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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Moon of Israel, by H. Rider Haggard
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Moon of Israel
+
+Author: H. Rider Haggard
+
+Release Date: April 3, 2006 [EBook #2856]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOON OF ISRAEL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by John Bickers; Dagny; Emma Dudding; David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+MOON OF ISRAEL
+
+A TALE OF THE EXODUS
+
+
+by H. Rider Haggard
+
+
+
+
+AUTHOR'S NOTE
+
+This book suggests that the real Pharaoh of the Exodus was not Meneptah
+or Merenptah, son of Rameses the Great, but the mysterious usurper,
+Amenmeses, who for a year or two occupied the throne between the
+death of Meneptah and the accession of his son the heir-apparent, the
+gentle-natured Seti II.
+
+Of the fate of Amenmeses history says nothing; he may well have perished
+in the Red Sea or rather the Sea of Reeds, for, unlike those of Meneptah
+and the second Seti, his body has not been found.
+
+Students of Egyptology will be familiar with the writings of the scribe
+and novelist Anana, or Ana as he is here called.
+
+
+
+It was the Author's hope to dedicate this story to Sir Gaston Maspero,
+K.C.M.G., Director of the Cairo Museum, with whom on several occasions
+he discussed its plot some years ago. Unhappily, however, weighed down
+by one of the bereavements of the war, this great Egyptologist died in
+the interval between its writing and its publication. Still, since Lady
+Maspero informs him that such is the wish of his family, he adds the
+dedication which he had proposed to offer to that eminent writer and
+student of the past.
+
+
+
+Dear Sir Gaston Maspero,
+
+When you assured me as to a romance of mine concerning ancient Egypt,
+that it was so full of the "inner spirit of the old Egyptians" that,
+after kindred efforts of your own and a lifetime of study, you could not
+conceive how it had been possible for it to spring from the brain of a
+modern man, I thought your verdict, coming from such a judge, one of the
+greatest compliments that ever I received. It is this opinion of yours
+indeed which induces me to offer you another tale of a like complexion.
+Especially am I encouraged thereto by a certain conversation between
+us in Cairo, while we gazed at the majestic countenance of the Pharaoh
+Meneptah, for then it was, as you may recall, that you said you thought
+the plan of this book probable and that it commended itself to your
+knowledge of those dim days.
+
+With gratitude for your help and kindness and the sincerest homage to
+your accumulated lore concerning the most mysterious of all the perished
+peoples of the earth,
+
+Believe me to remain
+
+Your true admirer,
+
+H. Rider Haggard.
+
+
+
+
+MOON OF ISRAEL
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+SCRIBE ANA COMES TO TANIS
+
+This is the story of me, Ana the scribe, son of Meri, and of certain of
+the days that I have spent upon the earth. These things I have written
+down now that I am very old in the reign of Rameses, the third of that
+name, when Egypt is once more strong and as she was in the ancient time.
+I have written them before death takes me, that they may be buried with
+me in death, for as my spirit shall arise in the hour of resurrection,
+so also these my words may arise in their hour and tell to those who
+shall come after me upon the earth of what I knew upon the earth. Let it
+be as Those in heaven shall decree. At least I write and what I write is
+true.
+
+I tell of his divine Majesty whom I loved and love as my own soul, Seti
+Meneptah the second, whose day of birth was my day of birth, the Hawk
+who has flown to heaven before me; of Userti the Proud, his queen, she
+who afterwards married his divine Majesty, Saptah, whom I saw laid in
+her tomb at Thebes. I tell of Merapi, who was named Moon of Israel, and
+of her people, the Hebrews, who dwelt for long in Egypt and departed
+thence, having paid us back in loss and shame for all the good and ill
+we gave them. I tell of the war between the gods of Egypt and the god of
+Israel, and of much that befell therein.
+
+Also I, the King's Companion, the great scribe, the beloved of the
+Pharaohs who have lived beneath the sun with me, tell of other men and
+matters. Behold! is it not written in this roll? Read, ye who shall find
+in the days unborn, if your gods have given you skill. Read, O children
+of the future, and learn the secrets of that past which to you is so far
+away and yet in truth so near.
+
+
+
+As it chanced, although the Prince Seti and I were born upon the same
+day and therefore, like the other mothers of gentle rank whose children
+saw the light upon that day, my mother received Pharaoh's gift and I
+received the title of Royal Twin in Ra, never did I set eyes upon the
+divine Prince Seti until the thirtieth birthday of both of us. All of
+which happened thus.
+
+In those days the great Pharaoh, Rameses the second, and after him his
+son Meneptah who succeeded when he was already old, since the mighty
+Rameses was taken to Osiris after he had counted one hundred risings of
+the Nile, dwelt for the most part at the city of Tanis in the desert,
+whereas I dwelt with my parents at the ancient, white-walled city of
+Memphis on the Nile. At times Meneptah and his court visited Memphis, as
+also they visited Thebes, where this king lies in his royal tomb to-day.
+But save on one occasion, the young Prince Seti, the heir-apparent, the
+Hope of Egypt, came not with them, because his mother, Asnefert, did not
+favour Memphis, where some trouble had befallen her in youth--they
+say it was a love matter that cost the lover his life and her a sore
+heart--and Seti stayed with his mother who would not suffer him out of
+sight of her eyes.
+
+Once he came indeed when he was fifteen years of age, to be proclaimed
+to the people as son of his father, as Son of the Sun, as the future
+wearer of the Double Crown, and then we, his twins in Ra--there were
+nineteen of us who were gently born--were called by name to meet him
+and to kiss his royal feet. I made ready to go in a fine new robe
+embroidered in purple with the name of Seti and my own. But on that very
+morning by the gift of some evil god I was smitten with spots all
+over my face and body, a common sickness that affects the young. So it
+happened that I did not see the Prince, for before I was well again he
+had left Memphis.
+
+Now my father Meri was a scribe of the great temple of Ptah, and I was
+brought up to his trade in the school of the temple, where I copied
+many rolls and also wrote out Books of the Dead which I adorned with
+paintings. Indeed, in this business I became so clever that, after my
+father went blind some years before his death, I earned enough to keep
+him, and my sisters also until they married. Mother I had none, for she
+was gathered to Osiris while I was still very little. So life went on
+from year to year, but in my heart I hated my lot. While I was still a
+boy there rose up in me a desire--not to copy what others had written,
+but to write what others should copy. I became a dreamer of dreams.
+Walking at night beneath the palm-trees upon the banks of the Nile I
+watched the moon shining upon the waters, and in its rays I seemed to
+see many beautiful things. Pictures appeared there which were different
+from any that I saw in the world of men, although in them were men and
+women and even gods.
+
+Of these pictures I made stories in my heart and at last, although that
+was not for some years, I began to write these stories down in my spare
+hours. My sisters found me doing so and told my father, who scolded me
+for such foolishness which he said would never furnish me with bread
+and beer. But still I wrote on in secret by the light of the lamp in my
+chamber at night. Then my sisters married, and one day my father died
+suddenly while he was reciting prayers in the temple. I caused him to be
+embalmed in the best fashion and buried with honour in the tomb he had
+made ready for himself, although to pay the costs I was obliged to copy
+Books of the Dead for nearly two years, working so hard that I found no
+time for the writing of stories.
+
+When at length I was free from debt I met a maiden from Thebes with a
+beautiful face that always seemed to smile, and she took my heart from
+my breast into her own. In the end, after I returned from fighting in
+the war against the Nine Bow Barbarians, to which I was summoned like
+other men, I married her. As for her name, let it be, I will not think
+of it even to myself. We had one child, a little girl which died within
+two years of her birth, and then I learned what sorrow can mean to
+man. At first my wife was sad, but her grief departed with time and she
+smiled again as she used to do. Only she said that she would bear no
+more children for the gods to take. Having little to do she began to go
+about the city and make friends whom I did not know, for of these, being
+a beautiful woman, she found many. The end of it was that she departed
+back to Thebes with a soldier whom I had never seen, for I was always
+working at home thinking of the babe who was dead and how happiness is a
+bird that no man can snare, though sometimes, of its own will, it flies
+in at his window-place.
+
+It was after this that my hair went white before I had counted thirty
+years.
+
+Now, as I had none to work for and my wants were few and simple, I found
+more time for the writing of stories which, for the most part, were
+somewhat sad. One of these stories a fellow scribe borrowed from me and
+read aloud to a company, whom it pleased so much that there were many
+who asked leave to copy it and publish it abroad. So by degrees I became
+known as a teller of tales, which tales I caused to be copied and sold,
+though out of them I made but little. Still my fame grew till on a day
+I received a message from the Prince Seti, my twin in Ra, saying that he
+had read certain of my writings which pleased him much and that it was
+his wish to look upon my face. I thanked him humbly by the messenger and
+answered that I would travel to Tanis and wait upon his Highness. First,
+however, I finished the longest story which I had yet written. It was
+called the Tale of Two Brothers, and told how the faithless wife of one
+of them brought trouble on the other, so that he was killed. Of how,
+also, the just gods brought him to life again, and many other matters.
+This story I dedicated to his Highness, the Prince Seti, and with it in
+the bosom of my robe I travelled to Tanis, having hidden about me a sum
+of gold that I had saved.
+
+So I came to Tanis at the beginning of winter and, walking to the palace
+of the Prince, boldly demanded an audience. But now my troubles began,
+for the guards and watchmen thrust me from the doors. In the end I
+bribed them and was admitted to the antechambers, where were merchants,
+jugglers, dancing-women, officers, and many others, all of them, it
+seemed, waiting to see the Prince; folk who, having nothing to do,
+pleased themselves by making mock of me, a stranger. When I had mixed
+with them for several days, I gained their friendship by telling to them
+one of my stories, after which I was always welcome among them. Still
+I could come no nearer to the Prince, and as my store of money was
+beginning to run low, I bethought me that I would return to Memphis.
+
+One day, however, a long-bearded old man, with a gold-tipped wand of
+office, who had a bull's head embroidered on his robe, stopped in front
+of me and, calling me a white-headed crow, asked me what I was doing
+hopping day by day about the chambers of the palace. I told him my name
+and business and he told me his, which it seemed was Pambasa, one of
+the Prince's chamberlains. When I asked him to take me to the Prince,
+he laughed in my face and said darkly that the road to his Highness's
+presence was paved with gold. I understood what he meant and gave him a
+gift which he took as readily as a cock picks corn, saying that he would
+speak of me to his master and that I must come back again.
+
+I came thrice and each time that old cock picked more corn. At last I
+grew enraged and, forgetting where I was, began to shout at him and
+call him a thief, so that folks gathered round to listen. This seemed
+to frighten him. At first he looked towards the door as though to summon
+the guard to thrust me out; then changed his mind, and in a grumbling
+voice bade me follow him. We went down long passages, past soldiers who
+stood at watch in them still as mummies in their coffins, till at length
+we came to some broidered curtains. Here Pambasa whispered to me to
+wait, and passed through the curtains which he left not quite closed, so
+that I could see the room beyond and hear all that took place there.
+
+It was a small room like to that of any scribe, for on the tables were
+palettes, pens of reed, ink in alabaster vases, and sheets of papyrus
+pinned upon boards. The walls were painted, not as I was wont to paint
+the Books of the Dead, but after the fashion of an earlier time, such as
+I have seen in certain ancient tombs, with pictures of wild fowl rising
+from the swamps and of trees and plants as they grow. Against the walls
+hung racks in which were papyrus rolls, and on the hearth burned a fire
+of cedar-wood.
+
+By this fire stood the Prince, whom I knew from his statues. His years
+appeared fewer than mine although we were born upon the same day, and he
+was tall and thin, very fair also for one of our people, perhaps because
+of the Syrian blood that ran in his veins. His hair was straight and
+brown like to that of northern folk who come to trade in the markets of
+Egypt, and his eyes were grey rather than black, set beneath somewhat
+prominent brows such as those of his father, Meneptah. His face was
+sweet as a woman's, but made curious by certain wrinkles which ran from
+the corners of the eyes towards the ears. I think that these came
+from the bending of the brow in thought, but others say that they were
+inherited from an ancestress on the female side. Bakenkhonsu my friend,
+the old prophet who served under the first Seti and died but the other
+day, having lived a hundred and twenty years, told me that he knew her
+before she was married, and that she and her descendant, Seti, might
+have been twins.
+
+In his hand the Prince held an open roll, a very ancient writing as I,
+who am skilled in such matters that have to do with my trade, knew from
+its appearance. Lifting his eyes suddenly from the study of this roll,
+he saw the chamberlain standing before him.
+
+"You came at a good time, Pambasa," he said in a voice that was very
+soft and pleasant, and yet most manlike. "You are old and doubtless
+wise. Say, are you wise, Pambasa?"
+
+"Yes, your Highness. I am wise like your Highness's uncle, Khaemuas the
+mighty magician, whose sandals I used to clean when I was young."
+
+"Is it so? Then why are you so careful to hide your wisdom which should
+be open like a flower for us poor bees to suck at? Well, I am glad to
+learn that you are wise, for in this book of magic that I have been
+reading I find problems worthy of Khaemuas the departed, whom I only
+remember as a brooding, black-browed man much like my cousin, Amenmeses
+his son--save that no one can call Amenmeses wise."
+
+"Why is your Highness glad?"
+
+"Because you, being by your own account his equal, can now interpret the
+matter as Khaemuas would have done. You know, Pambasa, that had he lived
+he would have been Pharaoh in place of my father. He died too soon,
+however, which proves to me that there was something in this tale of
+his wisdom, since no really wise man would ever wish to be Pharaoh of
+Egypt."
+
+Pambasa stared with his mouth open.
