"In the valley of Gehenna where the stench of their funeral fires doth ever ascend and the worm ceaseth not to wiggle in corruption, there would the circumcized rather lie like a dog, than sup with one uncircumcized. Aye, a dog is the Jew, and a thief."
"Yet have I heard that they contend to the death for their Law. Doth it not deal with stealing?" Pilate was asked.
"Yea, it dealeth with stealing and for it they contend. Yet they are thieves beginning with Annas the High Priest. Into the Temple offices hath he put all his sons and nephews and kinsmen that through them his itching fingers may possess all the wealth of the Temple. The Law of the Jews is for others than those who make it, preach it, sell it or trade in it. Yet for all their sins have these long-faced robbers a scapegoat. Over his head do they mumble their sins and then frighten him away to the wilderness. And when he is departed, lo, they are as innocent as babes new-born. Jove, what fools!"
"Here now are thy spirits coming," Claudia laughed. "Drink thou and see if thou gettest not out of the tomb."
Servants with viands and wines entered and placed them on tables near the couches. Pilate poured for the guests and then took his own cup.
"Pilate takes a second cup," said Claudia. "He is moving out of the tomb."
"Antipas hath not found his Tiberias a tomb yet," Pilate remarked between cups.
"What hath he done?" a guest asked.
"To a maiden who pleased him with gay dancing gave he the head of a Jew prophet in a silver platter. Good use for such head."
"In seven veils did she dance," Claudia added.