st of what might happen on his face.

--
23. the decree: of persecution of the Christians,
perhaps that under Domitian. The poet probably did not think
of any particular persecution.
--

I at the head, and Xanthus at the feet,
With Valens and the Boy, had lifted him, {30}
And brought him from the chamber in the depths,
And laid him in the light where we might see:
For certain smiles began about his mouth,
And his lids moved, presageful of the end.

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 th