Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus came with ladders and tools to take down the body.
Ascending, they wound about the lifeless form long bands of white linen, whose ends they flung down from the cross. These were grasped by the friends below as a counterpoise to lower it gently down. Joseph and Nicodemus now began to draw out the nails with pincers; the cracking and splintering of the wood was heard, so firm was the iron.
Mary sat on a stone, waiting resignedly, with clasped hands, for her son. "Noble men, bring me my child's body soon!" she pleaded softly.
The women spread a winding sheet at her feet to receive it.
At last the nails were drawn out and--
"Now from the rood
The mighty God
Men gently lowered."
Cautiously one friend laid the loosened, rigid arms of the dead form upon the other's shoulders, that they might not fall suddenly, Joseph of Arimathea clasped the body: "Sweet, sacred burden, rest upon my shoulders."
He descended the ladder with it. Half carried, half lowered in the bands, the lifeless figure slides to the foot of the instrument of martyrdom.
Nicodemus extended his arms to him: "Come, sacred corpse of my only friend, let me receive you."
They bore Him to Mary--