The Second Sorrowful Mystery

     -2-

The Scourge 

Now cast your eye upon another scene

of that man's hands around a pillar tied

for Pilate, here Iustitia's machine,

tried to appease the crowd before he died.

As when one tries to right a toppling vase

but sends it only faster to the floor,

the bloody scourging served as a foretaste

and set God's chosen ones to cry the more,

“For him the cross!  Dear Caesar is our king!

You may deny us freedom, but not this!”

Then Pilate knew he had to grant the thing-

man's justice gave to Christ a poisoned kiss.

Oh Christian, now you bear your Lord's true name,

and yet, when tempted, treat him just the same!