Pilate heard the word "Galilee" and found another door,

For Herod ruled the region Jesus had come from before.

Herod too was in Jerusalem, and when the prisoner came,

He was exceeding glad at last to see the widely spoken name.

For long he'd wanted sight of Him from everything he'd heard,

Hoping for a miracle, some sign before his royal court.

Before Herod,

Questions fall and no reply.

Before Herod,

Curiosity cannot buy a sign.

Chief priests stand accusing,

Soldiers turn the room to sport.

The King is passed between the rulers,

Silent in a borrowed court.

Herod questioned Him at length, but Jesus answered nothing there,

No spectacle was offered for the ruler waiting there.

Chief priests and scribes stood vehement, accusations sharp and loud,

While Herod and his men of war treated Jesus with contempt.

They mocked Him, dressed Him brightly in a gorgeous robe for scorn,

Then sent Him back to Pilate, still unanswered, still accused.

That day old enemies became friends,

Pilate, Herod, joined in line.

Their former enmity was buried

While Jesus passed between them under accusation.

No miracle for Herod,

No defense to feed the court,

Only silence under mockery

And a robe designed for sport.

Before Herod,

Questions fall and no reply.

Before Herod,

Curiosity cannot buy a sign.

The rulers found companionship,

The prisoner bore the shame.

Then Jesus went back to Pilate,

Still under accusation's claim.