So Shimei went remanded to his doom,
With Paul and Stephen pitying witnesses.
BOOK IX.
PAUL AND YOUNG STEPHEN.
In sequel of the tragic crime and doom that had just been witnessed by him in the case of Shimei, young Stephen is drawn to resume with his kinsman Paul the topic of the imprecatory psalms, which they had previously discussed on their night ride from Jerusalem toward Cæsarea. Paul gently lets his nephew unbosom all his heart, and, point by point, meets the young man's difficulties with senior counsel and instruction.
PAUL AND YOUNG STEPHEN.
The brilliant weather, with the sparkling sea
Blue under the blue heaven above it bowed,
There the great sun, his solitary state
Making his own pomp as it moved along
In that imperial progress through the skies,
The blithe wind blowing in the singing sails,
And the gay answer of the bounding bark,
On either hand bright glimpses of the shore—
All these things to enliven were not enough
For that day's need to Paul and those with him:
They could not rally to their customed cheer,
Serious, not sad, although light-hearted never.
The deed of Shimei and scarce less his doom
Still damped their spirits, so strung to sympathy,
Till sunny day wore on to starry night.