Saul was alone; his men he left without. The band had first the sisters' dwelling sought, To find the inmates gone--fled, as Saul guessed. Without delay, they came to Ruth's abode, Fiercer from disappointment Saul. But though Ruthless he came, he now, arrested there, Ruthful a moment stood at gaze. He saw Four women and one man in simple sort Sitting together in communion still. They did not look like culprits, nay, a light Purer than purest moonlight seemed to shine From out their faces underneath the moon. It was a feast of comfort that they kept, Those four, with Ruth the widowed--this Saul saw, And his heart thawed to pity and sheer shame. He would have turned and left them, but--his men Without! The chief priests and the Sanhedrim! And Shimei! And Saul, with all Saul owed To Saul's fair fame, his conscience, and his God! This all was in an instant, while he yet Only the group and not the persons saw Who made the group, and so before he knew His sister in her sombre different garb Disguised and in the half light of the moon. As Rachel now he fully recognized, Dismay almost unmanned him once again. Then anger to dismay succeeding made His brother's heart in him against her burn The hotter that it was a brother's heart. Speechless he hung, because he could not speak For anger; but when she, adventuring, drew Near him and said, "Brother, I pray thee let Me speak with thee apart a moment," then The vials of his speech he broke on her: "'Brother'! Thou shalt not 'brother' me. Thou hast No brother more, no sister I. Once, yea-- But that is long ago, and she is dead, My sister, and in _her_ name will I hear No woman speak henceforth. Thou hast missed thy mark In that appeal. Better hadst thou bode dumb. Go, woman! Thither! Sit thee with thine own!" Saul, with his finger pointing to her seat, Just left, in added scorn, spurned her from him. Then Lazarus spoke: "With me do what thou wilt; But these are women, let me stand for them." "Stand for thyself," said Saul, "and answer me. Thou art called Lazarus, I trow?" "Thou hast said," Lazarus replied. "Well, friend, with thee," said Saul, "I have to speak. Disciple art thou, then, Of Jesus Nazarene, late crucified?" "Of Jesus," full confessing, Lazarus said, "Of Jesus, whom, not knowing what they did, Men crucified, but whom God glorified, Raising Him from the dead and seating Him At the right hand of glory in the heavens-- Of Him I am disciple. Bless His name!" "Thou art young to utter blasphemy," said Saul; "Sure unadvisedly thou hast spoken this. Unsay it instantly, and swear it false, Or, by the warrant of the Sanhedrim, Thou goest with me to prison, perhaps to death, The way of Stephen and all heretics!"