Him kill, imprison, or in exile end his days.
But while I live divulge not what to thee I’ve told,
Keep secret till my death this charge thou hast to hold.
Let no one know till then ’tis thou art chosen out,
Proclaim not thou thyself a king or prince devout.
Behold this scroll; take, study it; thyself instruct,
’Tis Jesu’s doctrine pure; from this His Church construct.”
Thus one by one their minds prepared were to be chief:
“’Tis thou’rt the chosen one; all else would be a thief.”345
He named them each successor; made them so to feel.