A prayer for mercy wells up from his heart like a bloody spring.

And beside him a woman kneels and folds her hands against the cross.

And she who thus stands under the cross wrings her hands, and implores mercy for her child.
The letters I.N.R.I, over the cross begin to gleam.

And a voice is heard in the air: "Jesus Near Redeems Ill-doers." "The Son of God! The Son of God!" The cry went on without ceasing.
"The Son of God on the cross!" "The Son of God's coat! A hundred gold pieces for the coat!" shrieked old Schobal, lifting the garment up on a stick like a flag.

The dealer swore by that flag, for its value had risen a thousandfold in an hour.
"A hundred gold pieces for the Son of God's coat!" But it was high time that the dealer made himself scarce, for the people of Jerusalem were enraged at a man who wanted to do business in presence of the dying Saviour.