UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 r 
 
 The Passion Play 
 
 AT 
 
 OBER AMMERGAU 
 
 By 
 ESSE ESTO MAPLESTONE 
 
 2 3 7 2L o 
 
 With complete text from the German 
 
 BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 8s5 Broadway, New York
 
 Copyright, 1911, by 
 
 E. MAPLESTONE, 
 
 Chicago 
 
 ^-^ 0*' 

 
 •-o 
 
 PVi 
 
 6 C \ V 
 
 \^?>a 
 
 To my dear little Mother and the tried and 
 loyal friends whose faith and earnest support 
 makes possible all achievements, I inscribe this 
 volume.
 
 THE PASSION PLAY 
 
 a 3 7 2 o 
 
 High up in the Bavarian Alps in the extreme 
 south of Germany Hes the valley of the Am- 
 mer, perhaps ten miles long by three or four 
 in width. It contains two villages, lower and 
 upper, or Unter and Ober-Ammergau, Shut in 
 by the rocky, pine-clad mountains which tower 
 above them, the thirteen hundred inhabitants of 
 Oberammergau pasture their seven hundred 
 cows on the rich slopes of the Alps, follow their 
 vocations of potter, carver in ivory and wood 
 and agriculturist, and care little for the strife 
 of the outer world : and yet the influence of 
 their lives has touched the remotest bounds of 
 civilization. All this is the result of the single 
 act of one of their number who crept home 
 from a neighboring village, eluding the vigi- 
 lant guard, on a dark night in 1633. 
 
 He came to die in the bosom of his family, 
 having contracted the plague where he was 
 employed. He and his family died and the 
 plague was so terrible that in some nearby vil- 
 
 5
 
 Clje pa00ion piay 
 
 lagcs not a married couple was left, and in Ober- 
 animergau over forty of the inhabitants were 
 stricken down. Then these people in their sim- 
 plicity and faith assembled in the church and 
 vowed that if the hand of Death was stayed, 
 they would, every ten years, perform the Pas- 
 sion of the Saviour. From that time the shafts 
 of the Destroyer were stayed, and the next year, 
 1634, the Passion Play was rendered, and with 
 few exceptions, has been given every ten years 
 since. 
 
 In 1870 the outbreak of the Prussian war 
 called the Christus from the cross to defend 
 his country, but King Ludwig, who was deeply 
 interested in the play, retired him to hospital 
 duty that he might not be slain, and the next 
 year the play was finished. This village was 
 little heard of before 1890 but during that year 
 over 200,000 people visited it. Seven hundred 
 sixty-five (765) persons take part in this won- 
 derful reproduction, but only one hundred 
 twenty-five (125) have speaking parts. So 
 jealously do they guard its performance that not 
 one of the neighboring villagers has ever been 
 allowed to i:)articipate ; only one importation be- 
 ing made and that the ass's colt on which the 
 Saviour makes his triumphal entry. Tempting 
 offers have been made these people to leave 
 their homes and give the play in distant cities, 
 but their reply is that when they can take Kofel, 
 their guardian mountain, with them, and not till 
 then, will they go. On the topmost crag of 
 
 6
 
 Cfte pa0sion piaji) 
 
 this mountain which towers above them in 
 grandeur, a reverent hand has planted a cross 
 which looks down upon them day and night, and 
 in its shadow they fulfil their parts as an act of 
 solemn worship. 
 
 The play formerly contained many crude, su- 
 perstitious ideas, but under the loving hand of 
 the village priest, aided by the schoolmaster. 
 all objectionable features have been eliminated, 
 and there remains nothing to grate upon the 
 finest sensibilities. On the coittrary, many who 
 come from curiosity are permeated by the spirit 
 of deep reverence, and go away awed by the 
 scene and feel that they have indeed been on 
 holy ground. Few would think of sitting 
 through a performance of any kind for an en- 
 tire day, but this commences at eight o'clock 
 in the morning and continues until nearly 6 
 p. m.. save for the intermission oL one and 
 one-half hours for dinner ; and you forget time, 
 space, companions, surroundings — even the cen- 
 tury in which you live, and are carried back to 
 the days when the humble_^IVazarene wearily 
 trod the shores of Galilee. Before describing 
 the play more particularly, " let us picture the 
 village. 
 
 A narrow, unpaved, straggling street runs 
 through the hamlet, and the German houses, 
 some fashioned lilce Swiss cottages, others with 
 big, staring gables standing out prominently, line 
 it, and the short, crooked, cross streets wliicii 
 are really no more than cow paths. Indeed, one 
 
 7
 
 of the familiar scenes morning and evening, is 
 the long line of cows wending their way down 
 the main street, to the doors of their respective 
 owners, to be milked. We said the houses line 
 the street, but many of them stand with one 
 corner toward it. They are built of small rough 
 stones mortared over on the outside and tinted a 
 delicate yellow, pink or brown. A band of 
 broad frescoing of quaint design passes around 
 the upper story. 
 
 The older houses and many of the new ones 
 (the same is true of many of the houses in Swit- 
 zerland), are built without iron. The joists and 
 woodwork are morticed together ; the doors are 
 hung on wooden pins and latches are whittled 
 of the same material, no lock being used, but 
 the proverbial latchstring in evidence as a 
 reality. You may wonder how the roofs are 
 held on without nails, but that is easily managed. 
 The shingles are rough hewn and overlapped 
 until the roof is several inches thick. Across it 
 at intervals are laid rough slabs and these are 
 held in place by flat, irregular stones, varying in 
 size and weight. 
 
 The floors are uncarpeted but scoured white 
 and clean ; the walls simply plastered and the 
 houses are lighted mostly by candles. The beds 
 are spotless and like many of those in Germany, 
 Belgium and Switzerland, consist of two feather 
 beds, one to lie upon and the other for a cover; 
 but they are comfortable even during the sum- 
 
 8
 
 Cfje pa00fon piap 
 
 mer, as the high altitude keeps the weather cool 
 much of the time. All are single beds, as is true 
 everywhere on the continent. You can secure 
 a. room for two, three or four persons, but each 
 has a bed for himself. 
 
 The village church, which is Roman Catholic, 
 is surrounded by the cemetery filled with graves, 
 marked by headstones trimmed with wreaths of 
 bead flowers. The church will seat between 
 300 and 400 people, has high narrow windows 
 of frosted glass with here and there panes of 
 stained glass. The walls and ceiling are painted 
 and decorated with designs in stucco work, verg- 
 ing a little on the gaudy, following the German 
 love of color. 
 
 On a high, grassy knoll in sight of the village, 
 perhaps a third of a mile distant, stands a group 
 of white marble statuary presented by King 
 Ludwig II, Christ is the central figure and 
 Mary and John stand on either side. When 
 this group was brought over the mountains, the 
 figure of John rolled from its support and 
 crushed one of the workmen to death. 
 
 The business management of the Passion Play 
 is in the hands of an organization of villagers, 
 who look after the sale of tickets, accommoda- 
 tion for visitors, and incidentals. They also elect 
 the players for the different parts, and superin- 
 tend the rehearsals, which begin in December for 
 the following season. Those who take part re- 
 ceive less remuneration than if they followed
 
 C&e Pa00ion piap 
 
 : their every-day callings, the bulk of the funds 
 I going to the town for improvements, to the 
 ' church, and for necessary expenses. 
 , The play is given on Sundays and Wednes- 
 [ days from May to October, and if too many 
 ' visitors come to be seated at the regular per- 
 formance, an overllow rendering is given the 
 following day. The Auditorium seats foiu^ 
 thousand people. It is walled on three sides, 
 roofed over the audience, but the balance is 
 open to the sky as much as possible, and the 
 mountains form a fitting background and enable 
 the players to keep their eyes on Kofel, their 
 cross-crowned, guardian mountain. The firing 
 of the cannon summons the devout villagers to 
 six o'clock mass, and there you can readily de- 
 termine which of the male members of the con- 
 gregation are participants in the play by their 
 long hair, as no wigs are worn, no paint or burnt 
 cork used, no footlights, and in fact no artificial 
 lights of any kind, but the light of heaven 
 streams in upon the open stage, where sunlight 
 and shadow blend, and not infrequently the 
 Crucifixion Scene is solemnized by a thunder 
 storm. When it rains during the session, the 
 play proceeds in spite of the uncovered stage, 
 unless the rainfall is too severe, when a short 
 rest is taken. Often the temperature is so low 
 the audience suffers with the cold, though 
 wrapped in steamer rugs and blankets, but the 
 players proceed without apparently taking heed 
 of the weather, although they are bareheaded 
 
 10
 
 Cl)c pa$0ion piaj? 
 
 and their arms and sandaled feet look very un- 
 comfortable. 
 
 Now seat yourself with us facing the stage. 
 Picture a plain building like a Greek temple, 
 except it has no pillared porch, but a curtain. 
 This occupies the center of your Aiew. To the 
 riglit and left are the streets of Jerusalem run- 
 ning from you and across the corners at either 
 side, the Judgment Hall of Pilate and tlie resi- 
 dence of Annas the High Priest, each reached 
 by a flight of a dozen steps. In front of the 
 latter, leading into the side wings are corridors 
 set off by Greek pillars, and filling the space 
 in front of the curtain is an outer stage about 
 fifteen feet deep and eighty feet across. 
 
 Every seat in the Auditorium is filled. There 
 is no coming in after the curtain rises, or 
 going out between acts. The curtain is down. 
 Could we look beyond it, we would see all who 
 are to take part in the representation kneeling 
 in silent prayer. Presently upon the ears of the 
 waiting throng steal strains of hidden music — 
 a solemn march — and then from either wing 
 come the guardian angels or chorus singers. 
 They meet in the center at the front of the 
 outer stage, 35 in number, the central figure 
 majestic in every line of his patriarchal face 
 and white beard. This is Herr Myers, the 
 choragus or chorister, and in 1890 as well as in 
 1870 and t88o he took the part of the Christus. 
 I le is not an old man but grief for tlie loss of 
 his wife turned his hair snow white. These 
 
 II
 
 Cfte pas0ion piap 
 
 chorus singers comprise twenty girls and fifteen 
 men. All are dressed in Roman tunics of white 
 with a gold band at the top of the hem. From 
 the shoulders falls in graceful folds a colored 
 mantle edged with another band of gold, the 
 mantle of the choragus only being white, and 
 the others two and two, one on either side, dark- 
 purple, crimson, brown, green, orange, blue and 
 other colors. Once, after the Crucifixion Scene, 
 these robes are changed for black, but on the 
 resurrection morning, the colored ones are again 
 donned and add brightness to the scene. The 
 hair is worn loosely down the back, the head 
 surmounted by a gilt crown, the arms bare and 
 feet clad with sandals. Now the music ceases 
 and the prologuer in a clear, resonant tone, 
 chants a description of the coming scene. The 
 singers follow and as the notes float out upon 
 the air, clear, full, musical, now soaring aloft 
 as if on eagle's wing, now sinking to a gentle 
 cadence, the assembled multitude sits entranced 
 and it is easy to imagine you hear the voices of 
 guardian angels. The song ended, the chorus 
 falls back to the right and left of the curtain, 
 which rises, disclosing a picture of wondrous 
 beauty. 
 
 Grouped in faultless array are more than 
 seven hundred persons garbed in the bright 
 colors and flowing garments of the Orient, Jews 
 of the Sanhedrin with wide bordered phylac- 
 teries, Arabs from the desert in their heavy tur- 
 bans, fishermen from the seashore; here a Ro- 
 
 12
 
 C^e passion pia? 
 
 man soldier in helmet and mail, there a peasant 
 mother with her children clustering about her ; 
 all phases of the lives that were touched by the 
 one perfect life. And the charm of this pic- 
 ture, as indeed of the entire portrayal, rests 
 in the unaffected simplicity and devout earnest- 
 ness of the participants. 
 
 The grouping is marvelous and the artistic 
 skill shown in every attitude and movement is 
 beyond the ken of far-famed favorites of the 
 footlights, who come incredulous and go away 
 wondering. And still you gaze at the tableau. 
 Is it possible all that mass is human flesh and 
 blood, or is it cast upon a huge canvas by the 
 skillful hand of a great artist, or is it a dream 
 that will fade away ? You are still wondering 
 as the curtain falls — invisible music again fills 
 the air and the chorus peals forth triumphant 
 strains. As they retire into the wings, shouts 
 of joy and gladness fill the air. 
 
 (i) Looking down one of the streets of Je- 
 rusalem, you see the holiday throng surge forth, 
 casting palms and branches in the way, and lo! 
 the Christus, meek and riding upon the foal of 
 an ass! So strong is the resemblance of Anton 
 Lang to the pictures one sees of Christ, you 
 would recognize him anywhere. 
 
 There are eighteen scenes from the passion 
 week depicted, and following each the chorus 
 comes forth in perfect harmony of song and 
 grace of motion, followed by two tableaux, one 
 from the Old Testament and one from the New 
 
 13
 
 Cfje pa$0ioit piap 
 
 which the former prefigured. Thus we have 
 Adam and Eve driven from the garden, clad 
 in snowy sheepskin, the serpent hirking in the 
 tree ; Cain fleeing from the wrath of God after 
 kiUing Ahel ; Abraham, with knife upraised to 
 slay his son, an angel stays his hand and be- 
 hold a ram caught in the thicket. Joseph sold 
 by his brethren, who show the many-colored 
 coat to their father. Joseph as prime minis- 
 ter. The Adoration of the Cross, Mourning 
 with the Bereaved Bride (from the Apocry- 
 pha), The Presentation of the Child in the 
 Temple. Jesus' visit to the Temple at the age 
 of twelve. The Flight into Egypt. At the 
 Carpenter's Bench and others. 
 
 (2) After the triumphal entry in the regular 
 scenes of the Passion week, comes the casting 
 out of the Money changers. Christ in a white 
 robe with a scourge in His hand is the personi- 
 fication of indignant majesty, while the howling 
 and cursing of the infuriated merchants resound 
 through the air. 
 
 (3) The Last Supper is very touching — as 
 Christ tenderly talks to his chosen band (John 
 leaning upon His breast) of their coming sep- 
 aration. Then He gives the cup to Judas, who 
 snaps at it like a surly cur and turns aside with 
 the fierce fire of hate burning in his eyes. Christ 
 tells him to do what he does quickly and Judas 
 leaves the room. Then Christ blesses the cup 
 and institutes the Last Supper, washes the dis- 
 ciples' feet and they go out. 
 
 14
 
 Ci)e passion piap 
 
 (4) We are now before the Sanhedrin where 
 Judas comes, fearful, hesitating, but bargaining 
 for the thirt)' pieces of silver. A heated dis- 
 cussion follows in the Sanhedrin — that grave 
 body of Jews — over the seditions they claim Je- 
 sus has perpetrated. Nicodemus, Nathaniel and 
 Joseph of Arimathea counsel against harming 
 Jesus and finally leave the hall, determined to 
 have nothing to do with his destruction. 
 
 (5) Let us now go to Gethsemane, where 
 we shall see Jesus and His disciples. He leaves 
 them and as He kneels and prays, we can see 
 the agony and the human loneliness as He finds 
 His companions sleeping. Later an angel com- 
 forts Him, light is shed upon His soul, and He 
 rises and calmly goes forth to meet His betrayer. 
 How real it all is. 
 
 (6) Now see the soldiers led by Judas, 
 searching among the shadows of the olive trees, 
 lantern in hand, and taking Him whom Judas 
 kisses. The impetuous Peter strikes at the sol- 
 dier's ear, and then the disciples slip away into 
 the darkness as Jesus is led away by His captors. 
 
 (7) In the court of the palace is a rude fire 
 where the soldiers and servants warm them- 
 selves, and here Peter denies, with an angry 
 oath, the master to whom he had so recently 
 sworn fealty. The cock crows, he looks through 
 the open door of the palace and goes out to 
 weep. 
 
 (8) (9) Following these are the scenes be- 
 fore Annas and Caiaphas, when Jesus is taken 
 
 15
 
 Ciie passion piap 
 
 before Pilate, who comes out to the people on 
 the portico of his judgment hall and speaks to 
 the angry mob. They listen, but answer every 
 suggestion by an angry yell, and the cries of 
 "Crucify Him," "Crucify Him." What a con- 
 trast to the glad cries of the joyful entry of 
 a few days before. Pilate washes his hands 
 and Christ is led away by the mob. 
 
 (lo) We now witness the remorse of Judas, 
 and we wish we could portray to you the mut- 
 terings and ravings and the agony depicted on 
 the face of Judas. In his hand is the bag with 
 the thirty pieces of silver which are now hate- 
 ful to him. He throws it from him, spurns 
 it, tramples upon it ; tears his hair and staggers 
 about like one bewildered. Finally he takes a 
 resolve — picks up the bag and goes out. 
 
 (ii) Reappearing in the next scene before 
 the Sanhedrin, Judas begs them to take back 
 the silver and release Jesus. Failing in this 
 he throws the bag across the floor and departs, 
 hurling an anathema against the august as- 
 sembly. 
 
 (12) Again the betrayer is seen in the agonies 
 of remorse, which end in his tying a rope about 
 his neck and drawing it over the limb of a 
 tree. As he swings off the curtain falls. 
 
 (i3;) Then Christ is brought forth crowned 
 with thorns, blindfolded, and set against a post 
 and scourged and spit upon by the guard of 
 Roman soldiers. It fairly makes your blood 
 boil to see Him treated thus, and we realize as 
 
 16
 
 Cf)e pas$jon piap 
 
 never before how He suffered for us without 
 a word of rebuke or reproach. 
 
 (14) Jesus led forth to the place of Golgotha, 
 bearing- His cross, under which He faints and 
 falls, when Simon the Cyrenian is pressed into 
 the service and the procession continues on its 
 way. Slowly and sadly it passes out beyond 
 the city walls, followed by the curious crowd, 
 and on the outskirts a few faithful followers 
 linger with intense longing in their eyes. 
 
 (15) When the curtain next rises, we see 
 two crosses to which the thieves are nailed, al- 
 ready placed, and Christ nailed to a third cross 
 on the ground. We had heard the dull thuds 
 of the workmen nailing through the flesh. It 
 se«med so real, so terrible, so life-like, all the 
 agony and sorrow of the dying Lord, and now 
 they raise His cross and with a jerk that pierces 
 your very marrow, thrust it into the socket. 
 Then the soldiers sit down and drink and jest 
 and divide His garments among themselves. 
 About the cross is the group of faithful fol- 
 lowers sorrowing. There are John and Mary, 
 and the scene is very touching when Jesus 
 commits Mary to John's care, as are also all His 
 words spoken from the cross — the supplication 
 for forgiveness for his enemies, and the appeal 
 to His Father; but at last His head droops, He 
 cries "It is finished," the thunder peals, and 
 all is over. 
 
 (16) Then comes the descent from the cross, 
 and this is one of the tenderest scenes of the 
 
 17
 
 Cfte pa00!on piap 
 
 entire production, even more so than the Fare- 
 well to His Mother. A ladder is placed against 
 the cross, and Joseph of Arimathea climbs up 
 and passes a long roll of linen cloth about 
 Christ's bod}^ under his arms, the ends of it over 
 the arms of the cross, the same being held by 
 another person on the ground, who thus assists 
 in lowering the form. Joseph then supports the 
 body with one arm, and slowly descending the 
 ladder lays Him on the ground beside His Moth- 
 er, His head upon her lap. How tenderly and 
 reverently they render the last offices and pre- 
 pare the Christ for His burial. 
 
 (17) The resurrection is a gladsome scene, 
 filled with brightness and joy. The chorus sings 
 glad anthems and the gloom on all faces is 
 dispelled by the knowledge that their Lord is 
 risen. It seems as if you could no more doubt 
 His rising, but the climax comes with the 
 
 (18) Ascension which is very realistic, Christ 
 rising up, up, up until, surrounded by clouds 
 and angels, He disappears from view as the cur- 
 tain falls and the Passion Play is over. 
 
 18
 
 The Text of the Passion Play from the German. 
 
 THE PASSION PLAY 
 
 FIRST DIVISION. 
 
 From the Entrance of Christ into Jerusa- 
 lem TO His Apprehension in the 
 Olive Garden. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 [Enter the Chorus. The Choragus — Leader 
 of the Chorus — reciting, exhorts the audience 
 to a devout contemplation of the holy drama, ex- 
 plaining its lesson — God reconciled to man 
 through Christ. "All Hail," he says, "ivelcome 
 to the band of brothers, zvhoin Divine love hath 
 'here assembled, zvJio zi'ish to share the sorrows 
 of their Saznor, and to follozv Him, on the zvay 
 to the cross."] 
 
 19
 
 Cle pa!8i$ion piap 
 
 [He sings:] 
 
 Cast thyself down in holy wonder, 
 Race oppressed by God's own curse! 
 Peace be to thee ! From Zion grace again. 
 He is not wroth eternally. 
 The anger of the offended One is just. 
 
 "I desire not the death of the sinner." 
 Thus saith the Lord. 
 "I will forgive him. He shall live." 
 And gave His Son to free the World from sin. 
 Praise and thanks therefore we offer, 
 To Thee, Eternal. 
 
 [The curtain rises.] 
 
 FIRST TABLEAU: The expulsion from 
 Paradise. 
 
 [Adam and Eve fleeing from Eden, an Angel 
 ivith flaming szvord bars their return.] 
 
 [The Chorus sings.] 
 
 Mankind is banished from Eden's groves, 
 To night of sin and gloom of death. 
 To the Tree of Life is barr'd, the way 
 By fiaming sword in Cherub's hand. 
 
 Yet from afar, from Calvary's height, 
 Piercing the night a morning glow, 
 
 20
 
 C^c lpa00fon piap 
 
 From the crosses mildly wafting 
 Air of peace throughout the world. 
 
 God ! Thou Merciful ! To pardon sinners 
 Who scornfully have outraged Thy command, 
 Thou gavest to die Thine only begotten Son, 
 To free them from the curse. 
 
 SECOND TABLEAU: The adoration of 
 the Cross. 
 
 [Children clad as Angels grouped about a 
 cross adoringly regard it.] 
 
 [The Chorus kneeling, sing:] 
 
 Eternal ! hear Thy children's stammering, 
 For a child can only stammer. 
 They who at the sacrifice assemble 
 In Holy veneration thee beseech. 
 
 Follow now at the side of the Atoner, 
 
 Until His rough and thorny way 
 
 He hath victorious fought; and in fierce battle 
 
 His blood for us hath spilled. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 The Triumphal Entry. 
 
 [The streets of Jerusalem. Multitudes of peo- 
 ple enter singing. In their midst on an ass's 
 
 21
 
 Cl)e Pa00ion piap 
 
 colt, calmly our Saznor rides amid the rejoicing 
 of the people who throw palms and garments 
 before Him.] 
 
 [Chorus sings. '\ 
 
 Hail to Thee ! hail ! O David's Son ! 
 Hail to Thee ! Hail ! the Father's throne 
 
 Belongs to Thee. 
 Who cometh in the Highest's Name, 
 Whom Israel outward throngs to meet, 
 
 Thee we adore ! 
 
 Hosanna! He who in Heaven dwells 
 All gracious favor on Thee pour. 
 Hosanna ! He who doth reign above, 
 Keep Thee for us for evermore, 
 Hail to Thee, etc. 
 
 Blessed be He, Who now restores 
 Our Father David's line and realm 
 Ye people, bless, praise, and exalt 
 The Son, His Father's image true. 
 Hail to Thee, etc. 
 
 Hosanna to our royal Son! 
 Resound afar on every breeze ! 
 Hosanna! On the Father's throne 
 Let Him in glory rule for aye. 
 Hail to thee, etc. 
 
 22
 
 Clje pa$sfon piap 
 
 SCENE 11. 
 
 Casting Out the Money Changers. 
 
 [Christ, the Apostles, People, Priests and 
 Traders in the Temple.] 
 
 Christ. 
 What see I here? Shall my Father's House 
 be thus dishonored? Is this God's House, or is 
 it a market place? Shall strangers who come 
 from heathen lands to worship God, perform 
 their devotions amid this crowd of usurers? 
 And ye Priests, guardians of the sanctuary, ye 
 behold the iniquity and suffer it! Woe unto 
 you ! He who searcheth hearts knows why ye 
 permit this trespass. 
 
 Traders. 
 Who can this be? 
 
 People. 
 It is the great Prophet from Nazareth of Gal- 
 ilee. 
 
 Christ. 
 [To the traders.] Depart, ye servants of 
 Mammon ! I command it. Take what is yours 
 and leave this Holy Place. 
 
 Ephraim. 
 \One of the traders.] Come let us go, that 
 his anger does not destroy us. 
 
 23
 
 Ctie pa0sion piap 
 
 Priests. 
 Why troublest thou these people? All this 
 is for sacrifice. How canst thou forbid what 
 the High Council permits? 
 
 Traders. 
 Is one to sacrifice no more? 
 
 Christ. 
 Outside the temple is room sufficient for your 
 business. It is written, "My house shall be 
 called a house of prayer," but ye have made 
 it a den of thieves. [Overthrows the tables.] 
 Take all these hence. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 This must not be. That thou darest not. 
 
 Traders. 
 My money, Oh, my money! My doves! [the 
 doves escape.] Who will make good these dam- 
 ages? 
 
 Christ. 
 [With a scourge of cords.] Go hence! I will 
 that this Holy place be given back to the wor- 
 ship of My Father! 
 
 Priests. 
 What sign showest thou that thou hast the 
 power to do these things? 
 
 Christ. 
 Ye seek after signs. Yea, a sign shall be giv- 
 en unto you. Destroy this temple and in three 
 days I will raise it again. 
 
 Priest. 
 What boastful words ! Six and forty years 
 
 24
 
 Cf)e pas0ion piag 
 
 was this temple building and wilt thou raise it 
 up in three days? 
 
 People. 
 
 Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the 
 Lord ! 
 
 Priests. 
 
 Hearest thou what these say? Rebuke thy 
 Disciples. 
 
 Christ. 
 
 I say unto you, If these should hold their 
 peace, the very stones would cry out. 
 
 Children. 
 
 Hosanna to the Son of David ! 
 Pharisees. 
 
 Be silent, ye simple ones. 
 Christ. 
 
 Have ye never read, "Out of the mouths of 
 babes and sucklings He hath perfected praise? 
 The things that are hidden from the proud are 
 revealed unto babes." And the Scripture must 
 be fulfilled ! "The stone which the builders re- 
 jected is become the head of the corner." The 
 Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and 
 shall be given unto a people that shall bring 
 forth fruits thereof. But that stone, "Whoso- 
 ever shall fall upon it shall be broken, but on 
 whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to 
 powder." [To his Disciples.] Come, I have 
 done as the Father commanded. I have vindi- 
 cated the Honor of Plis house. Darkness re- 
 mains Darkness, but in many hearts the day 
 
 25
 
 Cbe pa0$ion piap 
 
 will soon shine. Let us go into the Sanctuary 
 and pray to the Father. [Exit.] 
 
 People. 
 Praise to the anointed ! 
 
 Priests. 
 Be silent, ye worthless ones! 
 
 Pharisees. 
 Ye shall all fall with him. 
 
 People. 
 Blest be the Kingdom of David, which again 
 appears ! 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Priests and People. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Whosoever holds with our Fathers Abraham, 
 Isaac and Jacob, be on our side ! Let the curse 
 of IMoses rest on the others. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 He is a deceiver! An enemy of Moses, an 
 enemy of the Holy Law. 
 
 People. 
 [Mockingly.] Why have ye not seized him? 
 Is he not a prophet? 
 
 Priests. 
 He is a false teacher, an enemy of Moses, 
 an enemy of our Father's Holy Law. Out with 
 the prophets. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 O ! thou blind people ! Wilt thou follow a new 
 
 26
 
 Cf)c pa$0ion piap 
 
 leader and forsake Moses, the Prophets and thy 
 Priests ? Fearest thou not the curse which falls 
 upon deserters? Will ye cease to be the chosen 
 people ? 
 
 People. 
 That we will not. Be that far from us. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Who lias the watch over purity of teaching, 
 is it not the Holy Sanhedrin? Who will ye 
 hear, us or Him who gives Himself out as the 
 proclaimer of new teachings ? 
 
 People. 
 We will hear you — we will follow you ! 
 
 Zadok, 
 The God of your Fathers will bless you for it. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 These people full of deceit and error will fall. 
 
 People. 
 We will stay by you. We are Moses' dis- 
 ciples. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 [Enter the Traders with their chief, Da- 
 than, making a tumult. \ 
 
 Traders. 
 This fellow must not remain unpunished. Re- 
 venge. His insolence shall cost him dear. Mon- 
 ey, oil. salt, doves — ^He must make all good. 
 Where is he? He shall feel our vengeance. 
 
 ■27
 
 Ctje passion piap 
 
 Priests. 
 He has gone. 
 
 Traders. 
 We will go after him. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 Stay, friends ! The following of this Man is 
 
 still too great ; a dangerous fight might result, 
 
 which the sword of the Romans would end. 
 
 Trust us; He shall not escape His punishment. 
 
 Priests. 
 With us and for us, that is your salvation. 
 
 All. 
 Our victory is near! 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 We are now going hence to inform the San- 
 hedrin of today's events. 
 
 Traders. 
 We go with you. We must have satisfaction. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Come to the Court of the High Priests in an 
 hour. I will carry your complaint before the 
 Council and plead for you. When it is time I 
 will call you. 
 
 Traders and People. 
 [Leaanng.] We have Moses. Down with 
 all others. For Moses' teaching we will die. 
 Praise our fathers. Praise the God of our 
 fathers. 
 
