Beyond, and half way up the mouth o’ the cave, { 35} The Bactrian convert, having his desire, Kept watch, and made pretence to graze a goat That gave us milk, on rags of various herb, Plantain and quitch, the rocks’ shade keeps alive: So that if any thief or soldier passed { 40} (Because the persecution was aware), Yielding the goat up promptly with his life, Such man might pass on, joyful at a prize, Nor care to pry into the cool o’ the cave. Outside was all noon and the burning blue. { 45}
-- 36. the Bactrian convert: in vv. 649, 650, he is spoken of as “but a wild childish man, and could not write nor speak, but only loved.” Bactria was a kingdom in Central Asia; the modern name is Balkh { a district in northern Afghanistan as of 1995}. having his desire: as a new convert, the simple man was eager to serve, even unto death.
41. aware: on the lookout; exercising a strict espionage. --
“Here is wine”, answered Xanthus,--dropped a drop; I stooped and placed the lap of cloth aright, Then chafed his right hand, and the Boy his left: But Valens had bethought him, and produced And broke a ball of nard, and made perfume. { 50} Only, he did--not so much wake, as--turn And smile a little, as a sleeper does If any dear one call him, touch his face-- And smiles and loves, but will not be disturbed.
Then Xanthus said a prayer, but still he slept: { 55} It is the Xanthus that escaped to Rome, Was burned, and could not write the chronicle.
Then the Boy sprang up from his knees, and ran, Stung by the splendor of a sudden thought, And fetched the seventh plate of graven lead { 60} Out of the secret chamber, found a place, Pressing with finger on the deeper dints, And spoke, as ‘twere his mouth proclaiming first, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
-- 60. the seventh plate of graven lead: one of the plates on which John’s Gospel was graven. It contained, it appears, the 11th chapter, in which Jesus says to Martha, 25th verse, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” The Boy uttered the words with such expression as ‘twere HIS mouth first proclaiming them. --
Whereat he opened his eyes wide at once, { 65} And sat up of himself, and looked at us; And thenceforth nobody pronounced a word: Only, outside, the Bactrian cried his cry Like the lone desert-bird that wears the ruff, As signal we were safe, from time to time. { 70}