human
We have finished with these, pointing to the thieves,
gpt
Now must the king of Jews be exalted upon his throne.
human
Not king! Deceiver, traitor!
gpt
First, by command of the governor, this writing must be fastened to the cross. Faustus, he added, turning to one of the hangmen named Faustus,
human
Faustus took the scroll from the centurion, and going to the cross, nailed it with one hammer stroke over the head of Jesus, saying,
gpt
Ah, an escutcheon displayed; this is right royal! When this was done according to the command of the governor, the centurion said to the executioners,
human
Now, up with the cross! Not carelessly, but lay hold firmly. Then two hangmen, taking the cross by the arms, lifted it up so that its foot fell into the hole prepared for it. But as the cross bearing the body of Jesus was heavy, the third hangman placed his back under it near to the feet of Jesus, saying,
gpt
Come, now, all together, and so helping raised it on high. The fourth then filled in the hole at the foot saying when he finished,
human
All right, the cross stands firm.
gpt
The execution is accomplished.
human
Quite admirably so, said Caiaphas with a radiant face.
gpt
Thanks and applause from us all!
human
Yea, thanks, and applause from us all,
gpt
This shall be a feast day forever.
human
Yes, for all time to come it shall be kept every year with grateful jubilation.
gpt
And now, said the aged Annas,
human
And as he gazed long as if exultingly drinking in the pleasure of satisfied vengeance, he saw for the first time the writing on the cross, but his old eyes could not decipher the words. Turning to Caiaphas he said,
gpt
The superscription seems to be very short.
human
That is an insult, an outrage upon the people and the Sanhedrin!
gpt
What is written?
human
The rabbi is right. The Sanhedrin cannot allow this to pass.
gpt
It is written, 'Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews!'
human
Verily, he cried,
gpt
Down with it at once,
human
We dare not touch it ourselves, but do you two, addressing the rabbi and Saras,
gpt
We are off at once,
human
Stay, said Caiaphas,
gpt
Now, comrades, let us divide our share. Taking the mantle of Jesus, they seized each one corner, and then pulling all together, rent it into four parts. The coat remained. Agrippa held it up,
human
The mantle has made just four pieces; shall we rip up the coat also? See, it is without seam.
gpt
No, said Faustus, who had fastened the superscription over the head of Jesus,
human
Look, said Agrippa, as he went to the foot of the cross and took up the basket,
gpt
Then the four hangmen, standing at the feet of Jesus threw the dice, Agrippa threw them first, saying,
human
I will try my luck first. Alas, that is too little, he added, as he counted up the result of his throw,
gpt
I have lost.
human
Hi! you up there, if you can still work miracles on the cross, give me good luck. The others shrugged their shoulders and said,
gpt
What does he care about us?
human
I ought to have had better luck, and throwing the dice he counted fifteen.
gpt
Nearly enough; now, Faustus, it is your turn.
human
I ought to get it.
gpt
Eighteen! cried Catiline;
human
Take it, handing him the mantle,
gpt
You are not to be envied.
human
Our mission was in vain. The governor would not listen to us.
gpt
Did he give you no answer at all?
human
This only, said the rabbi.
gpt
What I have written I have written.
human
Intolerable,
gpt
What did he order about the breaking of the bones?
human
About this matter he said he would give his orders to the centurion,
gpt
So then it remains written, king of the Jews. Behold, if thou art king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.
human
Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it again in three days, save thyself!
gpt
Ha! thou that savest others, thyself thou canst not save.
human
Come down, cried one of the witnesses,
gpt
Art thou not the Son of God?
human
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he will have him.
gpt
What! Don't you hear? Show thy power, mighty king of the Jews,
human
Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!
gpt
Hearest thou? If thou be Christ save thyself and us.
human
Dost thou not fear God, seeing that thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done nothing amiss. Then turning to Jesus he said,
gpt
Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom?
human
Verily, I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
gpt
Listen to that, said Caiaphas scornfully,
human
What, said the rabbi.
gpt
Have not his pride and presumption deserted him even as he hangs helpless on the cross?
human
Mother, behold thy son. And slowly and with difficulty turning his head to see John, Jesus added,
gpt
Son, behold thy mother.
human
Even in dying thou carest still for thy mother.
gpt
Thy last request is sacred to me.
human
Thou my mother, I thy son.
gpt
I thirst.
human
He thirsts and calls for drink.
gpt
Then, said Faustus,
human
I will reach him some at once. Then taking the reed with the sponge, he filled it with vinegar and passed it to the centurion, who, taking a small phial from his dress, poured hyssop on the sponge. Faustus then reached the sponge up to the lips of Jesus. But Jesus turned away his head and would not drink.
gpt
Here, drink, said Faustus.
human
What, wilt thou not?
gpt
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!
human
Hark! said they.
gpt
He cried for Elias.
human
Let be; let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
gpt
It is finished. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!