"Am I wrong, priest, in supposing that your petition refers to the building of the temple in your native land ?" "Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of my lord," answered the priest, bowing low.

"Thy servants in Jerusalem desire to behold the face of their ruler, and beseech thee by my mouth to visit the land of their fathers, and to grant them permission to set forward the work of the temple, concerning which thine illustrious father (the favor of our God rest upon him), made a decree." The king answered with a smile: "You have the craft of your nation, and understand how to choose the right time and words for your petition.

On my birthday it is difficult for me to refuse my faithful people even one request.

I promise you, therefore, so soon as possible to visit Jerusalem and the land of your fathers." "By so doing thou wilt make glad the hearts of thy servants," answered the priest; "our vines and olives will bear more fruit at thine approach, our gates will lift up their heads to receive thee, and Israel rejoice with shouts to meet his lord doubly blessed if as lord of the building--" "Enough, priest, enough!" cried Cambyses.

"Your first petition, I have said it, shall not remain unfulfilled; for I have long desired to visit the wealthy city of Tyre, the golden Sidon, and Jerusalem with its strange superstitions; but were I to give permission for the building now, what would remain for me to grant you in the coming year ?" "Thy servants will no more molest thee by their petitions, if thou grant unto them this one, to finish the temple of the Lord their God," answered the priest.
"Strange beings, these men of Palestine!" exclaimed Cambyses.