To earthly science dearer far the walls the pagans built
Than the precious blood of martyrs for love of Jesus spilt.
Perchance beneath these stones might lie rare treasures of old Rome—
The cross in Christian kingdom must not wander from its home!
“Miserere, miserere,”
Seemed the very stones outcrying;
“In thy mercy spare the nations.
Heed, O God! the prisoners’ sighing.”
A sound of low lamenting then filled all the silent place,
Whose darkness won unearthly light from out the stranger’s face—