Connected with it is also a Christian legend, somewhat fanciful, and of no bad moral, but destined to little credit in these severe and searching times. In the year 608 Cosroes, king of Persia, conquered Jerusalem; and after plundering the city and desecrating the holy places, returned to his kingdom, carrying back with him the true and venerated cross. The emperor Heraclius, fourteen years after this, was fortunate enough not only to regain possession of the city, but following up his conquests, recovered also the sacred relic. Returning to Jerusalem, his intention was to enter the place by “the Golden Gate;” and after having proceeded in grand cavalcade to the churches, and having purified them, to restore the cross to its original site. Attired in robes all glittering with royal gems, and followed by a long train of courtiers and nobles, he advanced with gladness, and was about to enter through this splendid gate, when an invisible but steady hand pushed him back. Twice again he essayed to enter, but as often was brought suddenly to a stand; nor could any force succeed against this unseen and mysterious power. At this moment Zacharias, the patriarch of Jerusalem, came up; and seeing at once how matters stood; exclaimed, “Say, O emperor, art thou adorned with these splendid robes, and in this triumphant procession,--art thou imitating _Him_ who, in humility and sorrow, bore on his shoulders this sacred wood? Doff thy jewelled garments, put on a coarse and humble dress, and quickly shalt thou find an entrance, and be able to effect thy pious desires.” The emperor hastened to comply, and the invisible hand ceased to obstruct his way.[57] FOOTNOTES: [54] I paced the circuit of the city, taking notes and plans of the whole, and marking the towers; but the paper has been unfortunately lost. The following are the dimensions in detail, as furnished by Messrs. Fisk and King: paces. From N. W. cor. to the Jaffa gate, 300} “ thence to the S. W. corner, 468} 768 on the western side, “ “ to Zion gate, 195} “ “ to bend in S. W. wall, 295} 1149 on the southern side, “ “ to S. E. corner, 659} “ “ to St. Stephen’s gate, 583} “ “ to N. E. corner, 360} 943 on the eastern side, “ “ to Damascus gate, 759} “ “ to N. W. corner, 660} 1419 on the northern side, which, at their computation of five paces to a rod, makes the whole circuit two miles and seven tenths, or nearly two thirds of a mile; Sandys made it nearly the same, namely, two miles and a half. [55] In addition to the passage of Josephus just referred to, see also de Bel. lib. vi. cap. ix. § 1. [56] El Devoto Peregrino. [57] El Devoto Peregrino. CHAPTER XVII.