+
+"Not wish to be Pharaoh!" he began--
+
+"Now, Pambasa the Wise," went on the Prince as though he had not heard
+him. "Listen. This old book gives a charm 'to empty the heart of its
+weariness,' that it says is the oldest and most common sickness in the
+world from which only kittens, some children, and mad people are free.
+It appears that the cure for this sickness, so says the book, is to
+stand on the top of the pyramid of Khufu at midnight at that moment when
+the moon is largest in the whole year, and drink from the cup of dreams,
+reciting meanwhile a spell written here at length in language which I
+cannot read."
+
+"There is no virtue in spells, Prince, if anyone can read them."
+
+"And no use, it would seem, if they can be read by none."
+
+"Moreover, how can any one climb the pyramid of Khufu, which is covered
+with polished marble, even in the day let alone at midnight, your
+Highness, and there drink of the cup of dreams?"
+
+"I do not know, Pambasa. All I know is that I weary of this foolishness,
+and of the world. Tell me of something that will lighten my heart, for
+it is heavy."
+
+"There are jugglers without, Prince, one of whom says he can throw a
+rope into the air and climb up it until he vanishes into heaven."
+
+"When he has done it in your sight, Pambasa, bring him to me, but
+not before. Death is the only rope by which we climb to heaven--or be
+lowered into hell. For remember there is a god called Set, after whom,
+like my great-grandfather, I am named by the way--the priests alone know
+why--as well as one called Osiris."
+
+"Then there are the dancers, Prince, and among them some very finely
+made girls, for I saw them bathing in the palace lake, such as would
+have delighted the heart of your grandfather, the great Rameses."
+
+"They do not delight my heart who want no naked women prancing here. Try
+again, Pambasa."
+
+"I can think of nothing else, Prince. Yet, stay. There is a scribe
+without named Ana, a thin, sharp-nosed man who says he is your
+Highness's twin in Ra."
+
+"Ana!" said the Prince. "He of Memphis who writes stories? Why did you
+not say so before, you old fool? Let him enter at once, at once."
+
+Now hearing this I, Ana, walked through the curtains and prostrated
+myself, saying,
+
+"I am that scribe, O Royal Son of the Sun."
+
+"How dare you enter the Prince's presence without being bidden----"
+began Pambasa, but Seti broke in with a stern voice, saying,
+
+"And how dare you, Pambasa, keep this learned man waiting at my door
+like a dog? Rise, Ana, and cease from giving me titles, for we are not
+at Court. Tell me, how long have you been in Tanis?"
+
+"Many days, O Prince," I answered, "seeking your presence and in vain."
+
+"And how did you win it at last?"
+
+"By payment, O Prince," I answered innocently, "as it seems is usual.
+The doorkeepers----"
+
+"I understand," said Seti, "the doorkeepers! Pambasa, you will ascertain
+what amount this learned scribe has disbursed to 'the doorkeepers' and
+refund him double. Begone now and see to the matter."
+
+So Pambasa went, casting a piteous look at me out of the corner of his
+eye.
+
+"Tell me," said Seti when he was gone, "you who must be wise in your
+fashion, why does a Court always breed thieves?"
+
+"I suppose for the same reason, O Prince, that a dog's back breeds
+fleas. Fleas must live, and there is the dog."
+
+"True," he answered, "and these palace fleas are not paid enough. If
+ever I have power I will see to it. They shall be fewer but better fed.
+Now, Ana, be seated. I know you though you do not know me, and already I
+have learned to love you through your writings. Tell me of yourself."
+
+So I told him all my simple tale, to which he listened without a word,
+and then asked me why I had come to see him. I replied that it was
+because he had sent for me, which he had forgotten; also because I
+brought him a story that I had dared to dedicate to him. Then I laid the
+roll before him on the table.
+
+"I am honoured," he said in a pleased voice, "I am greatly honoured.
+If I like it well, your story shall go to the tomb with me for my Ka
+to read and re-read until the day of resurrection, though first I will
+study it in the flesh. Do you know this city of Tanis, Ana?"
+
+I answered that I knew little of it, who had spent my time here haunting
+the doors of his Highness.
+
+"Then with your leave I will be your guide through it this night, and
+afterwards we will sup and talk."
+
+I bowed and he clapped his hands, whereon a servant appeared, not
+Pambasa, but another.
+
+"Bring two cloaks," said the Prince, "I go abroad with the scribe, Ana.
+Let a guard of four Nubians, no more, follow us, but at a distance and
+disguised. Let them wait at the private entrance."
+
+The man bowed and departed swiftly.
+
+Almost immediately a black slave appeared with two long hooded cloaks,
+such as camel-drivers wear, which he helped us to put on. Then, taking
+a lamp, he led us from the room through a doorway opposite to that by
+which I had entered, down passages and a narrow stair that ended in a
+courtyard. Crossing this we came to a wall, great and thick, in which
+were double doors sheathed with copper that opened mysteriously at our
+approach. Outside of these doors stood four tall men, also wrapped in
+cloaks, who seemed to take no note of us. Still, looking back when we
+had gone a little way, I observed that they were following us, as though
+by chance.
+
+How fine a thing, thought I to myself, it is to be a Prince who by
+lifting a finger can thus command service at any moment of the day or
+night.
+
+Just at that moment Seti said to me:
+
+"See, Ana, how sad a thing it is to be a Prince, who cannot even stir
+abroad without notice to his household and commanding the service of a
+secret guard to spy upon his every action, and doubtless to make report
+thereof to the police of Pharaoh."
+
+There are two faces to everything, thought I to myself again.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE BREAKING OF THE CUP
+
+We walked down a broad street bordered by trees, beyond which were
+lime-washed, flat-roofed houses built of sun-dried brick, standing,
+each of them, in its own garden, till at length we came to the great
+market-place just as the full moon rose above the palm-trees, making the
+world almost as light as day. Tanis, or Rameses as it is also called,
+was a very fine city then, if only half the size of Memphis, though
+now that the Court has left it I hear it is much deserted. About this
+market-place stood great temples of the gods, with pylons and avenues
+of sphinxes, also that wonder of the world, the colossal statue of the
+second Rameses, while to the north upon a mound was the glorious palace
+of Pharaoh. Other palaces there were also, inhabited by the nobles and
+officers of the Court, and between them ran long streets where dwelt the
+citizens, ending, some of them, on that branch of the Nile by which the
+ancient city stood.
+
+Seti halted to gaze at these wondrous buildings.
+
+"They are very old," he said, "but most of them, like the walls and
+those temples of Amon and Ptah, have been rebuilt in the time of my
+grandfather or since his day by the labour of Israelitish slaves who
+dwell yonder in the rich land of Goshen."
+
+"They must have cost much gold," I answered.
+
+"The Kings of Egypt do not pay their slaves," remarked the Prince
+shortly.
+
+Then we went on and mingled with the thousands of the people who were
+wandering to and fro seeking rest after the business of the day. Here
+on the frontier of Egypt were gathered folk of every race; Bedouins from
+the desert, Syrians from beyond the Red Sea, merchants from the rich
+Isle of Chittim, travellers from the coast, and traders from the land
+of Punt and from the unknown countries of the north. All were talking,
+laughing and making merry, save some who gathered in circles to listen
+to a teller of tales or wandering musicians, or to watch women who
+danced half naked for gifts.
+
+Now and again the crowd would part to let pass the chariot of some noble
+or lady before which went running footmen who shouted, "Make way, Make
+way!" and laid about them with their long wands. Then came a procession
+of white-robed priests of Isis travelling by moonlight as was fitting
+for the servants of the Lady of the Moon, and bearing aloft the holy
+image of the goddess before which all men bowed and for a little while
+were silent. After this followed the corpse of some great one newly
+dead, preceded by a troop of hired mourners who rent the air with their
+lamentations as they conducted it to the quarter of the embalmers.
+Lastly, from out of one of the side streets emerged a gang of several
+hundred hook-nosed and bearded men, among whom were a few women, loosely
+roped together and escorted by a company of armed guards.
+
+"Who are these?" I asked, for I had never seen their like.
+
+"Slaves of the people of Israel who return from their labour at the
+digging of the new canal which is to run to the Red Sea," answered the
+Prince.
+
+We stood still to watch them go by, and I noted how proudly their eyes
+flashed and how fierce was their bearing although they were but men in
+bonds, very weary too and stained by toil in mud and water. Presently
+this happened. A white-bearded man lagged behind, dragging on the line
+and checking the march. Thereupon an overseer ran up and flogged him
+with a cruel whip cut from the hide of the sea-horse. The man turned
+and, lifting a wooden spade that he carried, struck the overseer such
+a blow that he cracked his skull so that he fell down dead. Other
+overseers rushed at the Hebrew, as these Israelites were called, and
+beat him till he also fell. Then a soldier appeared and, seeing what
+had happened, drew his bronze sword. From among the throng sprang out a
+girl, young and very lovely although she was but roughly clad.
+
+Since then I have seen Merapi, Moon of Israel, as she was called, clad
+in the proud raiment of a queen, and once even of a goddess, but never,
+I think, did she look more beauteous than in this hour of her slavery.
+Her large eyes, neither blue nor black, caught the light of the moon and
+were aswim with tears. Her plenteous bronze-hued hair flowed in great
+curls over the snow-white bosom that her rough robe revealed. Her
+delicate hands were lifted as though to ward off the blows which fell
+upon him whom she sought to protect. Her tall and slender shape stood
+out against a flare of light which burned upon some market stall. She
+was beauteous exceedingly, so beauteous that my heart stood still at the
+sight of her, yes, mine that for some years had held no thought of woman
+save such as were black and evil.
+
+She cried aloud. Standing over the fallen man she appealed to the
+soldier for mercy. Then, seeing that there was none to hope for from
+him, she cast her great eyes around until they fell upon the Prince
+Seti.
+
+"Oh! Sir," she wailed, "you have a noble air. Will you stand by and see
+my father murdered for no fault?"
+
+"Drag her off, or I smite through her," shouted the captain, for now she
+had thrown herself down upon the fallen Israelite. The overseers obeyed,
+tearing her away.
+
+"Hold, butcher!" cried the Prince.
+
+"Who are you, dog, that dare to teach Pharaoh's officer his duty?"
+answered the captain, smiting the Prince in the face with his left hand.
+
+Then swiftly he struck downwards and I saw the bronze sword pass through
+the body of the Israelite who quivered and lay still. It was all done
+in an instant, and on the silence that followed rang out the sound of
+a woman's wail. For a moment Seti choked--with rage, I think. Then he
+spoke a single word--"Guards!"
+
+The four Nubians, who, as ordered, had kept at a distance, burst through
+the gathered throng. Ere they reached us I, who till now had stood
+amazed, sprang at the captain and gripped him by the throat. He struck
+at me with his bloody sword, but the blow, falling on my long cloak,
+only bruised me on the left thigh. Then I, who was strong in those days,
+grappled with him and we rolled together on the ground.
+
+After this there was great tumult. The Hebrew slaves burst their
+rope and flung themselves upon the soldiers like dogs upon a jackal,
+battering them with their bare fists. The soldiers defended themselves
+with swords; the overseers plied their hide whips; women screamed, men
+shouted. The captain whom I had seized began to get the better of me;
+at least I saw his sword flash above me and thought that all was over.
+Doubtless it would have been, had not Seti himself dragged the man
+backwards and thus given the four Nubian guards time to seize him. Next
+I heard the Prince cry out in a ringing voice:
+
+"Hold! It is Seti, the son of Pharaoh, the Governor of Tanis, with whom
+you have to do. See," and he threw back the hood of his cloak so that
+the moon shone upon his face.
+
+Instantly there was a great quiet. Now, first one and then another as
+the truth sunk into them, men began to fall upon their knees, and I
+heard one say in an awed voice:
+
+"The royal Son, the Prince of Egypt struck in the face by a soldier!
+Blood must pay for it."
+
+"How is that officer named?" asked Seti, pointing to the man who had
+killed the Israelite and well-nigh killed me.
+
+Someone answered that he was named Khuaka.
+
+"Bring him to the steps of the temple of Amon," said Seti to the Nubians
+who held him fast. "Follow me, friend Ana, if you have the strength.
+Nay, lean upon my shoulder."
+
+So resting upon the shoulder of the Prince, for I was bruised and
+breathless, I walked with him a hundred paces or more to the steps of
+the great temple where we climbed to the platform at the head of the
+stairs. After us came the prisoner, and after him all the multitude,
+a very great number who stood upon the steps and on the flat ground
+beyond. The Prince, who was very white and quiet, sat himself down
+upon the low granite base of a tall obelisk which stood in front of the
+temple pylon, and said:
+
+"As Governor of Tanis, the City of Rameses, with power of life and death
+at all hours and in all places, I declare my Court open."
+
+"The Royal Court is open!" cried the multitude in the accustomed form.
+
+"This is the case," said the Prince. "Yonder man who is named Khuaka, by
+his dress a captain of Pharaoh's army, is charged with the murder of
+a certain Hebrew, and with the attempted murder of Ana the scribe. Let
+witnesses be called. Bring the body of the dead man and lay it here
+before me. Bring the woman who strove to protect him, that she may
+speak."
+
+The body was brought and laid upon the platform, its wide eyes staring
+up at the moon. Then soldiers who had gathered thrust forward the
+weeping girl.
+
+"Cease from tears," said Seti, "and swear by Kephera the creator, and by
+Maat the goddess of truth and law, to speak nothing but the truth."
+
+The girl looked up and said in a rich low voice that in some way
+reminded me of honey being poured from a jar, perhaps because it was
+thick with strangled sobs:
+
+"O Royal Son of Egypt, I cannot swear by those gods who am a daughter of
+Israel."
