Why Afranius threw away the procurator's ring. Aphranius is Woland? (From the work of Lydia Yanovskaya)

One of the problems raised in the novel "The Master and Margarita" by M.A. Bulgakov, is the problem of the relationship between power and society, at the head of which this power is. What makes a state totalitarian and a person in it not free? A cruel ruler who enforces inhuman laws with his power? The writer believes that the people themselves are to blame if they are immoral, cowardly, obsessed with self-interest, lust for power.

The actions of the procurator of Judea Pontius Pilate and his entourage convince the reader of this. After the statement of the wandering philosopher Yeshua Ha-Nozri that “any power is violence against people and that the time will come when there will be no power of either Caesars or any other power”, Pilate is shocked and frightened: “There was not, is not and is not there will never be a greater and more beautiful power for people than the power of Tiberius! He cannot believe that someone is encroaching on the inviolability of this power, he is afraid that he may be convicted of complicity with Yeshua, and he quickly approves the death sentence. After what he did, Pontius Pilate is tormented, he understands that Yeshua is right, who spoke about the poverty of his life, he understands that he is alone, does not trust people, and is afraid of betrayal. He is a servant of Caesar, his position and career. To break this slavery is beyond his strength, therefore, while waiting for the head of the secret service, Aphranius, to find out how the execution went and to give a few orders, the great procurator is in an irritated state of mind. Day and night after the execution, Pilate is haunted by the accusation of cowardice. He, realizing that this is one of the most terrible human vices, wants to calm the awakened conscience, atone for the guilt of the innocent Yeshua and plans to take the life of Judas from Kiriath, who betrayed the wandering philosopher.

Aphranius, who has come, understands his master perfectly. This person is not stupid, endowed with a "cunning mind", "inclined to humor." But his “special look” “suddenly and point-blank”, the way he “kindly” looks at the procurator, is alarming. He seemed to want to read his thoughts. “The power of the great Caesar is the only thing he vouches for. Pontius Pilate knows that Aphranius values his position very much, he likes to rule over people and for the sake of his career he is ready for any meanness. If need be, he will betray Pilate himself. Therefore, the procurator is prudent with Aphranius, notes him - "tremendous merits in the most difficult work in the position of head of the secret service" and promises to report on them in Rome. When it comes to Judas, the guest sends his gaze to the procurator and immediately, "as expected", fades away. He wants to guess the thoughts of his master. Hearing from Pilate that Judas would be slaughtered at night, and the money received for betrayal would be thrown to the high priest with a note: “I return the damned money!”, he understands the plan of the procurator. If the conspiracy had not been born within the walls of the palace, Aphranius would certainly have known about it. Pontius Pilate orders to prevent this murder. Aphranius “did not throw more of his unexpected glances at the hegemon”, but only “dutifully” said: “I am listening.” And he clarified “sternly”: “So they will slaughter, hegemon?” Having received an affirmative answer, he accepted, however, with feigned amazement, a leather bag with money from the procurator.

The murder was not prevented, as we thought, but he does not have enough mental strength to gain freedom, he continues to be afraid, so he enlists spruce from Aphranius that rumors of Judas' suicide will spread around the city. Why is the chapter called "How the Procurator Tried to Save Judas from Kiriath?" This name is, of course, an allegory. Could the great procurator publicly punish the one who denounced Yeshua, who spoke out against the authorities? Then Pilate himself would have lost this power, would have lost the patronage of the Roman emperor. How could Aphranius argue with his master? No, otherwise there will be no power, no money. The heroes have the right to make their own choice: either resist the immoral laws that make a person unfree, deceitful, cowardly, or accept them. They choose the latter. Their choice is a challenge to M.A. Bulgakov to all those who grumble about the injustice of the rulers, spiritual dependence on them. A person always has a choice, but it is more difficult to be honest, kind, free.

Or is Woland present on Pilate's balcony in the form of Aphranius, head of the secret service?

This version seems to have first appeared in Andrzej Wajda's film, where Woland and Aphranius were played - however, very unconvincingly - by one actor, and the action took place in modern Warsaw. Then the version was repeated in the work of B. Gasparov and just as unconvincingly supported by arguments about the parallels of everything with everything in the motive structures of the novel The Master and Margarita [. And then the poet Eugene Austria appeared, we met with friends in Jerusalem, and he said decisively: “Woland and Aphranius are one person!” - “Gasparovsky parallels again? I yearned. “I already heard.” - "No," said Austrian, and, speaking disapprovingly about Gasparov's parallels, he suggested rereading the scene of the murder of Judas: "There Aphranius is dressed like Woland."

Here, I must say, something happened. Either Evgeny shouted: “What happened?”, Or even began to shake my shoulder. Nothing really happened. I just switched off and mentally began to look through Bulgakov's notebooks, which I still remembered very well then.

Here, after the murder of Judas (the final text, the fifth edition of the novel): "Now a man in a military mantle and with a short sword on his hip jumped on a horse."

And here is Woland in his solemn entrance to the ball: “Then a metamorphosis took place. Gone was the patched shirt and worn shoes. Woland turned out to be in some kind of black mantle with a steel sword on his hip.

