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ECCE HOMO

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

PILATE, on the tessellated pavement in front of his palace.

Ye have brought unto me this man, as one

Who doth pervert the people; and behold!

I have examined him, and found no fault

Touching the things whereof ye do accuse him.

No, nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him,

And nothing worthy of death he findeth in him.

Ye have a custom at the Passover;

That one condemned to death shall be released.

Whom will ye, then, that I release to you?

Jesus Barabbas, called the Son of Shame,

Or Jesus, Son of Joseph, called the Christ?

 

THE PEOPLE, shouting.

Not this man, but Barabbas!