+
+The Prince looked at her attentively and asked:
+
+"By what god then can you swear, O Daughter of Israel?"
+
+"By Jahveh, O Prince, whom we hold to be the one and only God, the Maker
+of the world and all that is therein."
+
+"Then perhaps his other name is Kephera," said the Prince with a little
+smile. "But have it as you will. Swear, then, by your god Jahveh."
+
+Then she lifted both her hands above her head and said:
+
+"I, Merapi, daughter of Nathan of the tribe of Levi of the people of
+Israel, swear that I will speak the truth and all the truth in the name
+of Jahveh, the God of Israel."
+
+"Tell us what you know of the matter of the death of this man, O
+Merapi."
+
+"Nothing that you do not know yourself, O Prince. He who lies there,"
+and she swept her hand towards the corpse, turning her eyes away, "was
+my father, an elder of Israel. The captain Khuaka came when the corn was
+young to the Land of Goshen to choose those who should work for Pharaoh.
+He wished to take me into his house. My father refused because from my
+childhood I had been affianced to a man of Israel; also because it is
+not lawful under the law for our people to intermarry with your people.
+Then the captain Khuaka seized my father, although he was of high rank
+and beyond the age to work for Pharaoh, and he was taken away, as I
+think, because he would not suffer me to wed Khuaka. A while later I
+dreamed that my father was sick. Thrice I dreamed it and ran away to
+Tanis to visit him. But this morning I found him and, O Prince, you know
+the rest."
+
+"Is there no more?" asked Seti.
+
+The girl hesitated, then answered:
+
+"Only this, O Prince. This man saw me with my father giving him food,
+for he was weak and overcome with the toil of digging the mud in the
+heat of the sun, he who being a noble of our people knew nothing of such
+labour from his youth. In my presence Khuaka asked my father if now he
+would give me to him. My father answered that sooner would he see me
+kissed by snakes and devoured by crocodiles. 'I hear you,' answered
+Khuaka. 'Learn, now, slave Nathan, before to-morrow's sun arises, you
+shall be kissed by swords and devoured by crocodiles or jackals.' 'So be
+it,' said my father, 'but learn, O Khuaka, that if so, it is revealed to
+me who am a priest and a prophet of Jahveh, that before to-morrow's sun
+you also shall be kissed by swords and of the rest we will talk at the
+foot of Jahveh's throne.'
+
+"Afterwards, as you know, Prince, the overseer flogged my father as I
+heard Khuaka order him to do if he lagged through weariness, and then
+Khuaka killed him because my father in his madness struck the overseer
+with a mattock. I have no more to say, save that I pray that I may be
+sent back to my own people there to mourn my father according to our
+custom."
+
+"To whom would you be sent? Your mother?"
+
+"Nay, O Prince, my mother, a lady of Syria, is dead. I will go to my
+uncle, Jabez the Levite."
+
+"Stand aside," said Seti. "The matter shall be seen to later. Appear,
+O Ana the Scribe. Swear the oath and tell us what you have seen of this
+man's death, since two witnesses are needful."
+
+So I swore and repeated all this story that I have written down.
+
+"Now, Khuaka," said the Prince when I had finished, "have you aught to
+say?"
+
+"Only this, O Royal One," answered the captain throwing himself upon his
+knees, "that I struck you by accident, not knowing that the person of
+your Highness was hidden in that long cloak. For this deed it is true
+that I am worthy of death, but I pray you to pardon me because I knew
+not what I did. The rest is nothing, since I only slew a mutinous slave
+of the Israelites, as such are slain every day."
+
+"Tell me, O Khuaka, who are being tried for this man's death and not
+for the striking of one of royal blood by chance, under which law it is
+lawful for you to kill an Israelite without trial before the appointed
+officers of Pharaoh."
+
+"I am not learned. I do not know the law, O Prince. All that this woman
+said is false."
+
+"At least it is not false that yonder man lies dead and that you slew
+him, as you yourself admit. Learn now, and let all Egypt learn, that
+even an Israelite may not be murdered for no offence save that of
+weariness and of paying back unearned blow with blow. Your blood shall
+answer for his blood. Soldiers! Strike off his head."
+
+The Nubians leapt upon him, and when I looked again Khuaka's headless
+corpse lay by the corpse of the Hebrew Nathan and their blood was
+mingled upon the steps of the temple.
+
+"The business of the Court is finished," said the Prince. "Officers, see
+that this woman is escorted to her own people, and with her the body of
+her father for burial. See, too, upon your lives that no insult or harm
+is done to her. Scribe Ana, accompany me hence to my house where I would
+speak with you. Let guards precede and follow me."
+
+He rose and all the people bowed. As he turned to go the lady Merapi
+stepped forward, and falling upon her knees, said:
+
+"O most just Prince, now and ever I am your servant."
+
+Then we set out, and as we left the market-place on our way to the
+palace of the Prince, I heard a tumult of voices behind us, some in
+praise and some in blame of what had been done. We walked on in silence
+broken only by the measured tramp of the guards. Presently the moon
+passed behind a cloud and the world was dark. Then from the edge of the
+cloud sprang out a ray of light that lay straight and narrow above us on
+the heavens. Seti studied it a while and said:
+
+"Tell me, O Ana, of what does that moonbeam put you in mind?"
+
+"Of a sword, O Prince," I answered, "stretched out over Egypt and held
+in the black hand of some mighty god or spirit. See, there is the blade
+from which fall little clouds like drops of blood, there is the hilt of
+gold, and look! there beneath is the face of the god. Fire streams from
+his eyebrows and his brow is black and awful. I am afraid, though what I
+fear I know not."
+
+"You have a poet's mind, Ana. Still, what you see I see and of this I
+am sure, that some sword of vengeance is indeed stretched out over
+Egypt because of its evil doings, whereof this light may be the symbol.
+Behold! it seems to fall upon the temples of the gods and the palace of
+Pharaoh, and to cleave them. Now it is gone and the night is as nights
+were from the beginning of the world. Come to my chamber and let us eat.
+I am weary, I need food and wine, as you must after struggling with that
+lustful murderer whom I have sent to his own place."
+
+The guards saluted and were dismissed. We mounted to the Prince's
+private chambers, in one of which his servants clad me in fine linen
+robes after a skilled physician of the household had doctored the
+bruises upon my thigh over which he tied a bandage spread with balm.
+Then I was led to a small dining-hall, where I found the Prince waiting
+for me as though I were some honoured guest and not a poor scribe who
+had wondered hence from Memphis with my wares. He caused me to sit down
+at his right hand and even drew up the chair for me himself, whereat I
+felt abashed. To this day I remember that leather-seated chair. The arms
+of it ended in ivory sphinxes and on its back of black wood in an oval
+was inlaid the name of the great Rameses, to whom indeed it had once
+belonged. Dishes were handed to us--only two of them and those quite
+simple, for Seti was no great eater--by a young Nubian slave of a
+very merry face, and with them wine more delicious than any I had ever
+tasted.
+
+We ate and drank and the Prince talked to me of my business as a scribe
+and of the making of tales, which seemed to interest him very much.
+Indeed one might have thought that he was a pupil in the schools and I
+the teacher, so humbly and with such care did he weigh everything that I
+said about my art. Of matters of state or of the dreadful scene of blood
+through which we had just passed he spoke no word. At the end, however,
+after a little pause during which he held up a cup of alabaster as thin
+as an eggshell, studying the light playing through it on the rich red
+wine within, he said to me:
+
+"Friend Ana, we have passed a stirring hour together, the first perhaps
+of many, or mayhap the last. Also we were born upon the same day
+and therefore, unless the astrologers lie, as do other men--and
+women--beneath the same star. Lastly, if I may say it, I like you well,
+though I know not how you like me, and when you are in the room with me
+I feel at ease, which is strange, for I know of no other with whom it is
+so.
+
+"Now by a chance only this morning I found in some old records which I
+was studying, that the heir to the throne of Egypt a thousand years ago,
+had, and therefore, as nothing ever changes in Egypt, still has, a right
+to a private librarian for which the State, that is, the toilers of the
+land, must pay as in the end they pay for all. Some dynasties have gone
+by, it seems, since there was such a librarian, I think because most of
+the heirs to the throne could not, or did not, read. Also by chance I
+mentioned the matter to the Vizier Nehesi who grudges me every ounce of
+gold I spend, as though it were one taken out of his own pouch, which
+perhaps it is. He answered with that crooked smile of his:
+
+"'Since I know well, Prince, that there is no scribe in Egypt whom you
+would suffer about you for a single month, I will set the cost of a
+librarian at the figure at which it stood in the Eleventh Dynasty upon
+the roll of your Highness's household and defray it from the Royal
+Treasury until he is discharged.'
+
+"Therefore, Scribe Ana, I offer you this post for one month; that is
+all for which I can promise you will be paid whatever it may be, for I
+forget the sum."
+
+"I thank you, O Prince," I exclaimed.
+
+"Do not thank me. Indeed if you are wise you will refuse. You have met
+Pambasa. Well, Nehesi is Pambasa multiplied by ten, a rogue, a thief, a
+bully, and one who has Pharaoh's ear. He will make your life a torment
+to you and clip every ring of gold that at length you wring out of
+his grip. Moreover the place is wearisome, and I am fanciful and often
+ill-humoured. Do not thank me, I say. Refuse; return to Memphis and
+write stories. Shun courts and their plottings. Pharaoh himself is but a
+face and a puppet through which other voices talk and other eyes shine,
+and the sceptre which he wields is pulled by strings. And if this is so
+with Pharaoh, what is the case with his son? Then there are the women,
+Ana. They will make love to you, Ana, they even do so to me, and I think
+you told me that you know something of women. Do not accept, go back
+to Memphis. I will send you some old manuscripts to copy and pay you
+whatever it is Nehesi allows for the librarian."
+
+"Yet I accept, O Prince. As for Nehesi I fear him not at all, since at
+the worst I can write a story about him at which the world will laugh,
+and rather than that he will pay me my salary."
+
+"You have more wisdom than I thought, Ana. It never came into my mind to
+put Nehesi in a story, though it is true I tell tales about him which is
+much the same thing."
+
+He bend forward, leaning his head upon his hand, and ceasing from his
+bantering tone, looked me in the eyes and asked:
+
+"Why do you accept? Let me think now. It is not because you care for
+wealth if that is to be won here; nor for the pomp and show of courts;
+nor for the company of the great who really are so small. For all these
+things you, Ana, have no craving if I read your heart aright, you who
+are an artist, nothing less and nothing more. Tell me, then, why will
+you, a free man who can earn your living, linger round a throne and
+set your neck beneath the heel of princes to be crushed into the common
+mould of servitors and King's Companions and Bearers of the Footstool?"
+
+"I will tell you, Prince. First, because thrones make history, as
+history makes thrones, and I think that great events are on foot in
+Egypt in which I would have my share. Secondly, because the gods bring
+gifts to men only once or twice in their lives and to refuse them is
+to offend the gods who gave them those lives to use to ends of which we
+know nothing. And thirdly"--here I hesitated.
+
+"And thirdly--out with the thirdly for, doubtless, it is the real
+reason."
+
+"And thirdly, O Prince--well, the word sounds strangely upon a man's
+lips--but thirdly because I love you. From the moment that my eyes fell
+upon your face I loved you as I never loved any other man--not even my
+father. I know not why. Certainly it is not because you are a prince."
+
+When he heard these words Seti sat brooding and so silent that, fearing
+lest I, a humble scribe, had been too bold, I added hastily:
+
+"Let your Highness pardon his servant for his presumptuous words. It was
+his servant's heart that spoke and not his lips."
+
+He lifted his hand and I stopped.
+
+"Ana, my twin in Ra," he said, "do you know that I never had a friend?"
+
+"A prince who has no friend!"
+
+"Never, none. Now I begin to think that I have found one. The thought is
+strange and warms me. Do you know also that when my eyes fell upon your
+face I loved you also, the gods know why. It was as though I had found
+one who was dear to me thousands of years ago but whom I had lost and
+forgotten. Perhaps this is but foolishness, or perhaps here we have the
+shadow of something great and beautiful which dwells elsewhere, in the
+place we call the Kingdom of Osiris, beyond the grave, Ana."
+
+"Such thoughts have come to me at times, Prince. I mean that all we see
+is shadow; that we ourselves are shadows and that the realities who cast
+them live in a different home which is lit by some spirit sun that never
+sets."
+
+The Prince nodded his head and again was silent for a while. Then he
+took his beautiful alabaster cup, and pouring wine into it, he drank a
+little and passed the cup to me.
+
+"Drink also, Ana," he said, "and pledge me as I pledge you, in token
+that by decree of the Creator who made the hearts of men, henceforward
+our two hearts are as the same heart through good and ill, through
+triumph and defeat, till death takes one of us. Henceforward, Ana,
+unless you show yourself unworthy, I hide no thought from you."
+
+Flushing with joy I took the cup, saying:
+
+"I add to your words, O Prince. We are one, not for this life alone but
+for all the lives to be. Death, O Prince, is, I think, but a single step
+in the pylon stair which leads at last to that dizzy height whence we
+see the face of God and hear his voice tell us what and why we are."
+
+Then I pledged him, and drank, bowing, and he bowed back to me.
+
+"What shall we do with the cup, Ana, the sacred cup that has held this
+rich heart-wine? Shall I keep it? No, it no longer belongs to me. Shall
+I give it to you? No, it can never be yours alone. See, we will break
+the priceless thing."
+
+Seizing it by its stem with all his strength he struck the cup upon the
+table. Then what seemed to be to me a marvel happened, for instead of
+shattering as I thought it surely would, it split in two from rim to
+foot. Whether this was by chance, or whether the artist who fashioned
+it in some bygone generation had worked the two halves separately and
+cunningly cemented them together, to this hour I do not know. At least
+so it befell.