And what was in the previous notebook (in the fourth edition)? “And then the metamorphosis happened. Woland's tailcoat disappeared. Woland turned out to be either in a black cloak, or in a cassock. And there was no sword. Before the metamorphosis: "Woland was in a tailcoat and moved with a slight limp and leaning on a cane."

After the murder of Judas: "Now a man in a mantle, with a short sword, jumped on the horse."

Here it is very important to restore the order in which the lines appeared - under Bulgakov's pen and further, under his dictation. And we will see that first, in the fourth edition, there is a description of Woland at the ball: he is wearing a cassock, and he is leaning on a cane. Then a text is written about the murder of Judas: “a man in a chlamys, with a short sword” jumps on a horse.

Further, the fifth edition is dictated, the ball at which metamorphosis takes place and instead of a patched shirt (here it is a shirt, not a tailcoat), Woland is wearing a “black mantle” and “a steel sword on his hip”. A few days later, the chapter on the murder of Judas and the description of Aphranius "in a military mantle and with a short sword on his hip" are dictated...

Coincidences are easy - as proof they will not pass, although you cannot refuse Eugene Austrian's poetic ear ... But here, pushing aside the story with a chlamys and a sword on his hip, lines unknown to Austrian from the fourth edition of the novel flash in my brain like an alarm lamp. Here Woland looked through the master's manuscript:

“Well, now everything is clear,” Woland said, and tapped the manuscript with a long finger with a black stone on it.

In the final text, this stone will not be on Woland's finger - it will appear elsewhere, in Pilate's dialogue with Aphranius: “But, in any case,” the procurator noted with concern, and a thin, long finger with a black ring stone rose up ... »

And for the third time, a mysterious ring appears, apparently this very one:

“I thank you for everything that has been done on this matter,” Pilate Afrania thanks for the worthy burial of Yeshua, but mainly, of course, for the murder of Judas. "... Here the procurator took out a ring from the pocket of his belt lying on the table and gave it to the head of the secret service - I ask you to accept this as a keepsake."

The precious ring given by Pilate to Aphranius is worn by Woland... Isn't it because Woland (in the guise of Aphranius!) received it - for the murder of Judas?

The "man in the hood" in this murder has two henchmen. One of them is not described. The other is labeled "male stocky figure". And in one of the early editions of the novel, more precisely, in the second edition, in the chapter "Night", there was an expressive line: "And I slaughtered Judas with my own hands in the Garden of Gethsemane," Azazello snarled.

A stocky figure?.. Azazello?.. In the latest edition of the novel, it is Azazello who repeats the ritual. True, he kills Meigel not with a knife, but with a shot from a pistol. Another era - another weapon...

Sections: Literature

The purpose of the lesson: by analyzing the events and characters depicted by the author, to characterize the author's ideal of the satirist M. Bulgakov.

Lesson objectives:

Educational:

knowledge system:

understanding the ideological content of the work of M.A. Bulgakov "Master and Margarita";
formation of ideas about the author's position, the author's ideal;
study of ways of expressing the author's attitude to the depicted (allegory, landscape);

repetition of what has been learned:

ways to create an artistic image of a character (speech, artistic space, relationships, attitude towards another character, author's attitude).

Developing (skill system):

formation of new skills:

to argue the attitude towards the characters of the work (Pontius Pilate, Aphranius) of the author, reader;
to characterize the author's ideal of a satirist writer;

development of previously acquired skills:

to characterize heroes and events on the basis of an independent search for literary facts and the author's judgment;
determine the boundaries of the episode based on the allocation of stages in the development of the action;
appropriate and sufficient to quote a work of art;
expressively read fragments of an epic work;
develop oral monologue skills;

Educational (system of value orientations):

the formation of a valuable idea of the student about the world and man from the standpoint of the author's ideal;
mastery of students vocabulary that expresses their attitude to moral values.

During the classes

I stage. The message of the topic of the lesson and its purpose.

M. Bulgakov's novel "The Master and Margarita" has a deep moral and philosophical meaning. The problems that are revealed in the work are connected with eternal human values. Significant is the problem of the relationship between power and man. What makes a state totalitarian and a person in it not free? Who is to blame for such a thing? We can answer these questions by examining the episode of the meeting between Pontius Pilate and Aphranius in chapter 25 of M. Bulgakov's novel The Master and Margarita. We also need to see the attitude of the satirist writer to these problems, to identify the author's ideal.

II stage. Analysis of the episode of the 25th chapter of the novel "The Master and Margarita".

