Page:Conversion of St Vladimir.pdf/54

 His many secretaries,

With blanched and sallow cheek,

With bended back before him

Kneeled, groveling and meek.

Gendarmes, austere and trusty,

Stood back of Vladimir,

Prepared for drastic treatment

If danger should appear.

This time the public hearing

Was boisterous and loud;

Most of the Russian Clergy

Made up the noisy crowd.

With them came chorus singers,

Musicians, proselytes,

The grave diggers and elders—

Even the acolytes.