On the Acts of the Apostles (Epic) 175

(Matt. 27:26-32; Mark 15:15-21; Luke 23:24-31; John 19) Then he released to them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to them to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band. And stripping him, they put a purple robe about him, and clothed him with a scarlet cloak. And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon him, they took the reed and struck his head.

And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak and the purple from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him, bearing his own cross. And going out, they found a man of Cyrene coming from the country, named Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Him they forced to take up the cross after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me; but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains:

Fall upon us; and to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?