Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/198

186, and thou believest not in that salvation. Surely, 't is a strange assemblage, and every man's hand is against another's. Each hath a creed of his own, and he that ruleth the larger portion is but he that is the strongest. It seemeth to me that this Nazarene doth restore the right, for He declaimeth against what is evil, and showeth the whole nation the way to God. I know not whether He be the Christ or even a prophet; but this I know, that if we would observe His teaching good only would ensue. He wisheth neither to rob nor to destroy, nor to take the place of any man. He preacheth such a doctrine that, I feel sure, were Moses here, he would himself pronounce it better than his own. Listen what sweet philosophy is this: 'I will have mercy and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance'; and again, that philosophy of forgiveness—was ever philosophy so great? 'Resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Love your enemies; bless them that curse you'" Then, when Caiaphas would have interrupted him, he went on: "Listen yet to this strange argument: 'If ye salute your brethren, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?'"

"He is a dreamer" rejoined Caiaphas, shrugging his shoulders; "such things cannot be."

"True," said Pilate, "if such things were, you and I would no more be needed, for there would be no tribunal and no law."

And he laughed lightly.

Caiaphas, pleased at the turn of the conversation, laughed too.