Not yet the rout had reached the city gate, When, lo! a sudden halt, a sudden hush, Arrested and becalmed the multitude. A file of Roman soldiers from the fort, With swift, straight, sure lock-step, steel-clad, that clanged, Flowed like a rill of flowing mercury, Heavy yet nimble, through a street that crossed The course of that mad progress, and, athwart Its head abutting, stayed; the clang of pause Rang sharper than the clang of the advance. The leader, a centurion, sternly spoke: "What means this uproar? Seek ye to provoke Your rulers? Love ye, then, your yoke so well Ye fain would feel it heavier on your necks? Sedition into insurrection grows Full easily, and this sedition seems. Speak, who can tell, and say, What would ye?" Prompt, Then, Shimei, of the foremost, stepping forth Said; "This is no sedition as might seem; A crushing of sedition rather. We, The Sanhedrim"--wherewith a smirk and bow From Shimei, with wave of hand swept round Upon his colleagues in their sorry plight Dishevelled, seemed, in sneering cynic sort, To introduce them with mock dignity-- "We Sanhedrim this fellow caught employed In stirring up sedition, and our zeal For peace and order under Roman rule Inflamed us, following our forefathers' way, To visit death on him without the gate. We beg you will allow us to proceed And put to proof of act our loyalty"-- Hot breath, half hiss, from Mattathias here-- "This script perhaps will help determine you." And Shimei handed up a tablet writ. The Roman read: "Let this disorder pass; It may be useful. Watch it well." The seal Once more with care examined, parley had With Shimei, whose crafty answers meet Each wary scruple of the officer, And sign is given to let the rout proceed.