 28
 
 C&e passion piap 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 The Sanhedrin. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 [The chorus enters from either side. The 
 Choragiis, after dtvelling on the envy which 
 moves the Pharisees to conspire against our 
 Lord, exhorts the spectators to give their hearts 
 in thankfidness and attention to the drama.] 
 
 Choragus. 
 Greeting to all here united in love, 
 Gathered to follow in anguish their Savior 
 
 On His pathway of sorrow 
 
 To His rest in the grave. 
 
 Those from far and from near together assem- 
 bled 
 Feel themselves as but one in brotherly love. 
 
 As disciples of one 
 
 Who has suffered for all. 
 
 Who gave Himself for us with pity unfailing, 
 In bitterest death. To Him let us turn 
 
 Our eyes and our hearts 
 
 In sincere gratitude. 
 
 29
 
 Clje pa00fott piap 
 
 See ! Already approaches Him sorrow's full cup. 
 For bitter hate and the envious serpent-brood 
 
 With greed hath forsworn 
 
 Themselves, Him to destroy. 
 
 That which impelled Joseph's brethern to mur- 
 der 
 Spurring them on in compact with each other, 
 
 In wild rage of passion 
 
 To the death of their brother. 
 
 We now see also arousing the Council 
 
 To unholy wrath that they may destroy Him — 
 
 The Proclaimer of Truth — 
 
 From the ranks of the living. 
 
 (Now they are gone — leagued for the crime, 
 What they hid in their hearts their mouths hath 
 proclaimed. 
 Themselves the mask have torn away, 
 By gnawing conscience scourged. 
 
 Chorus. 
 "Up ; let us plan vengeance !" wildly they cry ; 
 "The long determined work begin." 
 
 THIRD TABLEAU: Joseph cast into the 
 pit by his brethren. 
 
 [Joseph is the foreshadozver of Christ. He 
 like Jesus, is the beloved son of his father, like 
 Him he was sent to his brethren.] 
 
 30
 
 Clie pa00fon pia? 
 
 Chorus. 
 Open. O lord, the sacred shrine, 
 Old times paint us the evil plan ; 
 How Jacob's sons 'gainst Joseph did conspire. 
 
 So shall ye hear this viper brood 
 Full soon for Jesus's death and blood 
 With raging vengeance cry. 
 
 Tenor Soloist. 
 "See yonder comes the dreamer 
 "He wills," unshamed they cry, 
 "To rule us as a king. 
 
 But away with this fanatic!" 
 "Ha ! within the cistern yonder 
 He may his plan unfold." 
 
 Bass Soloist. 
 Thus for the Just One's blood 
 Thirsteth that viper brood. 
 "He," they clamor, "is our foe," 
 All our honor's now lay low. 
 None upon our ways will follow 
 After Him the people go. 
 
 Duet. 
 Come, come, Him let us slay ! 
 Save Him no one can or may. 
 Let us keep our purpose steadfast, 
 He must perish now-away. 
 
 31
 
 Cte passion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 O God, destroy this evil band, 
 Who against Thee now rise up; 
 And the murd'rous league, in scorn 
 Of Thine only Son, swear faith. 
 
 Let almighty thunders peal. 
 Let Thy rigliteous lightning burn. 
 That they feel Thine Anger's strength: 
 Strike them downward into dust ! 
 
 Soloist. 
 No! never came He to destroy. 
 From the Father's Majesty, 
 Sinners shall through Him inherit 
 Pardon, grace and blessedness. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Humbly then we here adore 
 The great plan of Thy dear love. 
 We, Thy children, O our God! 
 
 ACT IL 
 
 FIRST SCENE. 
 
 [The Members of the Sanhedrin.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Venerable Brothers, Fathers, and Teachers 
 of the People! An extraordinary occurrence is 
 
 32
 
 €l)t pag0ion piap 
 
 the extraordinary occasion of to-day's consulta- 
 tion. Hear it out of the mouth of our worthy 
 brother. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 Is it permitted, Oh Fathers, to say a word? 
 
 All. 
 
 lYes, yes, speak. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 Marvel not, O Fathers, that at so late an hour 
 ye are called together for action. It is only 
 too well known to you, that we have, to our 
 shame, been forced to-day to behold with our 
 own eyes. Ye have seen the triumphal proces- 
 sion of the Galilean through the Holy City. Ye 
 have heard the Hosanna of the befooled popu- 
 lace. Ye have heard how this proud one has 
 arrogated to Himself High Priestly dignity. 
 What yet is wanting for the destruction of all 
 civil and ecclesiastical order? Yet a few steps 
 further, and the holy law of Moses is destroyed 
 through the innovations of this teacher of error. 
 The sayings of our Fathers are despised, fasts 
 and purifying done away with, the Sabbath des- 
 ecrated, the Priests of God despoiled of their 
 office, the holy sacrifices at an end. 
 
 All. 
 
 Yea, verily, it is true. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 And yet more. Encouraged by Plis followers, 
 He will give Himself out as King of Israel ; then 
 will there be division in the land and rebellion 
 against the Romans, and these will not delay to 
 
 33
 
 C6e passion piag 
 
 destroy both land and people. Woe to the chil- 
 dren of Israel, to the Holy City, to the Tem- 
 ple of the Lord, if the evil be not exterminated 
 while there is time. The responsibility lies upon 
 us ; even to-day a resolution must be taken, and 
 what is resolved upon must be carried out with- 
 out hesitation or looking back. Will ye put 
 your heinds to this work? 
 
 All. 
 
 Yes, that we will. 
 
 First Priest. 
 
 A stop must be put to the doings of the Se- 
 ducer. 
 
 Second Priest. 
 
 We ourselves are partakers in the guilt in that 
 it has gone so far. Against this overwhelming 
 destruction too mild measures were used. What 
 have our disputings with Him availed? What 
 fruit has there been from our putting Him in a 
 dilemma by questions? What has even been 
 done by the excommunication pronounced upon 
 any one who should acknowledge Him as Mes- 
 sias? If there is to be peace we must make 
 sure of His person and put Him in prison. 
 
 All. 
 
 Yea, that must be done. 
 
 Third Priest. 
 
 If He is once in prison the credulous people 
 will be no longer fascinated by the attraction of 
 His presence and the magic of His words ; and if 
 they have no longer any wonder to gape at, all 
 will soon be forgotten. 
 
 34
 
 Cfte pa$0ion piap 
 
 Fourth Priest. 
 In the darkness of the dungeon He can let 
 His light shine, and announce Himself as Mes- 
 sias to the prison walls. 
 
 First Pharisee. 
 Long enough has He led the people astray, 
 and branded as hypocrisy the strict virtue of the 
 holy order of the Pharisees. Let Him expiate 
 His misdeeds in bonds! 
 
 Second Pharisee. 
 It will cool the fanaticism of His followers, 
 if He who promised them freedom Himself lies 
 bound. 
 
 Annas. 
 Now, venerable priests, a ray of comfort and 
 joy once more warms my heart, since I see your 
 unanimous resolution. Alas, an unspeakable 
 sorrow weighed upon my soul at the sight of 
 the onward course of the wrong teaching of this 
 Galilean. Have I, a miserable old man, only 
 lived so long, in order to behold the overthrow 
 of the sacred law? But now I will not lose 
 courage. The God of our fathers still lives and 
 is with us. If ye, fathers of the people, quit 
 yourselves like men, salvation is nigh. Have 
 courage to be the saviours of Israel. 
 
 All. 
 We are of one mind. 
 
 Priests. 
 Israel must be saved. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Honor to your unanimous resolution^ worthy 
 
 35
 
 C6e pa00ion piap 
 
 brethren. But now assist me with your wise 
 counsels as to the surest way of getting this De- 
 ceiver into our power. 
 
 First Pharisee. 
 
 To take him now, on the feast day, would be 
 too dangerous. In the streets and in the Tem- 
 ple, everywhere, He is surrounded by a troop 
 of insensate followers. 
 
 Priests. 
 
 And yet it must be done at once; the matter 
 allows of no delay. Perchance during the time 
 of the feast he might raise an insurrection, and 
 then it might happen that we should take the 
 place which we have arranged for him. 
 Other Priests. 
 
 No delay ! 
 
 Second Pharisee. 
 
 We cannot now set to work altogether with 
 open force ; we must overcome him quietly with 
 guile. We must find out where he commonly 
 spends the night, and thus he could be surprised 
 and brought into safe keeping without wit- 
 nesses. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 People could soon be found to track the fox 
 to his hole, if it pleased the Council to offer 
 a suitable reward. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 If ye, assembled fathers, think it good, I will, 
 in the name of the Council, give the order that 
 any one who knows his nightly resort should in- 
 
 36
 
 C6e pa00ion pia^ 
 
 form us of the same, and also a reward should 
 be secured to the informant. 
 
 All. 
 We agree entirely. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Doubtless those men could serve us as in- 
 formers whom the Galilean to-day, in the sight 
 of all the people, has deeply injured. Before 
 this they w'ere jealous adherents of the law, and 
 now they are thirsting for revenge against Him 
 who has made such an unheard-of attack upon 
 their privileges. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Where are the traders to be found ? 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 They are ready in the outer court. I have 
 persuaded them to be the defenders of their 
 rights before the holy Sanhedrin, and they await 
 your orders. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Worthy priest, announce to them that the 
 Council is inclined to take up their grievance, 
 and bring them in. [Exit Nathaniel.] 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The God of our fathers has not yet with- 
 drawn His hand from us. Moses yet watches 
 over us. If we succeed in gathering around us 
 
 Z7
 
 C6e passion piap 
 
 a knot of men of the people I shall no longer 
 fear. Friends and brethren, let us be of good 
 courage. Our fathers look down upon us from 
 Abraham's bosom. 
 
 Priests. 
 God bless our High Priest, 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 High Priests and chosen Teachers. These 
 men, worthy of our blessing, appear before this 
 assembly, in order to bring a complaint against 
 the well-known Jesus of Nazareth, who to-day 
 in the Temple in an unheard-of manner has 
 troubled them and caused them loss. 
 
 Traders. 
 We beseech the Council to procure us satis- 
 faction. The Council must protect our righteous 
 demand. 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 Ye shall have satisfaction. We will be your 
 sureties for that. 
 
 Traders. 
 Has not the Council given us leave to set out 
 openly in the court all that is necessary for sac- 
 rifice ? 
 
 Priests. 
 Yes, that we have permitted ; woe to Him who 
 disturbs you in this your right. 
 
 38
 
 Cfte pa00ion piap 
 
 Traders. 
 And the Galilean has driven us out with a 
 scourge. And the tables of the money-changers 
 has He overthrown, and emptied the dovecotes. 
 We demand satisfaction. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 That ye shall have satisfaction the law de- 
 crees. Your loss shall meanwhile be made good 
 to you out of the treasury of the Temple. But 
 that the culprit Himself should be punished, for 
 this we need your co-operation. What can we 
 do to Him so long as He is not in our power? 
 
 Traders. 
 He goes daily into the Temple; there He can 
 easily be taken prisoner and led away. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 That will not do. Ye know that He has a 
 crowd of excited followers, and therefore a dan- 
 gerous uproar might take place. It must be 
 done quietly. 
 
 Traders. 
 It would be best done in the night. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 If ye find out whither He withdraws Himself 
 at night He will soon be in our hands without 
 any tumult. Then ye will not only have the joy 
 of seeing Him chastised, but also a considerable 
 recompense will be awarded to you. 
 Nathaniel. 
 Ye will also gain merit concerning the law of 
 Moses. 
 
 39
 
 Cfte pa00io« piap 
 
 Traders. 
 On our part there shall be no failure. We will 
 shun no trouble. 
 
 Chief Trader. 
 I know one of His followers through whom I 
 can easily accomplish something if I can offer 
 him an adequate reward. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 If thou findest out such a one, make all prom- 
 ises to him in our name. Only delay not in or- 
 der that we may accomplish our end before the 
 feast. 
 
 Annas. 
 And observe strictest silence. 
 
 Traders. 
 We swear it. 
 
 ^ Caiaphas. 
 
 If, however, good fellows, ye wish that the 
 longing for vengeance should be fully satisfied, 
 take also every possible trouble to kindle in 
 many others the holy zeal which burns in you. 
 
 Traders. 
 Since that occurrence we have made use of 
 every moment for this purpose, and many are 
 already on our side. We will not rest till all the 
 people rise against Him. 
 
 Annas. 
 By these means ye will lay the Council under 
 an obligation of greatest gratitude. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Ye will then be openly honored by the people, 
 
 40
 
 Ci)e pa00ion piap 
 
 as ye have been openly put to shame before 
 them. 
 
 Traders. 
 Our lives for the law of Moses and the holy 
 Sanheclrin ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The God of Abraham guide you. 
 
 Traders. 
 Long live Moses ! Long live the priests and 
 the holy Sanhedrin ! Even to-day may the Gali- 
 lean have played out His part. [Exit.] 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 As though strengthened by a sweet sleep I 
 live once more. With such men all can be car- 
 ried through. Now we shall see who will con- 
 quer: He, with His followers, to whom He un- 
 ceasingly preaches love — a love which is to in- 
 clude even publicans and sinners ; yea and the 
 heathen also, or we, with this troop, animated by 
 hatred and revenge, which we send against Him. 
 
 Annas. 
 May the God of our fathers grant us victory. 
 How then will joy in my old age renew my 
 youth. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let us break up. Praised be our fathers. 
 
 All. 
 Praised be the God of Abraham, of Isaac and 
 of Jacob. 
 
 41
 
 Cbe pa0gion piap 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 The Parting at Bethany. 
 
 [The Choragus explains the relation of the tnH) 
 tableaux to the leave-taking of Christ, mho zvith 
 clear gase pierces the veil of the future, and sees 
 the gathering storm, which threatens. While 
 still amongst His ozvn He speaks zvords to His 
 beloved friends concerning separation — zvords, 
 alas, which most bitterly zvoiind His Mothers 
 soul. See with zvhat deep trouble the mother of 
 Tobias gazes after her departing son, and pours 
 out her grief in streaming tears. Thus also Mary 
 laments her Beloved Sou, zvho departs, deter- 
 mined to efface the sins of mankind through 
 love's expiatory death. "The Bridegroom has 
 disappeared." Hozv she calls and seeks and gives 
 herself no rest till she finds Him. Calmer^ is the 
 anguish in Mary's soul; as a szvord piercing her 
 whole heart, yet softened through the pious res- 
 ignation of trust in God.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 Ah, they come, the parting hours. 
 Deepest wounds they now inflict, 
 
 Mary, on tli^ heart. 
 Ah, thy Son must leave thee now 
 42
 
 tli:f)c pa00ion piap 
 
 On the cross to faint and die. 
 Who can weigh that Mother's woe? 
 
 FOURTH TABLEAU: The Departure of 
 Tobias from His home. [From the Apocrypha.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 What a bitter grief, O friends, 
 Agonized the mother's heart, 
 As Tobias at his father's best 
 Led by hand of Raphael 
 Hastened to a foreign land. 
 
 With a thousand woes and sighs. 
 Calls she after her beloved. 
 "Come, oh, come, and tarry not, 
 Light and comfort of my heart, 
 Soon return with joy again. 
 
 Ah, Tobias, dearest one, 
 Haste thee back unto mine arms. 
 Dearest son, in thee alone. 
 Can my heart contented be, 
 Rejoiced in perfect happiness." 
 
 Comfortless it now laments, 
 Never of existence glad, 
 Till a precious, blissful moment 
 To his mother's breast once more 
 Back shall bring her son beloved. 
 
 43
 
 Cbe passion piap 
 
 FIFTH TABLEAU : Mourning with the Be- 
 reaved Bride. 
 
 [From Solomon's Song.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 Where is He gone, where is He gone? 
 Fairest of the sons of men, 
 Ah, mine eyes run o'er with tears — 
 Tears of tender love for Him. 
 
 O come again ! O come again ! 
 See these ever-flowing tears; 
 Why, Beloved? Dost still delay 
 To ch -> me to Thy heart again ? 
 
 M^iie'eyes are roammg over all, 
 They seek for Thee in every place, 
 And with the sun's first rays of light 
 My heart doth haste to meet Thy steps. 
 
 Ah. what feel I, my own Beloved, 
 With what anguish breaks my heart! 
 
 Chorus of Daughter of Jerusalem. 
 Beloved friend be comforted 
 Thy friend to thee shall come again. 
 
 Then wait, dear friend, He soon will come 
 And clasp thee to His heart again — 
 When no cloud will ever darken 
 The joy of His return. 
 
 44
 
 Cfte passion piap 
 
 Both Choruses. 
 O come unto mine arms again, 
 And clasp me to Thy heart once more, 
 And no cloud will ever darken 
 The joy of Thy return. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 Christ and the Twelve Disciples. 
 
 Christ. 
 Ye know, beloved disciples, that after two 
 days is the feast of the Passover. Let us take 
 our last rest with our friends at BC.hany, and 
 go up to Jerusalem, where in these day ''11 will 
 be fulfilled which is written in the Prophet con- 
 cerning the Son of Man. 
 
 Philip. 
 Has the day then come at last when thou wilt 
 restore again the kingdom to Israel? 
 
 Christ. 
 The Son of Man shall he delivered up to the 
 Gentiles, and shall be mocked and spit upon, and 
 they shall crucify Him, but on the third day 
 He shall rise again. 
 
 John. 
 Master, what dark, fearful words speakest 
 Thou? How shall these things come to pass? 
 Tell us plainly. 
 
 Christ. 
 The hour is come when the Son of Man shall 
 
 45
 
 C!)e pagsion piap 
 
 be glorified. \'erily, verily, I say unto you, ex- 
 cept a corn of wheat fall into the ground and 
 die, it abideth alone : but if it die, it bringeth 
 forth much fruit. Now is the judgment of this 
 world : now shall the prince of this world be 
 cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth 
 will draw all men unto Me. 
 Thaddaeus. 
 What meaneth He by these words? 
 
 Simon. 
 Wherefore doth He liken Himself to a corn of 
 wheat ? 
 
 Andrew. 
 Lord, thou speakest at once of shame and of 
 victory. I know not how to reconcile these in 
 my thoughts. 
 
 Christ. 
 That which is dark as night to you will be- 
 come clear as day. I have told you before that 
 ye may not lose courage whatever may happen. 
 Believe and hope. When the tribulation is over 
 then shall ye see and understand. 
 
 Thomas. 
 I cannot consent to that which thou speakest, 
 of suffering and of death. What can Thine en- 
 emies do to Thee? One single word from Thee 
 will grind them to powder. 
 
 Christ. 
 Thomas, adore the secret counsel of God 
 which thou canst not fathom. Yet a little while 
 is the light with you. Walk while ye have the 
 light, lest darkness come upon you. 
 
 46
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Enter Simon, Lazarus, Martha and Mary 
 Magdalene. 
 
 Simon. 
 Dearest Master, I greet Thee. 
 
 Christ. 
 Simon, for the last time I, with My disciples, 
 claim thy hospitality. 
 
 Simon. 
 Not so. Lord. Often again shall Bethany se- 
 cure to Thee a short repose. 
 
 Christ. 
 Lo, Lazarus, our friend. 
 
 Lazarus. 
 [Embracing hitn.] My Lord, Conqueror of 
 Death, Life Giver. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Rabboni. 
 
 Martha. 
 Hail, Rabboni, permit me to welcome Thee. 
 
 Christ. 
 The blessing of God be upon you. 
 
 Martha. 
 Grant me, O Lord, the happiness of serving 
 Thee. 
 
 47 
 
 \
 
 C6e passion piap 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Wilt Thou also not despise a token of love 
 from me? 
 
 Christ. 
 Do that which is in your heart to do, dear 
 souls. 
 
 Simon. 
 Dearest Master, enter under my roof and re- 
 fresh Thyself and Thy disciples. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 The Guest Chamber in Simon's House. 
 
 Christ. 
 Peace be to this house. 
 
 Disciples. 
 And to all who dwell therein. 
 
 Simon. 
 Lord, all is prepared. 
 
 Christ. 
 Let us, then, beloved disciples, with thankful- 
 ness enjoy the gifts which the Father from 
 Heaven vouchsafes us through His servant 
 Simon. O Jerusalem. O that my coming were 
 as dear to thee as it is to these, my friends. But 
 thou art stricken with blindness. 
 
 Lazarus. 
 Yea, Lord the Pharisees and teachers of the 
 law watch for Thy destruction. 
 
 48
 
 Cije passion piap 
 
 Simon. 
 Tarry here; here Thou art safe. 
 
 Peter. 
 Lord, it is good to be here. Tarry here till 
 the storm which will gather has broken. 
 
 Christ. 
 Get thee behind, tempter. Thou savorest not 
 the things that be of God, but those that be of 
 man. Shall the reaper tarry in the shade when 
 the fields are ripe unto harvest? The Son of 
 man came not to be ministered unto, but to min- 
 ister, and to give His life a ransom for many. 
 
 Judas. 
 But, Lord, what will become of us when Thou 
 givest up Thy life? 
 
 An Apostle. 
 Alas, all our hopes have, then, come to 
 nothing. 
 
 Christ. 
 Calm yourselves. I have power to lay down 
 My life, and I have power to take it up again. 
 This commandment have I received of My 
 Father. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 [Advances and pours ointment upon the head 
 of Christ.] Rabboni. 
 
 Christ. 
 Mary. 
 
 Thomas. 
 What a costly odor. 
 
 Bartholomew, 
 It is costly precious ointment of spikenard. 
 
 49
 
 Cl)e pa00ion piap 
 
 Judas. 
 To what purpose is this waste? The cost of 
 it might have been better laid out. 
 
 Thomas. 
 To me also it seemeth thus. 
 [Magdalene kneels and oints the feet of 
 Christ.] 
 
 Judas. 
 To pour away such a costly ointment. What 
 waste ! 
 
 Christ. 
 Friend Judas, look me in the face : Waste on 
 Me, on thy Master? 
 
 Judas. 
 I know that Thou lovest not useless expenses. 
 The ointment might have been sold and the poor 
 thereby supported. 
 
 Christ. 
 Judas, lay thy hand upon thy heart. Is it 
 only sympathy for the poor which so greatly 
 moves thee ? 
 
 Judas. 
 Three hundred pence at least could have been 
 got for it. What a loss for the poor and for us. 
 
 Christ. 
 The poor ye have always with you, but Me 
 ye have not always. Let her alone, she hath 
 wrought a good work on Me, for in that she 
 poured this ointment on Me, she did it for My 
 burial. Verily I say unto you : wheresoever 
 this Gospel shall be preached throughout the 
 whole world there shall also that which she hath 
 
 50
 
 C!)e pa0$ion piap 
 
 done be told for a memorial of her. [To 
 SimoH.] I thank thee, thou beneficent one, for 
 thy hospitahty. The Father will reward thee 
 for it. 
 
 Simon. 
 Master, speak not of thanks. I know what I 
 owe to Thee. 
 
 Christ. 
 It is time to go hence. Farewell to all, O 
 dwellers in this hospitable house. Follow Me, 
 My disciples. 
 
 Peter. 
 Lord, wheresoever Thou wiliest, only not to 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 Christ. 
 I g-o whither My Father calls me. Peter, if it 
 please thee to remain here, do so. 
 
 Peter. 
 Lord, where thou abidest, there also will I 
 abide, where thou goest, there also will I go. 
 
 Christ. 
 Come, then. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Christ. 
 [To Magdalene and Martha.] Tarry here 
 beloved. Once more, farewell, beloved, peace- 
 ful Bethany. Never more shall I tarry amid 
 thy still valleys. 
 
 51
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 Simon. 
 Master, wilt thou then indeed depart hence? 
 Ah, fearful forebodings oppress me. 
 
 Christ. 
 Stand up Mary, the night cometh, and the 
 storms of winter howl around. Yet be com- 
 forted. In the early morning in the spring- 
 garden thou shalt see Me again. 
 
 Martha. 
 Alas, dost thou depart and never more return ? 
 
 Christ. 
 
 The Father wills it, My beloved ones. Where 
 
 I am I bear you in My heart, and where ye are 
 
 there will My blessing follow you. Farewell. 
 
 [As he goes, Mary enters with her companions.] 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Mary. 
 Jesus, most dear Son, with desire have I has- 
 tened to Thee with my friends to see Thee again 
 before, alas, thou goest hence. 
 
 Christ. 
 Mother, I am on the way to Jerusalem. 
 
 Mary. 
 To Jerusalem. There is the Temple of Je- 
 hovah, whither once I bore thee in my arms, 
 to offer Thee to the Lord. 
 
 Christ. 
 Mother, now has the hour come when I, ac- 
 cording to the Father's will, shall offer Myself. 
 
 52
 
 Cfje pa00ian piap 
 
 I am ready to accomplish the sacrifice which the 
 Father requires from Me. 
 
 Mary. 
 Ah, forebodings tell me what an offering this 
 will be. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 O, how greatly have we longed to keep back 
 the Master with us. 
 
 Simon. 
 His resolve is steadfast. 
 
 Christ. 
 Mine hour has come. Now is My soul trou- 
 bled, and what shall I say : Father, save Me 
 from this hour? But for this hour came I into 
 the world. 
 
 Mary. 
 O Simeon, venerable old man, now will that 
 which thou didst prophesy to me be fulfilled : "A 
 sword shall pierce through thine own soul." 
 
 Christ. 
 Mother, the Father's will was ever sacred to 
 thee also. 
 
 Mary. 
 It is so to me. I am the hand maid of the 
 Lord. Only for one thing, my Son, I pray 
 Thee. 
 
 Christ. 
 What desirest thou, My mother? 
 
 Mary. 
 That I may die with Thee. 
 
 John. 
 What love ! 
 
 53
 
 Ci)e pa00ion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 Thou wilt suffer with Me. beloved Mother, 
 thou wilt combat with Me, and then also rejoice 
 with Me in My victory. Therefore be com- 
 forted. 
 
 Mary. 
 
 God, give me strength. 
 
 Holy Women. 
 Dearest Mother, we weep with thee. 
 
 Mary. 
 
 1 go then with Thee, my Son, to Jerusalem. 
 
 Women. 
 Dearest Mother, we go with thee. 
 
 Cpirist. 
 Later ye may go thither ; but now abide with 
 our friends at Bethany. I commend to you, O 
 faithful souls, my beloved Mother, with those 
 who have followed her thither. 
 Magdalene. 
 There is none dearer to us after Thee than 
 Thy Mother. 
 
 Lazarus. 
 If Thou, O Master, couldst but tarry. 
 
 Christ. 
 Comfort ye one another. But after two days 
 ye may together take your way to Jerusalem in 
 order to be there upon the great day of the feast. 
 
 Mary. 
 As thou wiliest, my Son. 
 Women. 
 Alas, how sadly will the hours pass by far 
 from Thee. 
 
 54
 
 Cfje pa00ion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 Mother, Mother, for the tender love and 
 Motherly care which thou hast shown to Me 
 during the thirty-three years of My life receive 
 the warmest gratitude of thy Son. Thy Fai.her 
 calls me. Farewell dearest, dearest Mother. 
 
 Mary. 
 My Son, when shall I see Thee again? 
 
 Christ. 
 Dearest Mother, when the Scripture shall be 
 fulfilled : He was led as a lamb to the slaugh- 
 ter, and He opened not His mouth. 
 
 All. 
 What affliction is before us all? 
 
 Christ. 
 Be not overcome in the first struggle. Hold 
 ye still in Me. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Christ's Last Journey to Jerusalem. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 People of God, behold thy Redeemer is at 
 hand. The lons^ promised One has come. O 
 hear Him. Follozv His leading:;. Life and bless- 
 ing will He bring thee, yet Jerusalem shozvs her- 
 self deaf and blind, and puts back the offered 
 hand. Therefore the Highest turns away from 
 
 55
 
 Cl^e passion piap 
 
 her, and lets her sink info perdition. The pride 
 of Vashti disdains the King's banquet, therefore 
 the King, grievously provoked, banishes her 
 from His presence, and chooses a nobler soul as 
 His consort. Thus zvill the synagogue be cast 
 out, and the kingdom of God, taken from it, will 
 be given to other nations, which shall bring 
 forth the fruits of righteousness. 
 
 Choragus. 
 Awake, Jerusalem, awake. 
 And know what yet belongeth to thy peace; 
 But shouldst thou waver — 'the hour of venge- 
 ance strikes, 
 Unhappy one, with fearful doom. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 
 Return thee to thy God, 
 Scorn not, with evil mockery. 
 The warning call of grace; 
 Lest on thee, unhappy one, 
 In measure full one day be poured 
 The wrath of God most High. 
 
 But she — alas, the prophet — murd'ress, 
 With evil mind doth forward rush. 
 Therefore, thus saith the Lord, 
 This people I reject. 
 
 SIXTH TABLEAU: Vashti rejected by 
 Ahasuerus, and Esther chosen Queen. 
 
 56
 
 Cije passion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 See Vashti — see the proud one is cast out, 
 Figuring Gods purpose for the Synagogue. 
 "Remove thee now from off my throne, 
 Proud Queen, deserving not the crown," 
 
 Ahasuerus speaks in wrath. 
 "Thine, fairest Esther, thine it is 
 This day beside the King to reign. 
 Here chosen for the royal throne." 
 "The time of grace hath pass'd away; 
 I will cast out this nation proud, 
 Even as I live," thus saith the Lord. 
 "A better people I will choose — 
 Espouse to ]\Ie for ever more, 
 As Esther Ahasuerus chose." 
 
 Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! 
 Ye sinners ! hear the word of God. 
 Even still would ye find grace. 
 Destroy from out your inmost hearts 
 The leaven of your sins. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Christ and the Twelve on the Way to 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 John. 
 Master, behold what a splendid outlook 
 towards Jerusalem! 
 
