded owns To sway your present counsels, hear and judge. "Ye know, and all Jerusalem, that Saul Has counted nothing worthy to be prized Beside the learning of the law of God. For this, a boy, from yon Cilician lands I came; for this, I have consumed my youth. What envied gains of knowledge I have made, Sitting a student at Gamaliel's feet, Befits me not to vaunt; these, small or large, Belong to God and to my nation, being mine Only to use for Him and them. I see Plainly how I must use my trust from God. Wherefore are we assembled? Wherefore, save Because these sciolists pervert the law, Deceived perhaps, deceiving certainly?" Scarce waved a careless hand in sign at them-- Toward the apostles, still in presence there, Saul deigned not to divert his scornful eyes: "Shame is it if I, knowing the law indeed, Am less than match for these untutored minds, Amid the flocking fools they lead astray, To controvert their hateful heresies. Herewith then I proclaim my ripe resolve To undertake, against the preaching liars, On their own terms, a warfare for the truth. Let it be seen which cause, in open list, Is stronger, truth from heaven or lie from hell! "Brethren and fathers, as ye will, consult; The youngest has his purpose thus divulged." As when a palm diversely blown upon In a strong tempest of opponent winds, Now this way, and now that, obedient To each prevailing present urgency, Leans to all quarters of the firmament By turns, but quickly, let a lull succeed, Upright again, shows every leaf composed; So now the council, long enough between Opinion and opinion buffeted, While Saul was speaking took a little ease, No new advice proposed, to breathe again, Steady itself, and come to equipoise.