They caught, and presently the silver plates ran down their blazing surface in molten streams of metal.

Nor was this all, for from the gates the fire spread to the cloisters on either side, nor did the outworn Jews attempt to stay its ravages.

They drew back sullenly, and seated in groups upon the paving of the Court of Women, watching the circle of devouring flame creep slowly on.

At length the sun rose.

Now the Romans were labouring to extinguish the fire at the gateway, and to make a road over the ruins by which they might advance.