 57
 
 €:ije pagsion piap 
 
 Matthew. 
 And tlie majestic Temple. Wliat a stately 
 building! 
 
 Christ. 
 Jerusalem ! Jerusalem i O that thou hadst 
 known even in this thy day, the things that be- 
 long unto thy peace ! But now they are hid 
 from thine eyes. [He zsjeeps.] 
 
 Peter. 
 Master, wherefore grievest thou so sorely? 
 
 Christ. 
 My Peter ! the fate of this unhappy city goes 
 to My heart. 
 
 John. 
 Master, tell us, what will be this fate? 
 
 Christ. 
 The days will come when her enemies shall 
 make a trench about her and close her in on 
 every side, and they shall lay her even with the 
 ground, and her children in her ; and they shall 
 not leave one stone upon another. 
 
 Andrew. 
 Wherefore shall the city have so sad a fate ? 
 
 Christ. 
 Because she hath not known tlie day of her 
 visitation. Alas ! the murderers of the Prophets 
 will kill the Messiah Himself. 
 
 All. 
 What a fearful deed ! 
 
 James the Great. 
 God forbid that the city of God should lay 
 such a curse upon itself ! 
 
 58
 
 CJ)C passion piap 
 
 John. 
 Master, for the holy city's sake, for the Tem- 
 ple's sake. I pray Thee go not thither, so that 
 the opportunity may be wanting to evil men to 
 accomplish the worst. 
 
 Peter. 
 Or go thither and manifest Thyself to them in 
 Thy full majesty, that the good may rejoice and 
 the evil tremble. 
 
 Philip. 
 Strike down Thine enemies ! 
 
 All. 
 And set up the kingdom of God amongst 
 men! 
 
 Christ. 
 Children, what ye desire will come to pass in 
 its time, but My ways are appointed unto Me be- 
 fore My Father, and thus saith the Lord: "My 
 thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My 
 ways your ways." To-day is the first day of un- 
 leavened bread, on which the law commands 
 that the paschal meal shall be held. Do ye both. 
 Peter and John, go before, and prepare us the 
 paschal lamb, that we may eat it in the evening. 
 Peter and John. 
 Where wilt thou, Lord, that we should pre- 
 pare it? 
 
 Christ. 
 When ye shall come unto the city, there shall 
 a man meet you bearing a pitcher of water ; fol- 
 low him into the house whither he goeth, and 
 say to the master of the house : The Master saith 
 
 59
 
 Clbe pa00iott piap 
 
 unto thee, where is the guest-chamber where I 
 shall eat the passover with My disciples? And 
 he will show you a large upper room, furnished 
 and prepared ; there make it ready. 
 
 Peter. 
 
 Thy blessing, dearest Master. [Peter and 
 John kneel.] 
 
 Christ. 
 
 God's blessing be upon you? [Exit the two 
 Apostles.] 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Christ. 
 And ye, follow me for the last time to My 
 Father's house ! To-day ye still go thither with 
 
 Me. To-morrow 
 
 Judas. 
 
 But, Master, let me say, if in truth Thou wilt 
 
 leave us, make at least some arrangement for 
 
 our future sustenance. See here (he shows the 
 
 bag), this is not sufficient for one day more. 
 
 Christ. 
 Judas, be not more careful than is needful. 
 
 Judas. 
 How well might the worth of that ointment 
 be therein ! Three hundred pence ! How long 
 we might have lived without anxiety ! 
 
 C H R I ST 
 
 Nothing has ever been WANTING TO 
 THEE, AND, believe Me, nothing will at any 
 time be wanting to thee. 
 
 60
 
 Clie pa00ion pia^ 
 
 Judas. 
 Yet, Master, when Thou art no longer with 
 us our good friends will soon draw back, and 
 
 then 
 
 Christ. 
 Friend Judas, see to it that the tempter over- 
 take thee not ! 
 
 All. 
 Judas, trouble not then the Master so sorely. 
 
 Judas. 
 Who will take thought if I do not! Have I 
 not been appointed by the Master to carry the 
 bag? 
 
 Christ. 
 
 That thou art, but I fear 
 
 Judas. 
 I also fear that it will soon be empty, and will 
 remain so. 
 
 Christ. 
 Judas, forget not my warning! Now let us 
 go on. I long to be in My Father's house. 
 [Exit zinth the Disciples. Judas remains be- 
 hind.] 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Judas. 
 [Alone.] Wherefore should I follow Him. I 
 have no pleasure therein. The Master's behav- 
 ior is to me inexplicable. His great works give 
 hope that He will again raise up the kingdom of 
 Israel. But He seizes not the opportunities 
 
 6j
 
 Cbe Pa00ion pia^ 
 
 which offer themselves, and now He speaks of 
 separation and death, and comforts us by mys- 
 terious words about a dim future. I am weary 
 of beheving and of hoping. There is nothing in 
 prospect with Him, except approaching poverty 
 and humihation, and, instead of the expected 
 participation in His kingdom, persecution, per- 
 chance, and prison. I will withdraw myself. 
 Happily I was always provident, and have laid 
 aside a little here and there out of the bag, on 
 the chance of distress. If that fool had put the 
 worth of the ointment into the bag now when 
 our company must break up, the three hun- 
 dred pence would remain in my hands, then I 
 should be secure for a long time. Now, how- 
 ever, I must think of means by which I may be 
 able to make some profit. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Judas and the Trader Dathan. 
 Dathan. 
 [Aside.] Judas — the occasion is favorable; he 
 is alone : he seems much perplexed. I must use 
 all means to win him. Friend Judas ! 
 
 Judas. 
 Who caUs? 
 
 Dathan. 
 A friend. Has something sad happened to 
 thee? Thou art so deep in thought. 
 
 62
 
 C!)e passion piap 
 
 Judas. 
 Who art thou ? 
 
 Dathan. 
 Thy friend, thy brother. 
 
 Judas. 
 Thou? 
 
 Dathan. 
 At least I wish to become so. How is it with 
 the Master? I also might enter His Society. 
 
 Judas. 
 His Society ? 
 
 Dathan. 
 Hast thou, perchance, left Him? Is it ill with 
 Him ? Tell me, that I niay rule myself accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Judas. 
 
 If thou canst be silent 
 
 Dathan. 
 Be assured of it. 
 
 Judas. 
 Things no longer go well with Him. He says 
 it himself, that His last hour is come. I will 
 leave Him. I have charge of the bag — look and 
 see how things are here. 
 
 Dathan. 
 Friend, then I remain as I am. 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 [Dathan's companions steal in.] 
 
 Judas. 
 Who are these? I will say no more! 
 
 63
 
 ^ht paggion piap 
 
 Traders. 
 Stay, friends, you will not rue it. 
 
 Judas. 
 Wherefore have ye come hither? 
 
 Traders. 
 We desire to return to Jerusalem and bear 
 thee company, if it please thee. 
 
 Judas. 
 Will ye, perchance, go after the Master? 
 
 Traders. 
 Has He gone to Jerusalem? 
 
 Judas. 
 For the last time, as He says. 
 
 Traders. 
 Will He then leave Judaea? 
 
 Judas. 
 Why ask ye so eagerly? Will ye become His 
 followers ? 
 
 Traders. 
 Wherefore not, if favorable prospects are in 
 that quarter? 
 
 Judas. 
 I see nothing of that sort. He ever says to 
 us, take no thought for the morrow — ^but if to- 
 day any mischance befall Him, there we are all 
 beggars. Doth a master care thus for his own? 
 
 Traders. 
 Truly the outlook is bad enough. 
 
 Judas. 
 [Relates the story of the ointment.] 
 
 Traders. 
 And thou canst yet be friends with Him? 
 
 64
 
 Cf)e Passion piap 
 
 Thou ouglitest to take thought for thine own 
 future were it only now. 
 
 Judas. 
 I am thinking of it even now. But how to 
 find a good livelihood at once? 
 
 Dathan. 
 Thou needest not long seek that; the fairest 
 opportunity offers itself. 
 
 Judas. 
 Where — how ? 
 
 Traders. 
 Hast thou heard nothing of the proclamation 
 of the High Priests' Council? A fairer oppor- 
 tunity thou wilt not in thy whole life again find. 
 
 Judas. 
 What proclamation? 
 
 Traders. 
 Whosoever informs concerning the nightly 
 resort of Jesus of Nazareth will receive a large 
 reward. 
 
 Judas. 
 A large reward ! 
 
 Traders. 
 Who can deserve it easier than thou ? 
 
 Dathax. 
 [Aside] We are near our aim. 
 
 Traders. 
 Brother, trifle not with thy fortune. 
 
 Judas. 
 [Aside] A fair opportunity — shall I let it slip 
 from my hands? 
 
 65
 
 Cfte passion Plap 
 
 Dathan. 
 And consider : the reward is not all. The 
 Council will take further thought for thee. Who 
 knows what thou mayest become? 
 
 Traders. 
 Make up your mind, friend ! 
 
 Judas. 
 Well, so be it ! 
 
 Dathan. 
 Come, Judas, we will bring thee at once to the 
 Council. 
 
 Judas. 
 Just now I must go after the Master. I will 
 first get the information in order to act more 
 securely. Report me beforehand to the Council. 
 In three hours you will find me in the street of 
 the Temple. 
 
 Dathan". 
 
 Brother, one word 
 
 Judas. 
 A Man ! [Exeunt the Traders.] 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 Judas. 
 [Alone.] IMy word is given. I shall not rue it. 
 Shall I, forsooth, go out of the way of this ap- 
 proaching good fortune? Yes, my future is 
 made. I will do what I have promised. Let me, 
 however, reckon things up beforehand. If the 
 Priests succeed in taking Him prisoner, then 
 shall I have brought my net to land, and shall 
 
 66
 
 Cte passion piap 
 
 besides become famous, as one who has helped 
 to save the law of Moses. But if the Master 
 conquers . . . then wall I cast myself repent- 
 ant at His feet. He is indeed good ; never have 
 I seen Him cast a penitent away from Him. He 
 will receive me again, and then I shall have the 
 merit of having brought things to a decision. 
 Judas, thou art a prudent man . . . yet I 
 am afraid to come before the Master. I shall 
 not be able to bear His [)iercing glance, and my 
 
 companions will see in my face that I am a 
 
 No! that I will not be. I am no traitor! What 
 am I doing except showing tiie Jews where the 
 Master is to be found ? That is no betrayal ; 
 more is needed for that. Away with these fan- 
 cies ! Courage, Judas, thy livelihood is at stake. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 The Last Supper. 
 [Before the Divine Friend, constrained by 
 laze, departs to His Passion. He giz^es Himself 
 to His ozvn as Food of the soul during their 
 earthly pilgrimage. Ready to offer Himself, He 
 consecrates a sacrificial Banquet zvhich, through 
 a thousand years and on- to the close of time, 
 shall proclaim His loz'e to rescue humanity. 
 Once zcith manna in the imlderness the Lord 
 mercifully satisfied the children of Israel, and 
 made glad their hearts zvith clusters of grapes 
 
 67
 
 €^bt Pa00ion piap 
 
 from Canaan. But a better Feast front Heaven, 
 itself, doth Jesus offer us. From the mystery 
 of His Body and Blood ftozv grace and blessed- 
 ness to us.^ 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 The hour now draweth near, 
 Fulfillment now begins 
 Of all which by His seers 
 God to mankind made known. 
 
 "In this folk," saith the Lord, 
 "Have I no pleasure more, 
 And sacrifice will I 
 No more from them receive. 
 
 A new feast I establish," 
 Thus saith the Lord ; "and it shall be 
 Throughout the world's great circle 
 An ofif'ring of this covenant." 
 
 SEVENTH TABLEAU: The Manna in the 
 Wilderness. 
 
 Chorus. 
 The miracle in the desert Sin 
 Points to the second covenant's Feast. 
 
 Good is the Lord, the Lord is good ! 
 He satisfies the hungry souls 
 
 68
 
 Cije pa00ion pia? 
 
 With a new Food 
 In wondrous wise. 
 
 But death all those hath swept away, 
 Who, in the wilderness of Sin 
 Did eat in fullness of that bread; 
 The second covenant's holy Bread 
 Spirit and soul preserves from death 
 When worthily enjoyed. 
 
 EIGHTH TABLEAU : The Grapes Brought 
 by the Spies from Canaan. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Good is the Lord, the Lord is good! 
 Once hath He to His people, 
 The best juice of the vine 
 Given from Canaan's land. 
 
 Yet this, the growth of Nature 
 For needs of body only, 
 By God's will was designed 
 The second cov'nant's holy wine 
 \\'{\\ be itself the Son's own blood — 
 The thirst of souls to quench. 
 
 The Lord is good, the Lord is good 
 In the new covenant He gives 
 His Mesh and Blood at that high Feast 
 In Salem's upper room, 
 
 69
 
 C6e pa00ion piap 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 The Upper Chamber. Christ and the 
 Twelve at the Table. 
 Christ. 
 With desire I have desired to eat this Pass- 
 over with you before I suffer. For I say unto 
 you, I will not any more eat thereof until it 
 be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Father. I 
 thank Thee for this fruit of the vine. \He 
 drinks and gives the cup to the Disciples.] Take 
 this and divide it among yourselves ; for I say 
 unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the fruit 
 of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come ! 
 
 Apostles. 
 Alas! Lord, is this, then, the last Passover? 
 
 Christ. 
 There is a cup which I will drink with you 
 in the kingdom of God, as it is written: Thou 
 shalt make them drink of the river of Thy 
 pleasures. 
 
 Peter. 
 Master, when this kingdom shall appear, how 
 then shall the place be portioned out ? 
 James the Great. 
 Which of us shall have the first place? 
 
 Christ. 
 So long a time have I been with you, and ye 
 are yet entangled in that which is of the earth ! 
 Verily I appoint unto you which have continued 
 
 70
 
 ^fit Ipassion piap 
 
 with me in my temptations a kingdom as My 
 Father hath appointed unto Me, that ye may eat 
 and drink with Me at My table in the kingdom, 
 and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of 
 Israel. But consider well : the kings of the Gen- 
 tiles exercise lordship over them, and they that 
 exercise authority over them are called benefac- 
 tors. But it shall not be so among you ; but 
 he that is greatest among you let him be as the 
 younger, and he that is chief as he that dotli 
 serve. For whether is greater he that sitteth at 
 meat or he that serveth ? Is not he that sitteth 
 at meat? But I am among you as he that serv- 
 eth. [He lays aside His garment, girds himself 
 with a white towel, and pours zmter into a 
 basin.] Now sit down, beloved Disciples. 
 
 Apostles. 
 What will He do? 
 
 Christ. 
 Peter, give Me thy foot! 
 
 Peter. 
 Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? 
 
 Christ. 
 What I do thou knowest not now; but thou 
 shalt know hereafter. 
 
 Peter. 
 Lord, Thou shalt never wash my feet! 
 
 Christ. 
 If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with 
 Me. 
 
 71
 
 Cbe pa00ion piay 
 
 Peter. 
 
 Lord, if it be so, not only my feet, but also 
 my liands and my head. 
 
 Christ. 
 
 He that is washed needeth not save to wash 
 his feet, but is clean every whit. [He washes 
 all the Disciples' feet. After He has taken His 
 garment again He starids looking around the 
 circle.] Ye are now clean — but not all! [He 
 sits doii'n.] Know ye what I have done to you? 
 Ye call me Master and Lord : and ye say well, 
 for so I am. If, I then, your Lord and Master, 
 have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash 
 one another's feet ! For I have given you an 
 example that ye should do as I have done to 
 you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant 
 is not greater than he that sent him. If ye know 
 these things, happy are ye if ye do them. [He 
 stands up.] Children ! but for a little while long- 
 er shall I be with you. That my remembrance 
 may never perish from amongst you I will leave 
 you an everlasting memorial and so dwell with 
 you and amongst you. The old covenant which 
 Aly Father made with Abraham, Isaac and Ja- 
 cob hath reached its end. And I say unto you : 
 a new covenant begins which I solemnly conse- 
 crate to-day in My blood, as the Father hath 
 given the commandment — and this covenant will 
 last till all be fulfilled. [He takes bread, blesses, 
 and breaks if.\ Take, eat; this is My Body, 
 which is given for you. [He gives a small por- 
 tion to each of the Disciples.] This do in re- 
 
 72
 
 C6e pa00ion piap 
 
 membrance of me. [He takes the cup zmth 
 ivinc and blesses it.] Take this, and drink ye 
 all of it: for this is the cup of the New Testa- 
 ment in my blood, which is shed foi you, and 
 for many, for the remission of sins. [He gives 
 the cup to all.] As often as ye do this, do it 
 in remembrance of Me. [He sits dozi'n.] 
 
 John. 
 Dearest Master, never will I forget Thy love ! 
 Thou knowest that I love Thee! [He leans on 
 Jesus' breast.] 
 
 Apostles. 
 O ! most loving One, ever will we remain uni- 
 ted to Thee ! 
 
 Peter. 
 
 This holy supper of the new covenant shall 
 ever set forth amongst us according to Thine 
 ordinance. 
 
 All. 
 
 Most beloved Teacher! 
 Christ. 
 
 My children, abide in Me, and I in you. As 
 the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. 
 Continue ye in My love. But, alas! — must I 
 say it? — the hand of him that betrayeth Me is 
 with Me on the table. 
 
 Several Apostles. 
 What! — a betrayer amongst us? 
 
 Peter. 
 Is it possible? 
 
 73
 
 Cfie passion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 Verily, verily, I say unto you, one of you 
 shall betray Me! 
 
 Andrew. 
 Lord, one of us twelve? 
 Christ. 
 Yea, one of the twelve ! One who dippeth his 
 hand with Me in the dish shall betray Me. The 
 Scripture will be fulfilled : he that eateth bread 
 with Me hath lifted up his heel against Me. 
 
 Thomas. 
 Who shall this faithless one be? 
 
 The Two Jameses. 
 Name him openly, the infamous one ! 
 
 Judas. 
 Lord, is it I? 
 
 Thaddaeus. 
 Rather my life for Thee than such an act! 
 
 Christ. 
 [To Judas.] Thou hast said. [To all.] The 
 Son of Man indeed goeth as it is written of 
 Him ; but woe unto that man by whom the Son 
 of Man is betrayed ! Good were it for that man 
 if he had never been born ! 
 
 Peter. 
 [Whispers to John.] Who is it of whom He 
 speaks ? 
 
 John. 
 [Whispers to Jesus.] Lord, who is it? 
 
 Christ. 
 [Whispers to John.] He is it to whom I shall 
 give a sop when I have dipped it. 
 
 74
 
 Cije pa0$ion piap 
 
 Several Apostles. 
 Who can it then be? 
 
 Christ. 
 [After He has given the sop to Judas.] That 
 thou doest do quickly. [Judas goes out.] 
 
 Thomas. 
 [To Simon.] Wherefore goeth Judas away? 
 
 Simon. 
 Probably the Master sends him to buy some- 
 thing. 
 
 Thaddaeus. 
 Or to give ahns to the poor. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Christ. 
 Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is 
 glorified in Him. If God be glorified in Him, 
 God shall also glorify Him in Himself and shall 
 straightway glorify Him. Little children, yet a 
 little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me ; 
 and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye 
 cannot come ; even so now I say unto you. 
 
 Peter. 
 Lord, whither goest thou? 
 
 Christ. 
 Whither I go thou canst not follow Me now, 
 but thou canst follow Me later. 
 
 Peter. 
 Why cannot I follow Thee now ? I will lay 
 down my life for Thy sake. 
 
 75
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 Wilt thou lay down thy life for My sake? 
 Simon ! Simon ! Satan hath desired to have you, 
 that he may sift you as wheat. But I have 
 prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not ; and 
 when thou art converted, strengthen thy breth- 
 ren. All ye shall be offended because of Me 
 this nig-ht, for it is written : I will smite the 
 Shepherd, and the flock shall be scattered 
 abroad. 
 
 Peter, 
 Although all shall be offended, will not I. 
 Lord, I am ready to go with Thee both into 
 prison and to death. 
 
 Christ. 
 Verily, verily, I tell thee, Peter, that this day, 
 even in this night before the cock crow twice, 
 thou shalt deny me thrice. 
 
 Peter. 
 If I should die with Thee, I will not deny 
 Thee in anywise. 
 
 All. 
 Master, we also will remain ever true to Thee ! 
 None of us will at any time deny Tliee. 
 
 Christ. 
 When I sent you without purse and scrip, and 
 shoes, lacked ye anything? 
 
 All. 
 No! Nothing. 
 
 Christ. 
 But now he that hath a purse, let him take 
 it, and likewise his scrip ; and he that hath no 
 
 76
 
 Ci)e passion piap 
 
 sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 
 For the time of trial is beginning^, and I say unto 
 you that this saying must yet be accomplished 
 in Me: "And He was reckoned among the 
 transgressors." 
 
 Peter and Philip. 
 
 Lord, behold here are two svvords- 
 Christ. 
 
 It is enough. Let us stand up and say the 
 prayer of thanksgiving. [Witfi the Disciples.] 
 Praise the Lord, all ye people ! Praise Him, all 
 ye nations ! For His merciful kindness is ever 
 more and more towards us, and the truth of the 
 Lord endureth for ever! [He advances to the 
 foreground and stands there aivhile with His 
 eyes raised to heaven. The Apostles stand on 
 either side sorrozvful and ga::ing at Him.] Chil- 
 dren, why are ye so sad, and why look ye on 
 Me so sorrowfully? Let not your heart be trou- 
 bled : ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In 
 My Father's house are many mansions ; I go to 
 prepare a place for you, and I will come again 
 to receive you unto Myself, that where I am 
 there ye may be also. I leave you not as or- 
 phans. Peace I leave with you ; My peace I 
 give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I 
 unto you. Keep My commandment ! This is 
 My commandment : That ye love one another 
 as I have loved you. By this shall all men know 
 that ye are My disciples, if ye have love for 
 one other. Henceforth, I will not talk much 
 with you, for the Prince of this world cometh 
 
 77
 
 Cfte passion piap 
 
 although He hath nothing in Me. But that the 
 world may know that I love the Father, and 
 as the Father gave the commandment, even so 
 I do. [Exit.] 
 
 ACT VI. 
 
 The Betrayal. 
 
 [Alas, the false friend joins himself to the open 
 enemies, and a few pieces of silver destroy all 
 love and truth in the heart of the fool! Re- 
 morseless, this most thankless one departs, to 
 conclude a shame fid bargaining in life; the best 
 of Teachers is put up to sale by him for a con- 
 temptible traitor's rezvard. The like disposition 
 hardened Jacob's sons so that they pitilessly sold 
 their ozvn brother for an accursed price to 
 strange usurers. Where the heart worships the 
 idol of gold, there all nobler dispositions are 
 killed; honor, and man's word, and love and 
 friendship become salable.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 What shudders run through all m}- limbs ! 
 Where goest thou. Judas, full of rage? 
 Art thou the villain, who the blood 
 Wilt sell? Just Vengeance, tarry not — 
 
 Ye thunders — Lightnings cast him down — 
 Crush, rend this wretch in pieces. 
 
 78
 
 Cf)e paggion piag 
 
 "One amongst you shall Me betray!" 
 Three times this word the Master spake. 
 By greed seduced to blackest deed 
 One from the Supper quickly went 
 And this one — O thou holy God! — 
 Is Judas, the Iscariot, 
 
 O Judas, Judas, what a crime ! 
 Complete not. O, that darkest deed ! 
 But no — by greed made deaf and blind. 
 To the Sanhedrin Judas hastes ; 
 With wicked heart he now repeats 
 What once was done in Dathan's field. 
 
 NINTH TABLEAU: Joseph sold by his 
 brethren to tJie Ishmaelites. 
 
 Chorus. 
 "What will ye offer for the lad?— 
 Answer us, brothers — if we now 
 Deliver him for gold?" 
 They quickly give for the poor gain 
 Of twenty silver pieces told. 
 Their brother's blood and life. 
 "What give ye? how reward ye me?" 
 The Iscariot says, "If I 
 My Lord betray to you ?" 
 For thirty silver coins he makes 
 The bloody bargain : — Jesus is 
 To the Sanhedrin sold. 
 
 79
 
 Cije pas0ion piap 
 
 What this sad scene to us sets forth 
 
 Of this world is an image true. 
 
 How often have ye by your deeds 
 
 Your God e'en thus betrayed and sold? 
 
 On Joseph's brethren ye pour 
 
 Curses, and on the Iscariot. 
 
 And yet in the same paths ye tread; 
 
 For envy, greed, and brother's hate 
 
 Unceasingly exterminate 
 
 Man's peace, and joy, and blessedness. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 The Sanhedrin. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 Assembled Fathers, I have joyful news to im- 
 part to you. The supposed Prophet of Galilee 
 will soon, we hope, be in our hands. Dathan, 
 the zealous Israelite, has won over one of the 
 most trusted followers of the Galilean, who con- 
 sents to be employed as guide for the night at- 
 tack. Both are ready here, and only await our 
 summons [he sends a Priest to bring in Dathan 
 and Judas]. Now, however, I must take your 
 advice as to the price which should be given for 
 the deed. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 The law of Moses instructs us concerning it. 
 A slave is reckoned at thirty pieces of silver, 
 
 80
 
 Cl)e passion piap 
 
 A Priest. 
 Yes, yes, such a price for a slave is the worth 
 of the false Messiah. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Dathan and Judas Before the Sanhedrin. 
 
 Dathan. 
 Most learned Council, here is the man who is 
 determined for a suitable reward to deliver your 
 and our enemy. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [To Judas.] Knowest thou the man whom 
 the Council seeks? 
 
 Judas. 
 I have been in His company now for a long 
 time and know Him, and I know where He is 
 wont to abide. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What is thy name? 
 
 Judas. 
 I am called Judas, and am one of the twelve. 
 
 Priests. 
 Yes, yes, we often saw thee with Him. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Art thou now steadfastly resolved to do after 
 our will ? 
 
 Judas. 
 Thereto I give thee my word. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Wilt thou repent of it?
 
 Ctje passion piap 
 
 Judas. 
 The friendship between Him and me has for 
 some time cooled, and now I have quite broken 
 with Him. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What has prompted thee to this? 
 
 Judas. 
 Nothing more is to be gained from Him, and 
 I am resolved to submit myself to lawful author- 
 ity ; that is always the best. What will ye give 
 me if I deliver Him unto you? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Thirty pieces of silver, and they shall at once 
 be counted out to thee. 
 
 Dathan. 
 Hearken, Judas, thirty pieces of silver ! What 
 a gain ! 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 And observe also, Judas, that is not all. If 
 thou carriest out thy work well thou wilt be 
 further cared for. 
 
 Priest. 
 Thou mayest yet become a rich and illustrious 
 man. 
 
 Judas. 
 I am content. [Aside.] Now is my fortune 
 made! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Rabbi, bring the thirty pieces of silver out of 
 the treasury and reckon them in the presence 
 of the Council. Is this as ye will? 
 
 82
 
 Ctje pa0Sion piap 
 
 Priests. 
 Yea, it is so. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 How can ye conclude such a godless bargain ? 
 [To Judas.] And thou, vile creature, thou 
 blushest not to sell thy Lord and IMaster, O for- 
 getful of God — traitor, whom the earth shall 
 swallow up. Is thy most loving Friend and 
 Benefactor to be sold by thee for thirty pieces 
 of silver? 
 
 Priests. 
 
 Trouble not thyself, Judas, about the speech of 
 this zealot. Let him be a disciple of the false 
 Prophet ; thou dost thy duty as a disciple of 
 Moses, whilst thou servest the rightful author- 
 ities. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 [Enters with the mo)iey.\ Come, Judas, take 
 the thirty pieces of silver, and be a man ! [He 
 reckons them to him on a small tabic so that 
 they fall zcith a sharp sound, Judas szveeps them 
 eagerly into his bag.\ 
 
 Judas. 
 
 Ye may depend upon my word. 
 Priests. 
 
 But, besides, thou must carry out the work- 
 before the Feast. 
 
 Judas. 
 
 Even now fairest opportunity presents itself. 
 Even in this night He will be in your hands. 
 Give me armed men, that He may be duly sur- 
 rounded. 
 
 83
 
 Cibe paggton piag 
 
 Annas, 
 Let lis go. forthwith, with the watch of the 
 Temple. 
 
 Priests. 
 Yea, yea, iet us order them off. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 It would also be advisable to send members 
 of the holy Sanhedrin. 
 
 Priests. 
 We are ready. [Caiaphas chooses out four 
 deputies.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 But, Judas, how will the band know the Mas- 
 ter in the darkness of the night? 
 
 • Judas. 
 They must come with torches and lanterns, 
 and I will give them a sign. 
 
 Priests. 
 Excellent, Judas ! 
 
 Judas. 
 Now I will hasten away to spy out every- 
 thing. Then I will return to fetch the armed 
 men. 
 
 Dathan. 
 I will go with thee, Judas, and not leave thy 
 side till thy work is accomplished. 
 
 Judas. 
 At the gate of Bethphage I await your men. 
 [Exit Judas, Dathan and the four deputies.] 
 
 84
 
 C^e pa$0ion pia^ 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 All goes on admirably, venerable Fathers. 
 But now our business is to look the great ques- 
 tion in the face. What is to happen to this 
 Man when God shall have given Him into our 
 hands? 
 
 Priests. 
 
