Ulric the Jarl

by William Stoddard

  “Art not thou the Christ? Save thyself and us!”

  Jesus answered not, but the jarl cried out:

  “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we, indeed, justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done nothing amiss.” Then he said to the Christ: “Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom!”

  Unto him did Jesus make answer: “Verily I say unto thee, This day shalt thou be with me in the Garden.”

  Then followed a stillness, but the jarl thought of the word which was given him. “I knew not of this garden. There it is that I am to be with him and with the gods. There, also, I shall see Hilda, and Miriam will dwell with me in the garden. It is enough! I am content!”

  Great was the cruelty of the Jews and of the rabble, and the hatred of some for Jesus was exhibited in mocking speeches. It was as if they took pleasure in the tokens of his sufferings.

  It was now afternoon, and for some time Jesus had been silent, but suddenly and with a loud voice he cried out:

  “My God! my God! Why hast thou forsaken me?”

  To that utterance the Jews replied in a manner which Ulric did not understand, but again Jesus cried out, saying:

  “I thirst!”

  A horrible thirst cometh upon those who are crucified, and a drink of vinegar and myrrh with other bitterness is always provided for them by some who are merciful. One ran and took a sponge, soaking it with this provision, and lifted it upon a reed to the lips which were burning.

  At that moment Jesus uttered an exceedingly great voice of pain, and instantly it was seen that his soul had departed from his body. He was dead.

  “Would that I were as he!” thought the jarl, “that I might be free of this agony and pass on to Valhalla and into this garden to which Jesus hath gone before me!”

  The multitude were not gazing as before upon these who were crucified, for now the light of the sun was withdrawn and a great gloom was over all things. The earth quaked under their feet. Great rocks were rended. Fear fell upon men and women, and with one accord they fled away toward the city, beating their breasts and mourning.

  Caius of Thessalonica stood watching these things, and other Romans with him. “Certainly,” he exclaimed, “this was a righteous man. Truly this was the Son of God!”

  But the Jews had taken thought beforehand for yet another matter. The next day would be their Sabbath, a holy day, and by their law it was not well for one to be left upon a cross over the Sabbath. Therefore they had obtained from the procurator an order that the deaths of these three might be hastened by the breaking of their bones. For this business came soldiers with clubs, but they struck not any limb of Jesus, who was already dead.

  “I have no mark of a spear,” thought Ulric. “It is not well. I die without any wound except of these spikes.”

  Near to him then were these soldiers, but he saw one of them thrust a pilum blade into the side of Jesus, making a wound from which poured both blood and water. Quickly, now, came merciful relief to the two others, for the soldiers made an end.

  Afterward were all the bodies taken down from the crosses, as was required by the law of the religion of the Jews, and the friends of any man were permitted to do their will concerning him.

  The sun had long since set, and the darkness was over the earth, when a little company of men and women entered the door of the house of Ben Ezra.

  “O Miriam, my daughter,” said Isaac, the aged, when they were within, “thou mayest mourn, but be thou comforted. We have buried him in my own tomb. And didst thou not hear what was said to him by Jesus of Nazareth? In him do I now believe. He is God!”

  “O my beloved!” wailed Miriam, and she said no more for weeping.

  “Miriam,” continued Ben Ezra, “I also believe; trust thou, concerning thy husband, that it is well with him!”

  “Ye are my friends,” said Miriam. “I heard the saying, faintly and far. They are at this hour in the garden, do you say? But I am here and I am alone, for my love hath been taken from me. Nevertheless, I will be patient. It is but for a little while; a little while!”

  THE END.