,,! ,,c5turion',s ,,/ory ,,david ,,james ,,burrell ,,am]ican ,,tract ,,society #aej ,,nassau ,,/reet1 ,,new ,,york ,,copyright1 #ahib & #aiaa1 ,by ,,am]ican ,,tract ,,society ,,! ,,c5turion',s ,,/ory ,i am an old man n[2 ! burd5 ( f\rscore ye>s is re/+ ^u me4 ,b ! ev5ts ( a c]ta9 ,april day 9 ! ye> #ghc ,a4,u4,c4--full half a c5tury ago--are z fre% 9 my memory z if !y _h happ5$ ye/]day4 ,at t "t ,i 0 /ation$ ) my ,hundr$ on g>rison duty at ! ,ca/le ( ,antonia1 9 ,j]usalem4 ,i _h be5 ord]$ to take *>ge ( ! execution ( a malefactor :o _h j be5 s5t5c$ to dea?4 ,accord+ly1 on ! morn+ ( ! day m5tion$1 ,i select$ twelve ( my m51 su* z 7 h>d5$ to bloody de$s1 & ) !m ,i proce$$ to ! ,prtorium4 ,all 0 hurry & excitem5t !re4 ,z x 0 ! "t ( ! ,jewi% ,passov]1 ! city 0 ?rong$ ) /rang]s4 ,a multitude ( p _h assembl$ & 7 clamor+ = ! dea? ( ?is man4 ,on our arrival he 0 br\ght =?4 ,he prov$ to be t ,prophet ( ,naz>e? ^: oracul> wisdom & wond]-work+ p[] _h be5 ev]y:]e nois$ abroad4 ,i _h he>d mu* ab\t him4 ,he claim$ to be ! ,messiah = ^: adv5t ! ,jews _h be5 look+ f "t immemorial2 & 8 disciples believ$ x4 ,!y call$ him by su* well-kn[n ,messianic titles z ,son ( ,man1 ,son ( ,david & ,son ( ,god4 ,he spoke ( himself z ! only-begott5 ,son ( ,god1 decl>+ t he _h be5 9 ! bosom ( ! ,fa!r be=e ! _w 01 & t he 0 n[ manife/ 9 human =m to expiate ! _w's s94 ,?is 0 reg>d$ by ! religi\s lead]s z rank blasphemy & !y clamor$ = 8 dea?4 ,he 0 tri$ be=e ! ,roman c\rt1 :i* refus$ to consid] ! *>ge1 inasmu* z x involv$ a religi\s "q n ly+ )9 its jurisdiction2 b ! prison]1 be+ turn$ ov] to ! ,sanh$r91 0 f\nd wor?y ( dea? = mak+ himself equal ) ,god4 ,i rememb] him well z he appe>$ t day4 ,f :at ,i _h he>d ,i 0 prep>$ to see a h>d-fac$ impo/or or a fanatic ) fr5zy 9 8 eyes4 ,he 0 a man ( middle /ature1 ) a face ( /rik+ beauty & b5ignity1 eyes ( m+l$ light & w>m?1 & auburn hair fall+ ov] 8 %\ld]s4 ,x 0 n /range t he look$ pale & hagg>d2 = he _h pass$ ?r\gh ?ree judicial ordeals s9ce ! la/ sunset1 besides be+ sc\rg$ ) ! flagellum horrible & expos$ to ! rude buffet+ ( ! midnight gu>d4 ,he _h be5 clo!d 9 ! ca/-(f purple ( ! ,roman procurator & wore a d]isive cr[n ( ?orns4 ,b1 z he issu$ f ! ,hall ( ,judgm5t1 su* 0 8 comm&+ pres5ce t ! multitude 0 hu%$ & sep>at$ to make way4 ,! cross1 con/ruct$ ( transv]se beams ( sycamore1 0 br\ght & laid ^u 8 %\ld]s4 ,ab\t 8 neck 0 susp5d$ a titulum on :i* 0 inscrib$1 ,jesu ,naz>et1 ,rex ,judorum4 ,i 0 told t ! ,jewi% lead]s _h