PILATE. Yes. This is serious news. Would I had known. But none the less, this Jesus is alone. A common country preacher, as men say, No more than that, he leads no big array; No one believes his claim? CH. CIT. At present, no. He had more friends a little while ago, Before he made these claims of being King. PILATE. You know about him then? CH. CIT. His ministering Was known to us, of course. PILATE. And disapproved? CH. CIT. Not wholly, no; some, truly; some we loved. At first he only preached. He preaches well. PILATE. What of? CH. CIT. Of men, and of escape from hell By good deeds done. But when he learned his power And flatterers came, then, in an evil hour, As far as I can judge, his head was turned. A few days past, from all that we have learned He made this claim, and since persists therein. Deluders are best checked when they begin. So, when we heard it from this frightened friend, We took this course to bring it to an end. PILATE. Rightly. I thank you. Do I understand That friends have fallen from him since he planned To be this King? CH. CIT. They have, the most part. PILATE. Why? What makes them turn? CH. CIT. The claim is blasphemy Punished by death under the Jewish laws. PILATE. And under ours, if sufficient cause Appear, and yet, if all the Jews despise This claimant's folly, would it not be wise To pay no heed, not make important one Whom all contemn? CH. CIT. His evil is not done. His claim persists, the rabble's mind will turn. Better prevent him, Lord, by being stern. The man has power. PILATE. That is true, he has. CH. CIT. His is the first claim since the Baptist was, Better not let it thrive. PILATE. It does not thrive. CH. CIT. All ill weeds prosper, Lord, if left alive. The soil is ripe for such a weed as this. The Jews await a message such as his, The Anointed Man, of whom our Holy Books Prophesy much. The Jewish people looks For Him to come. PILATE. These ancient prophecies Are drugs to keep crude souls from being wise. Time and again Rome proves herself your friend, Then some mad writing brings it to an end. Time and again, until my heart is sick. Dead prophets spreading madness in the quick. And now this Jesus whom I hoped to save. Have you the depositions? CH. CIT. Yes, I have. PILATE. Give me. CH. CIT. This is the docquet. PILATE. This is grave. CH. CIT. I thought that you would think so.