"In my simplicity, and in my faith Undoubting that, confronted fair with truth, Falsehood must needs take on its proper shape, Then shrivel, ashamed to be at all, I sprang Suddenly up, discovered to the pair. I never dreamed but they would at my feet Fall, and for mercy sue; which Shimei-- Soft-hearted ever for another, where Only himself is wronged, however hard He steel his heart where stake is public good-- Had doubtless weakly granted out of hand. But, to my wonder, and, I own, dismay-- This for the moment, but that weakness passed-- At a quick sign from Paul, the soldier seized Me and consigned to dungeon for the night. What followed more on deck, I can but guess. I doubt not Paul completed work begun In this poor soldier's mind, and fixed his faith That all had happened as he made report. I pray thee judge his error lightly; he Was of another's will, against his own, Possessed, loth pervert of a power malign."
The soldier, hearing, was now witched indeed. Partly his sense of flaw in rectitude-- Then suffered when he paltered with the bribe Proffered by Shimei--shook him; and partly he Descried a shift of refuge for himself From dreaded blame at his centurion's hands-- Should Julius, as looked likely more and more, At length accept the Hebrew's tale for true-- In letting it appear that Paul in fact Had wrought upon him so as Shimei said, To cheat him into honest misbelief. This was the deeply calculated hope Wherein that glozer, plotting as he went With versatile adjustment to his need-- Need shifting, point by point, from phase to phase-- Provided for the soldier his escape From the necessity of holding fast, In self-defence, to his first testimony. Thus, if all prospered, Shimei, yea, might yet Save to himself the future chance to use This soldier, more amenable to use.
Paul's keeper, thus prepared to falter, heard Ambiguous challenge from the officer: "What sayest thou, soldier? Wast beside thyself? Dazed, hast thou then denounced the innocent man?" Whereto ambiguous answer thus he framed: "If I have done so, it was in excess And haste of zeal to do a soldier's duty, Misapprehended under wicked spell." "Thou art not sure? A witness should be sure; More, be he one denouncing deeds essayed Worthy of death; most, if besides he add An office of the executioner." Thus the centurion to his soldier spoke, Who answered, shuffling: "If my senses were Rightly my own last night, I told thee true; But if I was usurped by sorcery To see and hear amiss--why, who can say?"