The Coming of the King
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Bernie Babcock >> The Coming of the King
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"Remember will I? Yea, ever will I remember that there is not in the
universe that which can destroy love. But thou wilt come again on the
morrow night. I feel it in my heart, and may the Lord watch between
thee and me while we are absent one from the other."
"It shall be even so for what God hath joined together none can put
asunder. The peace of God that passeth understanding and His
Everlasting Arms of Strength, tender as those about a bride, protect
thee. Farewell, my Mary. Woman, fare thee well."
"Farewell, my soul's beloved. Until the morrow, fare thee well."
CHAPTER XXVI
CLAUDIA AND PILATE
While Mary the Jewess was sitting with the Galilean Rabbi in the
moonlit garden at Bethany, Claudia Procula, the Roman noblewoman, was
spending her last evening before the Passover in her gorgeously
appointed apartment in the palace of Herod the Great. On one side of
this pillared chamber, high-hung heavy curtains drawn apart, disclosed
a sleeping apartment with a bed and couches. At the foot of the bed a
swinging window opened out above the street and through its mullioned
outlines the fading pink of a springtime sunset could be seen.
Claudia's two Greek slaves, Zenobe and Margara, were lounging on the
couches discussing a new robe that had been brought from Rome, when
their mistress, followed by her eunuch, entered the apartment.
"Light thou the lamps," Claudia commanded as, without unfastening her
outer wrap, she sat down and watched the big slave. When he had
applied fire to the oil held high in silver basins set on polished
cedar standards, he turned to his mistress. For a moment she did not
heed him. Then she said, "Say to the servants, Pilate cometh soon.
When thou hast done so, return to me drawing the curtains at thy back
when thou hast entered."
When the eunuch returned to the room he took his place against the
curtained hanging, and stood like a statue until his mistress said,
without looking toward him, "Stand thou before me."
"What is thy command, most noble mistress?" he asked as he stepped
before her and with squared shoulders and crossed arms waited her
command.
She did not answer for a few moments. When she spoke it was an
inquiry. "The Jew of the Temple--his face do I see whether I look in
the circle where the light falls or in the corners where the shadows
gather--his face. With such eyes doth he look into my eyes as it
seemeth have been searching me out since the beginning of time. And
those eyes are imploring me for something--pleading as if for some
withheld treasure."
"Yea, most noble mistress."
"'Yea' thou dost say. Dost thou know the request of the Jew's eyes?"
"Yea, most noble mistress."
"What sayeth those eyes to Claudia?"
"This sayeth those eyes to the heart of Claudia, 'Give me thy heart.'"
"My heart!" Claudia exclaimed.
"Yea, most noble mistress. This is the treasure the Galilean doth
implore of thee."
Claudia arose. She stood in silent thought a moment. Then she turned
her eyes to the face of the eunuch and after studying it said, "Thy
scarred face did glow this day with a light that seemed not earthly.
My slave hath had words with the Jew. Is it forbidden to tell them to
a Roman woman?"
"With the Galilean there is neither Roman nor Jew. Neither is it
forbidden to spread abroad his teachings. The words he did say to thy
scarred slave were these: 'Blessed be the eyes which see the things
that ye see; for many prophets and kings have desired to see those
things which ye see and have not seen them; and to hear those things
which ye hear, and have not heard them.'"
With her eyes on the face of the slave, Claudia pondered the words he
had spoken before saying, "And he hath said thy eyes be blessed because
thou seest something hidden. I would understand. Is this forbidden?"
"Nay. Yet there is an understanding of the heart which is unutterable.
To another heart no words can make it known. Of this did he speak to
thy slave. There is that, however, coming ever from the power
unspeakable, that hath a name. This word wouldst thou hear?"
"Yea, yea, my eunuch. Speak it."
"It is _freedom_."
"Freedom? What sayest thou, slave of Claudia? What meanest thou? Art
thou not the property of thy mistress?"
