There in the Judean night he looked upon the city,
Beheld the broken walls, the gates consumed by fire,
And rode his beast around the stone that lay in rubble.
Few knew what he had done, to what he might aspire.
We in our caution might have asked, Did he do well
To leave the luxury of Artaxerxes' halls,
Request his generous aid, and bring his substance here,
Seeking the restoration of these broken walls?
Resistance there would be and scorn and cries of treason
And fearful threats and subtle guile and men's dismay.
The builder would be warrior; the burden bearer called
To stand long watch by night, do toilsome work by day.
