But, so she thought, perhaps she could drop from the roof, which was not so very high, on to the paving in front of the first stair, and then, if she was unhurt, run or crawl to the Romans, who might give her shelter.
So Miriam tried to undo the chain, only to find that as well might she hope to pull down the Gate Nicanor with her helpless hands.

At this discovery she wept, for now she grew weak.

Well for Miriam was it that she could not have her wish, for certainly had she attempted to drop down from the gateway to the marble paving, or even on to the battlements of the walls which ran up to it on either side, her bones would have been shattered like the shell of an egg and she must have perished miserably.
While she grieved thus, Miriam heard a stir in the Court of Israel, and by the dim starlight saw that men were gathering, to do what she knew not.

Presently, as she wondered, the great gates were opened very softly and out poured the Jews upon their last sally.

Miriam was witnessing the death-struggle of the nation of Israel.