"There is freedom, and again there is other freedom. Thou dost own the
hands, the toil, the obedience of this body that Rome hath mutilated
and burned. But there is a man in me that the hand of Rome toucheth
not. As this man thinketh in his heart, so is he. If in my heart I am
a slave, then am I a slave though my body be free. But if in my heart
I am free, then I am free though an implement of Rome. Aye, most noble
mistress, the Jew hath given me freedom."
"Freedom! How the heart doth hunger for freedom--freedom from one's
self." And she crossed the room and recrossing stopped again before
the slave. "My scarred eunuch," she said.
"I listen, my mistress."
"It is not beneath the dignity of Claudia Procula to glean gems when
she findeth them shining in her path. Out of thy mouth have come words
of wisdom which bear not scars as doth thy body. Such have been
treasured. Ah, as the tide is greater than the storm, as the sun is
greater than the wind, as the mind of man is greater than the sword, so
shall there come a Kingdom before which that of Caesar's sword shall
perish forever. What sayest thou? Is the Kingdom the Jew doth teach
of, this Kingdom?"
"So it hath been revealed to the heart of thy slave."
"A year hath passed since last thou wert in Jerusalem. In the arena at
Rome hath been the clash of steel, and fangs, and the wild and
soul-piercing music of screams and dying curses. Beyond Rome hath Rome
held the nations of the earth under the sword-blade that her lords be
drunk and her rich fed on the life-blood of the poor. Again we are at
Jerusalem to the Passover Feast of the Jews. And again in their Temple
find we one who teacheth against all this. My scarred eunuch, lovest
thou this Jew?"
"Aye, most gracious mistress, even to the laying down of my life."
"He hath disciples."
"Yea--blessed be they."
"Wouldst thou be his disciple?"
"Such I am."
"Yea, in thy heart. But wouldst thou be free to go abroad and of thy
wisdom teach the wisdom of the Jew; spread news of that greater Kingdom
which cometh not of the sword and wherein all men shall be free?"
"Most noble mistress, tempt me not to hate my bondage more by bringing
to my ears such words."
"To-night are the Jews celebrating the birthday of their nation with a
great feast. To-night shalt thou also have a birthday for hereby give
I thee thy freedom. When the sun doth rise on the morrow, go thou and
sit at the feet of the Jew and hearing glad tidings, bear them to
others."
For a moment the slave stood as if dazed before his breath shaped the
words "Freedom? Freedom?" and his lips trembled as he said, "Do my
ears hear? Dost thou say 'Freedom' for thy scarred eunuch?"
"Yea, doubly free shalt thou go--free by the word of the Jew and free
by the hand of the Roman, and would that I too might be as free as thou
art!" Then the slave fell on his knees before Claudia, bowed his head
to her jeweled shoe and sobbed. There were tears in the eyes of
Pilate's wife as she said, "Arise--thou art no longer a slave."
Lifting his face, which appeared strangely noble, he said, "My
mistress--my most gracious mistress, thy feet are on the threshold of
the Kingdom."
"Arise--arise. Go to thy bed. This night thou art free. To-morrow
thou shalt go from me. As thou goest, forget not that the heart of
Claudia doth beat with sympathy for the oppressed and that she too hath
love for him whose love thou shalt spread abroad. Arise!"
The eunuch arose and extended his arms so that his mighty body stood
before her like a cross of flesh. Before it she bowed her head.
"The blessing of the Jew who is called Jesus fill thy heart, most
gracious Claudia, and the peace that cometh of his teaching rest thy
soul. Farewell!" He again kissed the border of her cloak, hesitated,
and turning abruptly, left the apartment.
When the curtain had swung into place shutting the slave from view,
Claudia sat down and called her maids. "Unclasp my jewels and unbind
my hair, Margara," she said wearily, throwing her cloak aside. "And
thou, Zenobe, summon Pilate's servant with the wine. Thy master
tarrieth, and delay improveth not the temper of a man when he would
have his cups."
