The Epic of Paul

In Short

William Cleaver Wilkinson’s narrative poem picks up the biblical account of Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem and traces his journey toward martyrdom in Rome. Beset by a persistent Jewish antagonist named Shimei, Paul navigates trials before Roman governors, survives a harrowing shipwreck off Malta, and preaches to fellow travelers, pagan philosophers, and imperial officials. Throughout his trials, Paul demonstrates unwavering faith, converting captors and adversaries alike through extraordinary grace. Written in unrhymed blank verse, the work endures as a expansive nineteenth-century effort to translate apostolic history and early Christian theology into the tradition of classical epic poetry.

The Story

The narrative begins with Paul facing the Sanhedrim in Jerusalem following his rescue from an angry mob by Roman soldiers. A bitter enemy, Shimei, hatches a covert scheme to murder the apostle, but the conspiracy is discovered by Paul’s young nephew, Stephen, acting alongside the respected rabbi Gamaliel. To safeguard Paul, Roman authorities transport him under cover of night to Cæsarea. There, he is held prisoner and brought before the governor Felix, who is unnerved by Paul’s preaching yet manipulated by the sorcerer Simon Magus and the corrupting lure of gold.

Seeking an end to endless delays and local machinations, Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen and appeals directly to Cæsar. Shimei continues his relentless pursuit, boarding the same vessel bound for Rome to ensure the apostle’s condemnation. Throughout the voyage, Shimei spreads malicious lies, attempting to convince the centurion Julius and the crew that Paul is a master deceiver planning an escape. However, Paul’s character and calm authority gradually win over those around him.

When a fierce fourteen-day storm battering the Adrian Sea threatens to destroy their ship, Paul assumes spiritual command of the vessel. He comforts the terrified crew, breaks bread, and assures them that no lives will be lost. After the ship runs aground on a beach and breaks apart in the surf, everyone reaches the shore safely, fulfilling his prophecy. During their time following the shipwreck, figures like Mary Magdalene share detailed accounts of the life, passion, and resurrection of Jesus, deepening the faith of the believers and moving pagan listeners.

Even Shimei cannot entirely resist the transformational impact of Paul’s ministry. Broken by the selfless care extended to him by Christian women who wash his hands and tend to his wounds, the old antagonist breaks down in tears, crushed by a love he cannot comprehend or combat. Meanwhile, Paul engages in profound philosophical and religious dialogues, most notably with Krishna, an Indian seeker whom he guides toward Christian baptism by contrasting self-reliance with divine grace.

Upon arriving in Rome, the plot shifts to the imperial court. The ambitious Drusilla scheme with Simon Magus to manipulate the Emperor Nero and rid themselves of Felix. Simon offers his services to Nero, proposing the execution of Paul and his companions to secure the emperor's favor. Yet Paul remains steadfast, using his remaining time to preach the gospel, comfort his fellow believers, and prepare for his imminent execution. He faces his final martyrdom with serene confidence in the resurrection, completing his earthly course.

How It Unfolds

Conspiracy in Jerusalem Paul is brought before the Sanhedrim, where his former teacher Gamaliel observes him with mixed awe and uncertainty. Meanwhile, Shimei organizes a murderous plot against Paul, but young Stephen discovers the trap and alerts the authorities, prompting Paul's secret night transfer to Cæsarea.

Imprisonment and Appeals Held at Cæsarea, Paul defends his faith before the Roman governor Felix, whose conscience is briefly stirred before being bribed and quieted by the sorcerer Simon Magus. Desiring a fair trial away from local corruption, Paul formally appeals his case to Cæsar.

Voyage and Shipwreck Embarking on the voyage to Rome under the guard of the centurion Julius, Paul is shadowed by Shimei, who attempts to frame him for bribery and treason. A violent tempest grips the ship for two weeks, but Paul reassures the crew, and all reach land safely when the vessel breaks apart on the rocks.

Transformations on Shore While delayed after the shipwreck, Mary Magdalene recounts the Story of the Cross to the gathered company, prompting deep reflection among Roman soldiers and travelers. Touched by the unexpected kindness of the Christians who tend his injuries, Shimei experiences a poignant breakdown, realizing he cannot fight such unconditional love.

Dialogues and Conversions Paul engages in extended spiritual discussions with Krishna, an Indian philosopher struggling to trade his ideal of self-salvation for faith in Christ, eventually leading to Krishna's baptism. In Rome, Drusilla and Simon Magus align with the tyrant Nero, securing a decree of execution against the Christians.

