Such serene counter to his own superb Disdain of Jesus wrought on Saul effect Diverse from that meanwhile in Rachel wrought. She yielded to exchange her standing-ground, And ceased to hold her centre in herself. Centred in God, she all things new beheld Translated by the mighty parallax. Open she threw the portals of her soul And gave the keys up to her new-found King. But Saul more stubbornly than ever clamped His feet to keep them standing where they stood. Haughty, erect, rebuffing--he alone-- He still stared on at Stephen, who Saul's scorn Felt subtly like a fierce oppugnant force Resistlessly attractive to his aim, As, suddenly soon borne into a swift Involuntary swerving of his speech-- Himself, with Saul, surprising--he went on: "Such lord, requiring such obedience, In Him of Nazareth, a man approved Of God by many mighty works through Him Among you done, this day I preach to you, My brethren all--my brother Saul, to thee!" Therewith full round on Saul the speaker turned; That self-same instant, the seraphic sheen Brightened to dazzling upon Stephen's face; Saul standing there, transfixed to listen, blenched, As if a lightning-flash had blinded him. Then, prophet-wise, like Nathan come before King David sinner, Stephen, his right hand And fixed forefinger flickering forth at Saul, An intense moment centred upon him, Sole, the converging ardors of his speech-- As who, with lens of cunning convex, draws Into one focus all the solar rays Collected to engender burning heat.