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WILLIAM CLEAVER WILKINSON _Author of "The Epic of Saul"_
FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY NEW YORK AND LONDON 1898
Copyright, 1897, by FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY [Registered at Stationers' Hall, London, England] PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The action of THE EPIC OF PAUL begins with that conspiracy formed at Jerusalem against the life of the apostle which in the sequel led to a prolonged suspension of his free missionary career. It embraces the incidents of his removal from Jerusalem to Cæsarea, of his imprisonment at the latter place, of his journey to Rome for trial before Cæsar, and of his final martyrdom.
The design of the poem as a whole is to present, through conduct on Paul's part and through speech from him, a living portrait of the man that he was, together with a reflex of his most central and most characteristic teaching.
Paul, the new man, retrieved from perished Saul, Unequalled good and fair, from such unfair, Such evil, orient, miracle unguessed!-- Both what himself he was and what he taught-- This marvel in meet words to fashion forth And make it live an image to the mind Forever, blooming in celestial youth, Were well despair to purer power than mine; Help me Thou, Author of the miracle!
Paul is arraigned before the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem. He had the day preceding been murderously set upon by a Jewish mob, from whose hands he was with difficulty rescued by a Roman officer, to be held as a prisoner supposed of infamous character. While Paul is thus held, a conspiracy of desperate Jews is formed by Shimei against his life. This conspiracy is fortunately discovered and exposed by Stephen, a young nephew of the apostle, acting at the instance of his mother Rachel, Paul's sister, and under the advice of Gamaliel, Paul's old teacher.
The Sanhedrim once more, with Saul arraigned, Saul now no longer, and no longer young, Paul his changed name, to note his nature changed.
Confronting frown on him, a prisoner, Paul's colleagues of the days when he was Saul. Shimei, with smile, or scowl, uncertain which, Hatred and pleasure both at once expressed, Pleasure of hatred gratified, with more Hatred than could be wholly gratified-- His pristine aspect worse and worse deformed. Sore vexed at heart were all the Sanhedrim That now the victim of their wished despite-- Thrice the more hated as erst so beloved, Christian apostate the once zealot Jew!-- Stood there but doubtfully within their power; The Roman sway had cited him--and them.