 Let Him be buried alive in the deepest dun- 
 geon. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 Wliich of you will warrant tliat, in the tumult 
 of an insurrection raised by them, His friends 
 do not set Him free, or bribe the guards ? Or 
 might He not, through His wicked magic, break 
 His bonds? [The Priests are silent.] I see well 
 that ye know of no resource. Listen, then, to 
 the High Priest. It is better that one man die, 
 and that the whole nation perish not. He must 
 die ! Until He be dead there is no peace for 
 Israel! No security for the law of Moses, no 
 quiet hours for U5. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 God has spoken through his High Priest! 
 through His death alone the people of Israel 
 can and must be saved ! 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 The word has long been upon my lips. Now 
 is it spoken. Let Him die, the foe of our 
 fathers ! 
 
 85
 
 Clbe pa00ion piap 
 
 Priests. 
 [One to another.] Yea, let Him die! In His 
 death is our salvation. 
 
 Annas. 
 By my grey hairs I swear I will not rest until 
 our shame be effaced in the blood of the Se- 
 ducer ! 
 
 N I CODE M us. 
 
 So judgment is pronounced upon this Man be- 
 fore He Himself be heard, before any trial, or 
 any hearing of witnesses has taken place? Is 
 this a transaction worthy of the fathers of the 
 people of Israel? 
 
 Priest. 
 
 What need is there of inquiry or of witnesses? 
 Have we not ourselves been witnesses of His 
 word and deeds against the law ? 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 Ye are yourselves accusers, witnesses and 
 judges. I have listened to His lofty teaching; 
 I have seen His mighty works. They call for 
 faith and for admiration, not for contempt and 
 punishment. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What, the wicked wretch deserves admira- 
 tion ! Thou wilt cleave to Moses, and yet de- 
 fend that which condemns Moses? 
 
 Priests. 
 Away with thee out of our assembly! 
 
 Joseph of Arimathea. 
 I must agree with Nicodemus. No action has 
 been imputed to Jesus of Nazareth which makes 
 
 86
 
 ^bt pa0$ion piap 
 
 Him guilty of death. He has done nothing save 
 good. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Speakest thou also thus? Is it not every- 
 where known how he has violated the sabbath, 
 and how He has seduced the people with sedi- 
 tious words? Hath He not, as a Deceiver, 
 wrought His pretended miracles through Beelze- 
 bub? Hath He not given Himself out as God? 
 
 Priests. 
 Dost thou hear? 
 
 Joseph of Arimathea. 
 Envy and malice have distorted His words 
 and imputed evil motives to His noblest actions. 
 And that He is God, His divine works make 
 manifest. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Ha, thou art known ! For a long time already 
 thou hast been a secret adherent of this Galil- 
 ean. Now hast thou fully revealed thyself. 
 
 Annas. 
 vSo we have even in our midst a traitor to the 
 holy laws, and even hitherto hath a seducer cast 
 his nets? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What doest thou here, thou rebel? Go after 
 thy Prophet to see Him once more before His 
 hour strike, for He must die ! That is unalter- 
 ably resolved. 
 
 Priests. 
 Yea, He must die, that is our resolve! 
 
 •87
 
 C1)C passion piap 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 I execrate this resolution. I will have no part- 
 in this shameful and bloody judgment. 
 Joseph of Arimathea. 
 
 I will also shun the spot where innocence is 
 murdered. [Exit Nicodemus and Joseph.] 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Priests. 
 At length we are quit of those traitors; we 
 can now speak out freely. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 It will above all be necessary that we should 
 sit formally in judgment upon this Man, hear 
 Him, and bring witnesses against Him ; other- 
 wise the people will believe that we have only 
 prosecuted Him out of envy and hatred. 
 
 Priests. 
 Witnesses will not be wanting; I will provide 
 them. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Our sentence stands. F)Ut in order that the 
 weak do not take offence we will observe the 
 forms of justice. 
 
 Second Pharisee. 
 If these forms be not sufficient then will the 
 strength of our supply fill the want. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 A little more or less guilty is of small impor- 
 tance. The public welfare requires His imme- 
 diate death. 
 
 88
 
 Clje passion piap 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 As to what further belongs to the execution 
 of the judgment, it would be best if we could 
 obtain our end through the Governor, so that 
 he should condemn Him to death. Then we 
 should be without responsibility. 
 Nathaniel. 
 
 We can attempt it. If it does not succeed, it 
 still remains open to us to cause our judgment 
 to be carried out by our trusty agents, in the 
 tumult of an insurrection of the people without 
 openly taking part in it ourselves. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 And in the last resort a hand will easily be 
 found which in the stillness of the dungeon will 
 deliver the holy Sanhedrin from its enemy. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 Circumstances will teach us what must be 
 done. For the prese;it let us break up. But 
 hold yourselves ready at any hour of the night. 
 I may have to call you. There is no time to 
 lose. Our resolve is, He must die ! 
 
 All. 
 
 [Tumulttioiisly.] Let Him die, the enemy of 
 our holy law ! 
 
 ACT vn. 
 
 Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. 
 
 [As Adam strives -witli bitter heart-tveariness, 
 exhausted in strength, in the sweat of his face, 
 
 89
 
 Clje passion piap 
 
 in order, alas! to expiate his own guilt, so does 
 the guilt of mankind press upon the Redeemer. 
 Overivhclmed by an ocean of sadness, His head 
 boived to earth mith a heavy burden, running 
 down with bloody sweat of anguish, He 7mges 
 the hottest tight in the olive garden. Already 
 the faithless Disciple, Iscariot, draws near, as 
 leader of the Band of Men, using shamefully 
 the seal of love as the token of betrayal. TJius 
 basely, also, Joab dealt ivith Amasa; he presses 
 at the same time, with hypocritical mien, the kiss 
 of friendship upon his lips, and in his heart, 
 alas! the dagger's point.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 Judas, lo, ate hallowed Bread 
 At the Sacrament, 
 With unhallowed conscience- 
 Satan quickly to him entered — 
 "That thou doest," spake the Master 
 "Judas! — see thou do it quickly." 
 
 From the guest-room went he out, 
 Hastened to the Synagogue, 
 And his Master there he sold. 
 
 Soon completed — soon is ended 
 
 The most horrible of deeds. 
 
 Alas ! to-day, e'en in this night, 
 
 Judas his Master will betray. 
 
 O come, ye all — come then, O come — 
 
 Behold with us the Sufferings. 
 
 90
 
 Cftc pa$$ion piap 
 
 In shadow first — and soon in light 
 Appeareth now 
 
 The mournfullest of histories, 
 Gethsemane ! 
 
 TENTH TABLEAU : Adam and Eve labor- 
 ing. 
 
 O what labor, O what heat 
 Now must Father Adam bear ! 
 Ah ! a stream of sweat runs down 
 Over brow and countenance. 
 
 This is, then, the fruit of sin. 
 God's curse doth oppress all Nature, 
 Therefore yields she for hard sweat 
 And for toilsome industry 
 Only sparingly her fruits. 
 
 Thus so hard it was for Jesus 
 When 'mid olive shades He strove, 
 That a stream of bloody sweat 
 From his brow and body flowed. 
 
 This then is the strife of sin 
 In His own Blood waged for us 
 Trembled yet wnth courage high 
 Drank the cup of suffering. 
 
 ELEVENTH TABLEAU: The murder of 
 Amasa by JoAB. 
 
 91
 
 Cfje passion piag 
 
 The scene near Gibeon's ancient rocks — 
 
 Judas, Simon's son, repeats. 
 
 Ye rocks of Gibeon ! 
 
 Why stand ye thus dishonored? 
 
 Ye, late the land's proud boast — 
 
 As though with mourning veil wrapt round? 
 
 Say, I adjure thee, say — what deed was done? 
 
 What deed was done? 
 
 Fly, wanderer, with speed fly hence! 
 
 Accursed be this blood-stained spot ! 
 
 Pierced by assassin's hand here fell 
 
 One Amasa. 
 
 In holy friendship's greeting trusting, 
 
 Joab's false brother kiss deceived. 
 
 With one voice cry with us : Curse on thee ! 
 
 The curse on thee ! 
 
 The rocks complain of thee. 
 The blood-soaked earth takes vengeance. 
 Be silent, rocks of Gibeon ! still your voice, 
 And hear, what in the olive grove occurred. 
 
 Ye rocks of Gibeon, 
 Judas betrayed the Son of man, 
 And with hypocrite's vile greeting, 
 And with false deceiving kiss. 
 Gave him to the murderer's hands. 
 
 Ye rocks of Gibeon ! 
 Cursed be he who his friend betrays, 
 With hypocritical love deceiving, 
 
 92
 
 Cf)e pa00ion piap 
 
 With Judas kiss the innocent. 
 
 Who never on corruption thought. 
 
 Curse him shall the rocks resound, 
 Curse him from the rocks rebound. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [A road near the Mount of Olives. Judas 
 and the Four Deputies of the Sanhedrin. The 
 Traders. Selpha, the Leader of the Band. 
 Malchus. a Band of Men.] 
 
 Judas. 
 Now, be watchful. We are nearing the place 
 whither the Master has withdrawn Himself to 
 pass the still night in this lonely region. Resis- 
 tance need not be thought of, the surprise is too 
 unexpected. 
 
 Soldier. 
 Should they venture it, they will feel the 
 strength of our arms. 
 
 Judas. 
 Do not fear it. He will fall into your hands 
 without a sword's stroke. 
 
 Traders. 
 But how shall we know the Master in the 
 darkness ? 
 
 Judas. 
 I will give you this sign. When we are in 
 the garden — give heed — I will hasten to Him. 
 
 93
 
 Ciie passion piap 
 
 Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Bind 
 Him. 
 
 Priest. 
 Good. This sign makes us go on more se- 
 curely. We cannot err. 
 
 Ptolemais. 
 Do you hear? By the kiss ye shall know 
 Him. 
 
 Soldier. 
 Yes, yes, we shall not miss Him. 
 
 Judas. 
 Now, let us hasten. It is time. We are now 
 not far from the garden. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Judas, if to-night brings us this happy chance 
 thy action will bring thee forth excellent fruit. 
 
 Traders. 
 From us also thou shalt receive a handsome 
 recompense. 
 
 Soldiers. 
 Come, now, Thou stirrer up of the people! 
 Now shalt Thou receive Thy reward. 
 
 SCENE n. 
 
 [The Garden of Olives. Christ and the Dis- 
 ciples advance together out of the background.^ 
 
 Christ. 
 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye shall weep 
 and lament, but the world will rejoice; ye shall 
 
 94
 
 Cbe Pa00ion piap 
 
 be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned 
 into joy. For I will see you again, and your 
 heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh 
 from you. I came forth from the Father and 
 am come into the world. Again I leave the 
 world and go to the Father. 
 
 Peter. 
 
 Lo, now speakest Thou plainly and speakest 
 no proverb. 
 
 James the Great. 
 
 Now are we sure that Thou knowest all 
 things. 
 
 Thomas. 
 
 By this we believe that Thou earnest forth 
 from God. 
 
 Christ. 
 
 Do ye now believe ? Behold, the hour cometh, 
 yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered 
 every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone, 
 but the Father is with Me. Yea, Father, the 
 hour is come! Glorify Thy Son that Thy Son 
 also may glorify Thee. I have finished the work 
 which Thou gavest Me to do. I have manifested 
 Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest out 
 of the world. Holy Father, keep them through 
 Thy name. Sanctify them in the truth. Neither 
 pray I for these alone, but for them also which 
 shall believe on Me through their word that they 
 all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and 
 I in Thee. Father, I will that they also whom 
 Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; 
 that they may behold My glory which Thou hast 
 
 95
 
 Cije pa^gion piap 
 
 given Me; for Thou lovedst Me before the 
 foundation of the world. [To the Disciples en- 
 tering the garden in visible sadness.] Children 
 sit ye here while I go and pray yonder. Pray 
 that ye enter not into temptation. But ye, Peter, 
 James, and John, follow me. [He goes foruimd 
 'with the three Disciples.] 
 
 Disciples. 
 [In the background.] What has happened to 
 our Master ? We never yet saw liim so sorrow- 
 ful. Not in vain has the Master prepared us for 
 it beforehand. 
 
 Christ. 
 {In the foreground.] O beloved children! 
 My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto 
 death : tarry ye here and watch Me. [After a 
 pause.] I will go a little further in order to 
 strengthen Myself by communion with My 
 Father. [He goes to a rocky place with totter- 
 ing steps.] 
 
 Peter. 
 [Gazes after Him.] O most good and dear 
 Master ! 
 
 John. 
 My soul suflfers with the soul of our Teacher. 
 [They sit dozvn.] 
 
 Peter. 
 I am full of fear. We were witnesses of 
 His transfiguration on the mount. But now — 
 what must we see? 
 
 Christ. 
 [Near the rocky ground.] This hour must 
 
 96
 
 C!)e pa00ion pia? 
 
 come upon Me — the hour of darkness. But for 
 this hour came I into tliis world. [He falls 
 upon His kuccs.] Father, My Father! if it be 
 possible — and all things are possible unto Thee 
 — let this cup pass from Me! [He falls upon 
 His face, and remains so for awhile, then again 
 kficcls.] Yet. Father, not as I will, but as Thou 
 wilt! [He stands up, looks up to heaven, then 
 goes to his three Disciples.] Simon! 
 
 Peter. 
 [As in a dream.] Alas! my Master! 
 
 Christ. 
 Simon, sleepest thou? 
 
 Peter. 
 Ah ! my Master. 
 
 Christ. 
 Could ye not watch with me one hour? 
 
 Peter. 
 Master, forgive. 
 
 Apostles. 
 Rabbi, sleep has overpowered us. 
 
 Christ. 
 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temp- 
 tation. 
 
 Apostles. 
 Yea, Master, we will watch and pray. 
 
 Christ. 
 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is 
 weak. [He returns to the rocky ground.] My 
 Father, Thy demand is righteous. Thy counsels 
 are holy, Thou claimest this sacrifice! [He falls 
 upon His knees.] Father! the struggle is fierce. 
 
 97
 
 Cl)e passion piap 
 
 [He falls upon His face, then raises Himself.] 
 Yet if this cup may not pass away from me 
 except I drink it. Thy will be done. [He stands 
 up.] Most Holy! in holiness shall it be accom- 
 plished by me ! [He returns to the sleeping Dis- 
 ciples.] Are then your eyes so heavy that ye 
 could not watch ? O my most trusted ones ! even 
 amongst you I find no comfort ! [He goes 
 towurds the rocky ground, then pauses.] Ah ! 
 how dark all around Me becomes. The anguish 
 of death overcomes Me ! The burden of divine 
 justice lies upon Me. O sinners! O sins of 
 mankind ! ye weigh Me down ! O fearful bur- 
 den I O the bitterness of this cup! [He conies 
 to the rocky ground.] My Father! [He kneels.] 
 If it be not possible that these sins pass away 
 from Me, Thy will be done! Thy most holy 
 will! Father!— Thy Son! Hear Him! 
 
 SCENE HI. 
 
 An Angel Appears. 
 
 Angel. 
 Son of Man, sanctify the Father's will ! Con- 
 sider the blessedness which shall proceed from 
 Thy struggle. The Father has laid upon Thee 
 and Thou hast of Thy free will taken upon 
 Thee, to become the offering for sinful human- 
 ity: carry it through! The Father will glorify 
 Thee. 
 
 98
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 
 Yea, most holy Father. I adore Thy provi- 
 dence. I will accomplish it — accomplish it! To 
 reconcile, to save, to bless ! [He rises.] 
 Strenc^thencd through Thy word, O Father, I go 
 joyfully to meet that to which Thou hast called 
 Me, the substitute for sinful man! [To the 
 three Disciples.] Sleep on now and take your 
 rest. 
 
 Peter. 
 
 What is it, Master? 
 
 The Three Apostles. 
 Behold, we are ready ! 
 
 Christ. 
 The hour is come. The Son of Man is be- 
 trayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us 
 be g'oing. 
 
 Disciples. 
 What tumult is that? 
 
 Philip. 
 Come, let us gather around the Master. [The 
 Disciples host en forward.] 
 
 Christ. 
 Lo, he that betrayeth Me is at hand. [Judas 
 appears with the ha>id.] 
 
 Andrew. 
 What does this multitude want? 
 
 All. 
 Ah, all is over with us ! 
 
 John. 
 And see, Judas is at the head! 
 
 99 
 
 ■r,H
 
 Ci)e pa00ion piap 
 
 Judas. 
 Hail, Master! [He kisses Jesus.] 
 
 Christ. 
 Friend, wherefore art thou come? Betrayest 
 thou the Son of Man with a kiss? [He goes 
 toward the band of men.] Whom seek ye? 
 
 Soldiers. 
 Jesus of Nazareth. 
 
 Christ. 
 I am He. 
 
 Soldiers. 
 Woe unto us ! What is this? [They fall to the 
 ground.] 
 
 Disciples. 
 A single word from Him casts them down 
 that they rise not up again. 
 
 Christ, 
 [To the men.] Fear not. Arise. 
 
 Disciples. 
 Lord, cast them down that they rise not up 
 again. 
 
 Christ. 
 Whom seek ye? 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Jesus of Nazareth. 
 
 Christ. 
 I have told you that 1 am He. If, therefore, 
 ye seek Me, let these go their way. 
 
 Selpha. 
 Seize Him! [The servants approach Jesus.] 
 
 lOO
 
 Cije passion piap 
 
 Peter and Philip. 
 
 Lord, shall we smite with the sword? [Peter 
 strikes Malchus.] 
 
 AIalchus. 
 
 Alas! I am wounded. Mine ear is cut off, 
 Christ. 
 
 [To the Disciples.] Suffer ye thus far. [To 
 Malchus.] Be not troubled ; thou shalt be 
 healed. [He touches Malchus's ear; then to 
 Peter.] Put up thy sword into the sheath, for 
 all they that take the sword, shall perish with 
 the sword. The cup which my Father hath giv- 
 en Me, shall I not drink it? Thinkest thou that 
 I cannot now pray to My Father and He will 
 presently give Me more than twelve legions of 
 angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be 
 fulfilled, that thus it must be? [To the Phari- 
 sees.] Are ye come out as against a thief with 
 swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily 
 with you teaching in the Temple and ye 
 stretched forth no hand against Me, and took 
 Me not. But this is your hour and the power 
 of darkness. Behold, I am here ! 
 
 Selpha. 
 Take Him, and bind Him fast, that He escape 
 not. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 You are responsible for it to the Sanhedrin. 
 [The Disciples forsake him.] 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Out of our hands He escapes not. 
 
 loi
 
 Cl)e passion piap 
 
 Traders. 
 Now will we cool our revenge. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 First go we to Annas, the High Priest. Lead 
 Him thither. 
 
 Traders. 
 [To Judas.] Judas, thou art a man! Thou 
 knowest how to keep thy word. 
 
 Judas. 
 Said I not to you that to-night He should be 
 in your power? 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Thou hast laid the whole Sanhedrin under ob- 
 ligation to thee. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 [Driz'ing Jesus before them.] On with Thee! 
 At Jerusalem they will decide about Thee. 
 
 Selpha. 
 Let us hasten ; lead Him away safely. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Ha I run now, as Thou hast run about the land 
 of Judaea. 
 
 Selpha. 
 Spare Him not ! Urge Him on. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Forward, otherwise Thou shalt be driven with 
 sticks ! 
 
 Traders. 
 Doth Beelzebub then aid Thee no longer? 
 [Exit all.] 
 
 102
 
 Cf)c pa00ion Play 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 [Peter and John coming out of their hiding 
 place.] 
 
 Peter. 
 Alas, they have taken Hiin away, our good 
 Master, John! {Weeps upon his bosom.] That 
 which is incredible comes to pass. 
 
 John. 
 O Friend, O best of Teachers ! Is this then 
 Thine end? Is this then the thanks for the 
 goodness of which Thou hast been the author? 
 The Benefactor of the people, the Friend of 
 humanity in chains ! 
 
 Peter. 
 John, I will go after our Master. I must 
 see Him yet again. Whither have they dragged 
 Him off? 
 
 John. 
 Didst thou not hear? — to Annas. Come, we 
 will go together. [Exit.] 
 
 END OF THE FIRST DIVISION. 
 
 103
 
 Cibe passion piap 
 
 SECOND DIVISION. 
 
 From the Arrest in the Garden of Gethse- 
 MANE to the Condemnation Under Pilate. 
 
 ACT VIII. 
 
 Jesus Before Annas. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 [O fearful night! Behold thy Redeemer! He 
 is dragged from tribunal to tribunal, and every- 
 ivherc encounters injury and ill-treatment. A 
 -ccretch repays Him for a sincere zcord, spoken 
 to Annas — strikes Him zvith rough hand on His 
 blessed face in order to gain praise for himself. 
 Such shameful reward zoas also the reivard of 
 Micaiah, when he revealed the truth to King 
 Ahab; one of the lying prophets struck him on 
 the cheek. Truth meets only hate and persecu- 
 tion; yet though its light may be avoided and 
 banished, at last it zuill conquer, and break 
 through the darkness.^ 
 
 104
 
 ^U passion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 The anguislied fight has now begun — 
 Begun in dark Gethsemane. 
 O sinners, lay it to your hearts. 
 And nevermore forget this scene. 
 
 For your salvation that befell 
 Which now we saw mid olive shades. 
 For you He sorrowed unto death, 
 For you He sank upon the ground ; 
 For you the sweat as blood was forced 
 From every agonized limb. 
 
 TWELFTH TABLEAU : The Prophet Mi- 
 caiah before King Ahab smitten on the check. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Micaiah dared to speak the truth, 
 And on the cheek was struck by Zedekiah's 
 
 hand. 
 "O King, thou wilt be conquered 
 Shouldst thou Ramoth still assail." 
 These words Micaiah spoke. 
 "Then to save thyself from mishap 
 Trust not, Baal's prophets. King. 
 Though their falsehoods flattering be." 
 But Micaiah's truthful message 
 Flattered not King Ahab's soul ; 
 And the liar, Zedekiah, 
 Struck him for it in the face. 
 Flatterers, hypocrites and liars 
 Pluck with ease the Rose and laurel! 
 
 IPS
 
 Cfte paggion piag 
 
 Truth alone must needs stoop low, 
 For it never flatters men. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [The high priest, Annas, with three priests 
 on the balcony of his house.] 
 
 Annas. 
 
 I can find no rest this night until I know that 
 
 this agitator is in our hands. Full of longing 
 
 I await my trusty servants with the news that 
 
 the enemy of the Sanhedrin is already in fetters. 
 
 Priests. 
 They cannot long delay ; it is a long time 
 since they broke up. 
 
 Annas. 
 In vain has my troubled gaze been fixed over 
 and over upon the streets of Kedron. [The 
 priests try to tranquilise Annas, and tzvo of 
 them go out in different directions to see if the 
 Band of Men be near; one hastens toivards the 
 Kedron gate, and one toivards the Silo a gate. 
 At last one of the priests returns and an- 
 nounces that all has gone zv'cll.] 
 
 Annas. 
 Auspicious message, happy hour! A stone is 
 taken from my heart, and I feel as though new- 
 born. Now, for the first time, I call myself 
 with joy High Priest of the chosen people. 
 
 [The four Deputies of the Sanhedrin appear 
 ivith Judas upon the balcony.] 
 
 1 06
 
 €:i)t passion piaj? 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 The Four Pharisees. 
 Long live our High Priest. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 The wish of the Sanhedrin is fulfilled. 
 
 Annas. 
 O, I must embrace you for joy ! Judas, thy 
 name will take an honorable place in our 
 records of the year. Even before the feast shall 
 the Galilean die ! 
 
 Judas. 
 [Terrified.] Die? 
 
 Annas. 
 His death is resolved upon. 
 
 Judas. 
 I will not be responsible for His life and 
 blood. 
 
 Annas. 
 That is not necessary, H^e is in our power. 
 
 Judas. 
 I did not deliver Him to you for that end. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Thou hast delivered Him. The rest is our 
 business. 
 
 Judas. 
 Woe is me! What have I done? Shall He 
 die? No! I did not desire that. I will not have 
 it. [He hastens aicay.] 
 
 107
 
 C|)e pa00ion piap 
 
 Pharisee. 
 [Jeering at him.] Thou mayest wish it or 
 not, but He must die. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 [The same zvithout Judas. Directly after, en- 
 ter upon the Balcony Christ, Selpha, the Lead- 
 er of the Band, and the Temple Servants, Mal- 
 CHUS and Balbus. The Band remains outside.] 
 
 Priest. 
 Hight Priest, the Prisoner is on the threshold. 
 
 Annas. 
 Let Him be brought before me. [Selpha ap- 
 pears zvith Christ.] 
 
 Annas. 
 Have ye brought Him, the Prisoner alone? 
 
 Balbus. 
 His followers dispersed themselves like fright- 
 ened sheep. 
 
 Selpha. 
 We found it not worth the trouble of appre- 
 hending them, nevertheless Malchus nearly lost 
 his life. 
 
 Annas. 
 What happened? 
 
 Selpha. 
 One of His followers, with drawn sword, 
 smote him, and cut off his ear. 
 
 1 08
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 Annas. 
 How ? But there is no mark of it. 
 
 Balbus. 
 [Mocking.] The magician has conjured it 
 back upon him again. 
 
 Annas. 
 What sayst thou about it, Malchus? 
 
 Malchus. 
 [Gravely.] I cannot explain it. A wonderful 
 thing has happened to me. 
 
 Annas. 
 'Has the Deceiver perchance also bewitched 
 thee? [to Jesus.] Tell me by what power hast 
 Thou done this? [Christ is silent.] 
 
 Selpha. 
 Speak, when the High Priest questions Thee ! 
 
 Annas. 
 Speak ! Give an account of Thy disciples, 
 and Thy teaching which Thou hast spread 
 abroad in the whole of Judea, and with which 
 Thou hast seduced the people. 
 
 Christ. 
 I spake openly to the world : I ever taught in 
 tlie Synagogue and in the Temple, and in secret 
 have I said nothing. Why askest thou Me? Ask 
 them which heard Me, what T have said unto 
 them ; behold tliey know what T said. 
 
 Balbus. 
 [Strikes Jesus.] Answerest Thou the High 
 Priest so? 
 
 109
 
 Ci)e Pa0i8!ion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the 
 evil; but if well, why smitest thou Me? 
 
 Annas. 
 Wilt Thou still defy us, when Thy life and 
 death are in our power? I am weary of this 
 wicked wretch. 
 
 Balbus. 
 [To Christ, zvJio is led azvay.] Wait awhile; 
 Thy obstinacy will give way. 
 
 Annas. 
 I will betake myself for a while to repose, 
 or rather to quiet reflection as to how that which 
 is happily begun may be brought to an end. In 
 any case, I shall receive the summons to the 
 Sanhedrin early in the morning. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Christ in the Midst of a Band of Men. 
 
 Men. 
 [To Selpha, who leads Jesus.] Ha! is His 
 business already over? 
 
 Selpha. 
 His defence went badly. 
 
 Balbus. 
 It, however, gained Him a good blow on the 
 face. 
 
 no
 
 C!)e pa$0ion piap 
 
 Selpiia. 
 Take Him now, and awav with Him to the 
 palace of Caiaphas. 
 
 Band ok Men. 
 Away with Him ! March ! 
 Balbus. 
 Be joyful ! from Caiaphas Thou wilt have a 
 still better reception. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 There will the ravens croak about Thy ears ! 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Peter and John Before the House of Annas, 
 
 A Priest. 
 
 Peter. 
 How^ will it go with the dearest Master? O 
 John, how sorrowful I am concerning Him ! 
 
 John. 
 Surely He will have to suffer scorn and ill- 
 treatment here. I am very anxious to get near 
 the house. 
 
 Peter. 
 All around, however, is so quiet. 
 
 John. 
 No noise is heard in the palace. Have they 
 led Him away? 
 
 Priest. 
 [Coming out.] What do ye want at the pal- 
 ace in the night-time? 
 
 IIJ
 
 ^U passion piap 
 
 John. 
 Pardon, we saw from afar a crowd of people 
 going- here through the Kedron gate, and we 
 went after them to see what had happened. 
 
 Priest. 
 They brought a Prisoner, but He has already 
 been sent to Caiaphas. 
 
 John. 
 To Caiaphas ? Then we will go away at once. 
 
 Priest. 
 It will be as well for you, otherwise I would 
 have you taken as night brawders. 
 
 Peter. 
 We will raise no commotion and go away 
 quietly. [Exit.] 
 
 Priest. 
 [Looking after them.] Are they perchance 
 followers of the Galilean. If I only knew ! 
 However, they will not escape our people if they 
 go to Caiaphas' place. The whole following 
 must be destroyed, otherwise the people will nev- 
 er be brought into subjection. [E.vit.] 
 
 ACT IX. 
 
 Jesus Before Caiaphas. 
 
 [Before enraged enemies, now His judges, 
 stands the Lord, veiled in silence. Patiently He 
 hears all the accusations and lies, even the sen- 
 tence of death. As once Naboth, though inno- 
 
 112
 
 Cije passion pia^ 
 
 cent, ufas persecuted and condemned throuyji 
 false "icitnesses as a blasphemer of God, so also 
 He ivliose only fault is Truth, Love, Benefi- 
 cence. Soon shall ye see Him surrounded by in- 
 human ser:ants, given up as a mark to the bru- 
 tality of scorn, spitefully entreated amidst zvild 
 laughter. In patient Job, laden with reproach 
 even by his friends in his deepest trouble, ye see 
 fereshadozved the heavenly meekness of the 
 Savior.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 How sore doth bleed my heart! 
 As 'fore judgment stands the Holiest. 
 He must bear the crimes of sinners. 
 Betray'd and scoffed, and bound. 
 
 O men, who will not weep ? 
 
 From Annas, dragged to Caiaphas — 
 
 Alas, what must He suffer ! 
 
