This Mary Magdalené, in such wise First to such joy delivered from such woe, Then witness of so much theophany, Thenceforward lived, unwedded to the end, A life of watching for her Lord's return, True to His promise, in the clouds of heaven; Not idle watching, watching unto prayer And unto almsdeeds to His glory done. In the due sequel of the days, she came, Bidden by her kinswoman Ruth, to share Her widow's home with her and help her peace. Thus then, the much-experienced Mary, meek With wisdom and with holy meekness wise (Her sorrow all to cheerful patience turned) Unnoticed, not unfelt, as light, as strength Unconscious, from the Source of strength, of light Daily renewed, for guidance and support To all within her happy neighborhood-- She also, Mary Magdalené, came To Cæsarea, yoked in fellowship With Ruth and Rachel, ministrant to Paul.
These all, with others, still intent to ease, If but by sharing, what to Paul befell, Were minded to go with him even to Rome-- When Festus, following Felix dispossessed, Sent Paul away to Cæsar's judgment-seat, Fulfilling so the wretched Shimei's fear. For--Festus asking Paul (accused afresh Before him from Jerusalem by Jews Afresh to hope reviving with the change From Felix to a different rulership): "Wilt thou hence go unto Jerusalem, And there by thine own countrymen be judged?"-- The wary wise apostle, well forewarned Touching the deadly ambush, to waylay Him in the journey thither, set once more By Shimei, desperate and forlorn, had said: "I am a prisoner at the judgment-bar Of Cæsar; to my countrymen have I No wrong done, as thou knowest; if any crime Be mine, if I have perpetrated deed Worthy of death, I do not shun to die. But if of such act I be innocent, Then no man may to them deliver me. Roman am I, to Cæsar I appeal." That answer was as word omnipotent, To be unsaid, gainsaid, resisted, never; And Festus was its servant and its thrall.
There sailed a ship of Adramyttium (In Mysia of the Asian Province west, From Lesbos in a deep recess withdrawn Of bay in the Ægean, neighboring Troy) Which touched at Cæsarea in its course Coastwise, now northing on the Syrian shore. Festus on board this vessel quartered Paul, With soldiers to convoy him safe to Rome; A maniple, by a centurion Commanded, Julius named, a Roman he Worthy of the imperial name he bore. For he of clement grace was capable, And of sagacity to know a man, Though of despiséd race and charged with crime, And, knowing, yield to him his manhood's claim. Julius the profit of his virtue reaped; He, in the issue of that voyage, will Through favoring Paul save his own soul alive.