His hot, thick breath hissed through his closed teeth, and his hands strained at the strong metal supports of the lattice until they bent beneath his grasp.

When the stroke descended on the image, he closed his eyes.

When the fragment detached by the blow fell on the floor, a groan burst from his quivering lips.

For one moment more he glared down with a gaze of horror upon the multitude at his feet, and then with frantic speed he descended the steep stairs by which he had mounted to the roof, and fled from the temple.
The same night this man was again seen by some shepherds whom curiosity led to visit the desecrated building, weeping bitterly in its ruined and deserted porticoes.

As they approached to address him, he raised his head, and with a supplicating action signed to them to leave the place.