Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/236

 ARGUMENT.

��Satan, seeing the triumph of Christ, calls a council of the devils. Assembled in the central regions of the earth, they consult how they may arrest his progress, and mislead his followers. After proposing various measures, they return to the upper air, and urge on Judas and the Jews to betray the Messias and bring him to trial. Satan presents himself under the guise of an old man, to the former, who is stealthily passing by night along the valley of Tophet, as usual to count over his hoards. He overhears Judas' soliloquy, and encourages him to present himself to the Sanhedrim, then in session. Meanwhile the blessed Redeemer partakes of the Pascal supper with his disciples, institutes the mystic Sacrifice, and predicts his betrayal by Judas. Jesus prays for his disciples.

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