The Betrayal
by Michael Dominic Doherty, Macedon, 1952
(With apologies to Banjo Patterson)
“Thirty silver pieces, yes, ’tis worth the thought, M’ lord,
So easy, too; I know the garden well.
Jesus goes there often, and tonight too, I’m assured,
‘He said he’d be there after night befell.”
“A quiet little olive grove; a wine press on the hill;
I’ve been there with Him often of a night;
He loves the quiet solitude when all is deathly still,
And prays to seek His guidance and His light.”
“Thirty silver drachmas for a swift and silent kiss!
Traitorous, yes, but who can tell the reason?
Your price is high, Lord Annas, so I’ll take it given this –
My name is always kept from this foul treason!”
“Never fear, Iscariot, for His blood shall be on me,
He must be taken e’er the night has passed.
So I’ll prepare the Temple guards, while you collect your fee.
‘tis good, for we have trapped the fool at last!”
So Judas led his motley crew with torches blazing high,
To light their way through lane and field and square.
Until they reached the lonely hill where Jesus was to die,
And passed it to the garden of despair.
Then as they neared the olive grove, there came the warning hiss –
“Now silence there, and keep those torches low,
First I’ll go in to meet Him and I’ll hail Him with a kiss,
Then you close in to take Him as your foe.”
Then Judas passed between the trees, and slow was his advance,
Until he met his Master face to face.
He faulted in his purpose, as he saw that wistful glance,
He felt the loving patience of His grace.
He lowered his head in utter shame, and turned as if to part,
But saw the mob and heard their angry breath.
So drowning out his conscience, he then steeled his wretched heart.
He turned, then smiled, and gave the kiss of death.
___
Image courtesy of Adobe.
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