object$ to 8 be+ call$ _! ,k+2 b ,pilate1 by ^: ord]s ! titulum 0 prep>$1 0 = "s reason insi/5t & answ]$ !m %ortly1 ,:at ,i h writt51 ,i h writt54 ,x 0 easy to see1 h[ev]1 t !y bitt]ly res5t$ x4 ,at ! accu/om$ signal my quat]nions fell into ! l9e & ! procession mov$ on4 ,i rode be=e1 cle>+ ! way4 ,! p ?rong$ ! n>r[ /reets1 cry+ m & m l\dly z we proce$$1 ,/aurosate6 ,/aurosate6 ,crucify him6 ,! ,naz>5e1 weak f long vigils & suff]+1 b[$ l[ "u 8 burd54 ,a woman 9 ! company1 by "n ,v]onica1 press$ ne> & wip$ ! du/ & blood f 8 hagg>d face4 ,x 0 report$ t ! napk9 :5 )drawn bore ! impress ( 8 face1 m>r$1 b div9ely beautiful4 ,:e!r ?is be true or n ,i _c say4 ,z ! multitude surg$ onw>d t[>d ! ,jaffa gate1 a cobbl] nam$ ,ahasu]us1 z if mov$ by a malignant _s1 ?ru/ 8 foot be=e ! prison]1 :o /umbl$ !reat & fell4 ,9 puni%m5t = t cruel de$ he is said to be /ill a w&]] ^u ! e>? ) no re/ = 8 we>y feet4 ,?is1 too1 is a m]e leg5d2 b c]ta9ly ,i h f\nd1 ev5 9 ! grim bus9ess ( a soldi]1 t retribution l a fury pursues all pitiless m54 ,we pass$ ?r\gh ! ,jaffa gate & ent]$ ^u ! /eep road lead+ to ! place ( execution4 ,! sun flam$ d[n ^u u2 we 7 envelop$ 9 a cl\d ( du/4 ,! prison] at l5g?1 ov]borne by 8 cross1 fell b5ea? x4 ,we seiz$ ^u an ,e?iopian :o *anc$ to be 9 ! ?rong & plac$ ! burd5 ^u him4 ,/range to tell1 he assum$ x )\t a murmur2 insomu* t by _m he 0 suspect$ ( be+ a secret foll[] ( ,jesus4 ,z we surg$ on ) d9 & upro> a gr\p ( wom5 /&+ by ! wayside r5t ! air ) %rill lam5tations1 on he>+ :i* ,jesus said1 ,daught]s ( ,j]usalem1 weep n = me1 b = y\rselves & y\r *ildr52 = behold ! days come :5 !y %all say to ! m\nta9s1 ,fall on u6 & to ! hills1 ,cov] u6 ,x 0 a weird prophecy1 & ere a g5]ation pass$ x 0 to ! lett] fulfill$4 ,!re 7 ^? 9 t company :o liv$ to see ! ,holy ,city compass$ ab\t by a =e/ ( ho/ile spe>s4 ,its inhabitants 7 br\ght l[ by fam9e & pe/il5ce1 insomu* t ! eyes ( mo!rs re/$ hungrily on ! :ite fle% ( _! own *ildr54 ,on ! surr\nd+ heights crosses 7 re>$1 on :i* hundr$s ( ,jewi% captives di$ ! %ameful dea?4 ,despair fell ^u all4 ,& 9 ^? days !re 7 n a few :o call$ to m9d ! om9\s words ( ! ,naz>5e1 ,weep n = me1 b = y\rselves & = y\r *ildr5 aft] y6 ,! road we j\rney$ has s9ce be5 kn[n z ,via ,dolorosa4 ,x l$ to ! r\nd knoll call$ ,golgo?a1 f its resemblance to a skull4 ,z we drew nigh we p]ceiv$ two crosses1 already re>$1 on :i* two ?ieves ( ,b>abbas' b& _h be5 susp5d$ 9 agony = "s h\rs4 ,_! twi/$ bodies /ood out grimly aga9/ ! sky4 ,our prison]1 z an add$ m>k ( obloquy1 0 to be crucifi$ betwe5 !m4 ,our spe>s & /&>ds 7 l[]$1 & ,jesus1 be+ /ripp$ ( 8 out] g>m5ts1 0 laid pro/rate ^u 8 cross4 ,a soldi] approa*$ ) hamm] & spikes1 at sight ( :om ! fr5zi$ multitude ceas$ _! revil+s = ! mom5t & press$ ne>4 ,! prison] pres]v$ 8 calm demeanor4 ,a /upefy+ draught 0 (f]$ him2 b he refus$ x1 app>5tly pref]r+ to look dea? calmly 9 ! face4 ,he /ret*$ out 8 h&s2 ! hamm] fell4 ,at ! sight ( blood ! mob broke =? aga91 cry+1 ,/aurosate6 ,b n a ^w escap$ ! suff]]4 ,z ! nails tore ?r\gh ! quiv]+ fle% 8 eyes clos$ & 8 lips mov$ z if he 7 hold+ communion ) "s invisible ,"o4 ,!n ) a great wr5* ! cross 0 lift$ into ! socket prep>$ = x4 ,at ?is mom5t ! fir/ ^w escap$ him4 ,) a look ( reproa* & an appeal+ glance to heav51 he cri$1 ,fa!r1 =give !m2 !y "k n :at !y d6 ,x 0 z if he 7 cov]+ our heads ) a %ield ( pray]4 ,9 ?is he did b practise 8 own rule ( *>ity & doctr9e ( =giv5ess1 ,love y\r enemies1 bless !m t curse y1 d good to !m t hate y1 & pray = !m t despitefully use y4 ,8 pray]1 h[ev]1 seem$ b to r\se anew ! fury ( 8 enemies4 ,!y cri$ out 9 mock]y1 ,come d[n6 come d[n f ?y cross4 ,?\ t boa/e/ ( de/roy+ ! ,temple & rebuild+ x 9 ?ree days1 save ?yself6 ,! prie/s & rabbis1 /&+ by1 jo9$ 9 ! mock]y1 say+1 ,aha1 he sav$ o!rs1 himself he _c save6 ,let him come d[n if he be ! ,messiah1 ! *os5 ( ,god6 ,my soldi]s mean:ile disput$ z to ! apportionm5t ( 8 g>m5ts2 ,i not$ ! rattl+ ( dice 9 ! braz5 helmet :]e9 !y 7 ca/+ lots = 8 seamless robe4 ,! ?ieves on ei!r h& jo9$ = a "t 9 ! mock]y2 b pres5tly a *ange came ov] ! "o ^u ! "r1 ^: "n 0 ,dysmas4 ,?is man1 l 8 fell[1 _h belong$ to a notori\s b& ( robb]s :o infe/$ ! road to ,j]i*o4 ,8 life _h be5 pass$ 9 bloody "w2 b ! pati5t demeanor ( ,jesus t\*$ 8 he>t & conv9c$ him t ,he 0 inde$ ! v]itable ,son ( ,god4 ,! o!r ?ief jo9$ 9 ! mock]y1 b ,dysmas remon/rat$ ) him1 say+1 ,do/ ?\ n ev5 fe> ,god8 ,we inde$ are condemn$ ju/ly1 receiv+ ! due rew>d ( our de$s2 b ?is man ha? done no?+ amiss4 ,!n pres5tly1 turn+ 8 pa9-rack$ eyes t[>d ,jesus1 he entreat$1 ,"l1 rememb] me :5 ?\ come/ 9 ?y k+dom6 ,! ,naz>5e /raightway turn$ ^u him a look ( compassionate love1 say+1 ,to-day ?