Межзвёздный скиталец

           ItwasthepriestlyrulersandpriestlypoliticiansofJerusalem.Isaw.Iknow.AndagainsthisownbestinterestsPilatewouldhavesavedJesus,asIwouldhave,haditnotbeenthatnootherthanJesushimselfwilledthathewasnottobesaved.

           Yes,andPilatehadhislastsneeratthispeoplehedetested.InHebrew,Greek,andLatinhehadawritingaffixedtoJesus’crosswhichread,“TheKingoftheJews.”Invainthepriestscomplained.ItwasonthisverypretextthattheyhadforcedPilate’shand;andbythispretext,ascornandinsulttotheJewishrace,Pilateabided.Pilateexecutedanabstractionthathadneverexistedinthereal.Theabstractionwasacheatandaliemanufacturedinthepriestlymind.NeitherthepriestsnorPilatebelievedit.Jesusdeniedit.Thatabstractionwas“TheKingoftheJews.”

           *****

           Thestormwasoverinthecourtyard.Theexcitementhadsimmereddown.Revolutionhadbeenaverted.Thepriestswerecontent,themobwassatisfied,andPilateandIwerewelldisgustedandwearywiththewholeaffair.Andyetforhimandmewasmoreandmostimmediatestorm.BeforeJesuswastakenawayoneofMiriam’swomencalledmetoher.AndIsawPilate,summonedbyoneofhiswife’swomen,likewiseobey.

           “Oh,Lodbrog,Ihaveheard,”Miriammetme.Wewerealone,andshewasclosetome,seekingshelterandstrengthwithinmyarms.