Page:Songs of the Slav.pdf/38



It was the third hour when the cross was raised Betwixt the crosses. Red from exertion The soldiers sat upon the much trampled And bloody ground. They parted His raiment. And for the coat which was without seam they Cast lots. And many of the multitude Passed gazing up at Him and wagged their heads And said, Ah, come down from the cross! For Thou Didst style Thyself king! Thou, that wouldst destroy The temple and then build it in three days Well, save Thyself!

Stood by also chief priests And scribes with long and flowing beards, and said Amongst themselves: True, true, He saved others; Let Him then save Himself now.—There also Were many women looking on afar, Who ministered to Him in Galilee, Salome, Mary, and Magdalene, and who Came up with Him unto Jerusalem.

Crucified, naked, shorn, He was numbered With transgressors. And crusted blood clung to His scourged body. while ruddy streams oozed from