+
+"This is fortunate, Ana," said the Prince, laughing a little in his
+light way. "Now take you the half that lies nearest to you and I will
+take mine. If you die first I will lay my half upon your breast, and
+if I die first you shall do the same by me, or if the priests forbid it
+because I am royal and may not be profaned, cast the thing into my tomb.
+What should we have done had the alabaster shattered into fragments,
+Ana, and what omen should we have read in them?"
+
+"Why ask, O Prince, seeing that it has befallen otherwise?"
+
+Then I took my half, laid it against my forehead and hid it in the bosom
+of my robe, and as I did, so did Seti.
+
+So in this strange fashion the royal Seti and I sealed the holy compact
+of our brotherhood, as I think not for the first time or the last.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+USERTI
+
+Seti rose, stretching out his arms.
+
+"That is finished," he said, "as everything finishes, and for once I am
+sorry. Now what next? Sleep, I suppose, in which all ends, or perhaps
+you would say all begins."
+
+As he spoke the curtains at the end of the room were drawn and between
+them appeared the chamberlain, Pambasa, holding his gold-tipped wand
+ceremoniously before him.
+
+"What is it now, man?" asked Seti. "Can I not even sup in peace? Stay,
+before you answer tell me, do things end or begin in sleep? The learned
+Ana and I differ on the matter and would hear your wisdom. Bear in mind,
+Pambasa, that before we are born we must have slept, since of that time
+we remember nothing, and after we are dead we certainly seem to sleep,
+as any who have looked on mummies know. Now answer."
+
+The chamberlain stared at the wine flask on the table as though he
+suspected his master of having drunk too much. Then in a hard official
+voice he said:
+
+"She comes! She comes! She comes, offering greetings and adoration to
+the Royal Son of Ra."
+
+"Does she indeed?" asked Seti. "If so, why say it three times? And who
+comes?"
+
+"The high Princess, the heiress of Egypt, the daughter of Pharaoh, your
+Highness's royal half-sister, the great lady Userti."
+
+"Let her enter then. Ana, stand you behind me. If you grow weary and
+I give leave you can depart; the slaves will show you your
+sleeping-place."
+
+Pambasa went, and presently through the curtain appeared a royal-looking
+lady splendidly apparelled. She was accompanied by four waiting women
+who fell back on the threshold and were no more seen. The Prince stepped
+forward, took both her hands in his and kissed her on the brow, then
+drew back again, after which they stood a moment looking at each other.
+While they remained thus I studied her who was known throughout the land
+as the "Beautiful Royal Daughter," but whom till now I had never seen.
+In truth I did not think her beautiful, although even had she been clad
+in a peasant's robe I should have been sure that she was royal. Her
+face was too hard for beauty and her black eyes, with a tinge of grey in
+them, were too small. Also her nose was too sharp and her lips were
+too thin. Indeed, had it not been for the delicately and finely-shaped
+woman's form beneath, I might have thought that a prince and not a
+princess stood before me. For the rest in most ways she resembled her
+half-brother Seti, though her countenance lacked the kindliness of his;
+or rather both of them resembled their father, Meneptah.
+
+"Greeting, Sister," he said, eyeing her with a smile in which I caught a
+gleam of mockery. "Purple-bordered robes, emerald necklace and enamelled
+crown of gold, rings and pectoral, everything except a sceptre--why are
+you so royally arrayed to visit one so humble as your loving brother?
+You come like sunlight into the darkness of the hermit's cell and dazzle
+the poor hermit, or rather hermits," and he pointed to me.
+
+"Cease your jests, Seti," she replied in a full, strong voice. "I wear
+these ornaments because they please me. Also I have supped with our
+father, and those who sit at Pharaoh's table must be suitably arrayed,
+though I have noted that sometimes you think otherwise."
+
+"Indeed. I trust that the good god, our divine parent, is well to-night
+as you leave him so early."
+
+"I leave him because he sent me with a message to you." She paused,
+looking at me sharply, then asked, "Who is that man? I do not know him."
+
+"It is your misfortune, Userti, but one which can be mended. He is named
+Ana the Scribe, who writes strange stories of great interest which you
+would do well to read who dwell too much upon the outside of life. He
+is from Memphis and his father's name was--I forget what. Ana, what was
+your father's name?"
+
+"One too humble for royal ears, Prince," I answered, "but my grandfather
+was Pentaur the poet who wrote of the deeds of the mighty Rameses."
+
+"Is it so? Why did you not tell me that before? The descent should earn
+you a pension from the Court if you can extract it from Nehesi. Well,
+Userti, his grandfather's name was Pentaur whose immortal verses you
+have doubtless read upon temple walls, where our grandfather was careful
+to publish them."
+
+"I have--to my sorrow--and thought them poor, boastful stuff," she
+answered coldly.
+
+"To be honest, if Ana will forgive me, so do I. I can assure you that
+his stories are a great improvement on them. Friend Ana, this is my
+sister, Userti, my father's daughter though our mothers were not the
+same."
+
+"I pray you, Seti, to be so good as to give me my rightful titles in
+speaking of me to scribes and other of your servants."
+
+"Your pardon, Userti. This, Ana, is the first Lady of Egypt, the Royal
+Heiress, the Princess of the Two Lands, the High-priestess of Amon,
+the Cherished of the Gods, the half-sister of the Heir-apparent, the
+Daughter of Hathor, the Lotus Bloom of Love, the Queen to be of--Userti,
+whose queen will you be? Have you made up your mind? For myself I know
+no one worthy of so much beauty, excellence, learning and--what shall I
+add--sweetness, yes, sweetness."
+
+"Seti," she said stamping her foot, "if it pleases you to make a mock
+of me before a stranger, I suppose that I must submit. Send him away, I
+would speak with you."
+
+"Make a mock of you! Oh! mine is a hard fate. When truth gushes from the
+well of my heart, I am told I mock, and when I mock, all say--he speaks
+truth. Be seated, Sister, and talk on freely. This Ana is my sworn
+friend who saved my life but now, for which deed perhaps he should be
+my enemy. His memory is excellent also and he will remember what you say
+and write it down afterwards, whereas I might forget. Therefore, with
+your leave, I will ask him to stay here."
+
+"My Prince," I broke in, "I pray you suffer me to go."
+
+"My Secretary," he answered with a note of command in his voice, "I pray
+you to remain where you are."
+
+So I sat myself on the ground after the fashion of a scribe, having no
+choice, and the Princess sat herself on a couch at the end of the table,
+but Seti remained standing. Then the Princess said:
+
+"Since it is your will, Brother, that I should talk secrets into
+other ears than yours, I obey you. Still"--here she looked at me
+wrathfully--"let the tongue be careful that it does not repeat what
+the ears have heard, lest there should be neither ears nor tongue. My
+Brother, it has been reported to Pharaoh, while we ate together, that
+there is tumult in this town. It has been reported to him that because
+of a trouble about some base Israelite you caused one of his officers to
+be beheaded, after which there came a riot which still rages."
+
+"Strange that truth should have come to the ears of Pharaoh so quickly.
+Now, my Sister, if he had heard it three moons hence I could have
+believed you--almost."
+
+"Then you did behead the officer?"
+
+"Yes, I beheaded him about two hours ago."
+
+"Pharaoh will demand an account of the matter."
+
+"Pharaoh," answered Seti lifting his eyes, "has no power to question the
+justice of the Governor of Tanis in the north."
+
+"You are in error, Seti. Pharaoh has all power."
+
+"Nay, Sister, Pharaoh is but one man among millions of other men, and
+though he speaks it is their spirit which bends his tongue, while above
+that spirit is a great greater spirit who decrees what they shall think
+to ends of which we know nothing."
+
+"I do not understand, Seti."
+
+"I never thought you would, Userti, but when you have leisure, ask Ana
+here to explain the matter to you. I am sure that _he_ understands."
+
+"Oh! I have borne enough," exclaimed Userti rising. "Hearken to the
+command of Pharaoh, Prince Seti. It is that you wait upon him to-morrow
+in full council, at an hour before noon, there to talk with him of this
+question of the Israelitish slaves and the officer whom it has pleased
+you to kill. I came to speak other words to you also, but as they
+were for your private ear, these can bide a more fitting opportunity.
+Farewell, my Brother."
+
+"What, are you going so soon, Sister? I wished to tell you the story
+about those Israelites, and especially of the maid whose name is--what
+was her name, Ana?"
+
+"Merapi, Moon of Israel, Prince," I added with a groan.
+
+"About the maid called Merapi, Moon of Israel, I think the sweetest that
+ever I have looked upon, whose father the dead captain murdered in my
+sight."
+
+"So there is a woman in the business? Well, I guessed it."
+
+"In what business is there not a woman, Userti, even in that of a
+message from Pharaoh. Pambasa, Pambasa, escort the Princess and
+summon her servants, women everyone of them, unless my senses mock
+me. Good-night to you, O Sister and Lady of the Two Lands, and forgive
+me--that coronet of yours is somewhat awry."
+
+At last she was gone and I rose, wiping my brow with a corner of my
+robe, and looking at the Prince who stood before the fire laughing
+softly.
+
+"Make a note of all this talk, Ana," he said; "there is more in it than
+meets the ear."
+
+"I need no note, Prince," I answered; "every word is burnt upon my mind
+as a hot iron burns a tablet of wood. With reason too, since now her
+Highness will hate me for all her life."
+
+"Much better so, Ana, than that she should pretend to love you, which
+she never would have done while you are my friend. Women oftimes respect
+those whom they hate and even will advance them because of policy, but
+let those whom they pretend to love beware. The time may come when you
+will yet be Userti's most trusted councillor."
+
+Now here I, Ana the Scribe, will state that in after days, when this
+same queen was the wife of Pharaoh Saptah, I did, as it chanced, become
+her most trusted councillor. Moreover, in those times, yes, and even in
+the hour of her death, she swore from the moment her eyes first fell
+on me she had known me to be true-hearted and held me in esteem as no
+self-seeker. More, I think she believed what she said, having forgotten
+that once she looked upon me as her enemy. This indeed I never was, who
+always held her in high regard and honour as a great lady who loved
+her country, though one who sometimes was not wise. But as I could not
+foresee these things on that night of long ago, I only stared at the
+Prince and said:
+
+"Oh! why did you not allow me to depart as your Highness said I might at
+the beginning? Soon or late my head will pay the price of this night's
+work."
+
+"Then she must take mine with it. Listen, Ana. I kept you here, not to
+vex the Princess or you, but for a good reason. You know that it is the
+custom of the royal dynasties of Egypt for kings, or those who will
+be kings, to wed their near kin in order that the blood may remain the
+purer."
+
+"Yes, Prince, and not only among those who are royal. Still, I think it
+an evil custom."
+
+"As I do, since the race wherein it is practised grows ever weaker
+in body and in mind; which is why, perhaps, my father is not what his
+father was and I am not what my father is."
+
+"Also, Prince, it is hard to mingle the love of the sister and of the
+wife."
+
+"Very hard, Ana; so hard that when it is attempted both are apt to
+vanish. Well, our mothers having been true royal wives, though hers died
+before mine was wedded by my father, Pharaoh desires that I should
+marry my half-sister, Userti, and what is worse, she desires it also.
+Moreover, the people, who fear trouble ahead in Egypt if we, who alone
+are left of the true royal race born of queens, remain apart and she
+takes another lord, or I take another wife, demand that it should be
+brought about, since they believe that whoever calls Userti the Strong
+his spouse will one day rule the land."
+
+"Why does the Princess wish it--that she may be a queen?"
+
+"Yes, Ana, though were she to wed my cousin, Amenmeses, the son of
+Pharaoh's elder brother Khaemuas, she might still be a queen, if I chose
+to stand aside as I would not be loth to do."
+
+"Would Egypt suffer this, Prince?"
+
+"I do not know, nor does it matter since she hates Amenmeses, who is
+strong-willed and ambitious, and will have none of him. Also he is
+already married."
+
+"Is there no other royal one whom she might take, Prince?"
+
+"None. Moreover she wishes me alone."
+
+"Why, Prince?"
+
+"Because of ancient custom which she worships. Also because she knows
+me well and in her fashion is fond of me, whom she believes to be a
+gentle-minded dreamer that she can rule. Lastly, because I am the lawful
+heir to the Crown and without me to share it, she thinks that she would
+never be safe upon the Throne, especially if I should marry some other
+woman, of whom she would be jealous. It is the Throne she desires and
+would wed, not the Prince Seti, her half-brother, whom she takes with it
+to be in name her husband, as Pharaoh commands that she should do.
+Love plays no part in Userti's breast, Ana, which makes her the more
+dangerous, since what she seeks with a cold heart of policy, that she
+will surely find."
+
+"Then it would seem, Prince, that the cage is built about you. After all
+it is a very splendid cage and made of gold."
+
+"Yes, Ana, yet not one in which I would live. Still, except by death how
+can I escape from the threefold chain of the will of Pharaoh, of Egypt,
+and of Userti? Oh!" he went on in a new voice, one that had in it both
+sorrow and passion, "this is a matter in which I would have chosen for
+myself who in all others must be a servant. And I may not choose!"
+
+"Is there perchance some other lady, Prince?"
+
+"None! By Hathor, none--at least I think not. Yet I would have been free
+to search for such a one and take her when I found her, if she were but
+a fishergirl."
+
+"The Kings of Egypt can have large households, Prince."
+
+"I know it. Are there not still scores whom I should call aunt and
+uncle? I think that my grandsire, Rameses, blessed Egypt with quite
+three hundred children, and in so doing in a way was wise, since thus
+he might be sure that, while the world endures, in it will flow some the
+blood that once was his."