What place does this episode occupy in the novel? (It is located at the end of the work, but is not the final chapter in the Yershalaim events)

What is the significance of the episode in terms of the development of the conflict? (This is a deepening of the development of social conflict - the relationship between man and power and the impossibility of resolving it and, as a result, developing into a psychological conflict - Pontius Pilate's internal conflict with himself)

What is the main event in this episode? (Pilate's meeting with the head of the secret service and ordering the murder of Judas)

What is the subject of discussion? (The execution of Yeshua and its consequences, discussion of the “prevention of the murder” of Judas)

Why does Bulgakov describe in detail the scene of Pilate's conversation with Aphranius? (It is important for the author to show the actions of Pilate, who committed a terrible act: he executed the innocent Yeshua, and evil is punishable, therefore P.P. is tormented by pangs of conscience, it is important for the writer that the reader sees the state of mind of Pilate, his further actions)

What motive does the exposition contribute to the content of the episode? Read. (Darkness is gathering over the city - the picture is terrible, apocalyptic, the motive of death, tragedy, the triumph of atrocity arises)

Why did the sun return to Yershalaim on the eve of Pilate's meeting with Aphranius? (The writer believes in the spiritual beginning of Pilate, despite his shortcomings, because the procurator is waiting for Aphranius to atone for his guilt, the writer believes that the struggle between good and evil will end in the victory of light - thus the landscape carries a philosophical load)

What is the symbolic meaning of a broken jug, spilled wine, two white roses sunk in a red puddle”? Refer to the text. (The broken jug is the symbolic meaning of the broken heart of Pilate, who put the innocent to death, committed cowardice, did not save him and is now suffering; the red puddle is a symbol of the shed blood of the prophet, the symbol of the atrocities of the procurator; white roses in a red puddle as a symbol of the death of spiritual purity - these details as a means of spiritual trials of Pilate)

In what state is Pontius Pilate on the eve of the meeting? Read. What detail of the portrait helps to understand his state of mind? (He suffers greatly, the tragedy of the soul is reflected in his eyes, day and night he is haunted by the accusation of cowardice, he needs to atone for his guilt)

So, Aphranius appears. Let's take a closer look at the head of the secret service. What is this person? What mental traits does he have? (He understands the procurator from a half-word, is endowed with a “sly mind”, good nature, “inclined to humor”, but his “special point-blank look”, looking into the depths of his soul, is alarming, as if he wants to read the most secret in his thoughts: kind and cunning, open and suspicious)

Why does the author pay attention to the inconsistency of Aphranius' character? (Aphranius values his position, he likes to have power over people - he is devoted to Pilate, but for the sake of a career he is ready for any meanness, if necessary, he will betray Pilate himself)

How does Pontius Pilate behave with Aphranius? (Pilate behaves in accordance with his destiny and, since Aphranius is wet and tired, invites him to have dinner with him. This invitation is also a way to win over Aphranius)

Why, at the beginning of the conversation, did Pilate ask about the situation in the city? (He is afraid of riots, in which case he will have to stay in Yershalaim, where he committed a crime.)

Why does the procurator ask about Barrabban, although he probably thinks about Yeshua? (He knows Aphranius well, so he diverts his attention, does not want to immediately be interested in those who excite him the most)

What is the reaction of Aphranius when Pilate asks him about Barrabban? (Aphranius “sent his peculiar look on the procurator’s cheek”)

How does Aphranius characterize the “special look on the procurator’s cheek” at this moment? (Aphranius is suspicious, cunning, he guesses who the procurator is really interested in, but he assures Pilate that Barrabvan is safe while he is in Judea)

What do Pilate's words mean: "Now I am calm, as, indeed, I am always calm when you are here"? (It is important for the Procurator to express a sense of deep trust to Aphranius before the upcoming important conversation)

Why does Pilate not start talking about the main thing, about Judas, but first asks about the execution? (He is very careful, he cannot immediately talk about Judas, but he is supposed to know about the execution)

Read how Pilate appears in the conversation when Aphranius tries to force the procurator to let it slip, to name the one who interests him the most? (Pilate is silent, although his nerves fail, and under “his left eye a vein twitched”)

When and why does Aphranius succeed in this moral duel? (Aphranius succeeds when he talks about the last words of Yeshua, that he considers cowardice to be one of the main vices of a person. This is the most painful thing for Pilate: he chickened out for the sake of a career and sent an innocent to death, he did not defend the truth, did not rebel against injustice, since then Pilate is doomed to mental suffering)

How does the author convey Pilate's inner state at this moment? (“Cracked voice”, “hoarse voice” – state of greatest experience)

Why does Pilate order the bodies of the executed to be buried “immediately, without any noise” and “so that there is no more rumor or spirit about them”? (He is afraid of being branded as a scoundrel and a traitor, he is trying to eliminate the traces of his crime as soon as possible, and also to forget about his villainy and about Yeshua)

At what point in the conversation and why does Pilate speak about the “tremendous merits in the most difficult work” of the head of the secret service and that he will report this in Rome? (Pilate is prudent, he knows that Aphranius is striving to achieve a career, and he speaks about this before the most important part of the conversation, tries to arouse Afranius's favor, takes risks.)

