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son of Herod sate in regal state Fast by his sister-queen—and 'mid the throng Of supple courtiers, and of Roman guards, Gave solemn audience. Summoned to his bar A prisoner came,—who with no flattering tone Brought incense to a mortal. Every eye Questioned his brow, with scowling eagerness, As there he stood in bonds. But when he spoke With such majestic earnestness, such grace Of simple courtesy—with fervent zeal So boldly reasoned for the truth of God, The ardour of his heaven-taught eloquence Wrought in the royal bosom, till its pulse Responsive trembled with the new-born hope "Almost to be a Christian." So, he rose, And with the courtly train swept forth in pomp. "Almost;"—and was this all,—thou Jewish prince? Thou listener to the ambassador of Heaven— "Almost persuaded!"—Ah! hadst thou exchanged Thy trappings and thy purple, for his bonds Who stood before thee—hadst thou drawn his hope Into thy bosom even with the spear Of martyrdom—how great had been thy gain. And ye, who linger while the call of God Bears witness with your conscience, and would fain Like king Agrippa follow,—yet draw back Awhile into the vortex of the world