And now the cloudless splendor of the day
Was softly toward a cloudless sunset waned,
When round an open grave upon that hill
Were gathered those who mourned for Mary dead;
Publius was there, and Julius, with the rest.
They with all reverence lifted the fair form,
Wrapped round about with linen clean and white,
And laid it like a seed within the ground;
They spread it with a coverlet of soil
Which falling through the farewell sunset beams
Seemed leavened to lie more lightly on the dead:
The earth with such a treasure in her breast
Was sweeter, and they almost yearned toward it.
Yet upward rather soon they turn their eyes
As once those upward gazed in Galilee
Seeing their Lord ascend in cloud to heaven—
While thus Paul, he too thither looking, said:
"Concerning her who sleeps here, think aright;
For we must sorrow not as others do
Who have no hope. We have a hope. Our hope
Is, that if Jesus died and rose again,
Even so them likewise who in Jesus sleep
Will God bring with Him. Yea, I say to you
By the command and promise of the Lord
If we survive to see the Lord return
We shall not so forestall our sleeping friend
In springing toward Him as He hither comes.
For with a shout the Lord Himself from heaven
Will hither come descending with the voice
Of the archangel and the trump of God.
First shall those dead in Christ arise, and then
We, if we linger living till He come,
(Transfigured in the twinkling of an eye
When the trump sounded to our heavenly guise)
Will be with them together in the clouds
Caught up in instant rapture from the earth
To meet the Lord descended in the air:
So shall we be forever with the Lord.
With these things comfort ye yourselves, and each
Comfort the other.
"And all comfort me!"
Paul added, with a breaking voice, and tears;
But quick he rallied for those others' sake
And his victorious tone recovered quite,
Looking down, like a warrior on a foe
Trampled into the dust beneath his feet—
So looking down upon that vanquished grave,
Paul almost chanted in heroic rhythm
This lyric exultation calmed to praise:
"O death, where is thy sting? Thy victory where,
O grave? Thanks be to God who giveth us,
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, the victory!"
Paul indeed craved the touch of human love,
To stay him with a healing sense of help,
And medicine to sorrow; but in part
It was for his companions' own behoof
He had desired their fellowship of cheer;
He knew well that to comfort was of all
Ways the way surest to be comforted.
BOOK XXI.
ARRIVAL.
The day following, the shipwrecked company embark on a vessel that had wintered at Melita and sail for Puteoli. The islanders give Paul and his companions a grateful farewell of good wishes and of presents for their cheer. With Felix and Drusilla goes as a fresh addition to their train a Phrygian runaway slave whom Syrus, a young slave of Felix's, has befriended and has devised thus to get safely to Rome. Stephen is made confidant of this plan, and becoming interested in the runaway introduces him to Paul. The foot journey from Puteoli to Rome is accomplished, the approach to that city being made along the Appian Way. Various reflections are inspired in Paul by this experience and by the sight of the metropolis itself. At Rome, the Phrygian runaway slave goes to Paul's quarters, merged in the daily concourse that throngs thither to hear the gospel. Having been converted, he is encouraged by Paul to return to his master. This he finally does, carrying with him a letter from Paul. The result is, that the slave at the wish of the master comes joyfully back to Rome and devotes himself to the loving service of Paul.
ARRIVAL.