"And so it came to pass that we at length Were nigh to Bethphagé and Bethany. Here resting, to a village opposite Our Master sent to fetch an ass's colt Appointed for His use, one virgin yet Of touch from human rider to his back; Thereon the lowly King sat Him to ride. How little did what we saw follow look Like the fulfilment of ill-boding words! For now the people flung their garments down Before Him in the way, they branches strewed From trees on either side to keep the feet Of even that ass's colt which He bestrode From touching the base ground, the while a shout Went up, one voice, from the great multitude Before Him and behind Him where He rode, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Lo, Blesséd is He that cometh in the name Of the Lord God! Hosanna in the highest!' How little then to us, blind eyes, it looked As if this march triumphal of our King Was to a death of shame upon the cross!" With wondering interruption Julius asked: "But how, but wherefore, was it thus? No crime Had Jesus done; and what suspicion even Of crime intended by him could there lie In any mortal's mind against a man So wise so pure and so beneficent As he was in the obvious view of all?" He added: "I could understand how some, Offended at his stern rebuke of them Before the people, might in secret wish His death, might plot it, and might compass it, By private means of murder; but how one Like Jesus should fall under law, be tried In open forum as criminal, be found Guilty, be sentenced, and be put to death, All as in process due of justice, _that_ I cannot understand, that baffles me. And under _Roman_ rule and government! For crucifixion seems to mean so much. Perhaps some reason of state demanded it: Justice must often yield to reasons of state." "A reason of state," said Paul, "was the pretext, And but pretext it was, the real ground not. With deep hypocrisy my nation came And pleaded to thy nation against Him Pretension on His part to be a king, Saying, 'We have no king but Cæsar;' so Falsely affecting loyalty to Rome, And therewith falsely too attainting Him Of treason in purpose to dispute with Cæsar His claim of worldly lordship over them. Thy nation, Julius, with full equal deep Hypocrisy, believing the charge no more Than they believed who brought it, washed its hands Vainly of guilt, condemning innocent blood. Jew joined with Gentile, Gentile joined with Jew, In one conclusive act of wickedness, That the whole world at once might before God Be guilty of the death of Christ His Son; _Our_ sin it was that slew the Lamb of God!"