 See here it now afresh. 
 
 THIRTEENTH TABLEAU: The death of 
 Naboth. 
 
 "Let Naboth die ! To death with him ! 
 He hath blasphemed thee, O my king! 
 
 And God I — from Israel cast him out !" 
 Thus foaming cry the sland'rous tongues. 
 By Jezebel — the wicked Queen, 
 Paid for their false and evil oath. 
 
 1.13
 
 Cfje passion piay 
 
 Alas ! with death they vengeance take 
 On that which Naboth ne'er had done; 
 The vineyard upon King Ahab 
 By wicked rogues is then bestowed. 
 
 So also Jesus before Judgment 
 By Deceit and Hate was brought 
 Until base and cruel sentence 
 On the Innocent was pronounced. 
 
 Ye mighty rulers of this earth — 
 For weal of men above them placed 
 Forget not, 'mid your duties' round, 
 The invisible Judge of all. 
 Before Him all the sons of men 
 Are equal; be they poor or rich, 
 Noble or born of beggar race; 
 He cares for righteousness alone. 
 
 FOURTEENTH TABLEAU : The ainiction 
 of Job. 
 
 Behold the man! See Job in anguish, 
 Who would not weep at such distress? 
 His friends, and e'en his wife are scoffing 
 Before him ; mocking at his woe. 
 
 O what a man! 
 
 Yet patiently he bears the plague 
 
 And raillery in his distress, and hoping, ever 
 
 Trusts his God. 
 
 Oh, what a man ! 
 
 114
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 Like him also see thou, Jesus 
 Comes without complaint or murmur ! 
 Silent bears He blows and outrage. 
 Oh, what a man ! 
 
 All ve troubled, sirievino- hearts, 
 Melt with compassion as ye see 
 The Man of Sorrows bowing down 
 'Neath weight of deepest rnisery ! 
 Oh, what a man ! 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [Baud of Men. Christ led through the 
 streets.] 
 
 Band of Men. 
 [Making a noise.] Thou wilt become a spec- 
 tacle — a spectacle to the whole nation ! 
 
 Balbi's. 
 Hurry Thyself ! Thy followers are quite 
 ready. They wish to proclaim Thee King of 
 Israel. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Thou hast often dreamed of it, hast Thou 
 not? 
 
 Selpha. 
 Caiaphas, the High Priest will now interpret 
 this dream for Him. 
 
 Balbus. 
 Hearest Thou ? Caiaphas will announce to 
 Thee Thy exaltation. 
 
 J 15
 
 Cl)e pa00ion piap 
 
 Band of Men. 
 {With laughter.] Yes, Thine exaltation be- 
 tween heaven and earth! 
 
 Selpha. 
 Look out, ye fellows ! There through Pilate's 
 tower, lies our nearest way to the castle of 
 Caiaphas. Station yourselves there in the out- 
 er court until further action. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Thy orders shall be carried out. [Exeunt.] 
 
 SCENE 11. 
 
 [Caiaphas in his sleeping-chamber. The 
 Priests and Pharisees.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 This happy beginning promises us speedy ac- 
 complishment of our wishes. I thank you, noble 
 members of the Sanhedrin, for your zealous and 
 prudent co-operation. 
 
 Priest. 
 The highest thanks are due to our High 
 Priest. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let us now pursue our path without delay ! 
 All is prepared beforehand. The Council will be 
 immediately assembled, the necessary witnesses 
 have been brought. I will now begin the trial 
 of the Prisoner. Then judgment will be given 
 and care taken for its execution. Trust me, my 
 
 ii6
 
 C!)e paesion piap 
 
 friends ! I have conceived a plan for myself 
 and hope to carry it out. 
 
 All. 
 Tb.e God of our fathers bless every action of 
 our High Priest ! 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 [TJic same. The Band of Men bring in 
 CiiiiisT. The False Witnesses.] 
 
 Selpha. 
 
 [TJw leader of the band.] \^enerable High 
 Priests, here is the Prisoner. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 Bring Him nearer, that I may look Him in 
 the face. 
 
 Selpha. 
 
 Stand forth, and show respect here to the 
 house of the Sanhedrin. 
 
 Thou art then He who hast the fancy to wish 
 to bring about the downfall of our synagogue 
 and of the law of ]\Ioses? Thou art accused 
 of stirring up the people to disobedience, of de- 
 spising the holy traditions of the fathers, of 
 many times transgressing the Divine command of 
 keeping the Sabbath holy, and of many blasphe- 
 mous words and deeds against God. There are 
 here worthy men, who are ready to uphold the 
 truth of these complaints v/ith their witness. 
 Listen to them, and tlien Thou mayest defend 
 Tliyself if Thou canst. 
 
 •117
 
 Cf)e pa00ion pia? 
 
 First Witness. 
 I can testify before God that this Man has 
 stirred up the people, while He has openly de- 
 nounced the members of the Council and the 
 Scribes as hypocrites, raging wolves in sheep's 
 clothing, blind leaders of the blind, and has said 
 that no one is to follow them. 
 
 Second Witness. 
 T also witness to this, and can add besides that 
 He has forbidden the people to pay tribute to 
 Caesar. 
 
 First Witness. 
 Yea, at least He has let fall ambiguous words 
 concerning it. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What sayest Thou to that? Thou art silent? 
 
 Third Witness. 
 I have often seen how He with His disci- 
 ples has, in defiance of the law, gone to table 
 with unwashed hands, how He was wont to have 
 friendly intercourse with publicans and sinners, 
 and went into their houses to eat with them. 
 [Other Witnesses. This zve also have often 
 seen.] I have heard from trustworthy people 
 that He even spake with Samaritans, and indeed 
 dwelt with them a whole day. 
 First Witness. 
 I was also an eye-witness of how He did on 
 the Sabbath, what by God's law is forbidden, 
 and fearlessly healed the sick. He enticed others 
 to break- the .Sabbath, and he also commanded a 
 man to carry his bed to his house. 
 
 ii8
 
 Cl)c Ii5>a00fon l?>Iap 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What hast Thou to reply to this evidence? 
 Hast Thou nothing to answer to it? 
 Third Witness. 
 Thou hast [/ was present] taken upon Thy- 
 self to forgive sins, which belongs only to God. 
 Thou hast also blasphemed God! 
 
 First Witness. 
 Thou hast called God Thy Father, and hast 
 dared to declare that Thou art One with the 
 Father. Thou hast also made Thyself equal to 
 God. 
 
 Second Witness. 
 Thou hast exalted Thyself above our fore- 
 father Abraham ; Thou didst say that before Ab- 
 raham was Thou wert. 
 
 Fourth Witness. 
 Thou hast said, "I am able to destroy the 
 Temple of God, and to build it in three days." 
 
 Fifth Witness. 
 I have heard Thee say, "I will destroy this 
 Temple that is made with hands, and within 
 three days I will build another made without 
 hands." 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Thou hast then extolled Thyself as a super- 
 human Divine authority. These are heavy ac- 
 cusations, and they are witnesses according to 
 ihe law. Answer, if Thou canst? Thou think- 
 est to be able to save Thyself through silence. 
 Thou darest not to acknowledge before the 
 
 iiy
 
 Clbe pa$$ion Ig^lap 
 
 fathers of the people that which Thou hast 
 taught before the people. Or darest Thou? 
 Hear then : I, the High Priest, adjure Thee by 
 the living God ! say art Thou the Messiah, the 
 Son of the most High God? 
 
 Christ. 
 Thou has said it, and so I am. Nevertheless 
 I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see the Son 
 of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and 
 coming in the clouds of heaven. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 He hath blasphemed God! What need we 
 any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blas- 
 phemy ! What think ye ? 
 
 All. 
 He is guilty of death ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 He has been unanimously declared guilty of 
 death. Yet not I, and not the Sanhedrin, but 
 the law of God itself declares the judgment of 
 death upon Him. Ye teachers of the law, I re- 
 quire you to reply, what saith the holy law of 
 Him who is disobedient to the authority or- 
 dained of God? 
 
 First Priest. 
 
 [Reads.] "The man that will do presumptu- 
 ously, and will not hearken unto the priest that 
 standeth to minister there before the Lord thy 
 God, or unto the judge, even that man shall 
 die, and thou shalt put away the evil from 
 Israel." 
 
 120
 
 Cf)e pa00ion piaj? 
 
 Caiapiias. 
 What doth the law ordain concerning him 
 who profaneth the Sabbatli? 
 
 Second Priest. 
 [Reads.] "Ye shall keep the Sabbath there- 
 fore, for it is holy unto you : every one that 
 defileth it shall surely be put to death : for who- 
 soever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be 
 cut off from his people." 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 How doth the law punish a blasphemer? 
 
 Third Priest. 
 [Reads.] "Speak unto the children of Israel 
 saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear 
 his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of 
 the Lord he shall surely be put to death ; all 
 the congrep^ation shall certainly stone him, as 
 well the stranger as he that is born in the land." 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Thus is judgment declared upon this Jesus of 
 Nazareth, declared according to the law, and it 
 shall be carried out as soon as possible. Mean- 
 while I will have the Condemned safely kept. 
 Lead Him away! Guard Him, and with the 
 morning dawn bring Him to the great Sanhe- 
 drin. 
 
 Selpha. 
 Come on then, Messiah ! We will show Thee 
 Thy palace. 
 
 Balbus. 
 There Thou wilt receive due homage. [They 
 lead Him away.] 
 
 121
 
 Cl)e passion piap 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We are near our end. Now, however, deter- 
 mined steps are necessary. 
 
 All. 
 We will not rest till He be brought to death. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 With the break of the day let us reassemble. 
 Then shall the judgment be confirmed by the 
 whole assembled Council, and the Prisoner shall 
 be hereupon immediately brought before Pilate 
 in order that he may enforce it, and so cause 
 it to be carried out. 
 
 Priest. 
 May God soon set us free from our Enemy! 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Judas. 
 [Alone.] FearfuJ forebodings drive me hith- 
 er and thither. That word in the house of An- 
 nas — He must die ! O ! that word pursues me 
 everywhere ! No ! they will not carry it so far ! 
 It was horrible — and I — guilty of it ! Here in 
 the house of Caiaphas I will inquire how mat- 
 ters stand. Shall I go in? I can no longer 
 bear this uncertainty, and I am terrified of at- 
 
 122
 
 Cfje Pa0i8!ion piap 
 
 taining certainty, but it must come some time. 
 [He goes in.] 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 [Night. Hall in the house of Caiaphas. The 
 Maids, Sarah and Hagar ■:inth a Band of Men. 
 The Servants lie around a large brazier of coals. 
 John and Peter, later Selpha, unth Christ.] 
 
 Hagar. 
 [To John, who stands at the entrance.] John, 
 comest thou also hither in the middle of the 
 night? Come in then. Here canst thou warm 
 thyself. Will not ye men willingly make room 
 for this young man ? 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Yea, truly, come in ! 
 
 John. 
 Good Hagar, there is yet a companion with 
 me ; might he not also come in ? 
 
 Hagar. 
 Where is he? Let him come in. Why 
 should he stand out in the cold? [John goes 
 to Peter who is standing at one side, but re- 
 turns alone.] Now, where is he? 
 
 John. 
 He is standing on the threshold, but dares not 
 come in. 
 
 Hagar. 
 Come in, good friend, be not afraid. 
 
 123
 
 C6e paggion piag 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Friend, come thou also here to us. Warm 
 thyself. [Peter timidly approaches the fire.] 
 
 Servant. 
 We still see and hear nothing of the Prisoner. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 How much longer must we wait here? 
 
 Second Servant. 
 Probably He will come from the audience as 
 one condemned to death. 
 
 First Servant. 
 I marvel if His disciples will not also be 
 sought for. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 [Laughing.] That were a fine piece of work, 
 if they were all taken prisoners. 
 Second Servant. 
 It would not be worth while. If the Master 
 be once out of the way the Galileans would take 
 flight and no longer allow themselves to be seen 
 in Jerusalem. 
 
 First Servant. 
 But at least the one, who in the garden cut 
 off Malchus' ear ought to receive sharp chastise- 
 ment. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Yea, for it is said, "an ear for an ear." 
 
 First Servant. 
 Ha. ha, ha, but the rule does not apply here 
 for Malchus has got his ear back. 
 
 Hagar. 
 [To Peter.] I have been observing thee for 
 
 124
 
 Clje passion piap 
 
 some time. If I mistake not, thou art one of 
 the disciples of the Galilean ? Yea, yea, thou 
 art. 
 
 Peter. 
 I? No — I am not. Woman, I know Him not, 
 neither know I what thou sayest. [He tries to 
 slip away and passes near Sar.'\h.] 
 
 Sarah. 
 Behold, this fellow was also with Jesus of 
 Nazareth. 
 
 Peter. 
 I was not, on my soul ! I know not the Man. 
 [The cock erodes.] 
 
 Third Servant. 
 Behold, this man. Of a truth he also was 
 with Him ! 
 
 Peter. 
 I know not wliat ye have to to do with me. 
 What is this Man to me? 
 
 Servant. 
 Surely thou art one of them ! for thou art a 
 Galilean, and ye speak. [The cock crozvs the 
 second time.] 
 
 Fourth Servant. 
 What, did I not see thee in the garden with 
 Him when my cousin Malchus had his ear 
 struck off? 
 
 Band of Men. 
 [At the fire.] Make yourselves ready, they 
 are bringing- in the Prisoner! [Selpha ap- 
 pears with Christ.) 
 
 125
 
 Cbe pa00ion piap 
 
 Second Servant. 
 Now, how have things gone? 
 
 Selpha. 
 He is condemned to death. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 [Alocking.] Poor King. [Christ looks sor- 
 rowfully lip on Peter.] 
 
 Selpha. 
 Onward, comrades ! 'He will beguile the time 
 for us. 
 
 SCENE vn. 
 
 [Peter alone, afterzvards John.] 
 
 Peter. 
 Ah, dearest Master, how deeply have I fallen ! 
 O weak, O wretched man ! Thee, my most loving 
 Friend and Teacher, I have denied — three times 
 have I denied Thee for whom I promised to 
 die. O, I know not how I could so terribly have 
 forgotten myself ! Accursed be my shameful 
 denial ! May my heart be ever filled with sor- 
 row for this despicable cowardice! Lord, my 
 dearest Lord, if Thou hast still grace left for 
 me, grace for a faithless one, O grant it, grant 
 it even to me ! even now hearken to the voice 
 of my repentant heart. Alas, the sin has been 
 committed ; I can never more undo it, but ever- 
 more will I weep and repent over it. Never, 
 never more will I leave Thee, O Thou most full 
 of goodness. Thou wilt not cast me out? Thou 
 wilt not despise my bitter repentance? No; the 
 
 126
 
 Cije lS)a00ion piap 
 
 gentle compassionate glance with which Thou 
 didst look on me. Thy deeply fallen disciple as- 
 sures me that Thou wilt forgive me. This hope 
 I have in Thee, O best of Teachers And the 
 whole love of my heart shall from this moment 
 belong to Thee, and keep me most closely united 
 to Thee. Nothing, nothing, sliall be able ever 
 again to separate me from Thee ! 
 
 John. 
 Where can Peter have gone? Math any mis- 
 chance befallen him? Perchance I shall light 
 upon him on the road. I will now go to Beth- 
 any. But, what will thy heart feel, most be- 
 loved mother, when I shall relate all to thee ! 
 O Judas, what a fearful deed hast thou ac- 
 complished ! 
 
 SCENE VIII. 
 
 [Christ m the midst of the Band of Men sit- 
 ting upon a chair.] 
 
 Servants. 
 [One after another.] Is not this throne too 
 mean f( r Thee, great King? — Hail to Thee, new- 
 born Ruler ! But sit more firmly, else mightest 
 Thou perchance fall down. [He pushes Jesus 
 dozvn]. Tliou art verily also a Prophet. Then 
 say, great Elias [he strikes Him] who is he who 
 smote Thee? Was it I ? [fie also strikes Him.] 
 Hearest Thou nothing? [He shakes Him.] 
 
 127
 
 Clje passion piap 
 
 Sleepest Thou ? — He is deaf and dumb. A fine 
 Prophet! [lie pushes Him do^vn from the chair 
 so that He fails at full length.] Alas, alas, our 
 King has tumbled from His throne! — What is to 
 be done now ? We have no king left I — Thou art 
 really to be pitied, Thou great Miracle-worker! 
 — Come, let us help Him up again upon His 
 throne! [They raise Him.] Get up, mighty 
 King! Receive anew our homage. 
 
 Messenger From Caiaphas. 
 [Entering.] Now, how goes it with the new 
 King? 
 
 Band of Men. 
 He speaks and prophesies not; we can do 
 nothing with Him. 
 
 Messenger. 
 The High Priest and Pilate will soon make 
 Him speak. Caiaphas sends me to bring Him 
 before him. 
 
 Selpha. 
 Up, comrades! 
 
 Servant. 
 [Takes Jesus by the cords with which He is 
 bound.] Get up, Thou hast been King long 
 enough. 
 
 All. 
 Away with Thee, Thy kingdom has come to 
 an end. 
 
 128
 
 Clie Pa00ion piap 
 
 ACT X. 
 
 The Despair of Judas. 
 
 [Wherefore wanders Judas thus inadly 
 abroadf Alas! he is tortured by the pain of an 
 evil conscience. Blood-guiltiness lies upon his 
 soul; he roams about in fiery torment — the 
 •wages of sin. Weep, O Judas, for what thou 
 hast committed ! O blot out thy gitilt with tears 
 of penitence! In lozvly hope entreat for grace! 
 Yet doth the door of salvation stand open to 
 thee. Woe, alas! Bitterest remorse tortures him 
 indeed, but through the darkness no ray of hope 
 shines on him. "Too great! too great is my 
 sin!" He exclaimed zvith Cain, the fratricide. 
 Like him, comfortless and unrepentant, wild de- 
 spair and horror seize upott him. That is the 
 last wage of sin. This fate doth it urge 07i.] 
 
 Solo. 
 "Woe to that man," so spake the Lord, 
 "By whom I am betrayed, 
 It had been better for that man 
 If he had ne'er been born." 
 
 The woe which Jesus spake hath come. 
 And follows on Iscariot's path. 
 
 129
 
 Cfte pa00ion piap 
 
 'Twill be poured out in measure full, 
 And Judas cannot 'scape its wrath. 
 
 Chorus- 
 The guilty deed hath won its wage, 
 The blood he sold for vengeance cries. 
 He raves by guilty conscience scourged 
 And whipt by Fury's frantic rage. 
 He now runs madly to and fro, 
 But finds no rest for evermore; 
 Till, swept away by fierce despair 
 He flings from him in reckless haste 
 The life he can no longer bear. 
 
 FIFTEENTH TABLEAU: The Death of 
 Abel. Cain's despair. 
 
 ' Solo. 
 Thus Cain too flies. Whither, alas ! 
 Thou canst not from thyself escape. 
 Thou bear'st within thee pains of hell; 
 And hasteneth from place to place, 
 Unceasingly the scourge is plied 
 Where'er thou art, the scourge is there; 
 Thou never canst outrun thy pain. 
 
 Chorus. 
 This shall the sinner's mirror be; 
 For if revenge come not to-day — 
 Yet Heaven on credit still can go; 
 So falls the double judgment sore 
 Upon their heads the morrow morn. 
 
 130
 
 Ci)e passion piap 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Judas. 
 
 [Alone.] My fearful foreboding has then be- 
 come a horrible certainty, Caiaphas has con- 
 demned the Master to death and the Council has 
 concurred in his judgment. It is over! no hope, 
 no deliverance left. If the Master had willed 
 to save Himself He would have made them feel 
 His might a second time in the garden. Now 
 He will do it no more. And what can I do for 
 Him ; I, miserable I, who have delivered Him 
 into their hands? They shall have the money 
 again — the blood money : they must give me 
 my Master back again ! Yet — will He be saved 
 thereby ? O vain hope ! They will scorn me, 
 I know it ! Accursed synagogue ! thou hast se- 
 duced me through thy messengers ; hast hidden 
 thv bloodv design from me until thou hadst Him 
 in thy clutches. I will have no part in the blood 
 of the Innocent! 
 
 SCENE IL 
 
 The Sanhedrin. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 I thought, O fathers, that I could not wait un- 
 til morning to send the Enemy of the synagogue 
 to His death. 
 
 131
 
 Cfte passion piap 
 
 Annas. 
 I also could get not a moment's rest, for eag- 
 erness to hear the judgment pronounced. 
 
 All. 
 It is pronounced. He shall and must die. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 I will now have the Criminal brought in again 
 in order that ye may all be convinced of His 
 being guilty of death. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 [Judas hastening in.] 
 
 Judas. 
 Is it true? Have ye condemned my Master 
 to death? 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Why dost thou force thyself in here unsum- 
 moned? Be off! Thou wilt be called if thou 
 art wanted. 
 
 Judas. 
 I must know it. Have ye condemned Him? 
 
 All. 
 He must die. 
 
 Judas. 
 Woe, woe, I have sinned. I have betrayed the 
 Righteous. O ye, ye, bloodthirsty judges, ye 
 condemn and murder the guiltless. 
 
 All. 
 Peace, Judas, or — — 
 
 132
 
 C5e pa00ion piap 
 
 Judas. 
 No peace for me for evermore ! No peace 
 for you ! The blood of the Innocent cries for 
 vengeance ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What makes thee crazy? Speak, but speak 
 Avith reverence. Thou standest before the San- 
 hedrin. 
 
 Judas. 
 Ye are resolved to give Him up to death Who 
 is pure from all guilt. Ye dare not ! I protest 
 against it. Ye have made me a traitor. Your 
 
 accursed pieces of silver 
 
 Annas. 
 Thou didst thyself make the offer and con- 
 clude the bargain 
 
 Priest. 
 Recollect thyself, Judas. Thou hast received 
 what thou didst desire. And if thou behavest 
 
 thyself quietly, then mayest thou still 
 
 Judas. 
 I will have nothing more ! I tear your shame- 
 ful treaty in pieces. Give up the Innocent One. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Be off, madman ! 
 
 Judas. 
 I demand the Innocent One back again ! My 
 
 hand shall be pure from the blood 
 
 Rabbi. 
 What, thou infamous traitor, thou wilt pre- 
 scribe laws to the Sanhedrin. Know this ! Thy 
 
 133
 
 C{)e pas0ion piap 
 
 Master must die, and thou hast delivered Him 
 to death. 
 
 All. 
 He must die ! 
 
 Judas. 
 [With staring eyes.] Die? I am traitor! 
 [Breaking out zvildly.] Then may ten thousand 
 devils from hell tear me in pieces. May they 
 grind me to powder ! Here, ye bloodhounds, 
 take your curse, your blood money ! [He throzvs 
 dozvn the bag.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Why didst thou let thyself be used for a trans- 
 action which thou hadst not weighed beforehand ? 
 
 All. 
 See thou to it. 
 
 Judas. 
 Then my soul shall be damned, my body burst 
 
 asunder, and ye 
 
 All. 
 Silence, and take thyself hence ! 
 
 Judas. 
 Ye shall be dragged with me into the abyss 
 of the hell ! [He rushes out.] 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [After a pause.] A fearful man! 
 
 Annas. 
 I had some foreboding of it. 
 
 134
 
 C!)e paggfon l^Iag 
 
 Priest. 
 It is his own fault. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 He has betrayed his Friend ; we prosecute our 
 Enemy. I stand fast in my resolve, and if there 
 be one here who is of another mind let him 
 stand up. 
 
 All. 
 No, what is determined let it be carried out! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What shall we do with this money ? As blood 
 money it may not be put into the treasury of 
 God. 
 
 Priest. 
 A burying-place for strangers is wanted. With 
 this money a field for it could be bought. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Is there such a one for sale? 
 
 Priest. 
 A potter in the city has offered a piece of 
 ground for sale for just this price. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Go then and buy it. But now we will no 
 longer delay to pronounce the last sentence upon 
 the Prisoner. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 I will have Him immediately brought in. 
 
 Annas. 
 I shall see whether the scorn which He 
 showed towards me has yet left Him. It will 
 be a true satisfaction to me to have a voice in 
 the sentence. Let Him die. 
 
 . 135
 
 Cf)c pa0Sion piap 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Christ Before the Sanhedrin. 
 
 Selpha. 
 
 [Bringing in Jesus.] Reverence the Council 
 better than before. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Lead Him into the midst. 
 
 Balbus. 
 Stand forth. [He pushes the Prisoner for- 
 ward.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Jesus of Nazareth, dost Thou persist in the 
 words which Thou this night hast spoken be- 
 fore Th}' judges? 
 
 Annas. 
 If Thou art the Christ, tell us. 
 
 Christ. 
 If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also 
 ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 
 Hereafter shall the Son of Man sit on the right 
 hand of the power of God. 
 
 All. 
 Art Thou then the Son of God? 
 
 Christ. 
 Ye say that I am. 
 
 136
 
 Cf)c passion piap 
 
 Annas. 
 It is enough. What need we of any further 
 witnesses? 
 
 Priest and Pharisees. 
 [IVho zvere not present at the night council.] 
 We have now heard of His own mouth. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Fathers of the people of Israel, it behooves 
 you now to determine the final sentence as to the 
 guilt and the punishment of this Man. 
 
 All. 
 He is guilty of blasphemy ! He hath deserved 
 death. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We will accordingly lead Him before the 
 Judgment seat of Pilate. 
 
 All. 
 Yea, away with Him. Let Him die! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Pilate must, however, be first informed about 
 the matter in order that he may publish the sen- 
 tence before the feast. [He sends a Rabbi and 
 tzvo other members of the Council to Pilate.] 
 This day will indeed save the religion of our 
 fathers and exalt the honor of the descendants. 
 Lead Him away. We follow ! 
 
 All. 
 Death to the Galilean! 
 
 157
 
 Cl)e pa00ion piap 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 The Three Messengers of the Sanhedrin 
 Before Pilate's House. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 At length we breathe more freely ; we have 
 been insulted long enough. 
 
 First Priest. 
 
 It was full time. His following is already 
 very large. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 Now there is nothing more to fear from Him. 
 The traders have to-day shown the most praise- 
 worthy activity, in order to gain for us a crowd 
 of determined folk. Ye will see ; if it comes 
 to anything, these will give the tone decidedly. 
 The weakminded will consent with them and the 
 followers of the Nazarene will find it well to be 
 silent and to withdraw themselves. 
 First Priest. 
 
 How shall we bring our request before Pi- 
 late ? We must not enter the house of the heath- 
 en to-day else we shall be unclean to eat the 
 Passover. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 We will have the petition delivered through 
 his people. [Knocks at the door to Pilate's Ser- 
 vant, who conies out.] The High Priest sends 
 us to petition the sublime representative of Cae- 
 
 138
 
 Cf)e pa$0ioii piap 
 
 sar that he would permit the Council to appear 
 before him. and to bring a Criminal before him 
 for ratification of His sentence. 
 
 Servant. 
 I will at once give the message. 
 
 First Priest. 
 It is sad that we must knock at a heathen's 
 door in order to fulfill the claims of the holy 
 law. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Courage, when once our domestic enemy is 
 out of the way, who knows if we shall not soon 
 be rid of this stranger? 
 
 Second Priest. 
 O that I could see the day which will bring 
 freedom to the children of Israel ! 
 
 Servant. 
 [Retitrning.] The Governor greets you. You 
 are to announce to the High Priests that Pilate 
 is ready to receive the petition of the Sanhedrin. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Accept our thanks. 
 
 Second Priest. 
 [As they are going.] Pilate will surely assent 
 to the demand of the Sanhedrin ? 
 
 Rabbi. 
 He must ! How can he stand out when the 
 Sanhedrin and the whole people require the 
 death of this Man ? 
 
 First Priest. 
 What does the life of a Galilean matter to 
 the Governor? Even to please the High Priest, 
 
 139
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 who is of importance to him, he will not hesi- 
 tate to allow the execution. 
 
 SCENE VII. 
 
 The End of Judas. 
 
 [A Woody Scene.] 
 
 Judas. 
 Whither shall I go to hide my infamy? No 
 forest darkness is secret enougli, no rocky cavern 
 deep enough ! Swallow me up, O earth. Alas, 
 my Master, best of all men, have I sold — deliv- 
 ered Him up to ill-treatment — to the most 
 agonizing death 1 How gracious was He even 
 towards me ! How lovingly did He remind me 
 and warn me, even when already I brooded 
 over my treachery ! Execrable covetousness, 
 thou alone seduced me ! Alas ! now no longer a 
 disciple, never dare I again come into the pres- 
 ence of one of the brethren. An outcast — every- 
 where hated and abhorred, even by those who 
 led me astray. I wander about alone with this 
 glowing fire in my heart. Alas ! if I could only 
 dare again to behold His countenance, I might 
 cling to Him — the only anchor of hope — but He 
 lies in prison, is perchance already put to death 
 through the fury of His enemies — ah ! no, 
 through my guilt. Woe is me, the offscouring 
 of mankind. For me there is no hope. My 
 
 140
 
 ^i}t passion piap 
 
 crime can no longer be repaired by any penitence. 
 He is dead, and I am His murderer. Unhappy 
 hour, when my mother bore me. Shall I any 
 longer bear these tortures? No, I will not go 
 a step further. Here will I breathe thee out — 
 accursed life. Let the most miserable of all fruit 
 hang on this tree. [He tears off his girdle.] 
 Ha ! come, thou serpent, twist round me, strangle 
 the traitor. [He prepares for suicide. The cur- 
 
 tain falls.] 
 
 ACT XI. 
 
 Christ Before Pilate. 
 
