IN THE TEMPLE COURT, I
What then would be next? This violent
scatterer of coins and doves and sheep
must either lead an angry mob or keep
himself well hidden in some shepherd’s tent.
But here he sits as calm as any sage,
debating with all comers. Even those
who sneered at country preachers—even those
were forced to confront him on the public stage.
They hope to entangle him in argument.
He proves too quick, too deft. They find no cause
to call him a transgressor of the laws
and think their time and effort poorly spent.
If this was not the moment they could catch him,
they will try other means—and, meantime, watch him.