Coming the climax of the conversation. How does Pontius Pilate make Aphranius understand what he has in mind? (He does not speak directly to Aphranius, he is afraid, his conversation is hidden, allegorical - this is an allegorical image)

What is the significance of the allegorical nature of the conversation? (The procurator could not publicly punish Judas, who denounced Yeshua. Pilate in this case could lose power, could be punished by the Roman emperor. So, he is afraid again)

Why did Pilate decide to kill Judas of Kiriath? (So he tries to drown out the voice of conscience, punish Judas and find peace)

Why does Pilate decide to plant the money received for betrayal to the high priest? (Thus, he wants to deprive Kaifa of peace, perhaps awaken his conscience, and also provoke a scandal, avert suspicion from himself)

Pay attention to the last gesture of the procurator, when he assures Aphranius of the inevitable death of Judas. What does this detail say? (He anticipates the murder, rejoices at it, therefore “a spasm passed over his face, and he briefly rubbed his hands.” The author draws attention to the contradiction in the appearance of the hero. The heart and mind of the procurator are out of tune.

What feelings does this gesture of the procurator evoke in you? (The joy experienced by the procurator evokes in the reader a feeling of fear, bitterness: the value of human life is again questioned. Bulgakov, on the other hand, affirms the uniqueness of the life of any person)

Why doesn't Aphranius, having understood everything as Pilate planned, contradict his master? (Otherwise he will lose both money and power)

How do you assess the act of Aphranius? (What could be worse than indifference to others, the desire for one's own well-being, prosperity at any cost? Aphranius undoubtedly causes a feeling of hostility, disgust. His act is immoral, he is driven by self-interest, a thirst for power, cowardice for his career)

In what situation do the characters find themselves, what choice do they have? (The heroes find themselves in a situation of moral choice. They can resist the evil that can happen, prevent bloodshed, as Yeshua did, resist immoral laws that make a person deceitful, cowardly, or they can accept these laws - and they accept them. Dependence of life one person from another, from a whim, from circumstances - there are moral problems that reveal the essence of the relationship "man - man", "man - power")

What is the meaning of the episode's ending? Read. (Aphranius leaves, the procurator saw that “the sun is no longer there and dusk has come.” Darkness falls again. Evil continues to be done, blood is shed, even if it is the blood of the despicable Judas. The landscape again helps the author express his attitude to what is happening, again carries a philosophical load)

Why didn't Pilate's conscience torment stop after Judas' death, why doesn't he feel peace? (Pilate wanted to get rid of mental anguish, but death and blood cannot give deliverance, relief, although collusion with Aphranius is a manifestation of freedom, albeit fragile)

What makes a state totalitarian and a person unfree? (The man himself, his choice)

What is the attitude of the author to the choice of characters? (The author condemns the immoral choice of people, their cowardice, self-interest, lust for power. The choice of a person must necessarily be associated with such concepts as honor, dignity, conscience, love for one's neighbor)

Bulgakov shows us the consequences of the actions of the heroes in order to convince us that if a person did badly, he is obliged to answer for it. How did Pilate respond for his action? (He continues to suffer, he has a dream that Yeshua is not executed, and for his weakness and cowardice he repents with 2000 years of torment until the master forgives him)

Do you think this is not a very cruel punishment?

What is the role of the episode in the plot of the novel? How are the problems raised in the chapters of Yershalaim reflected in the events in Moscow? (Bulgakov argues that the whole course of human history is guided by goodness, truth, freedom, and not by evil and power, and moral concessions, cowardice will have to be paid.)

III stage. Generalization, summing up.

What positions of the episode analysis algorithm were reflected in our work today at the lesson?

Episode analysis (algorithm)

Read the selected episode.
Determine the meaning of the episode in the work in terms of the development of the conflict.
Describe the characters of the episode, their behavior, actions, words through which the inner world is revealed, their attitude to the event, problem, each other.
Describe the landscape and its meaning.
Find important artistic details, explain their artistic role.
Author's attitude to the event, characters, problem.
Analyze the artistic techniques used by the author (artistic visual means, symbolism, subtext, color, light, sound).
Express your attitude to the characters, the event, the author's position.
Determine the meaning of this episode as part of the whole.

Aphranius manages is the head of the secret police in Yershalaim. Speaking in the current language, he is something like an FSB major or some similar servant of law enforcement agencies.

It must be said that Bulgakov writes this image in a rather positive way and almost sings of the various worthy qualities of this Yershalaim “Chekist”. As some researchers say, Bulgakov deliberately portrayed a representative of the secret police as such in order to please the authorities. Thus, the author wanted to get some censorship indulgence, and also, perhaps, enlist the support of representatives of the relevant profession of his time and, thanks to this, promote his novel.

This version looks quite logical, but the high accuracy of the description of the closest subordinate Jewish procurator should also be noted. After all, a certain type of people usually works in such a profession, for such work you need to have the appropriate type of personality, and Bulgakov simply describes this type.

The head of the secret guard is kind and courageous, he knows the city perfectly and understands his boss perfectly. At the same time, Aphranius is a tough person, whose justice sometimes borders on sadism. He is modest and pleasant, does not want praise for his own work and quite sincerely serves his own country and government.

To some extent, Aphranius is the opposite of Yeshua, who personifies (in political terms) anarchism. Aphranius, in turn, is imperialism and totalitarianism, he is confident in the relevance of hierarchical power, in a sense of responsibility and justice. Yeshua, in turn, preaches the transition of mankind to the absence of any power, to times when the oppression of the individual will not be needed, when professions like the work of Aphranius will not be needed.

