One argued thus his sentence and advice-- Caiaphas he, high-priest that lately was, Reputed statesman politic and wise: "We are a subject nation; government Is for this present slipped from out our hands. Chafe how we may, how will it otherwise, Ours is a state of vassalage to Rome. Death in our hearts and death upon our tongues, Denounced amain against our enemies, Is futile--thunder bare of thunderbolt. We make ourselves a laughter--unless we Warp toward our end with wisdom; who is weak Well needs be wise, to win--wisdom is power. To kill and keep alive, by process due Of law, no longer appertains to us, That right being forfeit to our conqueror; this Must we not let our honorable pride, Justly indignant, and our holy zeal Incensed for God, bribe us to blink. But slave, If wise, may make a foolish master serve. Break we proud Rome to do our task for us. True triumph, when we wield the tyrant power Itself of domination over us A weapon in our hands to work our will! "I counsel that we seek and find firm ground Of mortal accusation, before those Who rule us, against these audacious men, As teachers of seditious doctrine meant To undermine allegiance, and at length Prompt insurrection and a state of war. Rome then will stamp our troublers out of life, And we, well rid of them without annoy, Besides shall safely reap from her the praise, Ill-merited, of fealty to her right-- Praise that sometime hereafter may be gain Of vantage, if sometime hereafter come Fit season to fling off her hated yoke."