+
+"Yet in life or death how will that help him, Prince? Some must beget
+the multitudes of the earth, what does it matter who these may have
+been?"
+
+"Nothing at all, Ana, since by good or evil fortune they are born.
+Therefore, why talk of large households? Though, like any man who can
+pay for it, Pharaoh may have a large household, I seek a queen who shall
+reign in my heart as well as on my throne, not a 'large household,' Ana.
+Oh! I am weary. Pambasa, come hither and conduct my secretary, Ana, to
+the empty room that is next to my own, the painted chamber which looks
+toward the north, and bid my slaves attend to all his wants as they
+would to mine."
+
+
+
+"Why did you tell me you were a scribe, my lord Ana?" asked Pambasa, as
+he led me to my beautiful sleeping-place.
+
+"Because that is my trade, Chamberlain."
+
+He looked at me, shaking his great head till the long white beard waved
+across his breast like a temple banner in the faint evening breeze, and
+answered:
+
+"You are no scribe, you are a magician who can win the love and favour
+of his Highness in an hour which others cannot do between two risings
+of the Nile. Had you said so at once, you would have been differently
+treated yonder in the hall of waiting. Forgive me therefore what I did
+in ignorance, and, my lord, I pray it may please you not to melt away in
+the night, lest my feet should answer for it beneath the sticks."
+
+It was the fourth hour from sunrise of the following day that, for the
+first time in my life I found myself in the Court of Pharaoh standing
+with other members of his household in the train of his Highness, the
+Prince Seti. It was a very great place, for Pharaoh sat in the judgment
+hall, whereof the roof is upheld by round and sculptured columns,
+between which were set statues of Pharaohs who had been. Save at
+the throne end of the hall, where the light flowed down through
+clerestories, the vast chamber was dim almost to darkness; at least so
+it seemed to me entering there out of the brilliant sunshine. Through
+this gloom many folk moved like shadows; captains, nobles, and state
+officers who had been summoned to the Court, and among them white-robed
+and shaven priests. Also there were others of whom I took no count, such
+as Arab headmen from the desert, traders with jewels and other wares to
+sell, farmers and even peasants with petitions to present, lawyers and
+their clients, and I know not who besides, through which of all these
+none were suffered to advance beyond a certain mark where the light
+began to fall. Speaking in whispers all of these folk flitted to and fro
+like bats in a tomb.
+
+We waited between two Hathor-headed pillars in one of the vestibules of
+the hall, the Prince Seti, who was clad in purple-broidered garments and
+wore upon his brow a fillet of gold from which rose the uræus or hooded
+snake, also of gold, that royal ones alone might wear, leaning against
+the base of a statue, while the rest of us stood silent behind him.
+For a time he was silent also, as a man might be whose thoughts were
+otherwhere. At length he turned and said to me:
+
+"This is weary work. Would I had asked you to bring that new tale of
+yours, Scribe Ana, that we might have read it together."
+
+"Shall I tell you the plot of it, Prince?"
+
+"Yes. I mean, not now, lest I should forget my manners listening to you.
+Look," and he pointed to a dark-browed, fierce-eyed man of middle age
+who passed up the hall as though he did not see us, "there goes my
+cousin, Amenmeses. You know him, do you not?"
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Then tell me what you think of him, at once before the first judgment
+fades."
+
+"I think he is a royal-looking lord, obstinate in mind and strong in
+body, handsome too in his way."
+
+"All can see that, Ana. What else?"
+
+"I think," I said in a low voice so that none might overhear, "that his
+heart is as black as his brow; that he has grown wicked with jealousy
+and hate and will do you evil."
+
+"Can a man grow wicked, Ana? Is he not as he was born till the end? I do
+not know, nor do you. Still you are right, he is jealous and will do me
+evil if it brings him good. But tell me, which of us will triumph at the
+last?"
+
+While I hesitated what to answer I became aware that someone had joined
+us. Looking round I perceived a very ancient man clad in a white robe.
+He was broad-faced and bald-headed, and his eyes burned beneath his
+shaggy eyebrows like two coals in ashes. He supported himself on a staff
+of cedar-wood, gripping it with both hands that for thinness were like
+to those of a mummy. For a while he considered us both as though he were
+reading our souls, then said in a full and jovial voice:
+
+"Greeting, Prince."
+
+Seti turned, looked at him, and answered:
+
+"Greeting, Bakenkhonsu. How comes it that you are still alive? When we
+parted at Thebes I made sure----"
+
+"That on your return you would find me in my tomb. Not so, Prince, it is
+I who shall live to look upon you in your tomb, yes, and on others who
+are yet to sit in the seat of Pharaoh. Why not? Ho! ho! Why not, seeing
+that I am but a hundred and seven, I who remember the first Rameses and
+have played with his grandson, your grandsire, as a boy? Why should I
+not live, Prince, to nurse your grandson--if the gods should grant you
+one who as yet have neither wife nor child?"
+
+"Because you will get tired of life, Bakenkhonsu, as I am already, and
+the gods will not be able to spare you much longer."
+
+"The gods can endure yet a while without me, Prince, when so many are
+flocking to their table. Indeed it is their desire that one good priest
+should be left in Egypt. Ki the Magician told me so only this morning.
+He had it straight from Heaven in a dream last night."
+
+"Why have you been to visit Ki?" asked Seti, looking at him sharply. "I
+should have thought that being both of a trade you would have hated each
+other."
+
+"Not so, Prince. On the contrary we add up each other's account; I mean,
+check and interpret each other's visions, with which we are both of us
+much troubled just now. Is that young man a scribe from Memphis?"
+
+"Yes, and my friend. His grandsire was Pentaur the poet."
+
+"Indeed. I knew Pentaur well. Often has he read me to sleep with his
+long poems, rank stuff that grew like coarse grass upon a deep but
+half-drained soil. Are you sure, young man, that Pentaur was your
+grandfather? You are not like him. Quite a different kind of herbage,
+and you know that it is a matter upon which we must take a woman's
+word."
+
+Seti burst out laughing and I looked at the old priest angrily, though
+now that I came to think of it my father always said that his mother was
+one of the biggest liars in Egypt.
+
+"Well, let it be," went on Bakenkhonsu, "till we find out the truth
+before Thoth. Ki was speaking of you, young man. I did not pay much
+attention to him, but it was something about a sudden vow of friendship
+between you and the Prince here. There was a cup in the story too, an
+alabaster cup that seemed familiar to me. Ki said it was broken."
+
+Seti started and I began angrily:
+
+"What do you know of that cup? Where were you hid, O Priest?"
+
+"Oh, in your souls, I suppose," he answered dreamily, "or rather Ki was.
+But I know nothing, and am not curious. If you had broken the cup with
+a woman now, it would have been more interesting, even to an old man.
+Be so good as to answer the Prince's question as to whether he or his
+cousin Amenmeses will triumph at the last, for on that matter both Ki
+and I are curious."
+
+"Am I a seer," I began again still more angrily, "that I should read the
+future?"
+
+"I think so, a little, but that is what I want to find out."
+
+He hobbled towards me, laid one of his claw-like hands upon my arm, and
+said in a new voice of command:
+
+"Look now upon that throne and tell me what you see there."
+
+I obeyed him because I must, staring up the hall at the empty throne. At
+first I saw nothing. Then figures seemed to flit around it. From among
+these figures emerged the shape of the Count Amenmeses. He sat upon the
+throne, looking about him proudly, and I noted that he was no longer
+clad as a prince but as Pharaoh himself. Presently hook-nosed men
+appeared who dragged him from his seat. He fell, as I thought, into
+water, for it seemed to splash up above him. Next Seti the Prince
+appeared to mount the throne, led thither by a woman, of whom I could
+only see the back. I saw him distinctly wearing the double crown and
+holding a sceptre in his hand. He also melted away and others came
+whom I did not know, though I thought that one of them was like to the
+Princess Userti.
+
+Now all were gone and I was telling Bakenkhonsu everything I had
+witnessed like a man who speaks in his sleep, not by his own will.
+Suddenly I woke up and laughed at my own foolishness. But the other two
+did not laugh; they regarded me very gravely.
+
+"I thought that you were something of a seer," said the old priest, "or
+rather Ki thought it. I could not quite believe Ki, because he said that
+the young person whom I should find with the Prince here this morning
+would be one who loved him with all the heart, and it is only a woman
+who loves with all the heart, is it not? Or so the world believes. Well,
+I will talk the matter over with Ki. Hush! Pharaoh comes."
+
+As he spoke from far away rose a cry of--
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE COURT OF BETROTHAL
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength!" echoed everyone in the great hall, falling to
+their knees and bending their foreheads to the ground. Even the Prince
+and the aged Bakenkhonsu prostrated themselves thus as though before the
+presence of a god. And, indeed, Pharaoh Meneptah, passing through the
+patch of sunlight at the head of the hall, wearing the double crown upon
+his head and arrayed in royal robes and ornaments, looked like a god, no
+less, as the multitude of the people of Egypt held him to be. He was an
+old man with the face of one worn by years and care, but from his person
+majesty seemed to flow.
+
+With him, walking a step or two behind, went Nehesi his Vizier, a
+shrivelled, parchment-faced officer whose cunning eyes rolled about the
+place, and Roy the High-priest, and Hora the Chamberlain of the Table,
+and Meranu the Washer of the King's Hands, and Yuy the private scribe,
+and many others whom Bakenkhonsu named to me as they appeared. Then
+there were fan-bearers and a gorgeous band of lords who were called
+King's Companions and Head Butlers and I know not who besides, and
+after these guards with spears and helms that shone like god, and black
+swordsmen from the southern land of Kesh.
+
+But one woman accompanied his Majesty, walking alone immediately behind
+him in front of the Vizier and the High-priest. She was the Royal
+Daughter, the Princess Userti, who looked, I thought, prouder and more
+splendid than any there, though somewhat pale and anxious.
+
+Pharaoh came to the steps of the throne. The Vizier and the High-priest
+advanced to help him up the steps, for he was feeble with age. He waved
+them aside, and beckoning to his daughter, rested his hand upon her
+shoulder and by her aid mounted the throne. I thought that there was
+meaning in this; it was as though he would show to all the assembly that
+this princess was the prop of Egypt.
+
+For a little while he stood still and Userti sat herself down on the
+topmost step, resting her chin upon her jewelled hand. There he stood
+searching the place with his eyes. He lifted his sceptre and all rose,
+hundreds and hundreds of them throughout the hall, their garments
+rustling as they rose like leaves in a sudden wind. He seated himself
+and once more from every throat went up the regal salutation that was
+the king's alone, of--
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!"
+
+In the silence that followed I heard him say, to the Princess, I think:
+
+"Amenmeses I see, and others of our kin, but where is my son Seti, the
+Prince of Egypt?"
+
+"Watching us no doubt from some vestibule. My brother loves not
+ceremonials," answered Userti.
+
+Then, with a little sigh, Seti stepped forward, followed by Bakenkhonsu
+and myself, and at a distance by other members of his household. As he
+marched up the long hall all drew to this side or that, saluting him
+with low bows. Arriving in front of the throne he bent till his knee
+touched the ground, saying:
+
+"I give greeting, O King and Father."
+
+"I give greeting, O Prince and Son. Be seated," answered Meneptah.
+
+Seti seated himself in a chair that had been made ready for him at the
+foot of the throne, and on its right, and in another chair to the left,
+but set farther from the steps, Amenmeses seated himself also. At a
+motion from the Prince I took my stand behind his chair.
+
+The formal business of the Court began. At the beckoning of an usher
+people of all sorts appeared singly and handed in petitions written on
+rolled-up papyri, which the Vizier Nehesi took and threw into a leathern
+sack that was held open by a black slave. In some cases an answer to his
+petition, whereof this was only the formal delivery, was handed back
+to the suppliant, who touched his brow with the roll that perhaps
+meant everything to him, and bowed himself away to learn his fate. Then
+appeared sheiks of the desert tribes, and captains from fortresses in
+Syria, and traders who had been harmed by enemies, and even peasants who
+had suffered violence from officers, each to make his prayer. Of all of
+these supplications the scribes took notes, while to some the Vizier and
+councillors made answer. But as yet Pharaoh said nothing. There he sat
+silent on his splendid throne of ivory and gold, like a god of stone
+above the altar, staring down the long hall and through the open doors
+as though he would read the secrets of the skies beyond.
+
+"I told you that courts were wearisome, friend Ana," whispered the
+Prince to me without turning his head. "Do you not already begin to wish
+that you were back writing tales at Memphis?"
+
+Before I could answer some movement in the throng at the end of the
+hall drew the eyes of the Prince and of all of us. I looked, and saw
+advancing towards the throne a tall, bearded man already old, although
+his black hair was but grizzled with grey. He was arrayed in a white
+linen robe, over which hung a woollen cloak such as shepherds wear, and
+he carried in his hand a long thornwood staff. His face was splendid and
+very handsome, and his black eyes flashed like fire. He walked forward
+slowly, looking neither to the left nor the right, and the throng made
+way for him as though he were a prince. Indeed, I thought that they
+showed more fear of him than of any prince, since they shrank from him
+as he came. Nor was he alone, for after him walked another man who was
+very like to him, but as I judged, still older, for his beard, which
+hung down to his middle, was snow-white as was the hair on his head. He
+also was dressed in a sheepskin cloak and carried a staff in his hand.
+Now a whisper rose among the people and the whisper said:
+
+"The prophets of the men of Israel! The prophets of the men of Israel!"
+
+The two stood before the throne and looked at Pharaoh, making no
+obeisance. Pharaoh looked at them and was silent. For a long space they
+stood thus in the midst of a great quiet, but Pharaoh would not speak,
+and none of his officers seemed to dare to open their mouths. At length
+the first of the prophets spoke in a clear, cold voice as some conqueror
+might do.
