A tremor of sensation fluttered through The council, with these words, and at Saul's heart Pausing, infixed, then healed, a subtle pang Of sweet remorse and gracious tenderness-- "Yea, not the less for this love I my son, My brother, while I honor him the more. Yea, and not wholly does he part himself From me; in deepest counsel we are one. Saul seeks to honor God obeying Him, The same seek I; are we not deeply one? And ever I have taught obedience To God as the prime thing and paramount; Disciple therefore still to me, and son, Is Saul, even in this act and article Of his secession from his master's part; Saul and Gamaliel both, and all of us, I pray my God to save from self-deceit! I shudder while I pray, 'Deliver me, O Lord, deliver, from the secret sin Of false supposed obedience masking pride!' "Late, I was sure, as Saul is sure to-day. I thought, and doubted not, we ought to do Even what ye now are bent to bring to pass. My way was not Saul's way, but rather yours; To me it seemed plainly, as seems to you, Wiser to save the body by some loss, If loss were need, of limb. Unfalteringly, The knife would I myself with mine own hand Have wielded to cut off these members, judged Unsound and harmful to the general health, Forever from the congregation. Now, I feel less sure, Gamaliel feels less sure. I wish--brethren, I think I wish--to be Obedient; though deceitful is the heart Above all things and wicked desperately-- What man can know it?--yet I think I will Obedience. That was a pure word--the mouth However far from pure that uttered it-- 'To God rather than men must we obey.' Saul was true son of mine to turn from me To God--if haply he to God indeed Have turned from me, and not from me to Saul, Not knowing! Might I also turn, even I, Gamaliel from Gamaliel, unto God! I dread to trust myself, lest I, myself Obeying, misdeem myself obeying God.