9. THE SPEECH OF JUDAS. And there spake before the people one learned in ancient writings and wise of speech (his name was Judas):--'I know well that she wishes to ask concerning 420 that victor-tree whereon suffered the Lord of hosts, God's own Son, guiltless of all evil, Him whom, unspotted with any sin, our fathers in days 425 of yore hung upon the high cross through hate--fearful was that thought! Now is there great need that we steadfastly fortify our minds not to betray that murder, nor declare where the holy tree was hid after the stress of strife, lest thereby the wise 430 writings of old be cast aside, and the lore of our fathers forsaken. For if this shall be known, it will not be long that the race of the Israelites and the faith of the Jews shall hold sway over the world. 435 Thus once my father's father, prophet with the wisdom of age and far-famed in victory--his name was Zaccheus--gave like counsel unto my father and spake this word, which in after times he himself told to his son, as he turned him from the world:--"If in 440 the days of thy life it happen that thou hear sage men ask of the holy tree and stir up strife concerning the rood of victory whereon the true King was crucified, Lord of heaven and Child of all 445 peace, then do thou, my dear son, ere death snatch thee off, quickly declare that never shall the people of the Hebrews, taking wise counsel together, hold sway and rule over men, but the glory and kingdom 450 shall endure of those who, filled with gladness from age to age, revere and love the crucified King."' 'Then I boldly gave answer unto my father, the 455 aged counselor:--"How came it to pass in the kingdom of the world that with wrathful intent our fathers laid hands on the Holy One to put him to death, if they had knowledge that he was Christ, 460 the King upon the cross, true Son of the Creator, and Saviour of souls?"' 'And my parent gave answer unto me, wisely my father spake:--"Recognize, O youth, the surpassing power of God, the name of the Saviour which may not be expressed by any man. No man on 465 earth can search it out. Never would I visit the council which this people held, but I ever kept myself aloof from their sin, nor wrought shame 470 unto my soul in any way. Many times I earnestly withstood the unrighteous act when the wise men sat in council, and sought in their heart how they might crucify the Son of the Creator, the Bulwark 475 of men and Lord of all, of angels and of mortals, the most noble of heroes."