Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/346

334 and gibes and mocking words of false obeisance: "Hail, King of the Jews!" or, "Why dost not unbind Thine hands, Thou Maker of Miracles?"

Suddenly there was a few moments' halt, while they seized on a Cyrenian going by, to load him with the cross. Then the women Jesus loved drew nearer, hoping, if only by some look, to tell Him how their anguished hearts did throb in sympathy with His. He turned and gazed on them, His eyes enfolding first and foremost the mother He loved so well, and whose whole heart was His.

"Daughters of Jerusalem," said the loving voice, that had been for so long mute, whose sweet but searching tones would sound so rarely now on earth, "weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children."

But 't was for Him they wept, for their powerlessness to help Him, and for their sins, that were the cause of all His agony. And the virgin mother wept so grievously that it seemed as if her heart must burst and her eyes shed blood for the greatness of her grief.

Then all those who loved the Nazarene and believed in Him recalled the prophet's words: "Her soul shall be pierced with a two-edged sword"; and again, "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."

Suddenly a horse, with a Roman soldier on its back, came galloping at full speed through the crowd, scattering to right and left screaming men, women, and children, even knocking some down in his haste.

"Even now will Pilate save Him," the people