+
+"You know me, Pharaoh, and my errand."
+
+"I know you," answered Pharaoh slowly, "as well I may, seeing that we
+played together when we were little. You are that Hebrew whom my sister,
+she who sleeps in Osiris, took to be as a son to her, giving to you a
+name that means 'drawn forth' because she drew you forth as an infant
+from among the reeds of Nile. Aye, I know you and your brother also, but
+your errand I know not."
+
+"This is my errand, Pharaoh, or rather the errand of Jahveh, God of
+Israel, for whom I speak. Have you not heard it before? It is that you
+should let his people go to do sacrifice to him in the wilderness."
+
+"Who is Jahveh? I know not Jahveh who serve Amon and the gods of Egypt,
+and why should I let your people go?"
+
+"Jahveh is the God of Israel, the great God of all gods whose power you
+shall learn if you will not hearken, Pharaoh. As for why you should let
+the people go, ask it of the Prince your son who sits yonder. Ask him of
+what he saw in the streets of this city but last night, and of a certain
+judgment that he passed upon one of the officers of Pharaoh. Or if he
+will not tell you, learn it from the lips of the maiden who is named
+Merapi, Moon of Israel, the daughter of Nathan the Levite. Stand
+forward, Merapi, daughter of Nathan."
+
+Then from the throng at the back of the hall came forward Merapi, clad
+in a white robe and with a black veil thrown about her head in token
+of mourning, but not so as to hide her face. Up the hall she glided and
+made obeisance to Pharaoh, as she did so, casting one swift look at Seti
+where he sat. Then she stood still, looking, as I thought, wonderfully
+beautiful in that simple robe of white and the evil of black.
+
+"Speak, woman," said Pharaoh.
+
+She obeyed, telling all the tale in her low and honeyed voice, nor did
+any seem to think it long or wearisome. At length she ended, and Pharaoh
+said:
+
+"Say, Seti my son, is this truth?"
+
+"It is truth, O my Father. By virtue of my powers as Governor of this
+city I caused the captain Khuaka to be put to death for the crime of
+murder done by him before my eyes in the streets of the city."
+
+"Perchance you did right and perchance you did wrong, Son Seti. At least
+you are the best judge, and because he struck your royal person, this
+Khuaka deserved to die."
+
+Again he was silent for a while staring through the open doors at the
+sky beyond. Then he said:
+
+"What would ye more, Prophets of Jahveh? Justice has been done upon my
+officer who slew the man of your people. A life has been taken for a
+life according to the strict letter of the law. The matter is finished.
+Unless you have aught to say, get you gone."
+
+"By the command of the Lord our God," answered the prophet, "we have
+this to say to you, O Pharaoh. Lift the heavy yoke from off the neck of
+the people of Israel. Bid that they cease from the labour of the making
+of bricks to build your walls and cities."
+
+"And if I refuse, what then?"
+
+"Then the curse of Jahveh shall be on you, Pharaoh, and with plague upon
+plague shall he smite this land of Egypt."
+
+Now a sudden rage seized Meneptah.
+
+"What!" he cried. "Do you dare to threaten me in my own palace, and
+would ye cause all the multitude of the people of Israel who have grown
+fat in the land to cease from their labours? Hearken, my servants, and,
+scribes, write down my decree. Go ye to the country of Goshen and say
+to the Israelites that the bricks they made they shall make as aforetime
+and more work shall they do than aforetime in the days of my father,
+Rameses. Only no more straw shall be given to them for the making of the
+bricks. Because they are idle, let them go forth and gather the straw
+themselves; let them gather it from the face of the fields."
+
+There was silence for a while. Then with one voice both the prophets
+spoke, pointing with their wands to Pharaoh:
+
+"In the Name of the Lord God we curse you, Pharaoh, who soon shall die
+and make answer for this sin. The people of Egypt we curse also. Ruin
+shall be their portion; death shall be their bread and blood shall they
+drink in a great darkness. Moreover, at the last Pharaoh shall let the
+people go."
+
+Then, waiting no answer, they turned and strode away side by side, nor
+did any man hinder them in their goings. Again there was silence in the
+hall, the silence of fear, for these were awful words that the prophets
+had spoken. Pharaoh knew it, for his chin sank upon his breast and his
+face that had been red with rage turned white. Userti hid her eyes with
+her hand as though to shut out some evil vision, and even Seti seemed
+ill at ease as though that awful curse had found a home within his
+heart.
+
+At a motion of Pharaoh's hand the Vizier Nehesi struck the ground
+thrice with his wand of office and pointed to the door, thus giving
+the accustomed sign that the Court was finished, whereon all the people
+turned and went away with bent heads speaking no words one to another.
+Presently the great hall was emptied save for the officers and guards
+and those who attended upon Pharaoh. When everyone had gone Seti the
+Prince rose and bowed before the throne.
+
+"O Pharaoh," he said, "be pleased to hearken. We have heard very evil
+words spoken by these Hebrew men, words that threaten your divine life,
+O Pharaoh, and call down a curse upon the Upper and the Lower Land.
+Pharaoh, these people of Israel hold that they suffer wrong and are
+oppressed. Now give me, your son, a writing under your hand and seal, by
+virtue of which I shall have power to go down to the Land of Goshen and
+inquire of this matter, and afterwards make report of the truth to you.
+Then, if it seems to you that the People of Israel are unjustly dealt
+by, you may lighten their burden and bring the curse of their prophets
+to nothing. But if it seems to you that the tales they tell are idle
+then your words shall stand."
+
+Now, listening, I, Ana, thought that Pharaoh would once more be angry.
+But it was not so, for when he spoke again it was in the voice of one
+who is crushed by grief or weariness.
+
+"Have your will, Son," he said. "Only take with you a great guard of
+soldiers lest these hook-nosed dogs should do you mischief. I trust them
+not, who, like the Hyksos whose blood runs in many of them, were ever
+the foes of Egypt. Did they not conspire with the Ninebow Barbarians
+whom I crushed in the great battle, and do they not now threaten us in
+the name of their outland god? Still, let the writing be prepared and
+I will seal it. And stay. I think, Seti, that you, who were ever
+gentle-natured, have somewhat too soft a heart towards these shepherd
+slaves. Therefore I will not send you alone. Amenmeses your cousin shall
+go with you, but under your command. It is spoken."
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength!" said both Seti and Amenmeses, thus
+acknowledging the king's command.
+
+Now I thought that all was finished. But it was not so, for presently
+Pharaoh said:
+
+"Let the guards withdraw to the end of the hall and with them the
+servants. Let the King's councillors and the officers of the household
+remain."
+
+Instantly all saluted and withdrew out of hearing. I, too, made ready to
+go, but the Prince said to me:
+
+"Stay, that you may take note of what passes."
+
+Pharaoh, watching, saw if he did not hear.
+
+"Who is that man, Son?" he asked.
+
+"He is Ana my private scribe and librarian, O Pharaoh, whom I trust. It
+was he who saved me from harm but last night."
+
+"You say it, Son. Let him remain in attendance on you, knowing that if
+he betrays our council he dies."
+
+Userti looked up frowning as though she were about to speak. If so, she
+changed her mind and was silent, perhaps because Pharaoh's word once
+spoken could not be altered. Bakenkhonsu remained also as a Councillor
+of the King according to his right.
+
+When all had gone Pharaoh, who had been brooding, lifted his head and
+spoke slowly but in the voice of one who gives a judgment that may not
+be questioned, saying:
+
+"Prince Seti, you are my only son born of Queen Ast-Nefert, royal
+Sister, royal Mother, who sleeps in the bosom of Osiris. It is true that
+you are not my first-born son, since the Count Ramessu"--here he pointed
+to a stout mild-faced man of pleasing, rather foolish appearance--"is
+your elder by two years. But, as he knows well, his mother, who is still
+with us, is a Syrian by birth and of no royal blood, and therefore he
+can never sit upon the throne of Egypt. Is it not so, my son Ramessu?"
+
+"It is so, O Pharaoh," answered the Count in a pleasant voice, "not do I
+seek ever to sit upon that throne, who am well content with the
+offices and wealth that Pharaoh has been pleased to confer upon me, his
+first-born."
+
+"Let the words of the Count Ramessu be written down," said Pharaoh, "and
+placed in the temple of Ptah of this city, and in the temples of Ptah
+at Memphis and of Amon at Thebes, that hereafter they may never be
+questioned."
+
+The scribes in attendance wrote down the words and, at a sign from the
+Prince Seti, I also wrote them down, setting the papyrus I had with me
+on my knee. When this was finished Pharaoh went on.
+
+"Therefore, O Prince Seti, you are the heir of Egypt and perhaps, as
+those Hebrew prophets said, will ere long be called upon to sit in my
+place on its throne."
+
+"May the King live for ever!" exclaimed Seti, "for well he knows that I
+do not seek his crown and dignities."
+
+"I do know it well, my son; so well that I wish you thought more of that
+crown and those dignities which, if the gods will, must come to you. If
+they will it not, next in the order of succession stands your cousin,
+the Count Amenmeses, who is also of royal blood both on his father's
+and his mother's side, and after him I know not who, unless it be
+my daughter and your half-sister, the royal Princess Userti, Lady of
+Egypt."
+
+Now Userti spoke, very earnestly, saying:
+
+"O Pharaoh, surely my right in the succession, according to ancient
+precedent, precedes that of my cousin, the Count Amenmeses."
+
+Amenmeses was about to answer, but Pharaoh lifted his hand and he was
+silent.
+
+"It is matter for those learned in such lore to discuss," Meneptah
+replied in a somewhat hesitating voice. "I pray the gods that it may
+never be needful that this high question should be considered in the
+Council. Nevertheless, let the words of the royal Princess be written
+down. Now, Prince Seti," he went on when this had been done, "you are
+still unmarried, and if you have children they are not royal."
+
+"I have none, O Pharaoh," said Seti.
+
+"Is it so?" answered Meneptah indifferently. "The Count Amenmeses has
+children I know, for I have seen them, but by his wife Unuri, who also
+is of the royal line, he has none."
+
+Here I heard Amenmeses mutter, "Being my aunt that is not strange," a
+saying at which Seti smiled.
+
+"My daughter, the Princess, is also unmarried. So it seems that the
+fountain of the royal blood is running dry----"
+
+"Now it is coming," whispered Seti below his breath so that only I could
+hear.
+
+"Therefore," continued Pharaoh, "as you know, Prince Seti, for the royal
+Princess of Egypt by my command went to speak to you of this matter last
+night, I make a decree----"
+
+"Pardon, O Pharaoh," interrupted the Prince, "my sister spoke to me
+of no decree last night, save that I should attend at the court here
+to-day."
+
+"Because I could not, Seti, seeing that another was present with you
+whom you refused to dismiss," and she let her eyes rest on me.
+
+"It matters not," said Pharaoh, "since now I will utter it with my own
+lips which perhaps is better. It is my will, Prince, that you forthwith
+wed the royal Princess Userti, that children of the true blood of the
+Ramessides may be born. Hear and obey."
+
+Now Userti shifted her eyes from me to Seti, watching him very closely.
+Seated at his side upon the ground with my writing roll spread across my
+knee, I, too, watched him closely, and noted that his lips turned white
+and his face grew fixed and strange.
+
+"I hear the command of Pharaoh," he said in a low voice making
+obeisance, and hesitated.
+
+"Have you aught to add?" asked Meneptah sharply.
+
+"Only, O Pharaoh, that though this would be a marriage decreed for
+reasons of the State, still there is a lady who must be given in
+marriage, and she my half-sister who heretofore has only loved me as
+a relative. Therefore, I would know from her lips if it is her will to
+take me as a husband."
+
+Now all looked at Userti who replied in a cold voice:
+
+"In this matter, Prince, as in all others I have no will but that of
+Pharaoh."
+
+"You have heard," interrupted Meneptah impatiently, "and as in our House
+it has always been the custom for kin to marry kin, why should it not
+be her will? Also, who else should she marry? Amenmeses is already wed.
+There remains only Saptah his brother who is younger than herself----"
+
+"So am I," murmured Seti, "by two long years," but happily Userti did
+not hear him.
+
+"Nay, my father," she said with decision, "never will I take a deformed
+man to husband."
+
+Now from the shadow on the further side of the throne, where I could
+not see him, there hobbled forward a young noble, short in stature,
+light-haired like Seti, and with a sharp, clever face which put me in
+mind of that of a jackal (indeed for this reason he was named Thoth by
+the common people, after the jackal-headed god). He was very angry, for
+his cheeks were flushed and his small eyes flashed.
+
+"Must I listen, Pharaoh," he said in a little voice, "while my cousin
+the Royal Princess reproaches me in public for my lame foot, which I
+have because my nurse let me fall when I was still in arms?"
+
+"Then his nurse let his grandfather fall also, for he too was
+club-footed, as I who have seen him naked in his cradle can bear
+witness," whispered old Bakenkhonsu.
+
+"It seems so, Count Saptah, unless you stop your ears," replied Pharaoh.
+
+"She says she will not marry me," went on Saptah, "me who from childhood
+have been a slave to her and to no other woman."
+
+"Not by my wish, Saptah. Indeed, I pray you to go and be a slave to any
+woman whom you will," exclaimed Userti.
+
+"But I say," continued Saptah, "that one day she shall marry me, for the
+Prince Seti will not live for ever."
+
+"How do you know that, Cousin?" asked Seti. "The High-priest here will
+tell you a different story."