Probably the head of the secret police understands this fact, just as any statesman can understand what the freedom-loving speeches of preachers lead to. Oddly enough, it is Aphranius who actually ensures the revenge of Yeshua, as he fulfills Pilate's veiled order to eliminate Judas. Thus, Aphranius upholds justice in himself and the world.

Although Bulgakov suffered a lot from the work of representatives of law enforcement agencies, he writes such a hero quite pleasant. However, Woland in his image looks pleasant, but this does not stop him from being Woland.

Composition on the theme of Aphranius

If Aphranius is also a hero of the second plan, then one without which it would be completely impossible for the hero of the first plan. When Pontius Pilate, in a conversation with Levi Matthew, declares that he killed Judas, after all, he is exceptionally confident in the diligence of the head of the secret guard.

So, how does the extremely diligent, intelligent and faithful head of the secret guard Aphranius appear before the reader?

Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov very well draws every stroke in the image of Aphronius, forcing the reader to pay attention to it. To see him. Feel how his round face breaks into a smile. As from under the eyelashes, his eyes study everyone who fell into his field of vision. How his wet hair, gradually drying out, takes on its color and makes his face even more pleasant.

A man with a good-natured face and piercing eyes. All his ability to identify people is concentrated in these eyes. His performance. His quickness. Aphronius is also quite smart. Instead of boasting of his virtues, he is extremely modest and delicate.

His shaved round face wins people over. Even the hot, accustomed to military campaigns, horse under him is unusually docile and obedient. Aphranius wears a military mantle and a short combat sword. But why does it cause a feeling of calm and peace? Is it just his smile acting in such a strange way?

On duty, Aphranius supervises the execution of Yeshua and the thieves sentenced to crucifixion. Administers not that justice, not that evil. Then, only understanding what the procurator requires of him, he kills the traitor Judas, fulfilling every point of the order of Pontius, which he, of course, did not give. He is absolute evil, wanting to do good.

Aphranius seems to be entirely composed of this contradiction, surprisingly combining in himself completely incompatible things. As if proving that this is life. Pontius makes his judgment. Aphranius carries out the sentence and shares the feelings of Pontius. Understands his commander on duty.

Receiving the ring from the hands of the procurator, Aphronius simply continues to be the faithful, executive head of the secret guard. And an understanding person with an incredibly good-natured face.

Some interesting essays

Critic Latunsky in the novel The Master and Margarita Bulgakov essay
Critic O. Latunsky (M. A. Bulgakov does not mention his name, only the first letter) - a minor character in the novel, a modern representative of literary and artistic Moscow
The history of the creation of the novel Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky
For six years, F. M. Dostoevsky developed the concept of the novel "Crime and Punishment", just during his penal servitude. That is why the first thought was to write about the ordeals of Raskolnikov.
The tragedy of conscience in the drama Thunderstorm Ostrovsky essay
In his work, Ostrovsky described a merchant family in which their daughter Catherine grew up in abundance. Parents allowed Catherine to make an independent choice, and she had the right to make
Composition based on the painting by Vasnetsov Bayan (description)
The great Russian artist V.M. Vasnetsov, was always inspired by the epic and fairy tales that Slavic mythology abounds in, and the Bayan painting is one of such creations.

We are often asked What is happiness? abo Chi happy ty?. Tsі pitanya zmushuyut think about it, what is really good luck. In today's world, people have changed their priorities and important for them material values. Htos happy new phone

Chapter 25

The darkness that came from the Mediterranean Sea covered the city hated by the procurator. cue city, as if it did not exist in the world. Darkness devoured everything, frightening all the living in Yershalaim and its environs. A strange cloud was brought over the sea toward the end of the day, the fourteenth year of the spring month of Nisan.

She had already fallen with her belly on the Bald Skull, where the executioners hastily executed the executed, she fell on the temple in Yershalaim, slid down with smoky streams from its hill and flooded the Lower City. She poured into the windows and drove people from the crooked streets into the houses. She was in no hurry to give up her moisture and gave only light. As soon as the smoky black brew broke open the fire, a great block of the temple flew up from the pitch darkness with a sparkling scaly coating. But it faded in an instant, and the temple plunged into a dark abyss. Several times he jumped out of it and failed again, and each time this failure was accompanied by a roar of disaster.

Other quivering glimmers evoked from the abyss the palace of Herod the Great opposing the temple on the western hill, and terrible eyeless golden statues flew up to the black sky, stretching out their arms to him. But again the heavenly fire hid, and heavy thunderclaps drove the golden idols into darkness.

The downpour suddenly poured down, and then the thunderstorm turned into a hurricane. In the very place where, around noon, near the marble bench in the garden, the procurator and the high priest were talking, with a blow like a cannon, like a cane, the cypress was broken. The hurricane ravaged the garden.

At that time, there was only one person under the columns, and this person was the procurator.