 [Hardly zvcre the ivords heard, "Death to Him, 
 the enemy of Moses!" than they arc taken up 
 by many voices. Thirsting with tiger-thirst for 
 the Gentile sentence, ye gather tumultuoiisly to- 
 gether, take council unzvearyingly, bring accu- 
 sation i{pon accusation, impatiently expecting the 
 sentence of condemnation. So once against 
 Daniel the thousand-7'oiced cry arose: "He has 
 destroyed Baal! Azvay ivith him to the lions' 
 den! He shall be their prey!" Alas! wJien de- 
 ceiving misconceptions have found entrance into 
 the human heart, man is no longer himself. In- 
 justice becomes to him virtue, whilst he hates 
 and fights against virtue.] 
 
 141
 
 Cibe pa00ion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 "He hath blasphemed God 
 We need no witness more. 
 Condemned to death 
 By law is He." 
 So rages the Sanhedrin, 
 "Up ! we will hence to Pilate, 
 Bring our complaints before him, 
 Sentence of death force from him." 
 
 SIXTEENTH TABLEAU : Daniel accmed 
 before Darius. 
 
 Look well on this dumb picture : — 
 
 As Daniel erst at Babylon; 
 
 God's Son they falsely now accuse. 
 
 "Foe of the gods is Daniel ! 
 
 O King, hear thou thy people's plaint: 
 
 Great Bel hath he destroyed — 
 
 The priests and dragon hath he slain. 
 
 Furious before thy throne 
 
 Appears all Babylon. 
 
 "The people's wrath wilt thou escape? 
 Then give to death the god's great foe. 
 Death to him ! Death alone, O King 
 Will reconcile our gods to us." 
 
 So hastes the wicked Sanhedrin 
 In furious rage to Pilate, 
 E'en as those wretches once had done; 
 
 142
 
 C!)e pa0$ion piap 
 
 And with wild tumult they make suit, 
 With tiger's rage and lion's wrath, 
 That Innocence to death be brought. 
 
 O Envy ! Satan's offspring vile, 
 What wilt thou not begin — or dare. 
 To satisfy thy rancor's spite? 
 To thee, naught holy is, or good; 
 All thou dost sacrifice to rage, 
 And to thy wicked will. 
 
 Woe to him whom this passion fierce 
 Draws to itself with serpent-chains! 
 'Gainst envious desires ; 
 O brother, be upon your guard, 
 Nor ever let this viper brood 
 Nestle within your hearts. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [Before Pilate's House. On the left the San- 
 hedrifi, the Traders and Witnesses; on the right 
 the Band of Men with Jesus.] 
 
 Band of Men. 
 
 [Bringing Jesus forward] Away with Thee 
 to death, false Prophet ! Ha ! Doth it terrify 
 Thee, that Thou wilt not come forward! 
 
 Selpha. 
 
 Drive Him on I
 
 Cbe pa0$ion pia? 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Must we carry Thee in our arms? Get on! 
 Thy journey will not last much longer — only 
 out to Calvary! There, on the Cross, canst 
 Thou comfortably rest ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Be quiet! We wish to have ourselves an- 
 nounced. [They are quiet. ^^ Ye members of 
 the Sanhedrin ! If the holy teaching inherited 
 by us, if our honor, if the peace of the whole 
 land be still dear to you, then consider well this 
 moment ! It decides between us and that De- 
 ceiver! If ye be men, in whose veins still flows 
 the blood of your fathers, then hear us ! An im- 
 perishable monument will ye set up for your- 
 selves. Be firm in your resolve ! 
 The Sanhedrin. 
 Long live our fathers ! Death to the Enemy of 
 our nation ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Do not rest till He be blotted out of the num- 
 ber of the living ! 
 
 All. 
 We will not rest. 
 
 Band of Men. 
 Hearest Thou, O King, O Prophet? 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 [Pilate appears with Attendants upon his 
 halcony.\ 
 
 144
 
 Ci)e l^assion piap 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [Bowing.] Viceroy of the great Emperor 
 of Rome ! 
 
 All. 
 Health and blessings attend thee! 
 
 Calaphas. 
 We have broi;ght a Alan, by name Jesus, here 
 before thy judgment seat, that thou mayest have 
 executed the sentence of death pronounced upon 
 Him by the Sanhedrin. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Bring Him forth. What accusations bring ye 
 against this Man? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 If He were not a malefactor, we would not 
 have delivered Him up unto thee, but have pun- 
 ished Him ourselves according to the order of 
 our law. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Now, what evil deeds hath He committed? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 He hath, in manifold ways, gravely offended 
 against the holy law of Israel. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Then take ye Him and judge Him according 
 to your law. 
 
 Annas. 
 He hath already been judged by the San- 
 hedrin and declared guilty of death. 
 All the Priests. 
 For according to our law Pie hath deserved 
 death. 
 
 .145
 
 Ct)e lpaj5$ion piag 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 But it is not lawful for us to put a man to 
 death. Therefore we bring the demand for the 
 fulfillment of the sentence before the Viceroy 
 of the Emperor. 
 
 Pilate. 
 How can I deliver a man to death without I 
 know his crime, and before I have convinced 
 myself that the crime is worthy of death? What 
 hath he done? 
 
 Rabbi. 
 The judgment of the Council against this Man 
 was given with one voice, and grounded upon 
 an exact examination of His crime. Therefore 
 it does not seem necessary that the noble Gover- 
 nor should give himself the trouble of a second 
 inquiry. 
 
 Pilate. 
 What? Ye dare to suggest to me, who stand 
 in the Emperor's place, that I should be a blind 
 tool for the execution of your resolve? That 
 be far from me. I must know what law He hath 
 transgressed, and in what manner. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We have a law, and by our law He ought to 
 die, because He made Himself the Son of God. 
 
 Annas. 
 Therefore must we insist that He sufifer the 
 lawful punishment of death. 
 
 Pilate. 
 On account of such a speech, which at worst 
 is only the dream of a fanciful imagination, a 
 
 146
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 Roman can find no one guilty of death. Who 
 knows, too, if this Man be not the Son of some 
 god ? If YOU have no other crime to lay to His 
 charge do not expect that I shall fulfill your 
 desire. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 Not merely against our holy law. but also 
 
 against the law of the Emperor has this Man 
 
 been guilty of grave crimes. We have found 
 
 Him an insurgent and a deceiver of the people. 
 
 All. 
 He stirreth up the people ; He is a rebel ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 I have indeed heard of One, Jesus, Who 
 goeth about the land and teacheth and doeth 
 marvelous works ; but never have I heard of any 
 insurrection stirred up by Him. If anything of 
 the sort had happened I should have known it 
 before you, since I am placed in this country 
 for the administration of peace, and am perfectly 
 informed concerning the doings and practice of 
 the Jews. But say, when and v^here did He 
 stir up an insurrection? 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 He brings troops of the people in thousands 
 around Him, and just a short time ago, sur- 
 rounded by such a crowd, He made a solemn 
 entry into Jerusalem itself. 
 
 Pilate. 
 I know it; but nothing seditious was caused 
 by it. 
 
 147
 
 C&e passion pia? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Is it not seditious when He forbids the people 
 to give tribute to Caesar ? 
 
 Pilate. 
 Where is your proof? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Proof sufficient, since He gives Himself out 
 for the Messiah, the King of Israel. Is not that 
 a challenge for the downfall of the Emperor? 
 
 Pilate. 
 I marvel at your suddenly-aroused zeal for the 
 authority of Caesar. [To Christ.] Hearest 
 Thou what heavy complaints these bring against 
 Thee? What answerest Thou? [Christ is 
 silent.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 His silence is a confession of His crime. 
 
 All. 
 [Making a tumult.] Sentence Him, then! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Patience! there is time enough for that. I 
 will take Him apart for a private hearing. [To 
 his Attendants.] Perchance when He is no 
 longer affrighted by the crowd and the fury of 
 His accusers, He will speak and answer me. Let 
 Him be brought into the porch. [To the Serv- 
 ant] Go, my soldiers will take charge of Him, 
 [To the Members of the Council] And ye, con- 
 sider once again the ground, or want of ground, 
 for your complaints, and examine well whether 
 they do not, perchance, spring from an impure 
 
 148
 
 Clje J9a0Sion Iplap 
 
 source. Let me then know your sentiments. 
 [Turns away from them.] 
 
 Rabbi. 
 [Going azvay] This is a troublesome delay. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Do not lose courage. Victory belongs to the 
 steadfast. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 [Pilate and Attendants. Christ is brought 
 forth upon the balcony.] 
 
 Pilate. 
 
 [To Christ] Thou hast heard the accusation 
 of the Council against Thee. Give me an answer 
 thereto! Thou hast, they say, called Thyself 
 the Son of God. Whence art Thou? [Christ 
 is silent.] Speakest Thou not unto me? Know- 
 est Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, 
 and have power to release Thee ? 
 
 Christ. 
 
 Thou couldst have no power at all against 
 me except it were given thee from above. 
 Therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath 
 the greater sin. 
 
 Pilate. 
 
 [Aside] Frankly spoken. [To Christ] Art 
 Thou the King of the Jews ? 
 
 Christ. 
 
 Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others 
 tell it thee of Me ? 
 
 149
 
 Cbe passion piap 
 
 Pilate. 
 Am I a Jew ? Thine own nation and the chief 
 priests have deHvered Thee unto me. The}' ac- 
 cuse Thee, that Thou hast desired to be the 
 King of Israel. What hast Thou done? 
 
 Christ. 
 My kingdom is not of this world. If my king- 
 dom were of this world, then would my serv- 
 ants fight, that I should not be delivered to the 
 Jews ; but now is my kingdom not from hence. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Art Thou a King, then? 
 
 Christ. 
 
 Thou sayest it. I am a King. To this end 
 
 was I born and for this cause came I into the 
 
 world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. 
 
 Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. 
 
 Pilate. 
 What is truth? 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 [Enter Servant of Pilate.] 
 Servant. 
 
 My Lord, thy consort greeteth thee, and ear- 
 nestly prays thee, for the sake of thine own and 
 her welfare, that thou wouldst have nothing to do 
 with that Just Man, Who has been accused be- 
 fore thy judgment seat. She has suffered an- 
 guish and terror this night in a fearful dream 
 because of Him. 
 
 150
 
 C6e pa00iott piap 
 
 Pilate. 
 Go hence and tell her that she may be without 
 anxiety. I will take no part in the attempts of 
 the Jews, but rather do everything to save Him. 
 
 SCENE V. 
 
 Pilate. 
 
 {To his Attendants] I would that I knew noth- 
 ing of this matter. What think ye, my friends, 
 of the complaints of the Jewish Priests ? 
 First Courtier. 
 
 They are only impelled by envy and jealousy. 
 The most passionate hatred expresses itself in 
 their words and their mien. 
 
 Second Courtier. 
 
 The hypocrites pose as though they had the 
 authority of the Emperor much at heart, while 
 there is no question except of their own author- 
 ity, which they believe endangered through this 
 famous Teacher of the people. 
 
 Pilate. 
 
 I think as you do. I cannot believe that this 
 Man hath criminal plans in His mind. There is 
 something so noble in His features and His de- 
 meanor. His words also exhibit such a noble 
 frankness and high endowments, that He ap- 
 pears to me to be far more likely a very wise 
 Man — perchance, too wise, for these gloomy 
 men to bear the light of His wisdom. And the 
 sorrowful dream of my consort concerning Him ? 
 
 .151
 
 Cf)e Pa00ion piap 
 
 If, perchance. He were truly of a higher origin ? 
 No, I will by no means permit myself to meet the 
 wishes of the priesthood. [To the S enfant] 
 Let the High Priests again appear here, and let 
 the Accused be again led from the judgment 
 hall. [Exit the Seit'ant.] 
 
 SCENE VI. 
 
 [The saute. The Sanhedrin under the Bal- 
 cony.] 
 
 Pilate. 
 Here ye have your Prisoner again. He is 
 without fault. 
 
 Annas. 
 We have the Emperor's word that our law 
 shall be uprightly maintained. How can He be 
 found without guilt Who trod under foot this 
 same law? 
 
 All. 
 He is guilty of death ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Is He not also punishable by the Emperor 
 when He has maliciously injured that which the 
 Emperor's will has secured to us ? 
 
 Pilate. 
 I have told you already : if He hath committed 
 anything against your law, then punish Him ac- 
 cording to your law so far as ye are authorized 
 thereto. I cannot prot'ounce the sentence of 
 
 152
 
 Cije passion piap 
 
 death upon Him because I find nothing in Him 
 which, after the law by which I have to judge 
 Him, deserveth death. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 If any one giveth himself out as a king, is 
 he not a rebel? Doth he not deserve the pun- 
 ishment of high treason — the punishment of 
 death ? 
 
 Pilate. 
 If this Man hath called Himself a King, this 
 ambiguous word merely doth not justify me in 
 condemning Him. With us it is openly taught 
 that every wise man is a king. But ye have 
 brought forward no facts as to His usurping 
 kingly power. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Is it not fact enough when He stirreth up the 
 people, teaching throughout all Jewry begin- 
 ning from Galilee, where He first gathered fol- 
 lowers together, to this place. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Hath He come out of Galilee? 
 
 All, 
 Yea, He is a Galilean. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 His home is Nazareth, in King Herod's jur- 
 isdiction. 
 
 Pilate. 
 
 If that be so, T am spared the office of judge. 
 
 Herod, the King of Galilee, has come hither to 
 
 the Feast; he may now judge his subject. Take 
 
 Him away, and bring Him to His king. He 
 
 153
 
 Cfte pa00ion pia^ 
 
 shall be conducted by my bodyguard. [Exit 
 with his Attendants.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 Away, then to Herod. With him who pro- 
 fesses himself of the faith of our fathers shall 
 we find better protection for our holy law. 
 
 All. 
 
 [To Christ.] An hour sooner or later. But 
 Thou must come to it. To-day also! [Exit 
 all.] 
 
 ACT XII. 
 
 Christ Before Herod. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 [He, the most loving, meets zvith fresh out- 
 rages before Herod, because He does not flat- 
 teringly exercise the gifts of a seer before that 
 imn prince; or tvork miracles. Therefore is 
 wisdom itself by fools despised as a fool, ar- 
 rayed in a zi'hite garment, set forth as a spec- 
 tacle for a short time to the mocking servants 
 of the king. Samson, the dread hero-youth, now 
 bereft of eyesight and fettered, is laughed at 
 and despised for his zwakness by the Philis- 
 tines. Yet, He who noiv seems weak ivill show 
 forth strength. He who seems cast down will 
 shine forth in greatness. Above worthless scorn 
 Virtue reigns sublime.] 
 
 154
 
 Cl)c ipassion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 In vain within the judgment-hall shoots forth 
 W'Wd hate, the glowing flames of calumny. 
 To meet them comes the Judge unwavering; 
 The foe's wrath breaks upon his steadfastness. 
 Yet rest they not — Sadly we must follow 
 Jesus to Herod. 
 
 There, ah. with mournful hearts we see 
 Fresh shame prepared for Him. 
 
 SEVENTEENTH TABLEAU: Samson 
 making sport for the Philistines. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 See Samson : See how the strong hand 
 The chains of slavery must bear; 
 
 The hero, who a thousand slew, 
 
 Slave's garb of scorn he now must wear. 
 
 So dreadful once to enemies, 
 He serves as aim for all their scorn; 
 Philistines use him for their sport, 
 Rejoice themselves in his decay. 
 
 Thus Jesus, God's own Son, doth stand — 
 The gazing-stock of haughty fools, 
 Reviled, derided, in white robes, 
 And overwhclm'd with spite and scorn. 
 
 I.5.S
 
 Cfje pa0Siou piap 
 
 SCENE I. 
 Herod and His Court. 
 
 [A Hall]. 
 
 Herod. 
 
 So they have the renowned Magician Jesus of 
 Nazareth as prisoner with them. Of a long 
 season have 1 been desirous to see Him of whose 
 works so much is spoken. I will prove His mir- 
 aculous power. 
 
 Courtier. 
 
 He will surely be willing and ready, O King, 
 to show forth His works to thee in order to 
 gain thy favor against His accusers. 
 
 Herod. 
 They may bring their accusations before Pi- 
 late; I have nothing to examine here, and noth- 
 ing to pronounce. 
 
 Courtier. 
 Perchance the Governor has sent them away, 
 and now they seek to attain their end in another 
 way. 
 
 Herod. 
 I will not meddle with their pious squabbles, 
 I will only see Him and prove His miraculous 
 powers. 
 
 156
 
 Cbe passion piap 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Caiaphas^ Annas, Priests. Christ Led by 
 
 Soldiers. 
 
 [The Same.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Most mighty king. 
 
 All the Priests. 
 Hail and blessing. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The Sanhedrin has seized a Seducer and 
 brings Him before the king for confirmation of 
 the lawful punishment. 
 
 Herod. 
 How can I give judgment in a foreign terri- 
 tory? [To Christ.] Give us a proof of Thy 
 learning, we will then together with the people 
 honor Thee and believe on Thee. 
 
 Priests. 
 O King, let not thyself be led astray. He is 
 in covenant with Beelzebub. 
 
 Herod. 
 It is the same to me. Tell me, what did I 
 dream last night? [Christ is silent.] Per- 
 chance Thou canst interpret to me my dream. 
 [He relates it. Christ answers not.] Thou art 
 not well skilled in this line of business? Then 
 cause that this hall may suddenly become dark, 
 
 ?57
 
 CJ)e pa00ion piap 
 
 change that roll there, which contains Thy sen- 
 tence, into a serpent. [To his Courtiers.] He 
 knows nothing and can do nothing. He is a fool 
 whom the applause of the people has made 
 crazy. [To Itis Priests.] Let Him go. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 O King, trust Him not. He only pretends to 
 be a fool in order to get a mild sentence from 
 thee by artifice. 
 
 Annas. 
 Even the person of the king is in danger, for 
 He has given Himself out as a King. 
 
 Herod. 
 
 He. As a King? As a King of fools. As 
 
 such He deserves homage, therefore will I give 
 
 Him a King's robe and formally instal Him as 
 
 King of fools. [He makes a sign to a Serz'ant.] 
 
 Priests. 
 Not so, He hath deserved death. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 O King, think upon thy duty to punish the 
 transgressor of the law. 
 
 Herod. 
 What have ye exactly against Him? 
 
 Herod. 
 He hath profaned the Sabbath. 
 
 'Nathaniel. 
 He hath blasphemed God. 
 Priests. 
 He hath declared tliat he will destroy the 
 Temple and in three davs will build it up. 
 
 158
 
 Cf)c lg)as$ion piap 
 
 Herod. 
 Well, He hath rightly proved Himself a King 
 of fools. 
 
 Priest. 
 He hath so far presumed, O King, as to 
 call thee a fox. 
 
 Herod. 
 Then has He laid to my door a quality which 
 entirely suits Himself. \A Scrz'cmt comes with 
 a robe] Array Him. Thus shall He play His 
 part amongst the people. 
 
 Priests. 
 He shall die. 
 
 Herod. 
 No, I will not shed the blood of so exalted 
 a King. Bring Him before the people that they 
 may marvel at Him to their heart's desire. [The 
 Soldiers lead Jesus azvay amidst mocking 
 words.] 
 
 SCENE HI. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Thou seest now, O King, that His mighty 
 works are nothing but lies and deceit, by which 
 He has seduced the people ; give then thy sen- 
 tence. 
 
 Herod. 
 My sentence is : He is a simple fellow, and 
 not capable of the crime of w^hich ye accuse 
 Him. 
 
 159
 
 Clje paggion pia? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 King, give heed that thou deceive not thy- 
 self. 
 
 Herod. 
 One must deal with fools as fools. My court 
 of justice is over. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 So this has come to pass concerning the law, 
 Moses, and the prophets. 
 
 Herod. 
 
 1 hold by my sentence. I am weary, and will 
 no longer meddle with the story. Pilate may 
 decide according to the duty of his office. Of- 
 fer him greeting and friendly salutation from 
 King Herod, [Exit the Priest.] 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Herod. 
 I was mistaken. Instead of a worker of mir- 
 acles, I found a quite ordinary man. 
 
 Courtier. 
 How doth lying report know how to embellish 
 things. 
 
 Herod. 
 Friend, that is no John. John spake with a 
 wisdom and power which one was forced to es- 
 teem, but this Man is as dumb as a fish. 
 
 Courtier. 
 I am only surprised at the bitter hatred of the 
 Priests against Him, 
 
 1 60
 
 Cf)e passion piaj> 
 
 Herod. 
 If Pilate had found Him a State Criminal he 
 would not have Him sent to me ; but enough of 
 this matter, we will make amends for lost time 
 by better entertainment. 
 
 ACT XHI. 
 
 The Scourging and Crown of Thorns. 
 
 [Alas, what a sight here presents itself to our 
 eyes, ever to be contemplated by the disciples of 
 Christ! The body of the Lord zvounded all over 
 zvith inmimerable blozi'S of the scourge. His 
 head crowned with a sharp, thorny wreath! His 
 countenance scarcely recognizable, running down 
 with blood, who would not here shed a tear of 
 inmost pity? When our father Jacob beheld the 
 bloody coat of his beloved son, how did he trem- 
 ble and weep, full of sorrozu, giving way to 
 heart-rending cries of grief! Let us also weep 
 zvhen we see the Divine Friend of our sold en- 
 dure such things, for ah! on accoimt of our sins 
 is He zvounded and torn.] 
 
 Solo. 
 Not yet have they from raging ceased — 
 Nor is their thirst for vengeance stilled ; 
 Only in thought of murder broods 
 The band, with Satan's hatred fill'd. 
 
 i6i
 
 C&e passion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 Can nought e'er soften their hard hearts? 
 iNot e'en by body, scourged and torn? 
 And marred by wounds innumberable? 
 Can sympathy ne'er again be born? 
 
 EIGHTEENTH TABLEAU: Joseph's 
 Brethren bringing his bloody coat to Jacob. 
 
 Chorus. 
 O, what a scene of horror here ! 
 The coat of Joseph stained with blood, 
 And Jacob's aged cheeks are wet 
 With deepest grief and bitter tear. 
 
 "Where is my Joseph? all my joy — 
 In whose sweet eyes mine found their rest? 
 Ah, woe ; his blood drips from this coat, 
 The coat of my beloved child. 
 
 "A wild beast must have mangled him 
 Torn him, my darling. Ah, alas ! 
 Thee, Joseph, will I follow soon 
 My pain no comfort can assuage." 
 Thus mourns he — thus doth he lament 
 For Joseph — (that he is no more 
 Thus Jesus's body will be torn 
 His Precious blood 
 In streams from every wound will flow. 
 
 NINETEENTH TABLEAU: The Sacrifice 
 of Isaac. 
 
 162
 
 Cf)e lg>aggion piag 
 
 "Abraham, Abraham, slay him not 
 
 Thy faith hath" — thus saith 
 
 Jehovah — "given up thine only son 
 
 Thine now again — for nations weal shall live." 
 
 Within the thicket Abraham saw 
 A ram caught on the thorny shoots 
 He took and quickly ofifered it 
 Jehovah's chosen sacrifice. 
 
 This type doth show a mystery great 
 
 Still veiled in holy twilight drear. 
 
 As once jNIoriah's sacrifice 
 
 The thorn-crowned Christ will soon appear. 
 
 The Thorn-Crowned One gave up His life 
 An offering by the Father's will. 
 Where can we find a love that is 
 Equal to this great love of His? 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [Caiaphas, Annas, the Council, the Traders 
 and tlie l^Vitnesses appear a^s^ain ivith Christ, led 
 by Soldiers, before Pilate's house.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Now must we tlie more importunately chal- 
 lenge Pilate, and if he does not judge after our 
 will, then shall the authority of the Emperor 
 force the sentence from him. 
 
 163
 
 Clie pa00ion piap 
 
 Annas. 
 Shall I now in my old age see the synagogue 
 destroyed? But no, with stammering tongue 
 will I call for blood and death upon this Crim- 
 inal, and then descend to my father's sepulchre 
 if I can see this Malefactor die upon the cross. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 We will sooner allow ourselves to be buried 
 beneath the ruins of the Temple than go back 
 from our resolve. 
 
 Pharisees. 
 We must not give it up until He be given up 
 to death. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 He who does not stand by this resolution let 
 him be put out of the synagogue. 
 
 Annas. 
 Let the curse of our fathers light upon Him. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Time presses, the day wears on, now must 
 all means be employed that even to-day before 
 the feast our will shall be accomplished. 
 
 SCENE n. 
 
 (Pilate appears ivith Attendants upon the 
 balcony.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We bring the Prisoner once more before thy 
 judgment-seat, and earnestly require His death. 
 
 164
 
 Clje pa0Sion pun? 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 We insist upon it ! He must die ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Ye have brouglit this Man unto me as one 
 that perverteth the people ; and behold, I, hav- 
 ing examined Plim before you, have found no 
 fault in this Man touching- those things where- 
 of ye accuse liim. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We stand by our accusation. He is a Crim- 
 inal worthy of death. 
 
 Priest. 
 A Criminal against our law and against the 
 Emperor, 
 
 Pilate. 
 Because He is a Galilean, I have sent him to 
 Herod. Have ye then brought forward accusa- 
 tions? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Yea, Herod would decide nothing, because 
 here thou art in authority. 
 
 Pilate. 
 He also found nothing worthy of death in 
 Him, therefore, in order to meet your demands, 
 I will cause this Man to be chastised with 
 scourging; but then release Him. 
 
 Annas. 
 That sufficeth not ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The law doth not award to such a Criminal 
 the punishment of scourging, but that of death. 
 
 165
 
 Cfie Pa00ion puip 
 
 Priests. 
 To death with Him ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Is your hatred against this Man so deep and 
 bitter that it cannot be satisfied by blood from 
 His wounds? Ye force me to say openly to you 
 that which I think. 1\ Loved by ignoble passion 
 ye persecute Him, because the people are better 
 inclined to Him than to you. I have long 
 enough heard your hateful accusations, I will 
 now hear the voice of the people. A countless 
 multitude will soon assemble here, in order after 
 ancient custom, to request the release of a pris- 
 oner at the feast of the Passover. Then will it 
 be shown whether your accusations are the ex- 
 pression of the people's mind or only of your 
 personal hatred. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 It will be shown, O Governor, that thou un- 
 justly thinkest evil of us. 
 
 Priest. 
 Truly, not hatred but holy zeal for the law of 
 God is it which moves us to desire His death. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Ye know of the Murderer Barabbas, who lies 
 in fetters, and of his evil deeds. I will give the 
 people the choice between him and Jesus of 
 Nazareth. Him whom they desire will I re- 
 lease. 
 
 All. 
 Release Barabbas unto us and crucify Jesus. 
 
 i66
 
 Cf)C l^a00ion piap 
 
 Pilate. 
 Ye are not the people ; the people will speak 
 for themselves. Meanwhile I will chastise Him. 
 [To a Scn'ant.] Let the soldiers lead Him away 
 and scourge Him after the Roman law. [To 
 those around him.] Whatsoever He hath done 
 amiss will thereby be sufficiently expiated and 
 perchance the sight of the scourged One may 
 mitigate the wrath of His enemies. [Exit zvith 
 Attendants.] 
 
 SCENE HI. 
 
 [The Priests, etc., beneath the empty bal- 
 cony.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Pilate appeals to the voice of the people. Good ! 
 We will appeal to the same. [To the Traders 
 and Witnesses.] Now, gallant Israelites, your 
 time has come. Go hence into the streets of Je- 
 rusalem and summon your friends to come hith- 
 er. Bring them together in a close band ! In- 
 flame them with the most fiery hatred against 
 the Enemy of Moses. Seek to win the weak- 
 minded by the power of your words, and by 
 promises. Terrify the followers of the Galilean 
 by a united outcry against them, by insult and 
 storm, and, if it must be, through ill-treatment, 
 so that none of them may dare to let themselves 
 be seen here, much less to open their mouths. 
 
 167
 
 Traders and Witnesses. 
 We will hasten hence and quickly return, each 
 one at the head of an inflamed troop. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We Avill all assemble in the street of the San- 
 hedrin. [Exit the Traders. The Priests call af- 
 ter them,-" Hail, true Disciples of Moses!"] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let us now not delay a moment ! Let us go 
 to meet the different bands to encourage them, 
 and to inflame them ! 
 
 Annas. 
 From all the streets of Jerusalem we will then 
 bring the assembled people before the judg- 
 ment-seat. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Since Pilate wishes to hear the voice of the 
 people, let him hear it. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let him hear the cry of the nation with one 
 voice. Release unto us Barabbas, and crucify 
 the Galilean. 
 
 All. 
 Release unto us Barabbas, and crucify the 
 Galilean. 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 [Christ stripped of His garments and His 
 hands bound to a loiv pillar. Around Him the 
 Soldiers. ] 
 
 1 68
 
 C6c passion Idla^ 
 
 Soldiers. 
 
 [One after aJiofher.] Now hath He enough, 
 He is all running clown with blood. You poor 
 King of the Jews! But what a head? That 
 can be mended. I will at once fetch the ensigns 
 of the Jewish kingdom. [He brings a purple 
 robe, the crozvn of thorns, and the reed.\ Here!' 
 That is truly a most fair adornment for the King 
 of the Jews I Thou didst not expect such honor, 
 didst Thou? Come, let the purple robe fall 
 around Thee : but sit down — a King must not 
 stand. And here is a fine pointed crown! [They 
 put it on Him,] Show Thyself! [Laughter.] 
 In order, however, that it fall not from His 
 head, it must be firmly set on. Here, brother, 
 help me ! [Four Soldiers -take hold of the ends 
 of tzvo staves and press dourn the crozmt. Christ 
 shrinks in pain.] Here is Thy sceptre! Now, 
 nothing more is wanted to Thee. What a 
 King! [They kneel before Him.] Hail, mighty 
 King of the Jews ! 
 
