Crucified

I cried to men, "I would be crucified!"

And they said, "Why should your blood be upon our heads?"

And I answered, "How else shall you be exalted except by crucifyingmadmen?"

And they heeded and I was crucified. And the crucifixion appeasedme.

And when I was hanged between earth and heaven they lifted up theirheads to see me. And they were exalted, for their heads had neverbefore been lifted.

But as they stood looking up at me one called out, "For what artthou seeking to atone?"

And another cried, "In what cause dost thou sacrifice thyself?"

And a third said, "Thinkest thou with this price to buy worldglory?"

Then said a fourth, "Behold, how he smiles! Can such pain beforgiven?"

And I answered them all, and said:

"Remember only that I smiled. I do not atone--nor sacrifice--norwish for glory; and I have nothing to forgive. I thirsted--and Ibesought you to give me my blood to drink. For what is there canquench a madman's thirst but his own blood? I was dumb--and Iasked wounds of you for mouths. I was imprisoned in your days andnights--and I sought a door into larger days and nights.

And now I go--as others already crucified have gone. And think notwe are weary of crucifixion. For we must be crucified by largerand yet larger men, between greater earths and greater heavens."