Such thoughts and tortures exercised the mind Of grave Gamaliel on his roof that eve. He felt the burden of his name and fame Weigh heavy, his renown of sanctity, With wisdom, rife so wide, and holy zeal. His head declined upon his bosom, there Amid the evening cool unheeded, he, Gray reverend teacher of the law, sat mute, Rapt over the writ parchment on his knees, And read, or thought, or thought and read, and prayed. The veil was on the old man's heart; he saw Unseeing, for the sense from him was sealed. In words like these his prayer and plaint he poured: "Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Will Jehovah cast us off forevermore? We groan, O Lord, Thy people groan, beneath The yoke of the oppressor. It is time, Lo, bow Thy heavens and come avenging down! Appear Thou for Thy people! Visit us! Not only the uncircumcised are come, And heathen, into Thine inheritance, But of Thy chosen seed are risen up False children unto Abraham, to vex Our nation's peace and shame us to our foes. The son of Joseph suffered his desert, Accurséd, on the tree, pretender vile, Who out of Nazareth came forth to claim Messiahship, the gift of David's line, And trailed a glorious banner in the dust, The banner of the hope of Israel. That day, too long expected, yet shall dawn And true Messiah, girded on His thigh His sword athirst for alien blood, shall ride Conquering and to conquer over all The necks of these His enemies and ours. How long, Lord God of Sabaoth, how long? For now that hated false Messiah's name Is preached, the dead for re-arisen to life, The crucified for glorified, to men, And ICHABOD is written everywhere On all that was the boast of Israel. O Thou that overthrewest the harrying horde Of Pharaoh whelmed beneath the entombing sea, Rise, overwhelm Thine enemies, restore The glory and the kingdom to Thine own!" Gamaliel prayed, and knew not that his prayer Found voice and smote at least an earthly ear. "Amen!" Gamaliel started as he heard The voice of Saul responding fervently. Saul had been pupil to Gamaliel, Loyal and loving, and he now was friend Familiar, whom, as guest, unbidden oft And unannounced, that famous Pharisee Welcomed to share his most seclusive hours. "My son!" "Rabboni!" mutually they said.