A Christ taken Prisoner

  I heard this tale from a trustworthy man, who had it of a Spanish
traveler who had seen these events with his own eyes, and so I hold 
the story to be a true one.

  A few years ago, in a village near Seville, there lived a man with
many debts, who took refuge in the church to escape his creditors.

  Now it happened that the custom of this village was, on the day of
the Blessed Sacrement, to have all kinds of entertainment take place
before the Procession of the Blessed Host.  Some inhabitants of the
town had constructed a cart, on which they wished to hold a mystery play
showing how our Lord Jesus Christ was captured by the Jews as he was
kneeling on the Mount of Olives.  But they stood in need of a stately
and beauteous man and knowing of none more worthy or better looking,
they asked the man, who had taken refuge in the church because of his
debts, if he would play the part of the Lord God in their play.

  He resisted for a long time as he dared not leave the church on
account of those to whom he owed money, but the others gave him their
assurance that they would bring the cart, on which the play was to be
held, to the very door of the church.  In this way he could mount the
cart without setting foot on unhallowed ground, and thus need not fear
the loss of the church's protection.  Thereupon the man consented. 

  When one of his creditors learned of this, he thought of many ways
in which he could have his debtor seized and thrust into prison.  To
that end he held council with a Marshall of the parade, who informed
him that he had a good friend who would play the part of Judas in the
said performance.  This man he would present with half a dozen ducats
and instruct him that, when they arrived on the Market Place, and
Judas gave our dear Lord the kiss, he should likewise give him a
strong push, so that he might fall from the cart.  Once he touched
unhallowed ground he would immediately be made prisoner.  This
proposal pleased the creditor greatly.  He thereupon gave the
Marshall some money and promised him more as soon as he had got his
debtor into prison.

  Thus, when the procession reached the market, where the Marshall
and his minions were lying in wait, Judas at once strove to carry out
his purpose.  With the Jews, Judas proceeded to approach the Lord,
whom he took to the tail of the cart, where he gave him so forcible a
kiss and push, that he fell to the ground.  The Marshall captured him
then and there; but as the good Lord was looking most woefully at his
disciples, St. Peter, who stood next to him with his sword, took pity
upon him and swung so mighty a blow that he almost cleft the
Marshall's head in twain.  Thereupon a great turmoil ensued in the
whole village, so that at last the Justice intervened and arrested 
St. Peter, the Lord, and Judas with all his Jews.

  When the Judge had heard all the details of the case, he proclaimed
SENTENTIA:  Firstly, Judas to be given the birch for a scoffer of
God.  Secondly, the Marshall to have himself physicked at his own
expense.  Thirdly, St. Peter to be set free, as a pious and faithful
apostle, and the Lord likewise.  And, lastly, the merchant to forfeit
that which the Lord owed unto him and to make no further demands upon
him for all eternity.