PILATE. I will learn What he can say to this and then return. Wait. I must speak. Although I shall not spare Anyone, man or woman, who may dare To make a claim that threatens Roman rule, I do not plan to be a priestly tool. I know your Temple plots; pretend not here That you, the priest, hold me, the Roman, dear. You, like the other Jews, await this King Who is to set you free, who is to ding Rome down to death, as your priests' brains suppose. This case of Jesus shows it, plainly shows. He and his claim were not at once disowned; You waited, while you thought "He shall be throned, We will support him, if he wins the crowd." You would have, too. He would have been endowed With all your power to support his claim Had he but pleased the rabble as at first. But, since he will not back the priestly aim, Nor stoop to lure the multitude, you thirst To win my favor by denouncing him. This rebel does not suit the Sanhedrim. I know.... The next one may. CH. CIT. You wrong us, Sire. PILATE. Unless he blench, you 'complish your desire With Jesus, though; there is no king save Rome Here, while I hold the reins. Wait till I come. [_Exit_ PILATE. THE MADMAN. Only a penny, a penny, Lilies brighter than any White lilies picked for the Feast. _He enters, tapping with his stick._ I am a poor old man who cannot see, Will the great noble present tell to me If this is the Paved Court? CH. CIT. It is. MADMAN. Where men Beg for a prisoner's freedom? CH. CIT. Yes. What then? MADMAN. I come to help the choosing. CH. CIT. You can go. MADMAN. Where, lord? CH. CIT. Why, home. You hear that noise below, Or are you deaf? MADMAN. No, lordship, only blind. CH. CIT. Come this-day-next-year if you have the mind. This year you come too late, go home again. MADMAN. Lord. Is the prisoner loosed? CH. CIT. Yes, in the lane. Can you not hear them cry "Barabbas" there? MADMAN. Barabbas, Lord? CH. CIT. The prisoner whom they bear In triumph home. MADMAN. Barabbas? CH. CIT. Even he. MADMAN. Are not you wrong, my Lord? CH. CIT. Why should I be? MADMAN. There was another man in bonds, most kind To me, of old, who suffer, being blind. Surely they called for him? One Jesus? No? CH. CIT. The choice was made a little while ago. Barabbas is set free, the man you name Is not to be released. MADMAN. And yet I came Hoping to see him loosed. CH. CIT. He waits within Till the just pain is fitted to his sin. It will go hard with him, or I mistake. Pray God it may. MADMAN. I sorrow for his sake. CH. CIT. God's scathe. _Enter more_ JEWS. MADMAN. A penny for the love of Heaven. A given penny is a sin forgiven. Only a penny, friends. 1ST CIT. The case was proved. He uttered blasphemy. Yet Pilate gives him stripes: the man should die.