iphas.

No sooner did Caiphas, with the other members of the Council, leave
the tribunal than a crowd of miscreants--the very scum of the
people--surrounded Jesus like a swarm of infuriated wasps, and began to
heap every imaginable insult upon him. Even during the trial, whilst
the witnesses were speaking, the archers and some others could not
restrain their cruel inclinations, but pulled out handfuls of his hair
and beard, spat upon him, struck him with their fists, wounded him with
sharp-pointed sticks, and even ran needles into his body; but when
Caiphas left the hall they set no bounds to their barbarity. They first
placed a crown, made of straw and the bark of trees, upon his head, and
then took it off, saluting him at the same time with insulting
expressions, like the following: 'Behold the Son of David wearing the
crown of his father.' 'A greater than Solomon is here; this is the king who
is preparing a wedding feast for his son.' Thus did they turn into
ridicule those eternal truths which he had taught under the from of
parables to those whom he came from heaven to save; and whilst
repeating these scoffing words, they continued to strike him with their
fists and sticks, and to spit in his face. Next they put a crown of
reeds upon his head, took off his robe and scapular, and then threw an
old torn mantle, which scarcely reached his knees, over his shoulders;
around his neck they hung a long iron chain, with an iron ring at each
end, studded with sharp points, which bruised and tore his knees as he
walked. They again pinioned his arms, put a reed into his hand, and
covered his Divine countenance with spittle. They had already thrown
all sorts of filth over his hair, as well as over his chest, and upon
the old mantle. They bound his eyes with a dirty rag, and struck him,
crying out at the same time in loud tones, 'Prophesy unto us, O Christ,
who is he that struck thee?' He answered not one word, but sighed, and
prayed inwardly for them.

After many more insults, they seized the chain which was hanging on
his neck, dragged him towards the room into which the Council had
withdrawn, and with their stick forced him in, vociferating at the same
time, 'March forward, thou King of Straw! Show thyself to the Council
with the insignia of the regal honours we have rendered unto thee.' A
large body of councillors, with Caiphas at their head, were still in
the room, and they looked with both delight and approbation at th