+
+Now certain of those present turned their heads away to hide the smile
+upon their faces. Yet on this day some god spoke with Saptah's voice
+making him a prophet, since in a year to come she did marry him, in
+order that she might stay upon the throne at a time of trouble when
+Egypt would not suffer that a woman should have sole rule over the land.
+
+But Pharaoh did not smile like the courtiers; indeed he grew angry.
+
+"Peace, Saptah!" he said. "Who are you that wrangle before me, talking
+of the death of kings and saying that you will wed the Royal princess?
+One more such word and you shall be driven into banishment. Hearken
+now. Almost am I minded to declare my daughter, the Royal Princess, sole
+heiress to the throne, seeing that in her there is more strength and
+wisdom than in any other of our House."
+
+"If such be Pharaoh's will, let Pharaoh's will be done," said Seti most
+humbly. "Well I know my own unworthiness to fill so high a station,
+and by all the gods I swear that my beloved sister will find no more
+faithful subject than myself."
+
+"You mean, Seti," interrupted Userti, "that rather than marry me you
+would abandon your right to the double crown. Truly I am honoured. Seti,
+whether you reign or I, I will not marry you."
+
+"What words are these I hear?" cried Meneptah. "Is there indeed one
+in this land of Egypt who dares to say that Pharaoh's decree shall
+be disobeyed? Write it down, Scribes, and you, O Officers, let it be
+proclaimed from Thebes to the sea, that on the third day from now at the
+hour of noon in the temple of Hathor in this city, the Prince, the
+Royal Heir, Seti Meneptah, Beloved of Ra, will wed the Royal Princess
+of Egypt, Lily of Love, Beloved of Hathor, Userti, Daughter of me, the
+god."
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength!" called all the Court.
+
+Then, guided by some high officer, the Prince Seti was led before the
+throne and the Princess Userti was set beside him, or rather facing him.
+According to the ancient custom a great gold cup was brought and filled
+with red wine, to me it looked like blood. Userti took the cup and,
+kneeling, gave it to the Prince, who drank and gave it back to her that
+she might also drink in solemn token of their betrothal. Is not the
+scene graven on the broad bracelets of gold which in after days Seti
+wore when he sat upon the throne, those same bracelets that at a future
+time I with my own hands clasped about the wrists of dead Userti?
+
+Then he stretched out his hand which she touched with her lips, and
+bending down he kissed her on the brow. Lastly, Pharaoh, descending to
+the lowest step of the throne, laid his sceptre, first upon the head of
+the Prince, and next upon that of the Princess, blessing them both in
+the name of himself, of his Ka or Double, and of the spirits and Kas of
+all their forefathers, kings and queens of Egypt, thus appointing them
+to come after him when he had been gathered to the bosom of the gods.
+
+These things done, he departed in state, surrounded by his court,
+preceded and followed by his guards and leaning on the arm of the
+Princess Userti, whom he loved better than anyone in the world.
+
+A while later I stood alone with the Prince in his private chamber,
+where I had first seen him.
+
+"That is finished," he said in a cheerful voice, "and I tell you, Ana,
+that I feel quite, quite happy. Have you ever shivered upon the bank
+of a river of a winter morning, fearing to enter, and yet, when you did
+enter, have you not been pleased to find that the icy water refreshed
+you and made you not cold but hot?"
+
+"Yes, Prince. It is when one comes out of the water, if the wind blows
+and no sun shines, that one feels colder than before."
+
+"True, Ana, and therefore one must not come out. One should stop there
+till one--drowns or is eaten by a crocodile. But, say, did I do it
+well?"
+
+"Old Bakenkhonsu told me, Prince, that he had been present at many royal
+betrothals, I think he said eleven, and had never seen one conducted
+with more grace. He added that the way in which you kissed the brow
+of her Highness was perfect, as was all your demeanour after the first
+argument."
+
+"And so it would remain, Ana, if I were never called upon to do more
+than kiss her brow, to which I have been accustomed from boyhood.
+Oh! Ana, Ana," he added in a kind of cry, "already you are becoming a
+courtier like the rest of them, a courtier who cannot speak the truth.
+Well, nor can I, so why should I blame you? Tell me again all about your
+marriage, Ana, of how it began and how it ended."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE PROPHECY
+
+Whether or no the Prince Seti saw Userti again before the hour of his
+marriage with her I cannot say, because he never told me. Indeed I was
+not present at the marriage, for the reason that I had been granted
+leave to return to Memphis, there to settle my affairs and sell my house
+on entering upon my appointment as private scribe to his Highness. Thus
+it came about that fourteen full days went by from that of the holding
+of the Court of Betrothal before I found myself standing once more at
+the gate of the Prince's palace, attended by a servant who led an ass
+on which were laden all my manuscripts and certain possessions that had
+descended to me from my ancestors with the title-deeds of their tombs.
+Different indeed was my reception on this my second coming. Even as I
+reached the steps the old chamberlain Pambasa appeared, running down
+them so fast that his white robes and beard streamed upon the air.
+
+"Greeting, most learned scribe, most honourable Ana," he panted. "Glad
+indeed am I to see you, since very hour his Highness asks if you have
+returned, and blames me because you have not come. Verily I believe that
+if you had stayed upon the road another day I should have been sent
+to look for you, who have had sharp words said to me because I did not
+arrange that you should be accompanied by a guard, as though the Vizier
+Nehesi would have paid the costs of a guard without the direct order
+of Pharaoh. O most excellent Ana, give me of the charm which you have
+doubtless used to win the love of our royal master, and I will pay you
+well for it who find it easier to earn his wrath."
+
+"I will, Pambasa. Here it is--write better stories than I do instead of
+telling them, and he will love you more than he does me. But say--how
+went the marriage? I have heard upon the way that it was very splendid."
+
+"Splendid! Oh! it was ten times more than splendid. It was as though the
+god Osiris were once more wed to the goddess Isis in the very halls of
+heaven. Indeed his Highness, the bridegroom, was dressed as a god, yes,
+he wore the robes and the holy ornaments of Amon. And the procession!
+And the feast that Pharaoh gave! I tell you that the Prince was so
+overcome with joy and all this weight of glory that, before it was over,
+looking at him I saw that his eyes were closed, being dazzled by the
+gleam of gold and jewels and the loveliness of his royal bride. He told
+me that it was so himself, fearing perhaps lest I should have thought
+that he was asleep. Then there were the presents, something to everyone
+of us according to his degree. I got--well it matters not. And, learned
+Ana, I did not forget you. Knowing well that everything would be gone
+before you returned I spoke your name in the ear of his Highness,
+offering to keep your gift."
+
+"Indeed, Pambasa, and what did he say?"
+
+"He said that he was keeping it himself. When I stared wondering what it
+might be, for I saw nothing on him, he added, 'It is here,' and touched
+the private signet guard that he has always worn, an ancient ring of
+gold, but of no great value I should say, with 'Beloved of Thoth and of
+the King' cut upon it. It seems that he must take it off to make room
+for another and much finer ring which her Highness has given him."
+
+Now, by this time, the ass having been unloaded by the slaves and led
+away, we had passed through the hall where many were idling as ever, and
+were come to the private apartments of the palace.
+
+"This way," said Pambasa. "The orders are that I am to take you to
+the Prince wherever he may be, and just now he is seated in the great
+apartment with her Highness, where they have been receiving homage and
+deputations from distant cities. The last left about half an hour ago."
+
+"First I will prepare myself, worthy Pambasa," I began.
+
+"No, no, the orders are instant, I dare not disobey them. Enter," and
+with a courtly flourish he drew a rich curtain.
+
+"By Amon," exclaimed a weary voice which I knew as that of the Prince,
+"here come more councillors or priests. Prepare, my sister, prepare!"
+
+"I pray you, Seti," answered another voice, that of Userti, "to learn to
+call me by my right name, which is no longer sister. Nor, indeed, am I
+your full sister."
+
+"I crave your pardon," said Seti. "Prepare, Royal Wife, prepare!"
+
+By now the curtain was fully drawn and I stood, travel-stained, forlorn
+and, to tell the truth, trembling a little, for I feared her Highness,
+in the doorway, hesitating to pass the threshold. Beyond was a splendid
+chamber full of light, in the centre of which upon a carven and golden
+chair, one of two that were set there, sat her Highness magnificently
+apparelled, faultlessly beautiful and calm. She was engaged in studying
+a painted roll, left no doubt by the last deputation, for others similar
+to it were laid neatly side by side upon a table.
+
+The second chair was empty, for the Prince was walking restlessly up and
+down the chamber, his ceremonial robe somewhat disarrayed and the uræus
+circlet of gold which he wore, tilted back upon his head, because of his
+habit of running his fingers through his brown hair. As I still stood in
+the dark shadow, for Pambasa had left me, and thus remained unseen, the
+talk went on.
+
+"I am prepared, Husband. Pardon me, it is you who look otherwise. Why
+would you dismiss the scribes and the household before the ceremony was
+ended?"
+
+"Because they wearied me," said Seti, "with their continual bowing and
+praising and formalities."
+
+"In which I saw nothing unusual. Now they must be recalled."
+
+"Let whoever it is enter," he exclaimed.
+
+Then I stepped forward into the light, prostrating myself.
+
+"Why," he cried, "it is Ana returned from Memphis! Draw near, Ana, and
+a thousand welcomes to you. Do you know I thought that you were another
+high-priest, or governor of some Nome of which I had never heard."
+
+"Ana! Who is Ana?" asked the Princess. "Oh! I remember that scribe----.
+Well, it is plain that he has returned from Memphis," and she eyed my
+dusty robe.
+
+"Royal One," I murmured abashed, "do not blame me that I enter your
+presence thus. Pambasa led me here against my will by the direct order
+of the Prince."
+
+"Is it so? Say, Seti, does this man bring tidings of import from Memphis
+that you needed his presence in such haste?"
+
+"Yes, Userti, at least I think so. You have the writings safe, have you
+not, Ana?"
+
+"Quite safe, your Highness," I answered, though I knew not of what
+writings he spoke, unless they were the manuscripts of my stories.
+
+"Then, my Lord, I will leave you to talk of the tidings from Memphis and
+these writings," said the Princess.
+
+"Yes, yes. We must talk of them, Userti. Also of the journey to the land
+of Goshen on which Ana starts with me to-morrow."
+
+"To-morrow! Why this morning you told me it was fixed for three days
+hence."
+
+"Did I, Sister--I mean Wife? If so, it was because I was not sure
+whether Ana, who is to be my chariot companion, would be back."
+
+"A scribe your chariot companion! Surely it would be more fitting that
+your cousin Amenmeses----"
+
+"To Set with Amenmeses!" he exclaimed. "You know well, Userti, that the
+man is hateful to me with his cunning yet empty talk."
+
+"Indeed! I grieve to hear it, for when you hate you show it, and
+Amenmeses may be a bad enemy. Then if not our cousin Amenmeses who is
+not hateful to me, there is Saptah."
+
+"I thank you; I will not travel in a cage with a jackal."
+
+"Jackal! I do not love Saptah, but one of the royal blood of Egypt a
+jackal! Then there is Nehesi the Vizier, or the General of the escort
+whose name I forget."
+
+"Do you think, Userti, that I wish to talk about state economies with
+that old money-sack, or to listen to boastings of deeds he never did in
+war from a half-bred Nubian butcher?"
+
+"I do not know, Husband. Yet of what will you talk with this Ana? Of
+poems, I suppose, and silliness. Or will it be perchance of Merapi, Moon
+of Israel, whom I gather both of you think so beautiful. Well, have your
+way. You tell me that I am not to accompany you upon this journey, I
+your new-made wife, and now I find that it is because you wish my place
+to be filled by a writer of tales whom you picked up the other day--your
+'twin in Ra' forsooth! Fare you well, my Lord," and she rose from her
+seat, gathering up her robes with both hands.
+
+Then Seti grew angry.
+
+"Userti," he said, stamping upon the floor, "you should not use such
+words. You know well that I do not take you with me because there may be
+danger yonder among the Hebrews. Moreover, it is not Pharaoh's wish."
+
+She turned and answered with cold courtesy:
+
+"Then I crave your pardon and thank you for your kind thought for
+the safety of my person. I knew not this mission was so dangerous. Be
+careful, Seti, that the scribe Ana comes to no harm."
+
+So saying she bowed and vanished through the curtains.
+
+"Ana," said Seti, "tell me, for I never was quick at figures, how many
+minutes is it from now till the fourth hour to-morrow morning when I
+shall order my chariot to be ready? Also, do you know whether it is
+possible to travel from Goshen across the marshes and to return by
+Syria? Or, failing that, to travel across the desert to Thebes and sail
+down the Nile in the spring?"
+
+"Oh! my Prince, my Prince," I said, "I pray you to dismiss me. Let me go
+anywhere out of the reach of her Highness's tongue."
+
+"It is strange how alike we think upon every matter, Ana, even of Merapi
+and the tongues of royal ladies. Hearken to my command. You are not to
+go. If it is a question of going, there are others who will go first.
+Moreover, you cannot go, but must stay and bear your burdens as I bear
+mine. Remember the broken cup, Ana."
+
+"I remember, my Prince, but sooner would I be scourged with rods than by
+such words as those to which I must listen."
+
+Yet that very night, when I had left the Prince, I was destined to hear
+more pleasant words from this same changeful, or perchance politic,
+royal lady. She sent for me and I went, much afraid. I found her in a
+small chamber alone, save for one old lady of honour who sat the end of
+the room and appeared to be deaf, which perhaps was why she was chosen.
+Userti bade me be seated before her very courteously, and spoke to me
+thus, whether because of some talk she had held with the Prince or not,
+I do not know.
