SERVANT. Writing things, my lord. PILATE. Fasten the parchment to the piece of board. So. I will write. VOICES. What does his writing mean? It is the sentence of this Nazarene, Condemning him to death. A little while And he'll be ours. See Lord Pilate smile. Why does he smile? PILATE. Longinus. LONGINUS. Lord. PILATE. Come here. Go to that man, that upland targeteer, I want this writ in Hebrew. Bid him write Big easy letters that will catch the sight. LONGINUS. I will, my lord. Make way. [_Exit_ LONGINUS. A VOICE. What's on the scroll? A VOICE. It gives the prisoner into his control To nail to death, the foul blaspheming beast. A VOICE. D'you think he will be dead before the Feast? A VOICE. They'll spear him if he lingers until dark. A VOICE. When Feast begins he will be stiff and stark. There's little life left in him as it is. VOICES. We'll hammer iron through those hands of his, And through his feet, and when the cross is set Jolt it; remember. I will not forget. A VOICE. Here comes the sentence. _Enter_ LONGINUS. A VOICE. Wait; it is not signed. A VOICE. Come to the hill, you will be left behind. I want a good place at the cross's foot. A VOICE. I've got a stone for when they move the brute. Besides, I mean to bait him on the way. I'll spatter him with filth. A VOICE. No, come away. PILATE. Imperial finding in the High Priest's suit. In the name of Cæsar and of Rome.... LONGINUS. Salute. PILATE. I, Procurator of Judæa, say That Jesus, called the King, be led away To death by crucifixion, here and now. In the name of Cæsar and of Rome.... LONGINUS. We bow To the sentence of the court. PILATE. See sentence done. This is your warrant. LONGINUS. Sentence shall be done. VOICES. Away, friends, hurry. Keep a place for me. Get there before they come, then we shall see All of the nailing and the fixing on. PILATE. Longinus. LONGINUS. Lord. PILATE. Display this scroll upon The head of Jesus' cross, that men may read. Wait; I'll declare it publicly. Take heed.... I add this word, that over Jesus' head This scroll shall be displayed till he is dead. Show it, Longinus. Read it if you choose. VOICES. "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." We'll make him King, we'll set him up in state. At Golgotha. Come; drag him through the gate. Give him his cross. Come, soldiers. CH. CIT. Israel, wait. Wait. I must speak. Lord Pilate. VOICES. Stand aside.... Are we to miss his being crucified? CH. CIT. Wait. Only wait. One word. MADMAN. Lord Pilate. Lord. SENTRY. Stand back. MADMAN. I'll speak. SENTRY. I'll tame you with the sword. MADMAN. Lord Pilate, Jesus is an upright man, I heard his teaching since it first began. You are mistaken, Lord, you are misled. Spare him, great King. SENTRY. Get down.