ACT TWO
Scene 1 (cont'd)
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(Faint but growing sounds of disturbance from outside the court)
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JESUS
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I came, and I was sent to preach the truth;
And men who love the truth will hearken to me.
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PILATE
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The gods, tis said, speak true. Can any man,
Philosopher, king or prophet, / canst thou say
What IS truth?
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(Uproar outside comes to a climax during the latter part of this dialogue;
Jews burst in despite the resistance of soldiers)
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PILATE
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How dare ye burst unsummoned into court?
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MOB
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The prisoner is ours. We want his death!
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PILATE
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I find no cause in him, no crime against the state.
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CAIPHAS
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His preaching disturbs our simple country folk
From Galilee, by Jordans banks, the coastal towns,
Even in the Temple of Shalomon.
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PILATE
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Is he a Galilean?
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CAIPHAS
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A Nazarene, an upstart carpenter, he made rude ploughs
And mended yokes.
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ANNAS
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The mans an ill-bred rogue,
An outcast from his native synagogue.
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PILATE
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The land of Galilee is subject to King Herod
Whose right is authorised by Roman treaty
To punish crimes. Good fortune
And the Pasch have brought him to Jerusalem;
To whom in equity I leave this case.
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CAIPHAS
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But in Jerusalem thy voice is law.
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PILATE
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As king approved by Rome, to Herod falls
The right to judge would-be pretenders to his throne.
This is my pleasure; this my final verdict.
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(Reluctantly and murmuring the Jews begin to leave) |
PILATE
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(Musing) What is he prophet, felon, simpleton?
Or scapegoat for those envy-stricken priests?
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LONGINUS
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I could not help but mark his countenance,
Serene, impressive, unafraid, despite
The mobs hysteric passion.
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PILATE
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Barca, go
Bring swift report what judgment Herod makes.
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( EXIT Barca) |
PILATE
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Deceit is second nature to these priests.
Their lips belie their hearts. Their jealous spite
Is masquerading as pure zeal for Rome.
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SPURIUS
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The things a trick, deep-counselled, well-devised
To test what strength upholds our government.
Yet Pilate leans on Herods competence!
What boots a single life to safeguard peace?
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PILATE
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The strength of government lies not in swords
But in diplomacy.
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(CLAUDIA rushes in excitedly) |
CLAUDIA
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(throwing herself into Pilates arms)
Pontius, my lord, my love!
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PILATE
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Dearest wife, what ails thee, what great fear
Has gripped thy heart and drained thy cheeks so pale?
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CLAUDIA
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Thou art my fear, dear Pontius, and for thee
I have rushed distraught, a wonder to your guards.
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PILATE
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(lightly) Calpurnia would never so behave
Nor lose her matrons grace in sight of men.
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CLAUDIA
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Misplaced is flippant banter. I this night
Have suffered agonies on thy behalf.
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PILATE
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But Im unhurt, unmenaced, unassailed
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CLAUDIA
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It was a dream, a vision from above,
A warning voice in solemn accents toned,
Enjoining thee to keep thy hands unstained
Unspotted by the blood of this just man;
Else bear the curse of mankinds bitter breath
In litanies re-echoed for all time
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PILATE
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Dispel these images of sleep, these ghostly fears.
They come too late.
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CLAUDIA
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So you have not condemned him?
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PILATE
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The charge was baseless, a trivial pretence,
A thing of words, some village superstition.
King Herod holds the prisoner and will not fail
To judge him innocent.
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CLAUDIA
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Forgive me, lord,
My doubting heart, my love inspired my fear.
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PILATE
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Did not Artemius speak in prophecy
Of golden days illuminating our course?
(lending her his arm)
Come, let my strength support thy frightened steps,
With words of love Ill rout thy nightmare dreams.
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(EXEUNT Pilate and Claudia)
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