The Robe Page #8

I'm afraid, Diana.

In Cana I lived with people

who were not afraid.

People who'd met Jesus face to face,

who'd spoken with him,

eaten and laughed with him.

A crippled girl who thought

herself fortunate to be lame.

A weaver whose words were like his work:

simple, and lasting, and strong.

A little boy who gave his donkey to a friend.

Never again in his life would he own

anything as fine as that donkey,

and yet he gave it happily,

without a second thought.

If these people had denied him

one after the other, to save their skins,

would he have any followers left?

I want to think as you do.

I want to be like those people,

but I can't do it alone.

I can't do it without you.

My faith in what you told me

isn't strong enough.

If you die, I'll believe

that you died for nothing.

My lady, you'll have to go now.

Please, Marcellus.

I need you.

Senator, the emperor wishes

to speak to you and the lady Diana.

Greetings to our loyal senator.

The proceedings here today will interest you.

- Sire, I am not in the mood for...

- Patience.

- If my son is to be put on trial...

- Patience!

You will sit by me.

Thank you, sire, but

my place is with the senator.

Your place is where your emperor decides.

Isn't that so, Senator?

- You don't look very happy.

- Have I reason to be?

There isn't a woman in Rome

who wouldn't pray for this honour.

There's only one man

at whose side I pray to sit.

Before this day is out, you will

be praying on your knees to me.

For his life.

Senators, Romans...

As you know, there exists today

in our empire, and even in Rome itself,

a secret party of seditionists

who call themselves Christians.

They have enlisted in their ranks the riffraff

of the plebeian class, as well as slaves.

We have known slave uprisings in the past.

We remember Spartacus.

But now it grieves us to inform you

that one of our own tribunes

has betrayed his trust

and joined this party of conspirators.

You, not we, shall be

the judges of his treason.

Bring in Tribune Marcellus Gallio.

Tribune Gallio, you have been informed

of the charges against you?

I have, sire.

You stand before

the senators and nobles of Rome.

They wait to hear your defence.

It is true that I am a Christian.

It is not true that those of us

who follow the teachings of Jesus

are engaged in any plot against the state.

But isn't it a fact that

you call this Jesus a king?

Yes, sire.

But his kingdom is not of this world.

He seeks no earthly throne.

He reigns over the hearts and minds of men

in the name ofjustice and charity.

And are these virtues

not to be found in our empire?

Was it justice, or was it charity

that gave me my orders

when I put him to death on the cross?

You put him to death?

Then why are you risking your life for him?

I owe him more than my life.

- He forgave me my crime against him.

- Crime?

Do you maintain that it's a crime

for a Roman soldier to obey his orders?

The empire is governed by men.

Men sometimes make mistakes. And this

was the greatest mistake ever made by Rome.

So, the empire makes mistakes.

And perhaps the emperor

himself makes mistakes?

Sire,

it is I who am on trial here, not you.

What's that thing you're holding?

His robe. He wore it to the cross.

Let me see it.

No. I remember. It's bewitched.

- No, sire.

- You. Take it.

- Destroy it.

- Sire, may I keep it?

Sorcery too.

Did you think it would protect you here?

- No, sire.

- Tell me, Tribune.

Do you expect us to believe stories that

Jesus could heal by the touch of his hand,

make the crippled walk

and the blind see again?

It makes no difference whether

you believe them or not, sire.

All that matters is that there's no story

that he ever made anyone blind,

no story that he made anyone a cripple,

or ever raised his hand except to heal.

Sire, if you'd had the chance I had,

to talk with those who knew him,

to learn what was in his heart...

Stop. Are you trying

to convert me to your treason?

I only want to show you

your opportunity, sire.

If the empire desires peace

and brotherhood among all men,

then my king will be on the side

of Rome and her emperor.

But if the empire and the emperor pursue

the course of aggression and slavery

that have brought agony

and despair to the world,

if there's nothing left but chains and hunger,

then my king will march

to right those wrongs.

Not tomorrow, sire. Your Majesty may not

witness the establishment of his kingdom.

But it will come.

You have heard him. He stands

convicted out of his own mouth.

What is your pleasure?

Death.

Death.

You see? It is the will of the people.

The will of your slaves and parasites.

How dare you speak ofjustice?

He's not a traitor. You haven't

proved that and you never will.

Then listen. You will see that I am just.

Listen. Tribune Gallio,

you stand condemned to death.

But it is our desire to be merciful.

We give you a chance

to recant your treason and go free.

Kneel to us and renew your oath

of loyalty to your emperor.

Renounce your allegiance to this dead Jew

who dared to call himself a king.

Sire...

With all my heart I renew my pledge

of loyalty to my emperor and to Rome,

a pledge which I have never broken.

And the other? Jesus?

Renounce him, so all can hear.

I cannot renounce him, sire. Nor can you.

He is my king and yours as well.

He is the Son of God.

- And that is your answer?

- Yes, sire.

Tribune Gallio, we decree that you be taken

immediately to the palace archery field

and put to death for high treason.

No, Diana. There's no reason for it.

Sire, Marcellus is my chosen husband.

- I ask to go with him.

- Stand back.

You're not on trial.

There's no evidence against you.

Then if it please you, sire,

I'll provide evidence.

I have no wish to live another hour

in an empire ruled by you.

You dare to call yourself a Caesar.

Once the Caesars of Rome were noble, but

in you noble blood has turned to poison.

You corrupt Rome with spite and malice.

- Stop. Stop it!

- That you should be Caesar!

Vicious, treacherous, drunk with power.

An evil, insane monster posing as emperor.

Stop it!

As for me, I have found another king.

I want to go with my husband

into his kingdom.

Then by the gods you shall.

Go. Both of you. Into your kingdom!

They're going into a better kingdom.

They're going into a better kingdom.

They're going to meet their king.

They're going to meet their king.

For the big fisherman.

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