Seven years had gone, when Issa came again,
And offered this excuse for his delay,
"The soil is spongy all along this glen—
To have it settle I have stayed away.
"I now can build on base that will not sink,
Though pierced the clouds which bend so kindly down,
'Twere fit this long delay, dost thou not think?
So chide me not nor on thy servant frown."
Then on this base as firm as granite rock,
He built its walls as fair as falling snow,