The servant had placed a tray of wine beside the couch of Pilate and
the maids had gone out with the cloak and jewels when the approach of
the Procurator was announced by a shout, the tramping of feet and
clanking of arms. The door was thrown open wide and between two rows
of soldiery standing stiff and shining as the spears in their hands,
the Roman in royal purple and glittering winged helmet, entered.
"Greetings, Claudia! Dry am I as the Law of the Jews. Hath my wine
been made ready?"
"Thy wine is ready."
He threw himself down on the couch saying, "And over it shall I return
thanks, as do the Jews, that to-night doth end their uproar. No more
for a year will they feed on lamb, roast whole with bitter sauce. For
the impudence of the Jew would I fill his Temple with the gods of Rome
and make of his holy place a dancing spot for virgins that be neither
virgins nor veiled. The dogs!"
"Hath thy memory become shortened that thou dost not see back a space
of months? Didst thou not try moving Caesarea to Jerusalem and putting
thine image in the Temple? And did not these same dogs spread their
necks at thy feet and court the sword rather than have their Temple
desecrated? Yet more blood would have flown than that of the six
thousand thou slew hadst thou not been made to remember that Pilate is
not Caesar. It is not right, my Lord, to do evil, nay not to the neck
of a dog."
"Whether the hand is that of Pilate or of Caesar, the sword of Rome
determines what is right."
"Not so, my Lord Pilate. Might is not right unless it be _right_. In
the jungle where hunters for the arena seek wild beasts, pythons and
wolves and hyenas growl and scream, and the strong doth ever lick from
his jaws the blood of the weak. To Rome all the earth is a jungle
where Rome is the king lion, the fierce he-tiger, the unsatisfied
she-wolf. And from the jaws of this Beast, the blood of nations drips
and the groans of mangled slaves fall ever on the ear. Ever in my
heart have I felt this is not right. Now hath arisen among the Jews,
whose blood thou delightest to spill, one whose teaching I have felt
before I ever heard of him. This one delighteth not in gleaming steel,
nor screams of agony, nor running blood."
"Ho! Claudia! Where is the Jew whose heart taketh not delight in
flashing steel, dying screams and running blood? Thinkest thou there
be such? Then should thou feast thine eyes on the Passover sacrifice.
Here are ten thousand priests with whetted blades which they do plunge
in bleating throats until two hundred thousand lambs are slaughtered
before the eyes of their great god Jehovah. Beside such slaughter as
this that of the arena is but child's play."
"I mark thy words. The Jew is bloody and hath a bloody god. Yet from
among them ariseth one who doth preach a new Kingdom and a god that
delighteth not in the shedding of blood."
"Where getteth thou thy knowledge?"
"From the eunuch thou gavest me, my Lord Pilate."
"Ho! ho!" and Pilate threw up his hands and shouted with laughter.
"From a slave the wife of Pontius Pilate doth get learning? Ho! ho!
Claudia wouldst be a disciple of a eunuch whose back bears marks of the
scourge, whose arm is branded with deep burning and whose face beareth
the scar of a Roman blade? Or wouldst thou be a Jew, my fair Claudia?"
and he drained three cups of wine between times of laughter.
Claudia stepped before Pilate and threw her hands across her
breast--"Nay--not a Jew would I be!" she exclaimed. "A woman of the
Proculas I am. But under the royal robe that hideth the breast of
Pilate's wife there is a heart, a heart, most mighty Pilate, that turns
against blood and the quivering of flesh and the soul-sickening agony
of death! A heart, my Lord, that cries out against this and doth ever
hope for a power that doth not hate and torture. A Kingdom there shall
be without the sword of Rome or the lamb's blood of Jerusalem; a
Kingdom without the arena of Rome or the Temple sacrifices. And in
this Kingdom shall man render unto man as he himself would be rendered
unto. Of this Kingdom doth he teach who hath arisen from among the
Jews."
