Page 193 - Eggs and Ashes pages

192 Eggs and Ashes

People of the Passion

The soldier on duty

‘Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34)

Who the hell does he mean?
I ken fine what I’m doing.
Obeying orders, that’s me.
‘You’re no paid to think, boy!
You’ve just to obey – and smartish!’
You join the army and that’s it.

So if they say ‘Crucify that man’,
you bloody well crucify him – nae questions.
Well … you’re saving a lot of lives.
After all, these so called Messiahs
stir up a lot of trouble,
and then we’ve to slaughter hundreds.

So crucifying one will maybe save a lot more.
Seeing what we do to Messiahs
will maybe teach them a sharp lesson.
You’ve got to be brutal with these people.
It’s the only language they understand.
But I dinna like it all the same.

What’s that? You’re thirsty?
Of course you bloody well would be!
Well, chum, hae a drink on me.
Here’s tae us … wha’s like us?
Go on … sup it!

The priest

This young man from Galilee
has no idea of the tricky situation with Rome.
There is so much at stake.
I daresay he’s a fine chap,
but what can he know?