The street was long, and as they went on Sigurd remarked to the jarl:
"Where there are lions there are no cattle. Where the Romans have been there is left no plunder worth taking. We will but use our eyes till we tire and then we will lift our sails and depart."
Ulric answered not, for a strange look was on his face and his eyes were studying the sword of Annibaal.
"This hilt hath many runes," he said to Ben Ezra. "Canst thou read them?"
"Not so," said the Jew, "but one thing the Carthaginian told thee not. I had heard much of this city. It was first builded by the kings of the forgotten ages, whereof there are no writings. Our own writings tell us somewhat of them. The Egyptian priests know more, but tell it not. So did those of Babylon the elder. Here was a great people, but they perished. Even their gods died, being slain by the sword of Jehovah."
"As many gods have been slain by Thor and Odin," responded Ulric. "I like your god, that destroyeth his enemies."
More slowly they walked as they drew near the front of the great temple.
"The stones of it are large," said Ulric to Ben Ezra. "They are greater than the Druid stones that I saw in Britain."
"I will show thee greater stones than these in the temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem," replied the Jew.
"I will go there with thee," replied Ulric. "But these are wonderfully graven. Only a good chisel may cut granite rock."