 Servant of Pilate. 
 
 [Coming in.] The Prisoner must immediate- 
 ly be brought to the judgment-hall. 
 
 Soldiers. 
 
 Thou comest at a wrong time, thou hast dis- 
 turbed us in the midst of our marks of rever- 
 ence. Get up ! They want to carry Thee about 
 for a show. There will be rejoicing amongst 
 the people of the Jews when their King appears 
 before them in fullest pomp. [Exit ztnth Jesus.] 
 
 169
 
 Clje pa00ion piap 
 
 ACT XIV. 
 
 Jesus Condemned to Death. 
 
 [The Redeemer stands forth, an image of sor- 
 rozv. Himself moved zvitli compassion, Pilate 
 brings Him forth. Hast thou then no pity, O 
 befooled, deceived people? No! Seized zmth 
 madness, they cry Crucify Him/ They demand 
 torture and death for the Holiest, and pardon 
 for the murderer, Barabbas. hozv different- 
 ly did Joseph once stand before the people of 
 Egypt! Songs of gladness and jubilation 
 sounded in His ears ; He zvas solemnly installed 
 as the Savior of Egypt. But around Him, Sazr- 
 ior of the zvorld, rages a deceived people, zuho 
 rest not and cease not until the judge unzvilling- 
 ly pronounces : Take ye Him and crucify Hirn.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 O see the King! See Him in scorn 
 As monarch — crowned — with what a crown ! 
 And with what sceptre in his hand ! 
 See Him in purple robe array'd 
 Yea, and with crimson rays bedeck'd. 
 Is that the festal garb of Kings? 
 Where is in Him the Godhead's mark? 
 Behold the Alan! 
 A worm — the scorn of hangmen now. 
 
 170
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 TWENTIETH TABLEAU: Joseph made 
 Governor of Egypt. 
 
 See, what a man ! 
 
 Jesus brought forth for sympathy. 
 
 Behold the man ! 
 
 Joseph is called to dignity — • 
 
 Loud shall it ring through Egypt's coasts: 
 
 "Live Joseph long! both high and great!" 
 
 A thousand times shall it resound 
 
 "Father of Egypt !— friend to all!" 
 And all unite, both great and small. 
 
 In our triumphant jubilee. 
 
 Of Egypt, thou the stay and joy — 
 
 And blessing, such as ne'er has been 
 
 Joseph, to-day doth Egypt bring. 
 
 Loud shall it ring through Egypt's coasts, etc. 
 
 Tlie country's second father, he 
 
 Now reigns within our realm and hearts! 
 
 The land her grateful homage pays. 
 
 Hail to him ! Eg^'pt's pride and joy ! 
 
 Loud shall it ring through Egypt's coasts, etc. 
 
 TWENTY-FIRST TABLEAU: The goat 
 
 sacrificed as a sin offering.
 
 Cibe passion piai? 
 
 Chorus. 
 The ancient covenants offering this, 
 As God ordain'd it should be brought. 
 Two goats before His altar placed 
 And then on one doth fall the lot 
 The one God for Himself hath chosen 
 Jehovah ! through blood-offering 
 Again be to Thy people good ! 
 
 The blood of goats the Lord doth virill 
 
 No more in the new Covenant ; 
 
 New sacrifice He doth require. 
 
 A Lamb from every blemish free 
 Must for this covenant offering be. 
 
 His only Son the Lord demands. 
 
 He Cometh quickly — falls — and bleeds. 
 
 [A double Chorus nozv begins the singing al- 
 ternately, nnth the People in the streets of Je- 
 rusalem behind the scenes.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 A murderous cry e'en now I hear! 
 
 People. 
 Barabbas be 
 From fetters free! 
 
 Chorus. 
 No ! Jesus be 
 From fetters free! 
 Wild rings alas ! the murderer's cry. 
 
 People. 
 To the Cross with Him 
 To the Cross with Him! 
 
 172
 
 Cl)e passion piap 
 
 Chorus. 
 Behold Him ! ah ! behold ye Him ! 
 What evil ever hath He done? 
 
 People. 
 If thou release this wretched One, 
 Then art thou not great Caesar's friend. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! 
 
 The blood of His Son will the Lord yet 
 avenge on you ! 
 
 People. 
 His blood be on us, and on our children ! 
 
 Chorus. 
 Be it then upon you and on your children ! 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [Three bands of people each headed by 
 Priests and Pharisees enter from the three 
 streets of Jerusalem. Traders and Witnesses 
 in each band. The band advancing from the 
 right is led by the priest Nathaniel, that on 
 the left entering by Pilate's house is led by 
 Ezekiel. The middle band is preceded by Cai- 
 aphas and Annas. Each of the four leaders 
 excites and inflames his hand; even from afar 
 their cry is heard. The four bands advance to 
 the foreground and unite in one mass, which 
 acts, rages and cries out as otie man. For con- 
 venience the four bands of people are denoted 
 by f lumbers.] 
 
 173
 
 Clie pa00ion piap 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Moses, your prophet, calls upon you! His 
 holy law calls you to vengeance ! 
 First Band. 
 We belong to Moses! We are and we will 
 remain followers of Moses and of his teaching. 
 Third Band. 
 We hold fast by our friends, priests and 
 scribes. Away with Him who rises up against 
 them! 
 
 Fourth Band. 
 Ye are our fathers. We will answer for your 
 honor. 
 
 Annas. 
 Come, children, cast yourselves into the arms 
 of the holy Sanhedrin ; it will save you. 
 
 EzEKIEL. 
 
 Shake it off, the yoke of the Deceiver, 
 
 Second Band. 
 We will not know Him any longer, we follow 
 you. 
 
 Third Band. 
 The whole people applaud you ! 
 
 Fourth Band. 
 We will be free from the false Teacher, the 
 Nazarene 1 
 
 Four Leaders. 
 Your father's God will again receive you, ye 
 are once more a holy people into Him. 
 The Whole Multitude. 
 Ye are our true friends. Long live the great 
 Sanhedrin ! Long live our teachers and priests. 
 
 174
 
 C[)e passion piap 
 
 Annas. 
 And death to the Galilean. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Up, let us hasten to Pilate ! The Nazarene 
 shall die! 
 
 The Leaders. 
 He hath falsified the law ! The Nazarene hath 
 despised the law of Moses and the prophet. 
 The Whole Multitude. 
 Death to the false Prophet! 
 
 Second Band. 
 Crucify Him I 
 
 Second and Third Band. 
 Pilate must have Him crucified ! 
 
 The Leaders. 
 On the cross shall He expiate His crime! 
 
 Third and Foitrth Bands. 
 We will not rest till the sentence be pro- 
 nounced. [The rvhole croivd of people is now 
 in the foreground.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 
 [Dominating the people zvith glance and ges- 
 ture.] Hail, children of Israel ! Yea, ye are 
 still worthy descendants of your father Abra- 
 ham. O rejoice that ye have escaped the un- 
 speakable perdition which this Deceiver was fain 
 to bring upon you and your children. 
 
 Annas. 
 
 [Caiaphas at his side.] Only the untiring 
 efforts of your fathers have preserved the na- 
 tion from the abyss. 
 
 ^75
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 The Whole Multitude. 
 Long live the Council ! Death to the Naza- 
 rene. 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 Cursed be he who doth not cry out for His 
 death. 
 
 The People. 
 We require His death ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let Him be cast out of the heritage of our 
 fathers. 
 
 The People. 
 Let Him be cast out! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The Governor will give you the choice be- 
 tween this Blasphemer of God and Barabbas. 
 Let us insist upon the release of Barabbas. 
 The People. 
 Let Barabbas go free and the Nazarene 
 perish ! 
 
 Annas. 
 We thank you, O fathers ; ye have listened 
 to our desire ! 
 
 All. 
 Pilate must consent. The whole nation de- 
 mands it from him ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Fairest day to the children of Israel. Chil- 
 dren, be steadfast. 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 This day restores honor to the synagogue and 
 peace to the people. 
 
 176
 
 Cf)C passion piai? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [Approaching Pilate's house.] Demand the 
 sentence with tumuh. Threaten a universal in- 
 surrection. 
 
 All. 
 [Tumult It ously.] We require the blood of our 
 Enemy ! 
 
 A SERV^^NT of Pilate. 
 [Rushing out of the house.] Uproar! insur- 
 rection ! 
 
 People. 
 The Nazarene must die ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Show courage! Stand out unter rifled; the 
 righteous cause defends us. 
 
 All. 
 Pilate, pronounce the sentence of death! 
 
 Servant. 
 [From the balcony.] Quiet! Peace! 
 
 All. 
 No, we will not rest till Pilate consent! 
 
 Servant. 
 Pilate will immediately appear. 
 
 All. 
 We demand the death of the Nazarene I 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [To the Priests.] Now may Pilate, as he de- 
 sired, be able to learn the mind of the people. 
 
 177
 
 
 Cfje lpa00fon Iplap 
 
 SCENE II. 
 [The same. Pilate with attendants and with 
 the thorn-crowned Christ, led by two Soldiers, 
 upon the balcony.] 
 
 All. 
 Give judgment! Sentence Him! 
 
 Pilate. 
 [Pointing to Jesus.] Behold the Man! 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 Crucify Him ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Cannot even this pitiable sight win compassion 
 from your hearts? 
 
 All. 
 Let Him die ! Crucify Him I 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Hear, O Governor, the voice of the people ; it 
 consents to our accusation and demands His 
 death. 
 
 People. 
 Yea, we desire His death ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 [To the Soldiers.] Lead Him below, and let 
 Barabbas be brought hither from the prison. Let 
 the jailer deliver him up immediately to the 
 chief lictor. 
 
 Annas. 
 Let Barabbas live ! Pronounce the sentence of 
 death on the Nazarene. 
 
 178
 
 Cf)e pa0Sion piap 
 
 The People. 
 Death to the Nazarene ! 
 Pilate. 
 I cannot comprehend this people. But a few 
 days ag"0 ye followed tliis Man, rejoicing and 
 answering one another with shouts of triumph 
 through the streets of Jerusalem. Is it possible 
 that to-day the same people should call out for 
 His death and destruction? That is despicable 
 fickleness. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The good people have at last learned to see 
 that they were deceived by an Adventurer who 
 pretended to call Himself the Messiah, the King 
 of Israel. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 Now the eyes of this people are fully opened, 
 so that they see that He cannot help Himself — 
 He. wiio promised to bring freedom and pros- 
 perity to the nation. 
 
 Ezekiel. 
 Israel will have no Alessiah who lets Himself 
 be taken and bound anfl treated with every kind 
 of scorn. 
 
 The People. 
 Let Him die, the false Messiah, the Deceiver ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Men of the Jewish people, ye have a custom 
 that I should release a prisoner unto you at 
 the feast. Look now upon these two ! The One 
 — of gentle countenance, of noble demeanor, the 
 Image of a wise Teacher, whom ye have long 
 
 179
 
 Cbe passion piap 
 
 honored as such, convinced of no evil deed, and 
 already humiliated by the most severe chastise- 
 ment ! the other a vicious, savage man, a con- 
 victed robber and murderer, the horrible image 
 of a finished scoundrel ! I appeal to your rea- 
 son, to your human feeling! Choose! Whom 
 will ye that I release unto you, Barabbas, or 
 Jesus whom ye call Christ? 
 
 Priests and People. 
 Let Barabbas go free ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Will ye not that I release unto you the King 
 of the Jews? 
 
 Priests and People. 
 Away with this Man, and release unto us Bar- 
 abbas ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Thou hast promised to release him whom the 
 people should require. 
 
 Pilate. 
 [Caiaphas.] I am accustomed to keep my 
 promises without reminder. [To the People.] 
 What shall I do, then, with the King of the 
 Jews? 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 Crucify Him. 
 
 Pilate. 
 What! shall I crucify your King? 
 
 The People. 
 We have no king but Caesar. 
 
 Pilate. 
 I cannot condemn this Man, for I find no 
 
 1 80
 
 Cfje pa00iott pia? 
 
 fault in 'Him. He is sufficiently chastised. I 
 will release Him. 
 
 Priest. 
 If thou let this Man go thou art not Caesar's 
 friend. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 He hath given Himself out as a King. 
 
 Priest. 
 And He pretends to be a king — a rebel against 
 Caesar. 
 
 Nathaniel. 
 And this Rebel is to remain unpunished and 
 to scatter abroad still further deeds of insurrec- 
 tion? 
 
 People. 
 It is the duty of the Governor to put Him out 
 of the way. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We have done our duty as subjects of Caesar 
 and deliver this Insurgent to thee. If thou dost 
 not attend to our accusation and the demand of 
 the people, then are we free from guilt. Thou 
 alone, O Governor, art responsible to Caesar for 
 the consequence. 
 
 Annas. 
 If on this Man's account universal tumult and 
 rebellion arise, we shall know who must bear the 
 blame of it, and Caesar also will know. 
 
 People. 
 The matter must be brought before Caesar. 
 
 EZEKIEL. 
 
 With astonishment will it be heard in Rome 
 
 i8i
 
 Cfje pa00jon piap 
 
 that Caesar's Governor protected one guilty of 
 high treason, whose death the entire people de- 
 manded. 
 
 The People. 
 Thou must cause Him to be condemned, else 
 will there be no peace in the land. 
 
 Pilate. 
 What evil hath He done? I cannot and dare 
 not condemn the innocent to death. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Permit me to ask a question. Wherefore judg- 
 est thou this Man so leniently, when lately thou 
 didst through thy soldiers cause a hundred to be 
 slaughtered without judgment or sentence on ac- 
 count of a rebellious outcry? [Pilate per- 
 plexed.] 
 
 The People. 
 Thou canst not then show favor to this Man 
 if thou wilt be a true servant of Caesar. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Let water be brought ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The people will not leave this place until the 
 sentence of death be pronounced upon the en- 
 emy of Caesar. 
 
 The People. 
 Yea, we will not again leave this spot until 
 the sentence of death is pronounced. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Then your violence forces me to comply with 
 your desire. Take him hence and crucify Him! 
 Yet behold [he zvashes his hands] I wash 
 
 l82
 
 Cfte pa$0iott piap 
 
 my hands ; I am innocent of the blood of the 
 righteous. Ye may answer for it. 
 
 Priests and People. 
 We take it upon ourselves. His blood be 
 upon us and our children. 
 
 Pilate. 
 Let Barabbas at the demand of the people be 
 released. Take him away — outside the city gate 
 so that he may never again tread these streets. 
 [The Soldio's lead azvay Barabbas.] 
 
 Priests and People. 
 Now hast thou justly judged. 
 
 Pilate. 
 I have yielded to your violent pressure in or- 
 der to keep off greater evil, but in this blood- 
 guiltiness will I have no part. Let it happen as 
 ye with tumultuous voices have called out ; let 
 it be upon you and upon your children. 
 
 Priests and People. 
 It is good, let it be upon us and upon our 
 children. 
 
 Annas. 
 We and our children will bless this day, and 
 with thankful joy pronounce the name of Pon- 
 tius Pilate. 
 
 The People. 
 Long live our Governor ! Long live Pontius 
 Pilate ! 
 
 Pilate. 
 Let the two murderers who are kept in prison 
 be brouglit here. Let the chief lictor give them 
 
 183
 
 Clje pasgion piap 
 
 over without delay to the soldiers. They have 
 deserved death — much more tkan the Accused. 
 Priests and People. 
 
 He hath deserved death more than any. 
 Pilate. 
 
 The sentence of death must be committed to 
 writing and openly announced before all the 
 people. [The Scribe begins to write. In the 
 street behind the scenes the Soldiers who are 
 bringing in the thiei'es are heard driving them 
 on: "Will ye go on, ye perverse ones? Have ye 
 not long ago deserved it? Thrust them on — 
 the off scouring of mankind."] 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 [Pointing to the thicz'cs.] There is a worthy 
 companionship for the false Messiah upon His 
 last journey. 
 
 Pilate. 
 
 [To the thieves.] Of you and of your deeds 
 shall the earth this day be quit. Ye shall be 
 crucified. Let the sentence of death be now 
 read. 
 
 Scribe. 
 
 [Rises and reads.] I, Pontius Pilate. Gover- 
 nor in Judea of the mighty Emperor Claudius 
 Tiberius, pronounce, at the importunate desire 
 of the high priests of the Sanhedrin, and of the 
 assembled people of the Jews, the sentence upon 
 a certain Jesus of Nazareth, who is accused of 
 having stirred up the people to rebellion, of hav- 
 ing forbidden to give tribute to Caesar, and of 
 having given Himself out as King of the Jews. 
 
 184
 
 €:bt passion piap 
 
 The same shall outside the city between two 
 malefactors who for many robberies and mur- 
 ders are likewise condemned to death, be nailed 
 to the cross and their death thus accomplished. 
 Given at Jerusalem, on the eve of the Pass- 
 over. 
 
 Pilate. 
 [Breaks liis staff.] Now take Him hence and 
 — crucify Him! [He turns hastily and almost 
 rushes into the house.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Triumph ! Victory is ours. The Enemy of 
 the Synagogue is destroyed. 
 
 Priests and People. 
 Away with Him to Golgotha! 
 
 The People. 
 Long live the Synagogue ! 
 
 Priests and People. 
 Long live the nation! 
 
 Annas. 
 Make haste that we may return home in time 
 to eat the Passover lamb! 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 With joy shall we keep this feast of the Pass- 
 over as our fathers in Egypt. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let our triumphal procession go through the 
 midst of Jerusalem. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Where are His followers ? They are invited 
 to cry Hosanna. 
 
 185
 
 C6e pa00ion piap 
 
 The People. 
 [Going azvay.] Up and away! To Golgo- 
 tha ! Come see Him, how He will die upon the 
 cross ! O day of joy, the Enemy of Moses is 
 cast down ! So let it be to Him who despises 
 the law ! He deserves the death of the cross ! 
 Auspicious Passover! Now doth joy return to 
 Israel ! There is an end to the Galilean. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND DIVISION. 
 
 THIRD DIVISION. 
 
 ACT XV. 
 
 The Way of the Cross. 
 
 [The extorted condemnation has been pro- 
 nounced. Noiv we sec Jesus fainting on the 
 7vay to the Mount of Golgotha, laden ivith the 
 beam of the Cross. Isaac also once bore wil- 
 lingly upon Ills oivH shoulders the zvood of the 
 offering to the mountain zvhere he zvas to bleed 
 as a sacrifice, according to the zvord of Jehovah. 
 Jesus also hears zvillingly the zvord of the Cross, 
 which through offering of holy love will now 
 soon become a Tree of Life rich in blessing. For 
 as a glance at the brazen serpent set up in the 
 zmlderness brought healing, so comfort and bless- 
 ing come to us from the Tree of the Cross.] 
 
 i86
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 TWENTY-SECOND TABLEAU: Isaac 
 bearing the zvood up Mount Moriah. 
 
 Chorus. 
 E'en as the wood for sacrifice 
 Isaac himself to Moriah bore 
 With His Cross laden, Jesus faints, 
 Yet bears it on to Golgotha. 
 Pray, and render heartfelt thanks 
 Who the cup of suffering drank 
 
 Now the way to death hath trod 
 
 Reconciling us to God. 
 
 TWENTY-THIRD TABLEAU: The bra- 
 zen serpent. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Nailed and raised upon the cross 
 Soon will be the Son of Man. 
 Here in. Moses serpent see 
 Type already of the cross. 
 Pray, and render heartfelt thanks, etc. 
 
 TWENTY-FOURTH TABLEAU: The chil- 
 dren of Israel around the brazen serpent. 
 
 Chorus, 
 From the poisonous serpents' bite 
 
 Were the people healed through this ! 
 So will from the Cross to us 
 
 Healing flow and blessedness. 
 Pray, and render heartfelt thanks, etc. 
 
 187
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [The Holy Women zvith John and Joseph of 
 Arimathea, coming from Bethany.^ 
 
 Mary. 
 [To John.] O beloved disciple, how goes it 
 with my Jesus? 
 
 John. 
 If the priests could do as they willed, so were 
 He surely already amongst the dead, but they 
 dare not carry out the sentence without per- 
 mission of the Governor, and Pilate, I hope, will 
 not condemn Him, since He hath ever only done 
 good. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 The Lx)rd guide the heart of the Governor ! 
 
 Mary. 
 O friends, whither shall we go, that I may 
 again see my Son? 
 
 Joseph. 
 There is no one to be seen from whom we 
 could obtain tidings. 
 
 John. 
 It will be best to go to Nicodemus, who sure- 
 ly knows how it is with the Master. 
 
 Mary. 
 Yea, let us go thither. Every moment in- 
 creases my anguish. 
 
 188
 
 Clbe lg>a0Sion piap 
 
 John. 
 Be strong in faith, beloved Mother. \ Cries are 
 heard, "On, on zmth Him!" It is the people, 
 urging on Jesus, zvho has fallen under His 
 burden.] 
 
 Joseph. 
 What fearful tumult is that? [They stand 
 still listening.] 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 [The procession of the Cross Bearing. 
 Priests, Pharisees, People, Soldiers half in 
 the "Street of Annas," turning slozvly into the 
 foreground. In front the Centurion tvith the 
 Staff of Command, a horseman in the group 
 with the Roman Banner. Christ painfully 
 dragging the cross, nearest to Him the four 
 Executioners.] 
 
 People. 
 Let Him die, and all who hold with Him ! 
 
 First Executioner. 
 Is the burden already too heavy for Thee? 
 
 People. 
 Urge Him on with force that we may get to 
 Calvary ! 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 Hold hard, He will come down again ! 
 [The group in the "Street of Pilate" knozs) 
 not yet what is going on.] 
 
 189
 
 Cfje pa00ion piay 
 
 Joseph. 
 What shall we do? With this crowd we can- 
 not venture ourselves in the city. 
 
 Mary. 
 What may this tumult signify? Can it pos- 
 sibly concern my Son? 
 
 Joseph. 
 It seems as if an insurrection has broken out. 
 
 John. 
 We will keep quiet here until the storm has 
 blown over. 
 
 Simon of Cyrene. 
 [Comes hastily and anxiously from the mid- 
 dle of the street to the foreground, carrying a 
 basket.] I must hasten in order to get into the 
 city. The eve of the feast is on the decline, and 
 I must yet make purchases. 
 
 Priests and People. 
 [Still unseen by Simon.] Let Him not rest! 
 Urge Him out to Golgotha. 
 Ahasuerus. 
 [Coming quickly out of the house.] Away 
 from my house. This is no place for resting. 
 
 Simon. 
 The tumult becomes greater. Who comes 
 there? I will await the event. 
 
 SCENE HI. 
 
 [The Procession with Christ has at last come 
 to the front. Meamvkile in the Middle Street 
 
 190
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 Veronica and the Women of Jerusalem draw 
 near.] 
 
 John. 
 It seems that some one is led out to execution 
 to Calvary. 
 
 Mary. 
 [Sees Jesus.] It is He! O God, it is my 
 Son! [Those around Jesus push Him on.] 
 Executioners. 
 He delays us on the road. 
 
 Centurion. 
 [To Jesus tvJio in uttermost zu'eariuess lias 
 again fallen fainting.] Here, refresh Thyself. 
 [He hands Him a flask, Jesus takes it but does 
 not drink.] 
 
 Mary. 
 Ah ! See Him thus led to death, like a male- 
 factor, between two malefactors. 
 
 John. 
 Mother, it is the hour of which He spoke 
 before ; thus it is the Father's will. 
 Centurion. 
 Wilt Thou not drink? Then force Him on. 
 
 Fourth Exi-xutioner. 
 [Shakes Jesus.] Bestir Thyself, lazy King of 
 the Jews. 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 Up, pull Thyself together ! 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 Do not act so weakly, we must go on. 
 
 191
 
 CJ)e pa00ion piap 
 
 Mary. 
 O, where is sorrow like unto my sorrow. 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 He is too much exhausted ; some one must 
 help, otherwise — 
 
 Rabbi. 
 [Pointing to Simon.] Here, this stranger — 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Lay hold on him. 
 
 Centurion. 
 Come hither; thou hast broad shoulders. 
 
 Simon. 
 
 I must 
 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 Indeed thou must, or there will be blows. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Beat him, if he will not go. 
 
 Simon. 
 I am indeed innocent, I have committed no 
 crime. 
 
 Executioner. 
 Silence ! 
 
 Simon. 
 [Observing Christ.] What do I see? that 
 is the Holy Man of Nazareth. 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 Thy shoulders here. 
 
 Simon. 
 For love of Thee will I bear it. O that I 
 could thereby make myself worthy in Thine 
 sight ! 
 
 192
 
 Cl)e lPas0ion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 [Sta)iding exhausted at one side.] God's 
 blessing upon thee and thine. 
 
 Executioner. 
 Forward now, do Thou follow after with the 
 beam of Thy cross. 
 
 First Priest. 
 [To Christ.] Now canst Thou step on 
 quickly ? 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 [Sei::ing Jesus by the neck and shaking Him.] 
 See how we are kept back by Thee, even though 
 the instrument of punishment be taken off Thee ! 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 Dost Thou need anything more? 
 
 Executioner. 
 
 Let Him alone. We will wait a little longer 
 yet that He may revive before we go up the 
 hill. 
 
 [Veronica and the IV omen of Jerusalem ap- 
 proach the procession.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Another stoppage already? When shall we 
 get to Calvary? 
 
 Veronica. 
 [Kneeling before Jesus and offering Him a 
 napkin.] O Lord, how is Thy countenance cov- 
 ered with blood and sweat. Wilt Thou not 
 wipe it? 
 
 193
 
 Cfte pa00jott piap 
 
 Christ. 
 \lVipcs His face and gives her back the 
 cloth.] Compassionate soul, the Father will rec- 
 ompense thee for it. 
 
 Women of Jerusalem. 
 [Kneeling zvith their little ones before the 
 Lord.] Thou good Master, never-to-be-forgot- 
 ten Benefactor, noblest Friend, of men thus art 
 Thou recompensed. [They zveep.] 
 
 Christ. 
 Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me, but 
 weep for yourselves and for your children. For 
 behold, the days are coming in which they shall 
 say blessed are the barren, and wombs that nev- 
 er bare, and the paps that never gave suck. Then 
 shall they begin to say, "Fall on us;" and to 
 the hills, "Cover us." For if they do those 
 things in a green tree, what shall be done in the 
 dry? 
 
 Centurion. 
 Now remove the women folk. 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 What good are your women's tears ? Back. 
 
 Second and Third Executioners. 
 Away with Him to the hill of death ! 
 
 People. 
 Up briskly to Calvary. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Is the thing ever to go on? 
 Nathaniel. 
 The Centurion is quite too merciful. 
 
 194
 
 Cfje 1^3001011 piap 
 
 Priest. 
 lie does not spare his soldiers so much. 
 [The procession bes^ins to move forzvard. The 
 Servant of Pilate appears.] 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Pilate's Servant. 
 Hold ! By the Governor's command the Cen- 
 turion is immediately to appear before him to re- 
 ceive further directions. [The procession stops.] 
 
 Caiapiias. 
 What is this? Wherefore any new direc- 
 tions ? The sentence of death is pronounced and 
 must be carried out without delay. 
 
 Centurion. 
 
 [Sternly.] No, this cannot be until I shall 
 have received the orders from my lord. [To the 
 Soldiers.] Keep ye watch meanwhile, and go 
 on with the condemned towards Golgotha. Then 
 dismiss this man, [pointini^ to Simon] and 
 await my arrival. 
 
 [Exit with the Senvnt. The procession 
 moves forzvard again to the middle of the back- 
 ground.] 
 
 People. 
 
 [IVildly one after the other.] Up to Golgotha! 
 Crucify Him! Hail to Israel, the Enemy is 
 overcome ! We are set free ; long live the San- 
 hedrin ! 
 
 195.
 
 Cfte passion piap 
 
 John. 
 Mother, shall we not return to Bethany? Thou 
 wilt not be able to bear the sight. 
 
 Mary. j 
 
 How could a mother leave her child in the 1 
 last bitterest need. I will suffer with Him, with 
 Him bear scorn and shame — die with Him ! 
 
 John. 
 If only strength of the body do not fail. 
 
 Mary. 
 Fear not. I have prayed to God for strength ; 
 the Lord hath heard me. Let us follow after. 
 
 All. 
 Dearest Mother, we follow thee. [They slow- 
 ly^ follow the procession.] 
 
 ACT XVI. 
 
 Jesus on Calvary. 
 
 [Christ clothed in black.] 
 
 Chorus. 
 Up, pious souls, arise and go 
 With grateful penitence aglow 
 With me to Golgotha, and see 
 What for your saving here befell. 
 There dies the Daysman between God 
 And sinners, the atoning death. 
 
 196
 
 CJ)e passion piai? 
 
 Ah ! naked only clothed with wounds, 
 Here lies He on the Cross for thee; 
 The vengeance of the wicked gloats 
 Malicious, o'er His nakedness, 
 And He who thee. O sinner, loves, 
 Is silent, suffers and forgives. 
 
 I hear His limbs already crack 
 As they from out tlieir joints are torn ; 
 Whose heart doth it not cause to rend 
 When he the hammer's stroke doth hear, 
 Whose dull thick blows, through hands and feet, 
 'Alas! the cruel nails must send. 
 
 [The blozvs of the hammer are heard from 
 behind the scenes. The curtain rises; Christ 
 lies nailed to the cross upon the ground.\ 
 
 Choragus. 
 