Now he did not sit in an armchair, but lay on a bed under a low, small table laden with dishes and wine in jugs. Another bed, empty, was on the other side of the table. At the procurator's feet stretched an uncleaned red puddle, as if bloody with bull, and splinters of a broken jug were lying about. The servant, who had set the table for the procurator before a thunderstorm, was for some reason confused under his gaze, became agitated that he had pleased him somehow, and the procurator, angry with him, broke the jug on the mosaic floor, saying:

Why don't you look at your face when you serve? Have you stolen something?

The black face of the African turned grey, mortal horror appeared in his eyes, he trembled and almost broke the second jug, but for some reason the procurator's anger flew away as quickly as it had arrived. But the puddle remained.

Now the African, during the hurricane, hid near the niche where the statue of a white naked woman with her head bowed was placed, afraid to appear at the wrong time and at the same time fearing to miss the moment when the procurator might call him.

Lying on a bed in the stormy twilight, the procurator himself poured wine into his cup, drank in long sips, touched the bread from time to time, crumbled it, swallowed it in small pieces, sucked the oysters from time to time, chewed the lemon and drank again.

If it weren’t for the roar of water, if it weren’t for the clashes of thunder that seemed to threaten to flatten the roof of the palace, if it weren’t for the clatter of hail thrashing the steps of the balcony, one might have heard the procurator muttering something while talking to himself. that the procurator's face, with his eyes inflamed with the last insomnia and wine, expresses impatience, that the procurator not only looks at two white roses drowned in a red puddle, but constantly turns his face towards the garden to meet the water dust and sand, that he is waiting for someone, impatiently waiting.

Some time passed, and the veil of water before the eyes of the procurator began to thin. As fierce as the hurricane was, it weakened. The branches no longer cracked and did not fall. Thunderbolts and flashes became less frequent. Above Yershalaim floated already a non-violet cover with a white edge, and an ordinary gray rearguard cloud. The storm was drifting towards the Dead Sea.

Now it was possible to hear separately both the sound of rain and the sound of water rushing down the gutters and straight down the steps of that staircase, along which the procurator walked during the day to announce the sentence on the square. And finally, the hitherto muffled fountain sounded. It was getting brighter. Blue windows appeared in the gray shroud that ran away to the east.

Then from afar, breaking through the sound of the already very weak rain, the procurator heard faint sounds of pipes and the chirping of several hundred hooves. Hearing this, the procurator moved, and his face brightened. Ala was returning from Bald Mountain, judging by the sound, she was passing through the most crowded square where the verdict was announced.

At last the procurator heard the long-awaited footsteps, and the thumping of the stairs leading to the top platform of the garden just before the balcony. The procurator craned his neck, and his eyes shone, expressing joy.

Between the two marble lions, first a head in a hood appeared, and then a completely wet man in a cloak clinging to his body. This was the same man who, before the verdict, had whispered to the procurator in the darkened room of the palace, and who, during the execution, sat on a three-legged stool, playing with a twig.

Without clearing the puddles, the hooded man crossed the garden platform, stepped onto the mosaic floor of the balcony, and, raising his hand, said in a high, pleasant voice:

Congratulations to the procurator and rejoice. - The visitor spoke in Latin.

Gods! - exclaimed Pilate, - but you don’t have dry thread on you! What's a hurricane? Huh? I ask you to come to me immediately. Change your clothes, do me a favor.

The visitor threw back his hood, revealing his completely wet head, with hair stuck to his forehead, and, expressing a polite smile on his shaved face, began to refuse to change clothes, assuring him that the rain could not harm him in any way.

I don’t want to listen,” Pilate answered and clapped his hands. With this, he called the servants hiding from him, telling them to take care of the visitor, and then immediately serve a hot dish. It took the procurator very little time to dry his hair, change clothes, change shoes and generally put himself in order, and soon he appeared on the balcony in dry sandals, in a dry crimson military cloak and smoothed hair.

At this time, the sun returned to Yershalaim and, before leaving and drowning in the Mediterranean, sent farewell rays to the city hated by the procurator and gilded the steps of the balcony. The fountain burst into full bloom, the pigeons climbed onto the sand, gurgled, jumped over broken branches, pecked at something in the wet sand. The red puddle was rubbed out, the shards were removed, meat was smoking on the table.

I am listening to the orders of the procurator, - said the newcomer, going up to the table.

But you won’t hear anything until you sit down at the table and drink some wine,” Pilate answered kindly and pointed to another couch.

The newcomer lay down, the servant poured thick red wine into his cup. Another servant, carefully leaning over Pilate's shoulder, filled the procurator's cup. After that, he removed both servants with a gesture. While the newcomer drank and ate, Pilate, sipping wine, glanced at his guest with narrowed eyes. The man who appeared before Pilate was middle-aged, with a very pleasant, round, neat face, with a fleshy nose. His hair was of a certain color. Now, drying up, they brightened. The alien's nationality would be difficult to ascertain. The main thing that determined his face was, perhaps, an expression of good nature, which was violated, however, by the eyes, or, rather, not by the eyes, but by the manner of the interlocutor who came to look at him. It must be assumed that the procurator's guest was inclined towards humor. But from time to time, completely banishing this gleaming humor from the slits, the present guest opened his eyelids wide and looked at his interlocutor suddenly and point-blank, as if in order to quickly make out some imperceptible spot on the interlocutor's face. glow good nature and crafty mind.