Pilate poured another cup. "The lips of Pilate's wife do babble like a
babe," he said. "Knowest thou not, my fair Claudia, that the coming of
such a kingdom would mean naught save the passing of Rome?"
Claudia rested her hand on the arm of Pilate until he looked up at her.
She said slowly, "And knowest thou not, my brave Pilate, that Rome is
_already passing_? Aye, even the more that Rome doth enslave men, the
more she doth bring to herself the weakness which death shall overtake,
for no more do Roman women bear the sort of sons valor cometh of."
"Ho! ho! What thou shouldst say is that Caesar's wife is no more above
suspicion."
"Of a surety, my Lord, since _Rome hath no more Caesars_. On that day
when the populace stood weeping where flames from the funeral pyre did
cast their somber smoke against Castor and Pollux, perished Caesar."
"Rome hath ever its Caesar."
"Yea, of some sort. Augustus were not Caesar. Tiberius is not Caesar,
neither is he Augustus. Who doth follow Tiberius? And then what next?"
"What next? Aye, Claudia, my fair one--a cup of wine next. And after
that shall Rome make Senators of her women and thou shalt be Brutus,
for, by the gods, thou makest a ripe speech. Here's to thee, Claudia,
my love. A Roman thou art though much taken with the twaddle of a Jew.
And here is to the Jew. May he live long to oil his beard, haggle over
fish in the market place, cry 'Unclean' at sight of a Gentile and pray
in musty synagogues for the kingdom greater than that of Rome. Let us
now to bed and see thou hast no dreams to disturb thy rest," and
throwing down his cup, Pilate arose.
"Dreams are signs, my Pilate."
"Dream then of the prosperity of Pilate." As he paused under the drawn
curtains, Pilate stopped to command his guard, "Waken me not until the
sun doth clear the Temple tower. Draw the curtains tight and let no
man pass them."
When he had entered the bedchamber the curtains were lowered and the
guards stationed themselves at the door. A moment later, Claudia
paused as she pushed the curtain aside, saying to the guards, "Forget
not thy Lord Pilate's command. Wake him not."
CHAPTER XXVII
CAESAR'S FRIEND
After Pilate and Claudia had retired behind the curtains, the guards
took their places for the night. Inside the door to the left and right
a picked man of Pilate's body-guard stationed himself. An enormous
spear, which lifted its shining point like an ensign over his head, was
held by each soldier and shifted from hand to hand as these motionless
and silent men grew drowsy. In the outer hall soldiers of the Legion
stood on guard from the entrance into the inner room, down the long
corridor to the portico steps. In spite of orders that no word be
spoken in the hallway after Pilate had retired, these soldiers, knowing
his manner of sleep, made use of the night hours to discuss such
daytime gossip as had reached their ears. The comment began when news
was passed that Pilate had gone to sleep, and between the left guard
and the right guard a conversation took place which would have been
interesting to the public.
"Had I as much ripe wine in my paunch as hath the gracious Pilate, I
would also sleep."
"Aye. But by the shades of Caesar did not his sleep of yesternight
outmatch even the measure of his cups? Drank and drank did our master
Pilate until his eyes bulged and his tongue was pushed out of his
throat by the fulness thereof. And he did sleep and sleep until the
sun had started down next day."
"And were there not soldiers and priests and lawyers and centurions and
Senators clamoring to have speech with him? And did not Claudia pass
out the word that he was engaged in matters of importance to Tiberius?"
"Thou makest my inwards to shake with choked laughter when thou sayest
this--'business of importance to Tiberius.'"
"Yea--and wherefore the smothered laughter. Is not the important
business of Caesar Tiberius the putting away of much wine, even as is
the business of Pilate?"
"Yea. But Tiberius doth have a deputy to satisfy the demands for him."
"And some are as insistent as itch."
"Yea, like the broad Jew whose foot caught in the blue and purple cloak
he let drag in his desire to be heard."
"His business was urgent by the glittering eagerness of his two small
eyes."
