Trial and Crucifixion

THEN came Pilate with many people, ‘sitting on the judgment seat,’*
To see how doughtily death should do, and declare the rights of both.
The Jews and the justices were against Jesus,
And shrilly all their court cried out ‘Crucify!’

Then a witness pushed himself before Pilate, and said,
“This Jesus at our Jews’ Temple contemptuously joked
That he would destroy it on one day, and three days after
Rebuild it anew* — that man standing there said it —
And yet make it the same again by every measure,
As long and as large in height and breadth.*
“Crucify!” cried a tax-collector; “He is a sorcerer, I’ll warrant!”
“Away, away with him!” said another; and took sharp thorns,
And from those sharp thorns began to make a garland,
And set it hard upon his head, and said in malice,
“Hail rabbi!” said that rascal, and threw reeds at him;
Nailed him with three nails naked on the cross.
And they put up poison to his lips, upon a pole,
And bade him drink his death drink — his days were done.