"The stones," said Ruth-- "The stones, Ruth," Rachel said, "God gave His angels charge concerning them-- So verily I believe--and strictly bade, 'Lo, let these slay, but see ye that they do No harm unto My prophet.' So the stones, They slew, but hurt not. God translated him; He rose triumphant in meek majesty. I should have told thee, Ruth, that while he stood Before the council, he looked up and saw Jesus in heaven on the right hand of God-- There standing; this he testified to all. It was as if his faithful Lord had risen To side with Stephen in his agony. So, when they stoned him, Stephen upward spoke, 'Lord Jesus, take my spirit'; then once more, 'Lord, lay not Thou this sin unto their charge.' This he said kneeling and so fell asleep." The two some space sat musing silently; Then Ruth: "I feel that thou hast told me all Most truly, Rachel, as most tenderly. Thus, then, God giveth His belovéd sleep, Thus also! And He doeth all things well! Amen!" Silence once more, that seemed surcharged With deepening inarticulate amen From both, and Ruth, regarding Rachel, said: "Even so! But, Rachel, us not yet doth God Will thus to sleep. Still, otherwise to sleep-- For His belovéd are not also we?-- May be God's gift to us. Thou surely needest, Body and spirit, rest." And Rachel said: "The words of Stephen leap unto my lips For answering thee; and these were Stephen's words: 'God bless thee, Martha, for thy loving thought!' And this makes me remember that one thing Done yesterday I missed to tell thee of. For Martha, faithful heart, forecasting well, Brought food for Stephen that might hearten him To bear whatever he had need to bear, A cake of barley and a honeycomb. 'God bless thee, Martha, for thy loving thought!' Said Stephen, and so took the food from her, And ate it giving thanks before us all. He ate it with such look of appetite, It cheered us with a sense of freedom his From any discomposure of the mind. O Ruth, in His pavilion God did hide Thy husband, and his soul had perfect peace!"