W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.
The Witness of St. Paul
Thomas Toke Lynch (1818–1871)T
And certain unto men as death;
Prince Felix felt as if the thrust
Of deadly arrows stayed his breath:
“I’ll hear thee at convenient time,”
He said, his terror to dissemble;
But when can guilt conveniently
Invite the truth that makes it tremble?
The light of life to nations dead,
The Apostle spake: “Paul, thou art mad,”
With a loud voice Prince Festus said:
What, will the prince outspeak the voice
That pierced to Lazarus in his grave,
And stilled the clamouring winds for those
Who said, “We perish; Jesus, save?”
“O King Agrippa, yea, thou dost,
The ancient word?” The king replied,
“Almost in Christ thou mak’st me trust.”
“O, were ye all and wholly his,”
Said Paul, his fervour shook his chain.
“Not bound as I, but with me free;
‘Almost’ is altogether vain.”