Martyrdom in Rome Facing his final days under Nero's hostile rule, Paul delivers his last teachings on the resurrection and the return of Christ. He meets his ultimate martyrdom with tranquil resolve, leaving behind a legacy that transforms his companions and captors.

The People

• Paul (formerly Saul): The central figure of the epic, a transformed apostle who faces imprisonment, trial, and execution with profound serenity. Driven by an all-consuming desire to preach the gospel of Christ, he uses every trial—whether a courtroom, a sinking ship, or a prison cell—to demonstrate divine love and doctrine to those around him.
• Shimei: A vengeful and scheming Jewish antagonist obsessed with destroying Paul. Driven by intense malice, he fabricates lies to frame the apostle, follows him across the Mediterranean, and attempts to turn Roman officers against him, only to be emotionally undone by the very mercy and love of the Christians he persecutes.
• Young Stephen: Paul’s devoted nephew, who acts with courage and innocence to protect his uncle. He uncovers Shimei’s assassination plot in Jerusalem and remains a faithful, attentive companion through Paul’s trials and travels.
• Gamaliel: Paul’s ancient former teacher, a wise and venerable rabbi who gazes upon his former student with deep, contemplative wonder, torn between his traditional Jewish faith and the undeniable, quiet power radiating from Paul.
• Julius: The Roman centurion charged with transporting Paul to Rome. Skeptical at first, he gradually develops deep respect for Paul's integrity, leadership during the shipwreck, and calm authority, ultimately protecting Paul's life from his own soldiers.
• Krishna: An Indian philosopher and seeker who engages Paul in high-minded debate. Accustomed to eastern ideas of self-salvation, he struggles against the humbling requirement of absolute surrender to Christ before accepting baptism.
• Felix and Drusilla: The morally compromised Roman governor of Judaea and his ambitious, scheming wife. Felix is tormented by fear and greed, while Drusilla collaborates with Simon Magus to advance her position at the imperial court of Nero.

In Its Own Voice

A moment of quiet contemplation opens between Paul and his teacher as the old rabbi studies the transformed apostle in his custody:

Gamaliel, leaning on his elbow, fast / His aged vision, like an eagle's, fixed / On Paul, and through the windows of his soul, / Wide open, as into a crystal sky / Gazing, beheld his thoughts orbed into stars.

During his midnight journey, Paul shares with young Stephen the origins of his famous letter to the Corinthians regarding spiritual gifts and Christian devotion:

My soul was worn and anxious with my pain / At such distractions of the church of Christ; / I found my peace at last in this thought, 'How / Love would heal all, would gently join from schism, / And in one bind the body of the Lord!'

Surrounded by friends as they commit Mary to the earth, Paul delivers a message of comfort rooted in the Christian expectation of resurrection:

Concerning her who sleeps here, think aright; / For we must sorrow not as others do / Who have no hope.

What It's Really About

At its core, the poem explores the absolute power of divine love to overcome hatred, political machinations, and human pride. Through the persistent conflict between Shimei and Paul, the narrative contrasts the corrosive nature of vengeance with the quiet strength of Christian grace. Shimei's elaborate plots consistently unravel not through violent retaliation, but through patient endurance and unexpected acts of mercy.

The epic also delves deeply into the nature of faith versus self-reliance, highlighted in Paul's intense philosophical exchanges with Krishna. It examines how human pride resists the concept of grace, framing true belief as an act of radical surrender rather than self-generated virtue. Ultimately, the work asserts that spiritual truth transcends earthly authority, demonstrating how a helpless prisoner can exercise true moral leadership over soldiers, governors, and emperors.

Why Read It Today

This work will appeal to readers who enjoy Victorian religious poetry, late nineteenth-century literature, and detailed biblical reimaginings. Wilkinson constructs a grand, sweeping narrative that treats apostolic history with high dramatic seriousness, blending early church traditions with formal poetic structures. Reading it feels like stepping into a nineteenth-century cathedral—spacious, carefully ornate, and intentionally paced to evoke solemn contemplation.

Prospective readers should be prepared for its considerable scale and deliberate pace. Spanning twenty-four books in blank verse, the narrative moves at a majestic, sometimes unhurried speed, devoting long passages to theological arguments, internal monologues, and formal speeches. Its Victorian diction and elevated, archaic style demand patience and concentrated attention. However, those who commit to its rhythm will find a surprisingly vivid portrait of early Christianity, marked by memorable character studies—such as the psychological downfall and breaking of Shimei—and a magnificent rendering of ancient sea travel and spiritual conviction that stays in the memory long after the final verse.