Q. What was then said to you?  A. I was asked from whence I came.

Q. Your answer?  A. From Jerusalem.

Q. What was then demanded of you?  A. Who are you?

Q. Your answer?  A. The first among my equals, a Mason, and free by rank, but a captive and slave by misfortune.

Q. What was you then asked?  A. My name.

Q. Your answer?  A. Zerrubbabel.

Q. What were you then asked?  A. What are your demands?

Q. Your answer?  A. To see the sovereign, if possible.

Q. What was then said to you?  A. I was then directed to wait with patience until the Sovereign Master should be informed of my request, and his answer returned.

Q. What was that answer?  A. That the necessary caution should be taken that I was not armed with any hostile weapons, and that I should then be admitted.

Q. How were you then received?  A. The guard being drawn up on the right and left of the throne, swords drawn, two of them placed at the door with swords crossed, under which I was permitted to enter, my face covered with my hands.

Q. How were you then disposed of?  A. I was conducted in front of the Sovereign Master, who received me with kindness and attention, and listened with patience to my request.

Q. What did the Sovereign Master then observe to the Council?  A. That this Zerrubbabel was the friend of his youth, that he could neither be an enemy nor a spy.

Q. What followed?  A. The Sovereign Master thus addressed me:  “Zerrubbabel, having now gained admittance into our presence, we demand that you immediately declare the particular motives which induced you, without our permission, and with force and arms, to pass the lines of our dominions?”

Q. Your answer?  A. Sovereign Master, the tears and complaints of my companions at Jerusalem, who have been so long and so often impeded in the noble and glorious undertaking in which they were permitted to engage by our late sovereign, Lord Cyrus, the King; but our enemies having made that great work to cease by force and power, I have now come up to implore your majesty’s clemency, that you would be pleased to restore me to favor, and grant me employment among the servants of your household.

Q. What was the Sovereign’s reply?  A. Zerrubbabel, I have often reflected with much pleasure upon our early intimacy and friendship, and I have frequently heard, with great satisfaction, of your fame as a wise and accomplished Mason, and having myself a profound veneration for that ancient and honorable institution, and having a sincere desire to become a member of the same, I will this moment grant your request, on condition that you will reveal to me the secrets of Freemasonry.

Q. Did you consent to that?  A. I did not.

Q. What was your reply?  A. Sovereign Master, when our Grand Master Solomon, King of Israel, first instituted the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, he taught us that truth was a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue; to be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry.  My engagements are sacred and inviolable:  I cannot reveal our secrets.  If I can obtain your majesty’s favor only at the expense of my integrity, I humbly beg leave to decline your royal protection, and will cheerfully submit to any honorable exile.