Classic Poem

PAUL ACCUSED BEFORE THE ROMAN GOVERNOR OF JUDEA

The judge ascended to the judgment-seat;
Amid a gleam of spears the apostle stood;
Dauntless, he forward came; and look'd around,
And raised his voice, at first, in accents low,
Yet clear; a whisper spread among the throng:
So when the thunder mutters, still the breeze
Is heard, at times, to sigh; but when the peal,
Tremendous, louder rolls, a silence dead
Succeeds each pause, moveless the aspen leaf.
Thus fix'd, and motionless, the listening band
Of soldiers forward lean'd, as from the man,
Inspired of God, truth's awful thunders roll'd
No more he feels, upon his high-raised arm,
The ponderous chain, than does the playful child
The bracelet, form'd of many a flowery link.
Heedless of self, forgetful that his life
Is now to be defended by his words,
He only thinks of doing good to them
Who seek his life; and, while he reasons high
Of justice, temperance, and the life to come,
The judge shrinks trembling at the prisoner's voice.