Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Complete Poetical Works. 1893.
Christus: A MysteryPart I. The Divine Tragedy. The Third Passover. V. The Palace of Caiaphas
For this man worketh many miracles.
A carpenter’s son; a Galilean peasant,
Keeping disreputable company.
He hath raised up a certain Lazarus,
Who had been dead three days.
There is no resurrection of the dead;
This Lazarus should be taken, and put to death
As an impostor. If this Galilean
Would be content to stay in Galilee,
And preach in country towns, I should not heed him.
But when he comes up to Jerusalem
Riding in triumph, as I am informed,
And drives the money-changers from the Temple,
That is another matter.
Let him alone, all will believe on him,
And then the Romans come and take away
Our place and nation.
Simon Ben Camith, my great predecessor,
On whom be peace! would have dealt presently
With such a demagogue. I shall no less.
The man must die. Do ye consider not
It is expedient that one man should die,
Not the whole nation perish? What is death?
It differeth from sleep but in duration.
We sleep and wake again; an hour or two
Later or earlier, and it matters not,
And if we never wake it matters not;
When we are in our graves we are at peace,
Nothing can wake us or disturb us more.
There is no resurrection.
Disciple of Hircanus Maccabæus,
Will nothing but complete annihilation
Comfort and satisfy thee?
And plotting, and contriving how to take him,
Fearing the people, and so doing naught,
I, who fear not the people, have been acting;
Have taken this Prophet, this young Nazarene,
Who by Beelzebub the Prince of devils
Casteth out devils, and doth raise the dead,
That might as well be dead, and left in peace.
Annas my father-in-law hath sent him hither.
I hear the guard. Behold your Galilean!
It is not cock-crow yet, and art thou stirring?
One of this man’s disciples?
Thou art a Galilean, and thy speech
Bewrayeth thee.
And of thy doctrines, and of thy disciples.
I have taught ever in the Synagogue,
And in the Temple, where the Jews resort;
In secret have said nothing. Wherefore then
Askest thou me of this? Ask them that heard me
What I have said to them. Behold, they know
What I have said!
The High-Priest so?
Bear witness of the evil; but if well,
Why smitest thou me?
Let them say what they know.
I will destroy this Temple made with hands,
And will within three days build up another
Made without hands.
And cannot answer!
What is this thing they witness here against thee?
I do adjure thee by the living God,
Tell us, art thou indeed the Christ?
Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man
Sit on the right hand of the power of God,
And come in clouds of heaven!
He hath spoken blasphemy! What further need
Have we of witnesses? Now ye have heard
His blasphemy. What think ye? Is he guilty?
Did I not see thee in the garden with him?
I do not know this man of whom ye speak!
Hark! the cock crows! That sorrowful, pale face
Seeks for me in the crowd, and looks at me,
As if He would remind me of those words:
Ere the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice!
Who is it smote thee?