conferring with Herod on the alarming state of things: they were both
extremely agitated, and contemplated the appearance of the sky from
that terrace upon which Herod was standing when he delivered up Jesus
to be insulted by the infuriated rabble. 'These events are not in the
common course of nature,' they both exclaimed: 'they must be caused by the
anger of the gods, who are displeased at the cruelty which has been
exercised towards Jesus of Nazareth.' Pilate and Herod, surrounded by
guards, then directed their hasty trembling steps through the forum to
Herod's palace. Pilate turned away his head when he passed Gabbatha, from
whence he had condemned Jesus to be crucified. The square was almost
empty; a few persons might be seen re-entering their houses as quickly
as possible, and a few others running about and weeping, while two or
three small groups might be distinguished in the distance. Pilate sent
for some of the ancients and asked them what they thought the
astounding darkness could possible portend, and said that he himself
considered it a terrific proof of the anger of their God at the
crucifixion of the Galilean, who was most certainly their prophet and
their king: he added that he had nothing to reproach himself with on
that head, for he had washed his hands of the whole affair, and was,
therefore, quite innocent. The ancients were as hardened as ever, and
replied, in a sullen tone, that there was nothing unnatural in the
course of events, that they might be easily accounted for by
philosophers, and that they did not repent of anything they had done.
However, many persons were converted, and among others those soldiers
who fell to the ground at the words of our Lord when they were sent to
arrest him in the Garden of Olives.

The rabble assembled before Pilate's house, and instead of the cry of
'Crucify him, crucify him!' which had resounded in the morning, you might
have heard vociferations of 'Down with the iniquitous judge!' 'May the blood