Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 17
Pilate’sirritationwasdue,asheexplained,tothefactthattheJewswereeverintriguingtomakehim,andthroughhimRome,thecatspawinthematteroftheirreligiousdissensions.Aswaswellknowntome,Romedidnotinterferewiththereligiousnotionsofitsconqueredpeoples;buttheJewswereforeverconfusingtheissuesandgivingapoliticalcasttopurelyunpoliticalevents.
Pilatewaxedeloquentoverthediversesectsandthefanaticuprisingsandriotingsthatwerecontinuallyoccurring.
“Lodbrog,”hesaid,“onecannevertellwhatlittlesummercloudoftheirhatchingmayturnintoathunderstormroaringandrattlingaboutone’sears.Iamheretokeeporderandquiet.Despitemetheymaketheplaceahornets’nest.FarratherwouldIgovernScythiansorsavageBritonsthanthesepeoplewhoareneveratpeaceaboutGod.Rightnowthereisamanuptothenorth,afishermanturnedpreacher,andmiracle-worker,whoaswellasnotmaysoonhaveallthecountrybytheearsandmyrecallonitswayfromRome.”
ThiswasthefirstIhadheardofthemancalledJesus,andIlittleremarkeditatthetime.NotuntilafterwarddidIrememberhim,whenthelittlesummercloudhadbecomeafull-fledgedthunderstorm.
“Ihavehadreportofhim,”Pilatewenton.“Heisnotpolitical.Thereisnodoubtofthat.