\ %alt be ) me 9 p>adise6 ,an h\r lat] ?is robb]'s head sank ^u 8 brea/2 b 9 dea? 8 face wore a look ( indescribable peace4 ,! "t came :5 ! ^w ( p>don address$ to ?is man 0 a message ( hope & com=t to o!r great s9n]s4 ,he :o sav$ ,dysmas 9 ! article ( dea?1 pluck+ him f ! edge ( ! abyss1 0 !nce=? believ$ by ,8 foll[]s to be able to save ev5 unto ! utt]mo/ all :o w\ld come unto ,him4 ,n f> f ! cross /ood a company ( wom5 wr++ _! h&s 9 helpless grief4 ,among !m 0 ! "m ( ,jesus4 ,:5 h] infant son _h be5 br\ght to ! ,jewi% ,temple1 an old prie/ took him f 8 "m's arms & prophesi$1 ,?is *ild is set = ! fall & rise ( _m 9 ,israel2 !n look+ ^u ! "m1 he said3 ,a sword %all pass ?r\gh ?9e own s\l also4 ,at ?is mom5t 8 ^w 0 fulfill$2 ! iron ent]$ h] s\l4 ,h] dy+ ,son beheld h]1 &1 ) 8 eyes direct+ h] to "o :o 0 kn[n z 8 favorite disciple1 he said1 ,woman1 behold ?y ,son6 & ?is disciple !reupon bore h] fa9t+ away4 ,x 0 n[ noon1 cle>1 scor*+1 ,syrian noon4 ,b a s+ul> mi/ 0 ga!r+ be=e ! sun4 ,%ad[s fell f ! heights ( ,moab2 & z !y deep5$ m & m ! gleam on %ield & helmet fad$ out4 ,night rose f ! rav9es1 surg+ upw>d 9 d>k bill[s1 ov]:elm+ all4 ,a /range pallor re/$ on all faces4 ,x 0 night1 an ,egyptian night at high noon6 ,:at meant x8 ,manife/ly ?is 0 no eclipse1 = ! pas*al moon 0 !n at its full4 ,! ,jews _h (ttimes clamor$ = a sign1 a sign :]eby !y might te/ ?is suff]]'s ,messianic claim4 ,_h ! sign come8 ,0 nature n[ sympa?iz+ ) h] ,"l8 ,7 ^! %ad[s ! trapp+s ( a univ]sal woe8 ,0 ,god manife/+ 8 wra? aga9/ s98 ,or 0 ?is d>kness a /up5d\s figure ( ! position 9 :i* ! dy+ ,naz>5e /ood ) respect to ! deliv]ance ( ! race f s98 ,once 9 a ,jewi% synagogue ,i he>d a rabbi read f ! scroll ( ,isaiah a prophecy conc]n+ ! ,messiah2 t he 0 to be w\nd$ = our transgressions & bruis$ = our iniquities2 t by 8 /ripes we might be heal$4 ,x 0 pr$ict$ t :5 ?is ,messiah came he %\ld1 be>+ ! _w's burd5 ( s91 g into ! out] d>kness 9 expiatory pa94 ,0 x at ?is awful mom5t t he c>ri$ t burd5 into ! region ( ! lo/8 ,did he j !n desc5d into hell = u8 ,h>k6 a cry f 8 fev]-p>*$ lips1 pi]c+ ! sil5ce & ! d>kness1 ,eli1 ,eli1 lama saba*?ani8 ,my ,god1 my ,god1 :y ha/ ,?\ =sak5 me8 ,save = t t]rific cry ( angui% ! sil5ce 0 unbrok5 = ?ree mortal h\rs4 ,i h kn[n o!r victims ( ! cross to v5t _! rage 9 impot5t wra?1 to spit _! hate l asps1 to h>angue ! cr[d ) helpless prote/ations1 or to beg = ! dea?-/roke2 b ?is ,jesus pres]v$ a maje/ic sil5ce4 ,! p also seem$ wrapp$ 9 a weird t]ror4 ,naught 0 he>d b ! rattl+ ( armor z "s soldi] jo/l$ 8 comrade1 or ! sobb+ ( wom5 or ! dropp+ ( blood4 ,?us until ! n9? h\r ( ! day4 ,x 0 n[ ! "t ( ! ev5+ sacrifice1 & ! d>kness began sl[ly to lift4 ,!n ! ,naz>5e utt]$ 8 only ^w ( compla9t3 ,i ?ir/4 ,:]eupon a /range ?