"Yea, and the gold he held forth did glitter better than his Jew eyes
as he said, 'My mission is urgent! One hath arisen against the Empire
yet doth Pontius Pilate not come forth nor give audience to message
bearers.'"
"'He seeth neither god nor man until his business of importance to
Tiberius is finished, since first of all he is Caesar's friend,' did I
make answer, straight-faced and solemn, for who would feel the fire of
the branding iron for a bit of gold? Then it was his countenance
became entangled in anger as his foot became entangled in his blue
cloak, and he did breathe out a curse."
"The curse of a Jew is no curse since it must be swallowed if it is
against Rome. But look thee toward the steps. On my life a messenger
cometh."
While the two soldiers of the Legion were gossiping on the outside of
the door the two guards on the inside were leaning heavily on their
spears.
"My eyes--but sleep pricketh me," the first guard said.
"Sleep then," the second replied. "But no dreaming."
"Nay--no dreaming."
"Listen! Pilate is gone until the new day."
On the stillness the sound of heavy snoring was heard. The guards
leaned against the wall, spears in hand, and were soon asleep. A
trumpet from the street below sounded the hours of night. The snores
of Pilate were answered by the snoring of the two guards and the palace
seemed given to slumber, when the tramp of feet and knocking of
standards was heard outside.
"Methinks I dream," the first guard said drowsily. "Yea, I dream there
is a great commotion."
"It is the troops rushing to war!" the second guard answered sleepily.
"Troops rushing to war." The words were feebly uttered.
The knocking continued at the door, growing quicker and harder.
"Who knocks?" the guard shouted.
"Open thou the door," was shouted back.
"Who cometh?"
"A message from the Tower of Antonio. We would see Pilate," the voice
outside answered.
The door was opened and the messenger with a number of soldiers
entered. "A message for the Procurator, Pontius Pilate."
"My Lord Pilate is in bed with orders not to awaken him."
"Whether thou awaken him or no, make thy choice. Here is the message
and I await a reply."
"Take thou it," the first guard said to the second one. "Take thou the
message to his bed."
"Risk thou thine own life," was the prompt reply.
"Enter and awaken him," the first guard said to the messenger.
"Time is passing," he replied with dignity. "I await a reply."
"Let us all waken him!" the second guard suggested.
So they advanced to the curtains that hung over Pilate's door and
shouted together as they beat the floor, "Awake! Arise, my Lord
Pilate!"
"Is the house falling?" The voice was that of Pilate. A moment later
he stuck his head from between the curtains shouting, "To the fires of
Pluto with you! What meaneth this disturbance?"
"A message for my Lord Pilate," the messenger replied, handing him a
tablet. "From the Tower of Antonio, a message."
Claudia stepped behind Pilate and looked over his shoulder. "What is
it?" she asked.
"The hiding-place of a Jew who hath not regard for the Law of Moses has
been discovered. This is a request for soldiers to go out against him."
"A Jew? Who is he?" and Claudia's voice bespoke deep interest.
"What matter?" Pilate replied, yawning. "A Jew is a Jew. Let them go
out against him. My tablets!" he shouted to a servant. After hastily
writing, he gave the messenger a tablet saying, "Depart! One Jew is
not worth the asking, but take him." Before the feet of the messenger
had crossed the threshold Pilate was ready to return to his sleep.
"Get thou on guard," he commanded his Legion soldiers, "and let none
less than Caesar pass my threshold."
For a few hours the long corridors and empty chambers of the palace
were quiet. Then again there came the sound of approaching feet,
followed by knocking and a heavy voice calling the Procurator.
"Pilate again!" murmured one of the guards sleepily. Then speaking to
the other he cried, "Why sleepest thou on duty? Get thee awake!"
Hardly had they assumed their positions inside the door when it was
thrown open and an officer followed by soldiers, entered. "Let not an
instant pass!" he commanded. "Call the Procurator, Pontius Pilate."
Following his command, the voice of Claudia behind the curtains was
heard saying, "Pilate--my Lord Pilate--awake! It is an officer of the
Legion. Arise!"
