From the wall's pinnacle, they placed a pulley
Athwart the pole, a rope athwart the pulley;
To this a basket dangled; mortar and bricks
Thus freighted, swung securely to the top,
And in the empty basket workmen twain
Precipitate, unhurt, accosted earth.
Oh! 'twas a goodly sound to hear the people
Who watch'd the work, express their various thoughts!
While some believ'd it never would be finish'd,
Some on the contrary believ'd it would.