"Still, I too take the clement part, and say, If only for Saul's sake, let these go free Of any but the lightest punishment. Saul will desire for foemen hearts as strong As may be, to call out that strength in him Which we well know, for their discomfiture. Even thus, he may prefer some other foe Than men disparaged by the brand of blows Upon their backs, some fairer, fresher fame, His gage of battle to take up, and be By him immortalized through overthrow Experienced, such as never yet was worse." Divergent so in view or motive, they Agreed at last to let the prisoners go With stripes inflicted, and a charge severe Imposed to speak in Jesus' name no more. These so released departed thence with joy, Rejoicing to have been accounted meet For Jesus' sake to suffer shame. Nor ceased Those faithful men to preach and teach as erst, Both in the temple and from house to house, Daily still sounding forth Jesus as Christ. But Saul withdrew deep pondering in his mind How he might best his plan divulged fulfill. BOOK III. SAUL AGAINST STEPHEN. Stephen, as a Christian preacher of brilliant genius and of growing fame, is selected by Saul to be his antagonist in the controversy resolved upon by him. To a vast concourse of people assembled in expectation of hearing Stephen preach, Saul takes the opportunity to address an impassioned and elaborate appeal, with argument, against Stephen's doctrine. His hearers are powerfully affected; among them, he not knowing it, Saul's own beloved sister Rachel. SAUL AGAINST STEPHEN. Like a wise soldier on some task intent Of moment and of hazard, who, at heart Secure of prospering, yet no caution counts, No pains, unworthy, but with wary feet Explores his ground about him every rood, All elements of chance forecalculates, Draws to his part each doubtful circumstance; Never too much provided, point by point Equips himself superfluously strong, That he prevailing may with might prevail, And overcome with bounteous victory; So Saul, firm in resolve and confident, And inly stung with conscience and with zeal Not to postpone his weighty work proposed, Would not be hasty found, nor rash, to fail Of any circumspection that his sure Triumph might make more sure, or wider stretch Its margin, certain to be wide. Some days After the council, he, with forecast sage And prudence to prepare, refrained himself From word or deed in public; while, at home, Not moody, but not genial as his use, His gracious use, was, self-absorbed, retired In deep and absent muse, he nigh might seem A stranger to his sister well-beloved, Wont to be sharer of his inmost mind.