A moment later the head of Pilate was again thrust between the curtains
as he shouted, "The wrath of Jove! What meaneth this?"
"In the Judgment Hall thou art wanted. Thy soldiers have taken captive
one charged with sedition. At a midnight meeting of the Sanhedrin hath
he been found guilty."
"And what care I, Pontius Pilate, whether he be guilty or no? On the
Law of Moses would I myself spit. Yet by their own Law can not the
swine-fearing dogs condemn a man before morning. By their own law will
I condemn them and take their Temple. Go thou to those long-faced
circumcized and say in their ears that for causing this unlawful
disturbance ere the morning watch, I will make them suffer."
"Aye," replied the officer. "But my most gracious Pilate, conspiracy
is also charged against the Jew for it is he who was acclaimed King of
the Jews while all Jerusalem did shout his praises. A great following
hath he of Galileans, Zealots and Judean warriors. Revolution against
the throne of Caesar is all but born."
"Thou sayest this is he that was acclaimed King of the Jews?" and
Pilate's eye shone with a new glow.
"The same. He is a conspirator."
"And they have taken _him_? Then have they favored Pilate who hath not
yet discovered the nightly hiding-place of this conspirator."
"Nay! Nay! He is no conspirator, my Lord Pilate," cried Claudia,
hurrying from behind the curtains as she wrapped her shoulders in a
veil. "He is no conspirator! Naught save a teacher of Truth is he."
"Thou sayest he hath been taken?" Pilate asked of the officer.
"Yea, by the soldiers which thou didst despatch before midnight with
the guard of the Temple. He was betrayed by one of his followers, and
his hiding-place discovered. Already hath he been before Annas who did
send him to Caiaphas. Now waiteth he at the Judgment Hall around which
a crowd is gathered, and they say thou art not Caesar's friend unless
thou cometh."
"They say I am not Caesar's friend?" he exclaimed in excitement.
"Hasten thou to the Judgment Hall and say thou to the right and to the
left, as a trumpeteer doth lead thee, 'Pilate is already on the way!'"
When the officer had made a hurried exit, Pilate in great haste
shouted: "Up, laggards! Move! My coat! Quick with the royal ensign
and the eagle! Pilate is a friend of Caesar and this conspirator for
the throne of our Tiberius shall be stretched on a cross ere the
new-day sun reach the mountain top."
"Calm thyself, my Lord Pilate," Claudia said. "Nor let the words of
the rabble spoil thy reason. No conspirator is this Jew. He is a
teacher of the Truth. Quell thou this uproar and come thou back to
bed. Hearest thou my words?"
"Nay. No words I hear save the words 'He is not Caesar's friend.'
Caesar's friend would I be though all the Jews in Palestine are hung on
wooden crosses. Farewell, Claudia. Thou art the wife of Caesar's
friend."
Pilate turned to go, but Claudia lay hold of him saying, "Nay, my Lord
Pilate, thou shalt not go until my words thou hearest. Forever will
Rome bear the brand of shame should it stretch on a wooden cross one
who teacheth such wisdom as doth this Jew. Thou shalt not go until a
promise is made me."
"What promise?" he asked hurriedly.
"If he come before thy judgment seat, judge him of the words of his own
mouth and by the words of his own mouth free or condemn him."
"I promise, Claudia--I promise."
"Thou understandest that out of the mouth of the Jew thou wilt free or
condemn him?"
"Yea--yea! Let me go! I am a friend of Caesar!" and he loosed himself
and hurried down the long corridor.
CHAPTER XXVIII
ROSES AND IRIS AND TEARS
In full vestments of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea stood beside
the moonlit pool in the garden of Lazarus. The hand-washing and
hymn-singing and feasting on roast lamb in bitter sauce, was over for
another twelvemonth. With a glance prophetic, Joseph looked into this
new year and shook his head saying slowly, "The signs are full of
portent. Darkness doth seem to gather over Israel."
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