The newcomer did not refuse the second cup of wine either, swallowed several oysters with obvious pleasure, tasted boiled vegetables, ate a piece of meat.

Satisfied, he praised the wine:

An excellent vine, procurator, but this is not "Falerno"?

"Cekuba, thirty years old," the procurator responded kindly.

The guest put his hand to his heart, refused to eat anything else, announced that he was full. Then Pilate filled his cup, and the guest did the same. Both diners poured some wine from their cups into a dish of meat, and the procurator said loudly, raising his cup:

For you, Caesar, father of the Romans, dearest and best of people!

After that, they finished drinking the wine, and the Africans removed the food from the table, leaving fruits and jugs on it. Again, with a gesture, the procurator removed the servants and remained with his guest alone under the colonnade.

So, - Pilate spoke softly, - what can you tell me about the mood in this city?

He involuntarily turned his gaze to where, beyond the terraces of the garden, below, both the colonnades and the flat roofs, gilded by the last rays, were burning down.

I believe, procurator, - answered the guest, - that the mood in Yershalaim is now satisfactory.

So what can you guarantee that the unrest is no longer a threat?

You can vouch for, - looking affectionately at the procurator, the guest answered, - only for one thing in the world - for the power of the great Caesar.

May the gods send him a long life, - Pilate immediately picked up, - and universal peace. - He paused and continued: - So you think that the troops can now be withdrawn?

I believe that the lightning cohort can leave, - the guest answered and added: - It would be good if she paraded around the city in parting.

A very good idea, - the procurator approved, - the day after tomorrow I will let her go and leave myself, and - I swear to you by the feast of the twelve gods, I swear by lares - I would give a lot to do it today.

Does the procurator not love Yershalaim? - good-naturedly asked the guest.

Have mercy," the procurator exclaimed, smiling, "there is no more hopeless place on earth. I'm not talking about nature! I get sick every time I have to come here. But that would be half the grief. But these holidays are magicians, sorcerers, wizards, these pilgrims ... Fanatics, fanatics! What was the cost of this messiah alone, whom they suddenly began to expect this year! Every minute you just expect that you will have to witness the most unpleasant bloodshed. All the time shuffling troops, reading denunciations and sneaks, of which, moreover, half is written on you yourself! Agree that this is boring. Oh, if not for the imperial service! ..

Yes, the holidays are difficult here, - the guest agreed.

With all my heart I wish them to end soon,” Pilate added energetically. -I will finally be able to return to Caesarea. Believe me, this crazy construction of Herod, - the procurator waved his hand along the colonnade, so that it became clear that he was talking about the palace, - positively drives me crazy. I can't sleep in it. Mir knew no stranger architecture. Yes, but back to business. First of all, this damned Bar-Rabban doesn't bother you?

It was at this point that the guest sent his special look on the procurator's cheek. But he looked into the distance with bored eyes, grimacing in disgust and contemplating the part of the city that lay at his feet and was fading into the evening. The guest's gaze also faded, and his eyelids drooped.

One should think that Bar-rabvan has now become safe as a lamb, - the guest spoke, and wrinkles appeared on his round face. - It is uncomfortable for him to rebel now.

Too famous? asked Pilate, smiling.

The procurator, as always, subtly understands the question!

But, in any case, - the procurator noted with concern, and a thin, long finger with a black stone ring rose up, - it will be necessary ...

Oh, the procurator can be sure that while I am in Judea, Barus will not take a step without being followed on his heels.

I am calm now, as I always am when you are here.

The Procurator is too kind!

And now I ask you to inform me about the execution,” said the procurator.

What exactly interests the procurator?

Were there any attempts by the crowd to express indignation? This is the main thing, of course.

None, replied the guest.

Very good. Have you established yourself that death has come?

The Procurator can be sure of that.

And tell me ... they were given a drink before hanging on poles?

Yes. But he, - here the guest closed his eyes, - refused to drink it.

Who exactly? Pilate asked.

Excuse me, hegemon! - exclaimed the guest, - I did not name? Ha-Notsri.

Madman! - said Pilate, grimacing for some reason. A vein twitched under his left eye - to die from sunburn! Why refuse what is offered by law? In what terms did he refuse?

He said, - again closing his eyes, the guest answered, - that he thanks and does not blame for the fact that his life was taken from him.

Whom? Pilate asked dully.

This he, hegemon, did not say.

Did he try to preach anything in front of the soldiers?

No, hegemon, he was not verbose this time. The only thing he said was that among the human vices, he considers cowardice to be the most important one.

Why was it said? - the guest heard a suddenly cracked voice.

It was impossible to understand. He generally behaved strangely, as, indeed,

and always.

What is strange?

All the time he tried to look into the eyes of one or the other of those around him, and all the time he smiled with some kind of bewildered smile.

Nothing else? asked a hoarse voice.

Nothing else.

