AFTER CALVARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 64

AFTER CALVARY.

By James L. Duff. PILATE. ••Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” — The crown of thorns I had them plait. Mockery may uncover truth— What is truth? ... I asked him that. His kingdom was not of this world, he said Funny—l half believed him. too. There was something regal in Ills look. He was a curious growth—that Jew. Now that he’s dead I hardly know Whether his death was gain or loss. I somehow feel that that look of his Was royally throned upon a cross. CAIAPHAS. I tell no secret when I say That I despite the Roman worm, But I did like to see the way The people made him twist and squirm I Then finally the sentence passed— But passed with far too ill a grace. And he must weasel at the last And wash his hands—to save his face ! The Roman worm 1 But still he gave The sentence ... as he should have done. That other one. though, he was brave. Aye ... he was brave . . . that other one. ISCARIOT. We dipped our hands in the dish together. I kissed the face I had loved so well. And here is a halter that will tether Another ass in the fields of hell. JOHN. Not when Moses and Elias talked with him upon the mountain, Not at Patmos nor Golgotha was the time when first I heard The apocalyptic whispers, learned the lesson of his teaching. Knew the alpha and omega of the love that was his word. In the shadow of his shoulders, in the breast whereon I rested, Was the lectern where the Word made Flesh was spread for me to see. Full of grace and truth I saw it, saw the Word and saw its glory. For he gave the keys to Peter . . . but he gave his heart to me.