CHAPTER IV.
BETRAYED BY A KISS.
The foulest deed will soon be done
That earth or hell displays—
Alas! ere this night's course be run
Judas his Lord betrays!
Come now, ye faithful souls draw nigh
See Jesus suffer, bleed and die,
Now has begun the anguished fight
Beyond in dark Gethsemane.
O, sinners never let this night
For evermore forgotten be!
For your salvation this has been
Which on the mountain we have seen,
When, sorrowing unto death, he sank
To earth, it was for you—
'Twas for your sake the damp turf drank
Those drops of crimson dew.
In the twilight of the same day there were gathered together in the neighborhood of the Mount of Olives those appointed by the Sanhedrin to seize Jesus. Judas was there with Dathan and the other traders, as well as the four priests sent by Caiaphas to see that all things went well. With them came the Temple Watch under the command of one Selpha, in steel helmet and steel-embossed leather cuirass. The watch consisted of twenty men in armor, two of whom carried long clubs set with spikes, two bore braziers of burning coals, while the rest carried spears. Conspicuous among the watch were Malchus, the high priest's servant, and Balbus. They approached stealthily, and Judas addressed them, saying, "Now be careful! We are now approaching the place whither the Master has withdrawn himself."
Then said Solomon, one of the priests, "I suppose the disciples will not perceive us too soon."
"No," said Judas, "they rest unconcerned and dream nothing of any attack. As to any resistance, there is nothing of that to fear."
Then cried the Temple Watch aloud, "Should they try it they shall feel the weight of our arms."
"You will seize him," said Judas, "without a single sword stroke."