Rome did its worst; thorns platted for his brow,
Face spat upon, with sneers and venomed curse,
His body beaten; reason questions how
Malicious men could make his suffering worse.

But after flesh and blood could bear no more,
His mind must suffer this indignity:
The scarlet robe the military wore
Put on the Prince of Peace, for mockery!

Rome did its worst; thorns platted for his brow,
— Face spat upon, with sneers and venomed curse,
His body beaten; reason questions how
— Malicious men could make his suffering worse.

But after flesh and blood could bear no more,
— His mind must suffer this indignity:
The scarlet robe the military wore
— Put on the Prince of Peace, for mockery!