The procurator tapped his cup, pouring himself some wine. After draining it to the very bottom, he spoke:

The point is this: although we cannot detect - at this time, at least - any of his worshipers or followers, nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that they do not exist at all.

The guest listened attentively, bowing his head.

And so, in order to avoid any surprises, - continued the procurator, - I ask you immediately, without any noise, to remove the bodies of all three executed from the face of the earth and bury them in secret and in silence, so that there is no more rumor or spirit about them.

I listen, hegemon, - said the guest and stood up, saying: - In view of the complexity and responsibility of the matter, allow me to go immediately.

No, sit down again, - Pilate said, stopping his guest with a gesture, - there are two more questions. Second, your enormous merit for the most difficult work in the position of head of the secret service under the procurator of Judea gives me a pleasant opportunity to report on this in Rome.

Here the guest's face turned pink, he got up and bowed to the procurator, saying:

I'm only doing my duty in the imperial service!

Noya would like to ask you, - continued the haemon, - if you are offered a transfer from here with a promotion, refuse it and stay here. I would not like to part with you for anything. Let them reward you in some other way.

I am happy to serve under your command, hegemon.

It is very pleasant for me. So the third question. It's about how his... Judas of Kiriath.

Then the guest sent his glance to the procurator and immediately, as expected, extinguished it.

He will get it,” the head of the secret service quietly corrected Pilate.

Is the amount big?

No one can know that, hegemon.

Even you? - Expressing a compliment with his amazement, the hegemon said.

Alas, even I, - the guest answered calmly, - but that he will receive this money tonight, I know that. He is summoned to Kaifa's palace today.

Ah, the greedy old man from Kiriath, - the procurator observed smiling, - is he an old man?

The procurator is never wrong, but this time he was mistaken, - the guest answered kindly, - the man from Kiriath is a young man.

Tell! Can you describe it to me? Fanatic?

Oh no, Procurator.

So. What else?

Very handsome.

What else? Does he have some kind of passion?

It's hard to know for sure about everyone in this huge city, Procurator...

Oh no, no, Aphranius! Do not underestimate your accomplishments!

He has one passion, procurator. - The guest made a tiny

pause. - Passion for money.

And what does he do?

Aphranius raised his eyes, thought a moment, and answered:

He works in a change shop for one of his relatives.

Ah, so, so, so, so. - Here the procurator fell silent, looked around to see if anyone was on the balcony, and then said quietly: - So here's the thing - I received information today that he will be stabbed to death tonight.

Here the guest not only threw his glance at the procurator, but even delayed him a little, and then answered:

You, procurator, spoke too flatteringly of the omen. I don't think I deserve your report. I don't have this information.

You are worthy of the highest award, - answered the procurator, - but such information is available.

I dare to ask, from whom is this information?

Let me not say this for now, especially since they are random, obscure and unreliable. Noah must foresee everything. This is my position, and most of all I am obliged to believe my presentiment, for it has never deceived me before. with a note: "I return the damned money!"

The head of the secret service did not throw more of his unexpected glances at the hegemon and continued to listen to him, narrowing his eyes, while Pilate continued:

Imagine how pleasant it would be for the high priest to receive such a gift on a festive night?

Not only unpleasant," the guest answered with a smile, "but I believe, Procurator, that this will cause a very big scandal.

And I myself have the same opinion. That is why I ask you to take up this matter, that is, to take all measures to protect Judas from Kiriath.

The hegemon's order will be carried out,” Aphranius spoke, “but I must reassure the hegemon: the plan of the villains is extremely difficult to carry out. After all, just think, - the guest, speaking, turned around and continued: - track down a person, kill him, and even find out how much he received, and manage to return the money to Kaifa, and all this in one night? Today?

And all the more, he will be slaughtered today,” Pilate repeated stubbornly, “I have a premonition, I tell you! There was no chance that it deceived me, - then a spasm passed over the procurator's face, and he briefly rubbed his hands.

Listen,” the guest answered meekly, got up, straightened up, and suddenly asked sternly: “They will slaughter them, hegemon?”

Yes, - answered Pilate, - and all hope is only your astonishing diligence.

The guest adjusted the heavy belt under his cloak and said:

I have the honor, I wish you good health and rejoice.

Oh, yes, - Pilate cried softly, - I completely forgot! Because I owe you!

The guest was amazed.

Really, procurator, you don't owe me anything.

Well, why not! When I entered Yershalaim, remember, a crowd of beggars ... I also wanted to throw money at them, but I didn’t have it, and I took it from you.

O procurator, this is some trifle!

And the trifle must be remembered.

Then Pilate turned around, picked up the cloak lying on the armchair behind him, took out a leather sack from under it, and handed it to the guest. The latter bowed, receiving it, and hid it under the cloak.

I am waiting, - Pilate spoke, - to report on the burial, as well as on this case of Judas from Kiriath tonight, hear, Aphranius, today. The convoy will be ordered to wake me as soon as you appear. I am waiting for you!

I have the honor, - said the head of the secret service and, turning, went from the balcony. He could hear how he crunched as he walked along the wet sand of the site, then 2001, Library "Milestones"