She refused to observe his insisted disbelief in her claim, but went on as if to herself.
"Whatever Jove can do, man can do!" she declared.

"I never heard that the gods do more than change maidens into trees or themselves into swans for an old mortal purpose that even man's a better adept at.

Why can there not rise one who is greater than Alexander and of stouter heart than Julius Caesar?
There is no limit to the greatness of mankind.

Behold, here is a city rich beyond even the wealth of Croesus; and a country which the emperor is longing to bestow upon some orderly king! Heavens, what an opportunity! I could pray, Jerusalem should pray, that the hour may bring forth the man!" Her eyes shone with an unnatural yearning.

The immense scope of her desires suddenly brought a smile to his lips that he checked in time.
He had remembered offering his Idumeans in women's clothing for her diversion.
Hunger for power, the next greatest hunger after hunger for love! He felt that he stood in the presence of a desire so immense that it belittled his own hopes.