"Once more, once more! Oh, it is a dreadful day for the world!" Shortly the whole party were in waiting under shelter of the house.
They said but little, afraid, probably, to trust their thoughts to each other; everything was uncertain, and nothing so much so as opinions.

Balthasar drew himself feebly from the litter, and stood supported by a servant; Esther and Ben-Hur kept Simonides company.
Meantime the flood poured along, if anything, more densely than before; and the shouting came nearer, shrill up in the air, hoarse along the earth, and cruel.

At last the procession was up.
"See!" said Ben-Hur, bitterly; "that which cometh now is Jerusalem." The advance was in possession of an army of boys, hooting and screaming, "The King of the Jews! Room, room for the King of the Jews!" Simonides watched them as they whirled and danced along, like a cloud of summer insects, and said, gravely, "When these come to their inheritance, son of Hur, alas for the city of Solomon!" A band of legionaries fully armed followed next, marching in sturdy indifference, the glory of burnished brass about them the while.
Then came the NAZARENE! He was nearly dead.

Every few steps he staggered as if he would fall.

A stained gown badly torn hung from his shoulders over a seamless undertunic.