And here I come to what of all I've heard Most touched me--I for this my letter write. Paulus, you know, had only for this man, This Judas, words of scorn and bitter hate. Mark now the different view that Lysias took, When, urged by me, his story thus he told: "Some say that Judas was a base, vile man Who sold his master for the meanest bribe; Others again insist he was most right, Giving to justice one who merely sought To overthrow the Church, subvert the law, And on its ruins build himself a throne. I, knowing Judas--and none better knew-- I, caring naught for Christus more than him, But hating lies, the simple truth will tell, No man can say I ever told a lie-- I am too old now to begin. Besides, The truth is truth, and let the truth be told. Judas, I say, alone of all the men Who followed Christus thought that he was God. Some feared him for his power of miracles; Some were attracted by a sort of spell; Some followed him to hear his sweet, clear voice And gentle speaking, hearing with their ears, And knowing not the sense of what he said-- But one alone believed he was the Lord, The true Messiah of the Jews. That one Was Judas--he alone of all the crowd. "He to betray his master for a bribe! He last of all. I say this friend of mine Was brave when all the rest were cowards there. His was a noble nature: frank and bold, Almost to rashness bold, yet sensitive, Who took his dreams for firm realities-- Who once believing, all in all believed-- Rushing at obstacles and scorning risk, Ready to venture all to gain his end, No compromise or subterfuge for him, His act went from his thought straight to the butt; Yet with this ardent and impatient mood Was joined a visionary mind that took Impressions quick and fine, yet deep as life. Therefore it was that in this subtle soil The master's words took root and grew and flowered. He heard and followed and obeyed; his faith was serious, earnest, real--winged to fly; He doubted not, like some who walked with him-- Desired no first place, as did James and John-- Denied him not with Peter: not to him His master said, 'Away! thou'rt an offence; Get thee behind me, Satan!'--not to him, 'Am I so long with ye who know me not?' Fixed as a rock, untempted by desires To gain the post of honor when his Lord Should come to rule--chosen from out the midst Of six-score men as his apostle--then Again selected to the place of trust, Unselfish, honest, he among them walked.