+ happ5$4 ,"o ( my soldi]s1 tra9$ 9 ! ar5a & 9 gladiatorial conte/s--a man :o _h nev] be5 kn[n to sp>e a foe1 delight+ 9 ! sack ( cities1 look+ on unmov$ :5 *ildr5 7 da%$ aga9/ ! /ones--?is man dipp$ a sponge 9 ! s\r w9e :i* 0 provid$ = ! gu>d1 & w\ld h rais$ x to ! suff]]'s lips4 ,b ! ,jews cri$ out1 ,let be1 let be6 ,let u see if ,eli w come to help him6 ,= a mom5t ! soldi] hesitat$1 ev5 jo9$ 9 ! cry2 !n giv+ way to ! m m]ciful prompt+s ( 8 he>t1 lift$ ! sponge & assuag$ ! ?ir/ ( ! dy+ man4 ,x 0 ! only de$ ( k9dness ,i not$ on ,golgo?a t day4 ,9 return = x ! ,naz>5e ca/ ^u 8 b5efactor su* a look ( gratitude t he 0 ev] aft] a diff]5t man4 ,8 nature seem$ to be trans=m$ by x4 ,!n ,jesus cri$ ) a l\d voice1 ,tetele/ai6 ,x is f9i%$6 ,did ?is signify t 8 pa9 0 ov]8 ,well might he1 aft] su* angui%1 utt] a sigh ( relief4 ,or 0 x t 8 mission 0 accompli%$8 ,s h ,i se5 a labor] turn homew>d f 8 day's "w ) pleasant anticipation ( re/4 ,s h ,i se5 a wayf>] quick5 8 foot/eps z1 at ev5tide1 he came 9 sight ( ! village lights4 ,s h ,i se5 a soldi]1 we>y ) ! /ress ( conflict & w\nd$ unto dea?1 be> ! /&>d al(t z he climb$ ! p>apet & ) 8 la/ voice %\t$ = victory6 ,& !n ! la/ ^w4 ,x 0 spok5 s(tly1 z if f ! ?re%old ( ! o!r _w1 ,fa!r1 into ?y h&s ,i comm5d my _s6 ,!n1 z he yield$ up ! gho/1 a look ( surpass+ peace fell ^u 8 upturn$ face1 :i* l+]$ ev5 aft] dea? _h put its rigid seal ^u x4 ,?us he fell on sleep4 ,i h (ttimes s9ce be5 rem9d$ ( t look :5 ,i h se5 an infant lull$ 9 its "m's arms1 or :51 walk+ ?r\gh a ,*ri/ian cemet]y1 ,i h not$ ^u ! tomb/ones ( m>tyrs ! ^w ,dormit3 ,he sleeps4 ,! sup]natural d>kness _h n[ giv5 way to a calm twilight4 ,! sky 0 cov]$ f> t[>d ! z5i? ) a gold5 spl5dor cross$ ) b>s ( crimson light4 ,x look$ z if heav5's gates 7 op5$2 & "o gaz+ ?r\gh c\ld almo/ seem to see ! flitt+ ( sup]human %apes & he> f>-away voices call+1 ,lift up y\r heads1 ,o ye gates2 ev5 lift !m up1 ye ev]la/+ doors1 & ! ,k+ ( ,glory %all come 96 ,at t mom5t ! e>? rumbl$ "u my feet2 a %udd] seem$ to pass ?r\gh nature4 ,x 0 said t z ! high prie/ 0 k9dl+ ! lamps 9 ! ,holy ,place ( ! ,temple1 9 connection ) ! ev5+ sacrifice1 ! great veil hang+ be=e ! ,holy ( ,holies 0 r5t f ! top to ! bottom z if by an unse5 h&4 ,?is happ5$ at ! in/ant :5 ! ,naz>5e yield$ up 8 _s1 & 8 foll[]s are wont to say t :5 he pass$ f e>? to resume 8 heav5ly glory a new & liv+ way 0 op5$ up = p5it5t s9n]s into ! ,holie/ ( ,all4 ,! execution be+ ov]1 ! p sl[ly disp]s$ to _! homes4 ,twilight settl$ d[n on ,golgo?a4 ,a gr\p ( wail+ wom5 l+]$ = a :ile1 !n w5t _! way4 ,aga9/ ! sky /ood =? ! ?ree crosses4 ,on ! uplift$ face ( ,dysmas ! moonlight %[$ ! look ( ineffable peace t _h settl$ ^u x4 ,! face ( ! o!r robb] 0 fall5 ^u 8 brea/4 ,9 ! mid/ ,jesus look$ upw>d1 dead b triumphant6 ,long & /eadfa/ly ,i gaz$ ^u him4 ,! ev5ts ( ! day cr[d$ fa/ ^u my m9d & my conviction deep5$ t ?is 0 no impo/or1 no fanatic1 no common man4 ,my consci5ce 0 sore smitt52 my he>t 0 inexpressibly t\*$ by ! memory ( ! ?+s :i* ,i _h se52 &1 ) sc>cely an int5tion1 ,i said al\d1 b s(tly1 ,v]ily1 ?is 0 a righte\s man4 ,!n ,i re9$ my horse & rode d[n ! hill4 ,! lights 7 k9dl+ 9 ,j]usalem2 ! beacon on ! ,ca/le ( ,antonia 0 beg9n+ to gl[4 ,at a little di/ance ,i drew re9 & look$ back at ,golgo?a4 ,8 cross 0 !re outl9$ aga9/ ! sky4 ,i felt myself 9 ! grip ( a mighty passion ( d\bt & wond]6 ,:o 0 he8 ,:o 0 he8 ,i w\ld g back & see6 ,i dism\nt$ b5ea? 8 cross & gaz$ upw>d1 unm9dful ( ! /range looks :i* my soldi]s ca/ ^u me4 ,te>s came to my eyes1 old campaign] ?\gh ,i 01 te>s ( grief1 ( p5it5ce1 ( dawn+ fai?4 ,i knelt2 ,i pro/rat$ myself be=e ! ,*ri/ :o hung dead on t accurs$ tree4 ,i rose aga9 & saw him4 ,dead8 ,nay1 liv+6--liv+ ev]more 9 ! glory :i* he _h ) ! ,fa!r be=e ! _w 06 ,! tru? w5t surg+ irresi/ibly ?r\gh my s\l2 until at l5g?1 able to re/ra9 myself no long]1 ,i cri$1 c>+ n ?\gh ! _w he>d me1 ,v]ily1 ?is 0 ! ,son ( ,god6 99 99 99 99 99 ,i am old n[1 & ! end draws ne>4 ,= half a c5tury ,i h lov$ & s]v$ ,him4 ,i h kn[n trials & sorr[s n a few1 b ,8 pres5ce has upheld me4 ,! promise he gave 8 disciples ! night be=e 8 dea? has be5 my ma9/ay3 ,lo1 ,i am ) y alway6 ,9 ! fai? ( t promise ,i h se5 m5 & wom5 die ) ! light ( heav5 on _! faces1 h]oic amid ! flames1 triumphant be=e ! lion's eyes4 ,i h he>d !m once & aga9 prote/+ ) _! la/ brea?1 ,*ri/ianus sum6 ,i am a ,*ri/ian6 ,i1 too1 am a ,*ri/ian1 & humbly pr\d ( x4 ,! cross 9 my "t has be5 trans=m$ f an emblem ( %ame into a symbol ( triumph4 ,& ! ,*ri/ :o suff]$ ^u x has be5 made unto me wisdom & righte\sness & sanctification & r$emption4 ,he is my fir/1 my la/1 my mid/ & all 9 all4 ,i h le>n$ some:at ( ! mean+ ( 8 life & dea? & glori\s resurrection4 ,_m wond]ful hopes h ,i2 b ! be/ is ?is1 t ,i--! soldi] :o _h *>ge ( 8 crucifixion--may yet behold 8 face 9 peace2 t ,i1 :o b[$ t night ) brok5 he>t b5ea? 8 cross1 may "s day look ^u ! ,k+ 9 8 beauty & fall be=e him1 cry+1 ,my ,"l & my ,god6