What was there in the tender, peaceful look of the mother, what in her full breasts, what in the breathing of the child, what in the stir of those baby hands to make the soldier bare and bow his head?
He leaned against the rock wall of the cave and covered his eyes and thought of his beloved Arria, of his dream of home and peace and little children.

The sword fell from his hand.

A great sickness of the soul came on him as he thought of those evil days in Jerusalem and of his part in their bloody record.

There and then he flung off the fetters of king and emperor.
He knew not yet who lay before him.
As he looked through tears upon them they seemed to be covered with light as with a garment.

David knelt before the mother and child in adoration.
Vergilius, full of astonishment, turned to look around him, and saw Manius, who stood near, trembling with superstitious awe.