She murmured, “in allegiance to a Power,
Before whom sceptred Diocletian shines
Brief as this puffing coal.” “Ai, blasphemy!”
The vast crowd thundered. So they led her down
Into a three days’ torture in the prison;
And to the draped tribunal, all unchanged,
This eve she came. Said I, indeed, unchanged?
Her spirit and speech were that; her body swayed
Hither and thither: a candle in a draught.
Some scrupled naught to praise such blithe disdain,