 [In tones accompanied by soft music.\ 
 
 Up, pious souls, draw near the Lamb 
 Who freely gives Himself for you 
 Behold Him on the tree of doom 
 See how twixt murderers He hangs, 
 He, Son of God, His life-blood gives 
 And ye no tears give back to Him? 
 
 Himself His murderers to forgive, 
 We hear Him to the Father pray: 
 And soon, O soon, He ends His life, 
 
 197
 
 ^bt passion pia^ 
 
 That we eternal death may 'scape 
 His side a spear, doth pierce full sore 
 And opes to us His heart still sore. 
 
 Choragus. 
 
 [Sings.] 
 
 O who can this high love 
 
 Which loveth even unto death 
 
 And blessing even the murderous band, 
 
 Instead of hating, pardons them? 
 
 The Whole Chorus. 
 O bring to this great Love 
 But pious heart's emotion 
 Unto the Altar of the Cross 
 To the great Offering there. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 [The scene is in the middle of the stage. As 
 the curtain rises, the tzvo crosses with the male- 
 factors are raised. Christ lies nailed to His 
 Cross, on the ground. Lictors, Executioners, 
 High Priests. Pharisees, People ; in the back- 
 ground the Holy Women, with John, Joseph 
 and NicoDEMus.] 
 
 The Executioners. 
 [Poijiting to the Thieves.] We have already 
 
 198
 
 Cbe passion piaj) 
 
 finished with these. Must the King of the Jews 
 be also raised on high upon His throne. 
 
 Priest. 
 Not King! Deceiver, chief traitor! 
 
 Centurion. 
 First, however, this writing must according to 
 the Governor's order be fastened to the cross. 
 Faustus. fasten this escutcheon over the Cross. 
 
 Faustus. 
 A shield exposed to pubhc view ! Ha ! that is 
 truly legal. [He fastens on the xi*riting.] 
 
 Centurion. 
 Now lay hold, and raise the Cross ! only not 
 carelessly ! 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 Come, redouble your efforts. [They raise iV.] 
 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 All right, the cross stands firm. 
 
 Centurion. 
 The painful act is accomplished. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 And truly admirably accomplished. Thanks 
 and applause from us all. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Thanks and applause from us all. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 This day shall be ever a feast day. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Yea, it will be solemnly kept for all time to 
 come. 
 
 Annas. 
 And I will now willingly go down to my 
 
 199
 
 Cfte passion piap 
 
 fathers since I have lived, to have the joy of 
 seeing this Wretch upon the Cross. But the 
 writing upon the Cross seems to me to be very 
 briefly composed. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 [Going closer.] That is an affront to the San- 
 hedrin and to the people. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What is written ? 
 
 Rabbi. 
 It reads thus: Jesus of Nazareth, the King 
 of the Jews. [The four Executioners lay down 
 the Cross.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Truly the honor of the nation is therein 
 touched ? 
 
 Priest. 
 Let the writing be torn down. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 We dare not ourselves lay hands on it. [To 
 tzvo Priests.] Go to the Governor and demand 
 in the name of the Sanhedrin and of the assem- 
 bled people, the alteration of this writing. He 
 should write that He said — I am King of the 
 Jews. Then also present a petition that before 
 the great eve of the feast the bones of the cruci- 
 fied be broken and their bodies taken down. 
 Third Executioner. 
 Now, comrades, let us divide what has fallen 
 to us. [He takes up the coat and the mantle 
 of Christ.] See, the mantle makes just four 
 parts. [The four Executioners sei:se the man- 
 
 200
 
 ^tit pa00ion piap 
 
 tie and tear it zcith one pull, into four pieces.] 
 But the coat is not sewn together. Shall we 
 cut it also in pieces. 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 No, it is better that we cast lots for it. 
 
 First Executioner. 
 Here are dice. I will at once try my luck. 
 {He throws.] That is too little. I have lost. 
 Third Executioner. 
 {Looking up to Christ.] What? If thou 
 canst work a miracle upon the Cross, then give 
 luck to my throw. {He throzvs.] 
 
 The Other Executioners. 
 What does He know about us? 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 I ought to be luckier. Fifteen. Very good. 
 Now do thou try it ! 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 I must get it. {He throzvs.] 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 {Looking at the dice.] Eighteen! That is 
 the highest. 
 
 First Executioner. 
 It is thine. Take it away. 
 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 Thou art not at all to be envied about it. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 {Returning from Pilatic] Our embassy was 
 fruitless. He would not listen to us. 
 
 Caiapiias. 
 Did he give us no answer? 
 
 201
 
 Cfte passion piap 
 
 Rabbi. 
 This only, "What I have written, I have writ- 
 ten." 
 
 Annas. 
 Intolerable. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What answer did he give concerning break- 
 ing the bones? 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Concerning that he said he would give his or- 
 ders to the Centurion. 
 
 Priest. 
 [To Christ.] Therefore the writing remains: 
 King of the Jews. Ah, if Thou art a King in 
 Israel come down now from the Cross, that we 
 may. see it and believe on Thee. 
 Second Priest. 
 Thou that destroyed the Temple and buildest 
 it in three days, save Thyself ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Ah, Thou hast saved others. Thyself Thou 
 canst not save. 
 
 The False Witnesses. 
 Come down, for Thou art the Son of God. 
 
 Annas. 
 He trusted in God : let Him deliver Him now 
 if He will have Him. 
 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 What ! dost Thou not hear ? 
 
 First and Third Executioners. 
 Show Thy power, mighty King of the Jews! 
 
 202
 
 Cf)e pa0$ion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 [Whose head during the whole time has hung 
 motionless, )iow turns it painfully.] Father, 
 forgive them, for they know not what they do. 
 The Thief. 
 [On the left; to Christ.] Hearest Thou ? If 
 Thou art the Christ save Tiiyself and us. 
 The Thief on the Right. 
 [To him on the left.] Dost thou not fear 
 God, seeing 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. Lord, remember me when Thou 
 comest into Thy kingdom. 
 
 Christ. 
 Verily I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be 
 with Me in Paradise. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Listen, He still goes on as though it were 
 His command at the doors of Paradise. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 His presumption has not yet left Him, now 
 that He hangs helpless upon the Cross. 
 
 Christ. 
 Woman, behold thy son. Son, behold thy 
 mother. 
 
 Mary. 
 Thus dying Thou carest still for Thy mother. 
 
 John. 
 Sacred to me Thy last will. Thou my moth- 
 er. And I thy son. 
 
 203
 
 CJje passion piap 
 
 Christ. 
 [With signs of the approaching end.] I thirst. 
 
 Centurion. 
 He suffers thirst and asks for drink. 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 I will quickly reach it to Him. [He takes 
 the reed with the sponge, upon which the Cen- 
 turion pours from his flask; Christ sips from 
 the sponge.] Here, drink ! 
 
 Christ. 
 [With the expression of deepest anguish.] 
 Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani ? 
 
 Pharisee and People. 
 See, He calleth Elias ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to 
 save Him. 
 
 Christ. 
 [Breathing heaznly several times.] It is fin- 
 ished! Father, into Thy hands I commend I\Iy 
 spirit. [He slozvly droops His head, and dies. 
 Thunder is heard; and it becomes dark.] 
 Priests and People. 
 What a fearful earthquake. Hear ye the 
 crash of the falling rocks? Woe to us. 
 Centurion. 
 Certainly this was a righteous Man ! 
 
 Soldiers. 
 The Godhead Himself bears Him witness 
 through these terrors of nature! 
 Centurion. 
 This patience in fiercest pains, this noble 
 
 204
 
 Clje passion piap 
 
 calm, this loud devoted cry to heaven in the 
 moment before Tlis departure — all make one ati- 
 gurate something- higher. Truly He is the Son 
 of God ! 
 
 People. 
 
 Come, neighbors, I will remain no longer in 
 this place of horrors ; let us return home. God 
 be gracious to us ! 
 
 Other. 
 
 Almighty One, we have sinned. [The people 
 disperse.] 
 
 Servant of the Temple. 
 [Entering Iiastily.] High priest, assembled 
 Council, In the holy place a fearful advent has 
 happened. I tremble in every limb, 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 What is it; not the Temple? 
 
 Annas. 
 Thrown down ? 
 
 Servant. 
 Not that, but the veil of the Temple is rent 
 in twain from the top to the lx)ttom. It seems 
 as though the whole earth is split asunder. 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 Terrible ! 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [Pointing to the dead Christ.] This hath 
 that Wretch done through His enchantments. It 
 is well that He is out of the world, or He would 
 bring all elements into disorder. 
 
 205
 
 Cf)e passion piap 
 
 Priests and Pharisees. 
 Curses upon Him, He is in league with Beel- 
 zebub. 
 
 Caiapiias. 
 Let us go home with haste and see what has 
 occurred. We will then return hither immediate- 
 ly, for I have no rest until I see the legs of 
 this Man broken and His body thrown into a 
 Malefactor's grave. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 [To Joseph of Arimathea.] Shall then the 
 Holy Body of the Heaven sent, be so dishonored 
 as to be thrown into the Malefactor's grave? 
 
 Joseph. 
 Friend, hear my resolve. I will go straight- 
 way to Pilate, and will earnestly beg him to 
 give me the body of Jesus. He will not deny 
 me this favor. 
 
 Nicodemus. 
 Do so, friend. I will bring spices to embalm 
 His body. 
 
 Centurion. 
 [To the Holy Women.} Fear not, good 
 women. No evil shall befall thee. 
 Magdalene. 
 [Clasping the Cross.] O most beloved Teach- 
 er, my heart hangs with Thee from the Cross. 
 
 206
 
 Cl)e passion Plap 
 
 Servant of PiLATFi. 
 [Entering. To the Centurion.] By order 
 of my lord, the crucified are to have their legs 
 broken. Thcti their bodies are to be taken down. 
 Before the beginning- of the good, evil all must 
 be over. 
 
 Centurion. 
 It will be done at once. Fellows, brealc first 
 the bones of these two thieves. 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 Let us bring this heart-breaking business 
 quickly to an end. 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 [IVIw has gone up a ladder and broken the 
 legs of the thieves on the right with four blows 
 with a club.] He wakes no more. 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 [Goes up to the thief on the left hand.] The 
 other will I hasten out of the world. 
 
 Mary. 
 [Shuddering.] Ah, Jesus, they will not sure- 
 ly deal so horribly with Thy Holy Body. 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 [To the tliicf on the left hand.] Movest thou 
 any more? No! he has his wages. 
 Magdalene. 
 [As the Executioner with a club approaches 
 Christ.] Ah, spare Him. 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 [Looking up to Christ.] He is already dead. 
 It is no longer necessary to break His legs. 
 
 207
 
 CSe passion piap 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 In order that we may be quite sure of His 
 death I will open His heart with a spear. [He 
 pierces Jesus's side — blood Uozvs oiit.^ 
 The Holy Women. 
 Ah! 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Ah, Mother, this wound has also pierced Thy 
 heart. 
 
 Centurion. 
 Now take the Body from the cross. 
 
 First Executioner. 
 Whither then? whither? 
 
 Centurion. 
 As it is ordered — into the criminal's grave. 
 
 Mary. 
 What a fearful word! 
 
 Fourth Executioner. 
 Ladders ! here they will soon be taken down. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 {To the Centurion.] May we not then once 
 show the last honors to our Friend? 
 
 Centurion. 
 Unhappily, it lies not in my power to grant 
 you your wish. 
 
 Second Executioner. 
 [To the First Executioner.] Go thou up, I 
 will hold. 
 
 Third Executioner. 
 And I will look after the others. 
 
 208
 
 Cfje pa0$ion piajt? 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 [The Priests return to Golgotha.] 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [Entering at the head of the Priests.] It will 
 be more pleasing to us to see this Wretch 
 thrown into the grave of shame. We have be- 
 held the destruction that He has brought to pass 
 in the Temple. 
 
 Annas. 
 It would rejoice mine eyes to see His limbs 
 torn asunder by wild beasts. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 See, they have already been taken down, so 
 we shall see our wish fulfilled at once. 
 Pilate's Serv^ant. 
 [Enteri}ig zvith J(~)Seph of Arimathea. To the 
 Centurion.] The Governor hath sent me to in- 
 quire of thee if Jesus of Nazareth indeed be 
 dead as this man hath told him. 
 
 Centurion. 
 It is so. See for thyself. 
 
 Servant. 
 Then I am commissioned to announce to thee 
 that His body be delivered to this man as a gift 
 from the Governor. 
 
 The Holy Women. 
 O comforting tidings ! 
 
 209
 
 Cl)e pas0ion piap 
 
 Rabbi. 
 [Looking toward Joseph of Arimathea.] The 
 betrayer of the Sanhedrin. So he has again 
 worked secretly. 
 
 Annas. 
 And destroyed our pleasure. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [To the Centurion.] Nevertheless we will 
 not consent that he be laid in any other place 
 than with the malefactors. 
 
 Centurion. 
 
 Since the body is given to this man he can 
 bury it how and wheresoever he wishes. This 
 allows of no objection. [To the Soldiers and 
 Executioners.] Men, our business is ended; we 
 will return home. 
 
 Annas. 
 
 [To Joseph of Arimathea.] Thou persistest 
 then, in thy stubbornness. Art thou not ashamed 
 to honor even the dead body of a Criminal? 
 
 Joseph. 
 I honor the most virtuous of men, the God- 
 sent Teacher, the Innocent murdered One. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 Envy and pride were the motives of His con- 
 demnation. The judge himself was forced to 
 testify to His innocence ; He swore that he 
 would have no part in His blood. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 The curse of the law will bring you to de- 
 struction, ye enemies of our fathers. 
 
 210
 
 ^t^t lpa0,0ion piay 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 Do not exdte thyself, High Priest, they are 
 smitten with bhndness. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Cursed be ye by the Council. Bereft of your 
 dignities, ye shall no more dare to appear in 
 our midst. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 We no more desire to do so. 
 
 Annas. 
 
 [Coming forward with the Priests.] As the 
 body is in the hands of His friends we must 
 be on guard, since this Deceiver said that after 
 three days He would rise again. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 
 This trick could easily be played upon the peo- 
 ple. His disciples could take Him away secretly 
 and then report that He has risen. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Then would the last error be worse than the 
 first. Let us go immediately and ask from Pi- 
 late a guard of soldiers to watch the grave 
 until the third day. 
 
 Annas. 
 A prudent thought. 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Thus will their plans be brought to nought. 
 
 211
 
 Cj^e passion piap 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 Removal From the Cross and Burial. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 At length they have gone, the madmen. Be 
 comforted, beloved Mother. The mocking and 
 blaspheming- are over, and a holy evening calm 
 surrounds us. 
 
 Mary. 
 He has finished it. He has departed into the 
 rest of His Father. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 He has not been torn from us forever, that is 
 His own promise. 
 
 Mary. 
 [To the men removing the body from the 
 CrossS\ Generous men, bring me quickly the 
 body of my beloved child. 
 
 Salome. 
 Come, my companions, prepare this winding 
 sheet to receive it. [They seat Mary, and spread 
 the winding sheet beside her.] 
 
 Joseph. 
 [Taking the body upon his shotdders.] O 
 sweet, O holy burden, rest upon my shoulders. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 [Reaching for the body.] Come, holy body of 
 my only Friend. Let me embrace Thee. How 
 hath the fury of Thine enemies lacerated Thee ! 
 [The body is placed on Mary's lap.] 
 
 212
 
 Cfje passion piap 
 
 John. 
 Once more the best of sons rests in the bosom 
 of the best of mothers. 
 
 Mary. 
 O my son, how is Thy body covered with 
 wounds. 
 
 John. 
 Mother, from these wounds flow healing and 
 blessing for mankind. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Behold, mother, Heaven's peace rests upon the 
 countenance. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 Let us anoint Him and wrap Him in this new 
 winding sheet. 
 
 Joseph. 
 He shall be laid in my new grave prepared 
 for myself in the rocky cave in my garden. 
 
 Salome. 
 Best of Masters — One more loving tear on 
 Thy lifeless body. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Let me kiss once more the hand which so 
 often blessed me. 
 
 JoH N. 
 We shall see Him again. 
 Joseph. 
 Do thou help me to bear Him into the garden. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 f am blessed since I may lay to rest the re- 
 mains of Him who was sent from God. [They 
 bear His body to the tomb.] 
 
 213
 
 Cfte Pa00ion piap 
 
 John. 
 Let us follow the dear, the divine Friend. 
 
 Mary. 
 It is the last service which I can do for my 
 Jesus. [All follow. The grave is seen in the 
 background.] 
 
 John. 
 Now we will return home. Come, dearest 
 mother. 
 
 Joseph. 
 Let us close the grave with this stone. Help 
 me. 
 
 NiCODEMUS. 
 
 After the feast day we will finish the work 
 of love. 
 
 Joseph. 
 Come now, O friend, to lament His death. 
 
 Nicodemus. 
 O how can this Man, full of grace and truth, 
 have deserved such a fate. 
 
 ACT XVH. 
 
 The Resurrection. 
 
 Prologue. 
 
 {All is nozv accomplished. Peace and joy. 
 His strife hath brought us freedom. His death 
 hatJi brought us life. O let the heart of the 
 redeemed flow with thankfulness and love. The 
 
 214
 
 Cfje Pa0$ion piap 
 
 Iwly One rests in the tomb, yet for shortest rest. 
 For the Anointed One cannot see corruption. He 
 ijiill arise again alive. Jonah, God's prophet, af- 
 ter three days came out of the fish's belly. 
 Israel zvent victoriously through the waives of 
 the sea which szvallowed up the enemy. So vuill 
 the Lord mightily burst the gates of death, shin- 
 ing out of darkness in glorious light, and arise 
 to the confusion of His enemies in exceeding 
 majesty.] 
 
 Tenor. 
 Softly rest now, sacred body. 
 
 Solo. 
 Rest in peace from pain and labor. 
 In the stillness of the grave. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Love, O love, in Thy dear blood 
 Thou didst strike with God's own power 
 All the mighty combat through. 
 Love, Thou gavest Thyself, Thy life, 
 For us sinners willingly. 
 Ever before our eyes shall float 
 Higher sense of all Thy love. 
 Softly now, O sacred Frame, 
 Rest in stillness of the grave, 
 All Tliy bitter passion o'er. 
 In earth's lap O softly rest 
 Till Thy glory be revealed. 
 
 215
 
 Cfje passion pia^ 
 
 Never shall corruption's worm 
 Touch or mar Thy holy flesh. 
 
 TWENTY-FIFTH TABLEAU: Jonah 
 cast by the whale on dry land. 
 
 As Jonah once within the fish 
 
 So in earth's bosom now doth rest 
 
 The Son of Man — but with one breath 
 
 He breaks His bonds and the sealed tomb. 
 
 Victory, victory. He will rise 
 
 As Jonah from the fish's maw 
 
 So also will the Son of J\Ian 
 
 Go forth to life from out the grave. 
 
 TWENTY-SIXTH TABLEAU: The Egyp- 
 tians dronmed in the Red Sea. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Great is the Lord ! His goodness great 
 Accepted hath He now His own. 
 He led once through the waters' midst 
 His Israel on the firm, dry ground. 
 
 Triumph, for He vvho died will rise ; 
 Death darkness covers Him no more. 
 Now living. He througli His own might 
 Will victor from tlie grave go forth. 
 
 2l6
 
 Ct)c pa00ion piap 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 The Watch Sitting or Lying About the 
 
 Grave. 
 
 Watch. 
 [One after another.] Brother, how goes it 
 with thee? I shall soon find it too wearisome to 
 guard a dead body. This tedious office of 
 watching the dead, which the priests have put 
 upon us! Have patience, it is the last night. 
 But it is truly laughable how this people still 
 fear even the dead. The Man of Nazareth must 
 have said that He would rise again on the third 
 day. Hence their anxiety. If He is really a 
 higher Being, who will then hinder His resur- 
 rection ? Certainly we cannot. Who could with- 
 stand the will of God, if He willed to permit 
 any one to return from the under world? They 
 fear that His disciples will take away the body 
 and say that He is risen ; to prevent this vve 
 are set to watch. Then they may be with- 
 out anxiety. They are not thinking of it. That 
 would give us a fine hare-hunt. We have been 
 told how bravely they behaved in the olive gar- 
 den. The glow of morning is beginning already. 
 [Earthquake] What a fearful earthquake. Ye 
 gods. Away from the rock, it totters, it falls in, 
 [An Angel rolls away the stone, Christ arises.] 
 Immortal gods, what <\o I see? I am blinded. 
 
 217
 
 Cfte Pa00ion piap 
 
 [They fall to the ground.] The appearance is 
 gone. I saw at the grave a Figure Hke that 
 of a man, but His face was dazzling as the 
 lightning. Higher powers are at work here. 
 The grave is open. I see no corpse. He must 
 be risen. He has fulfilled His word. We will 
 hasten to the High Priests and relate the whole 
 occurrence to them. 
 
 SCENE n. 
 
 The Holy Women at the Grave. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 [Hastening on before the others.] How does 
 my heart rejoice to show even this honor to the 
 Beloved. 
 
 The Other Women. 
 Who shall roll us away the stone? 
 
 Magdalene. 
 [Comes from the gro7'e.] O sisters, what 
 have I seen? They have taken away the Lord 
 out of the sepulchre. 
 
 Women. 
 
 God! 
 
 Magdalene. 
 
 1 will go at once to Peter and John and bring 
 them these sorrowful tidings. [Exit.] 
 
 Women. 
 Alas, the last consolation is thus taken from 
 us. Perchance Joseph hath laid Him in another 
 
 2l8
 
 Cbe pa00ion piap 
 
 grave. If only the enemies have not stolen Him 
 away. Let us see ourselves. [They go to the 
 graz-c] I see not the Sacred Body. O, I am 
 affrighted. 
 
 Angel. 
 
 [Appearing at the door of the sepnilcJire.] 
 Fear not, Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was 
 crucified. He is risen, and is no longer here. 
 Go and tell His disciples and Peter that the Lord 
 goeth hefore you into Galilee. There shall ye 
 see Him as He said unto you. 
 
 Women. 
 [Departing hastily in terror, then recollecting 
 themselves.] What a heavenly message! He 
 is risen. Let us hasten and bring the tidings 
 to all the disciples which the Angel hath brought 
 to us. 
 
 SCENE HL 
 
 The Priests and the Watch. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 It cannot possibly have happened as the watch 
 declared, [lie goes quickly to the grave.] It 
 is true. The stone is rolled away, the sepulchre 
 is empty. [To the Watch.] How did this hap- 
 pen? Confess, or the most fearful punishment 
 awaits you. 
 
 .219
 
 Cbe passion piap 
 
 Watch. 
 We can say nothing different from what we 
 have already reported. 
 
 Pharisees. 
 Ye lie. 
 
 Watch. 
 But how could any one have entered, when 
 the door was closed and we sat around the se- 
 pulchre. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Ye are yourselves in the plot. 
 
 Annas. 
 Why did ye not at once raise an alarm? 
 
 Watch. 
 When a thunderbolt has stricken us to earth? 
 
 Rabbi. 
 Whither was the Body taken away? 
 
 Watch. 
 That we know not. He is risen, as ye feared. 
 We are going- to Pilate, who shall decide, and 
 in the whole city w'ill we make known what we 
 have seen. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [Whispers to the Priests.] We must keep 
 them back. [To the Watch.] Believe what ye 
 will. Meanwhile it is our duty to see that the 
 event remains in obscurity. Your silence shall 
 bring you a rich reward. 
 
 Watch. 
 But the thing will become known and for such 
 a deception Pilate would punish us severely. 
 
 220
 
 mt pa00ion piap 
 
 Annas. 
 For that leave us to take thought. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 [Gives money to the Watch.] We will answer 
 for you to Pilate. 
 
 Watch. 
 [Taking the money.] But, if we are ques- 
 tioned ? 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 Then say ye only : His disciples came while 
 we slept and stole Him away. 
 
 Watch. 
 Then take back your money. From such 
 words Pilate would then most severely punish 
 us. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 J. will answer for it to you, in the name of 
 the whole Council that ye shall come off un- 
 punished. 
 
 Pharisee. 
 Be without anxiety and be silent. 
 
 Watch. 
 We will be silent. 
 
 Caiaphas. 
 \Tq his followers.] Now seize every oppor- 
 tunity to spread abroad among- the people that 
 the Body was taken away by His followers. The 
 victory is ours, the Enemy is dead. Plis Body 
 may lie where it will. In a few years will the 
 name of the Nazarene be forgotten, or only 
 named with scorn. His work is at an end. 
 
 221
 
 Ctie pa00ion piap 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 [John, Peter, Magdalene, then Christ and 
 an Angel.] 
 
 John. 
 
 I will convince myself whether Mary saw 
 rightly. [He looks into the sepulchre.'] It is 
 empty. But to enter I dare not. 
 
 Peter. 
 
 We must, however, search more closely. 
 [Coming out of the grave.] Behold thyself, 
 John, how orderly the napkins are folded to- 
 gether by themselves. All is arranged in the 
 grave as when one who arises from sleep lays 
 his night-garments in the appointed place. 
 
 John. 
 
 Simon, what thoughts do thy words awak- 
 en in me ! Is the Lord perchance arisen from 
 death as from gentle sleep? 
 
 Peter. 
 If that were true. But I never took that 
 prophecy to the letter. 
 
 John. 
 
 1 doubt no longer. 
 
 Peter. 
 God grant it. We will now hasten to our 
 brethren and bring them this consolation. Mary, 
 comest thou not with us? 
 
 222
 
 Clje pa0S(ion piap 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Let me weep here alone. 
 
 John. 
 Do not linger too long, Mary. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Now flow down, O tears. 
 
 Angel. 
 [Appearing at the sepulehre.] Woman, why 
 weepest thou ? 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Alas, they have taken away my Lord, and I 
 know not where they have laid Him. 
 
 Christ. 
 [Appearing amongst the trees.] Woman, why 
 weepest thou ? 
 
 Magdalene. 
 Sir, if Thou have borne Him hence tell me 
 where Thou hast laid Him. 
 
 Christ. 
 Mary. 
 
 Magdalene. 
 O, that is His voice. Rabboni ! 
 
 Christ. 
 Touch Me not, for I am not yet ascended to 
 My Father. But go to My brethren, and say 
 unto them: I ascend unto My Father and your 
 Father, and to My God and your God. [He 
 disappears.] 
 
 Magdalene. 
 O, my Master. He hath vanished. But I have 
 seen Him — have heard the beloved voice. Now 
 
 223
 
 Cije pa0Sion piap 
 
 depart hence, sorrow and sadness. I will hasten 
 as upon wings to the brethren, and will an- 
 nounce to them the greeting of the risen One. 
 O that I could proclaim it throughout all worlds, 
 that mountains and floods, heaven and earth, 
 might re-echo: Hallelujah, He is risen. 
 
 LAST SCENE. 
 
 [He is risen. Rejoice, ye heavens. He is ris- 
 en. Rejoice, ye mortals. The Lion of the tribe 
 of Jiidah. He hath bruised the serpent's head. 
 Faith stands firm. The fore-image and pledge 
 of our future resurrection azvaiics joyful hope in 
 O'lir heart. Cry with the voice of rejoicing — 
 Hallelujah! We saw Him outer Jerusalem' in 
 humility, and, ah, for the deepest humiliation. 
 Noiv let us behold, before zve separate, the vic- 
 torious solemnity of the Conqueror. Now He 
 ascends to the highest glory, full of majesty, to 
 the iVt'tc Jerusalem, where He zvill gather to 
 Himself all whom He hath purchased zvith His 
 blood. Strengthened and full of joy at this 
 sight, return to your homes, O friends, tilled zvith 
 inmost love for Him who loved you even unto 
 death, and still in Heaven ez'crlastingly loves 
 you — 'there, zvhere the eternal song of triumph 
 resounds: Praise be to the La^nb zvhich was 
 slain. There reunited around our Saznor, we 
 shall all meet again. Hallelujah!] 
 
 224
 
 C!)e pa$$ion piag 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 The Hero hath conquered 
 
 The might of the foe 
 
 Few hours in the grave 
 
 In the gloom hath He slept. 
 
 Sing to Him in holy Psalms 
 
 Strew before Him Conqueror's palms 
 
 The Lord hath risen 
 
 Rejoice, ye Heavens. 
 
 Sing, Earth, to the Victor 
 
 To Thee who hath risen 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 Chorus. 
 Praise Him, Conqueror of Death, 
 Once condemned on Gabbatha 
 Praise the Holy One, ye sinners 
 Who died for us on Calvary. 
 
 Bring your praises to the Highest 
 To the Lamb who once was slain. 
 Hallelujah! 
 Who victorious from the grave 
 Doth on high forever reign. 
 Hallelujah, Hallelujah! 
 
 Let our harps in concert ring 
 
 Joy through every spirit thrill. 
 To the Victor crowns now bring 
 
 To Him who rose and lives for aye. 
 Bring your praises to the Highest, etc. 
 225
 
 Clje pa^jsion piap 
 
 Praises sing ye, Heavenly hosts. 
 Praise and glory to the Lord 
 Worship, might, and power and praise 
 Be to Him for evermore 
 
 Bring your praises to the Highest, etc. 
 
 THE CLOSING TABLEAU: The Ascen- 
 sion. 
 
 [Christ in a white robe, with a palm branch 
 in His hand, is surrounded by His Disciples, 
 Mary Magdalene and His Mother. With in- 
 finite tenderness He bids them farezvell; blesses 
 them and ascends from their midst, folloived by 
 their adoring gace, to a band of joyful Angels 
 rvaiting to receive Him, while over all peal the 
 resounding strains of the chorus of gladness.^ 
 
 Finis. 
 
 226 
 
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