+
+"Scribe Ana, I ask your pardon if, being vexed and wearied, I said to
+you and of you to-day what I now wish I had left unsaid. I know well
+that you, being of the gentle blood of Egypt, will make no report of
+what you heard outside these walls."
+
+"May my tongue be cut out first," I answered.
+
+"It seems, Scribe Ana, that my lord the Prince has taken a great love of
+you. How or why this came about so suddenly, you being a man, I do not
+understand, but I am sure that as it is so, it must be because there
+is much in you to love, since never did I know the Prince to show deep
+regard for one who was not most honourable and worthy. Now things being
+so, it is plain that you will become the favourite of his Highness, a
+man who does not change his mind in such matters, and that he will
+tell you all his secret thoughts, perhaps some that he hides from the
+Councillors of State, or even from me. In short you will grow into
+a power in the land and perhaps one day be the greatest in it--after
+Pharaoh--although you may still seem to be but a private scribe.
+
+"I do not pretend to you that I should have wished this to be so, who
+would rather that my husband had but one real councillor--myself. Yet
+seeing that it is so, I bow my head, hoping that it may be decreed for
+the best. If ever any jealousy should overcome me in this matter and
+I should speak sharply to you, as I did to-day, I ask your pardon in
+advance for that which has not happened, as I have asked it for that
+which has happened. I pray of you, Scribe Ana, that you will do your
+best to influence the mind of the Prince for good, since he is easily
+led by any whom he loves. I pray you also being quick and thoughtful,
+as I see you are, that you will make a study of statecraft, and of
+the policies of our royal House, coming to me, if it be needful, for
+instruction therein, so that you may be able to guide the feet of the
+Prince aright, should he turn to you for counsel."
+
+"All of this I will do, your Highness, if by any chance it lies in my
+power, though who am I that I should hope to make a path for the feet of
+kings? Moreover, I would add this, although he is so gentle-natured, I
+think that in the end the Prince is one who will always choose his own
+path."
+
+"It may be so Ana. At the least I thank you. I pray you to be sure also
+that in me you will always have a friend and not an enemy, although at
+times the quickness of my nature, which has never been controlled, may
+lead you to think otherwise. Now I will say one more thing that shall
+be secret between us. I know that the Prince loves me as a friend and
+relative rather than as a wife, and that he would not have sought this
+marriage of himself, as is perhaps natural. I know, too, that other
+women will come into his life, though these may be fewer than in the
+case of most kings, because he is more hard to please. Of such I cannot
+complain, as this is according to the customs of our country. I fear
+only one thing--namely that some woman, ceasing to be his toy, may take
+Seti's heart and make him altogether hers. In this matter, Scribe Ana,
+as in others I ask your help, since I would be queen of Egypt in all
+ways, not in name only."
+
+"Your Highness, how can I say to the Prince--'So much shall you love
+this or that woman and no more?' Moreover, why do you fear that which
+has not and may never come about?"
+
+"I do not know how you can say such a thing, Scribe, still I ask you to
+say it if you can. As to why I fear, it is because I seem to feel the
+near shadow of some woman lying cold upon me and building a wall of
+blackness between his Highness and myself."
+
+"It is but a dream, Princess."
+
+"Mayhap. I hope so. Yet I think otherwise. Oh! Ana, cannot you, who
+study the hearts of men and women, understand my case? I have married
+where I can never hope to be loved as other women are, I who am a wife,
+yet not a wife. I read your thought; it is--why then did you marry?
+Since I have told you so much I will tell you that also. First, it is
+because the Prince is different to other men and in his own fashion
+above them, yes, far above any with whom I could have wed as royal
+heiress of Egypt. Secondly, because being cut off from love, what
+remains to me but ambition? At least I would be a great queen, as was
+Hatshepu in her day, and lift my country out of the many troubles in
+which it is sunk and write my name large upon the books of history,
+which I could only do by taking Pharaoh's heir to husband, as is my
+duty."
+
+She brooded a while, then added, "Now I have shown you all my thought.
+Whether I have been wise to do so the gods know alone and time will tell
+me."
+
+"Princess," I said, "I thank you for trusting me and I will help you if
+I may. Yet I am troubled. I, a humble man if of good blood, who a
+little while ago was but a scribe and a student, a dreamer who had
+known trouble also, have suddenly by chance, or some divine decree, been
+lifted high in the favour of the heir of Egypt, and it would seem have
+even won your trust. Now I wonder how I shall bear myself in this new
+place which in truth I never sought."
+
+"I do not know, who find the present and its troubles enough to carry.
+But, doubtless, the decree of which you speak that set you there has
+also written down what will be the end of all. Meanwhile, I have a gift
+for you. Say, Scribe, have you ever handled any weapon besides a pen?"
+
+"Yes, your Highness, as a lad I was skilled in sword play. Moreover,
+though I do not love war and bloodshed, some years ago I fought in the
+great battle between the Ninebow Barbarians, when Pharaoh called upon
+the young men of Memphis to do their part. With my own hands I slew two
+in fair fight, though one nearly brought me to my end," and I pointed
+to a scar which showed red through my grey hair where a spear had bitten
+deep.
+
+"It is well, or so I think, who love soldiers better than stainers of
+papyrus pith."
+
+Then, going to a painted chest of reeds, she took from it a wonderful
+shirt of mail fashioned of bronze rings, and a short sword also of
+bronze, having a golden hilt of which the end was shaped to the likeness
+of the head of a lion, and with her own hands gave them to me, saying:
+
+"These are spoils that my grandsire, the great Rameses, took in his
+youth from a prince of the Khitah, whom he smote with his own hands in
+Syria in that battle whereof your grandfather made the poem. Wear the
+shirt, which no spear will pierce, beneath your robe and gird the sword
+about you when you go down yonder among the Israelites, whom I do not
+trust. I have given a like coat to the Prince. Let it be your duty to
+see that it is upon his sacred person day and night. Let it be your
+duty also, if need arises, with this sword to defend him to the death.
+Farewell."
+
+"May all the gods reject me from the Fields of the Blessed if I fail in
+this trust," I answered, and departed wondering, to seek sleep which, as
+it chanced, I was not to find for a while.
+
+For as I went down the corridor, led by one of the ladies of the
+household, whom should I find waiting at the end of it but old Pambasa
+to inform me with many bows that the Prince needed my presence. I asked
+how that could be seeing he had dismissed me for the night. He replied
+that he did not know, but he was commanded to conduct me to the private
+chamber, the same room in which I had first seen his Highness. Thither I
+went and found him warming himself at the fire, for the night was cold.
+Looking up he bade Pambasa admit those who were waiting, then noting the
+shirt of mail and the sword I carried in my hand, said:
+
+"You have been with the Princess, have you not, and she must have had
+much to say to you for your talk was long? Well, I think I can guess its
+purport who from a child have known her mind. She told you to watch me
+well, body and heart and all that comes from the heart--oh! and much
+else. Also she gave you that Syrian gear to wear among the Hebrews as
+she has given the like to me, being of a careful mind which foresees
+everything. Now, hearken, Ana; I grieve to keep you from your rest, who
+must be weary both with talk and travel. But old Bakenkhonsu, whom you
+know, waits without, and with him Ki the great magician, whom I think
+you have not seen. He is a man of wonderful lore and in some ways not
+altogether human. At least he does strange feats of magic, and at times
+both the past and the future seem to be open to his sight, though as we
+know neither the one nor the other, who can tell whether he reads them
+truly. Doubtless he has, or thinks he has, some message to me from the
+heavens, which I thought you might wish to hear."
+
+"I wish it much, Prince, if I am worthy, and you will protect me from
+the anger of this magician whom I fear."
+
+"Anger sometimes turns to trust, Ana. Did you not find it so just now
+in the case of her Highness, as I told you might very well happen? Hush!
+They come. Be seated and prepare your tablets to make record of what
+they say."
+
+The curtains were drawn and through them came the aged Bakenkhonsu
+leaning upon his staff, and with him another man, Ki himself, clad in a
+white robe and having his head shaven, for he was an hereditary priest
+of Amon of Thebes and an initiate of Isis, Mother of Mysteries. Also his
+office was that of Kherheb, or chief magician of Egypt. At first sight
+there was nothing strange about this man. Indeed, he might well have
+been a middle-aged merchant by his looks; in body he was short and
+stout; in face fat and smiling. But in this jovial countenance were set
+two very strange eyes, grey-hued rather than black. While the rest of
+the face seemed to smile these eyes looked straight into nothingness as
+do those of a statue. Indeed they were like to the eyes or rather the
+eye-places of a stone statue, so deeply were they set into the head. For
+my part I can only say I thought them awful, and by their look judged
+that whatever Ki might be he was no cheat.
+
+This strange pair bowed to the Prince and seated themselves at a sign
+from him, Bakenkhonsu upon a stool because he found it difficult to
+rise, and Ki, who was younger, scribe fashion on the ground.
+
+"What did I tell you, Bakenkhonsu?" said Ki in a full, rich voice,
+ending the words with a curious chuckle.
+
+"You told me, Magician, that we should find the Prince in this chamber
+of which you described every detail to me as I see it now, although
+neither of us have entered it before. You said also that seated therein
+on the ground would be the scribe Ana, whom I know but you do not,
+having in his hands waxen tablets and a stylus and by him a coat of
+curious mail and a lion-hilted sword."
+
+"That is strange," interrupted the Prince, "but forgive me, Bakenkhonsu
+sees these things. If you, O Ki, would tell us what is written upon
+Ana's tablets which neither of you can see, it would be stranger still,
+that is if anything is written."
+
+Ki smiled and stared upwards at the ceiling. Presently he said:
+
+"The scribe Ana uses a shorthand of his own that is not easy to
+decipher. Yet I see written on the tablets the price he obtained for
+some house in a city that is not named--it is so much. Also I see the
+sums he disbursed for himself, a servant, and the food of an ass at two
+inns where he stopped upon a journey. They are so much and so much. Also
+there is a list of papyrus rolls and the words, 'blue cloak,' and then
+an erasure."
+
+"Is that right, Ana?" asked the Prince.
+
+"Quite right," I answered with awe, "only the words 'blue cloak,' which
+it is true I wrote upon the tablet, have also been erased."
+
+Ki chuckled and turned his eyes from the ceiling to my face.
+
+"Would your Highness wish me to tell you anything of what is written
+upon the tablets of this scribe's memory as well as upon those of wax
+which he holds in his hand? They are easier to decipher than the others
+and I see on them many things of interest. For instance, secret words
+that seem to have been said to him by some Great One within an hour,
+matters of high policy, I think. For instance, a certain saying, I think
+of your Highness's, as to shivering upon the edge of water on a cold
+day, which when entered produced heat, and the answer thereto. For
+instance, words that were spoken in this palace when an alabaster cup
+was broke. By the way, Scribe, that was a very good place you chose in
+which to hide one half of the cup in the false bottom of a chest in your
+chamber, a chest that is fastened with a cord and sealed with a scarab
+of the time of the second Rameses. I think that the other half of the
+cup is somewhat nearer at hand," and turning, he stared at the wall
+where I could see nothing save slabs of alabaster.
+
+Now I sat open-mouthed, for how could this man know these things, and
+the Prince laughed outright, saying:
+
+"Ana, I begin to think you keep your counsel ill. At least I should
+think so, were it not that you have had no time to tell what the
+Princess yonder may have said to you, and can scarcely know the trick of
+the sliding panel in that wall which I have never shown to you."
+
+Ki chuckled again and a smile grew on old Bakenkhonsu's broad and
+wrinkled face.
+
+"O Prince," I began, "I swear to you that never has one word passed my
+lips of aught----"
+
+"I know it, friend," broke in the Prince, "but it seems there are some
+who do not wait for words but can read the Book of Thought. Therefore it
+is not well to meet them too often, since all have thoughts that should
+be known only to them and God. Magician, what is your business with me?
+Speak on as though we were alone."
+
+"This, Prince. You go upon a journey among the Hebrews, as all have
+heard. Now, Bakenkhonsu and I, also two seers of my College, seeing that
+we all love you and that your welfare is much to Egypt, have separately
+sought out the future as regards the issue of this journey. Although
+what we have learned differs in some matters, on others it is the same.
+Therefore we thought it our duty to tell you what we have learned."
+
+"Say on, Kherheb."
+
+"First, then, that your Highness's life will be in danger."
+
+"Life is always in danger, Ki. Shall I lose it? If so, do not fear to
+tell me."
+
+"We do not know, but we think not, because of the rest that is revealed
+to us. We learn that it is not your body only that will be in danger.
+Upon this journey you will see a woman whom you will come to love. This
+woman will, we think, bring you much sorrow and also much joy."
+
+"Then perhaps the journey is worth making, Ki, since many travel far
+before they find aught they can love. Tell me, have I met this woman?"
+
+"There we are troubled, Prince, for it would seem--unless we are
+deceived--that you have met her often and often; that you have known
+her for thousands of years, as you have known that man at your side for
+thousands of years."
+
+Seti's face grew very interested.
+
+"What do you mean, Magician?" he asked, eyeing him keenly. "How can I
+who am still young have known a woman and a man for thousands of years?"
+
+Ki considered him with his strange eyes, and answered:
+
+"You have many titles, Prince. Is not one of them 'Lord of Rebirths,'
+and if so, how did you get it and what does it mean?"
+
+"It is. What it means I do not know, but it was given to me because of
+some dream that my mother had the night before I was born. Do _you_ tell
+_me_ what it means, since you seem to know so much."
+
+"I cannot, Prince. The secret is not one that has been shown to me. Yet
+there was an aged man, a magician like myself from whom I learned much
+in my youth--Bakenkhonsu knew him well--who made a study of this matter.
+He told me he was sure, because it had been revealed to him, that men
+do not live once only and then depart hence for ever. He said that they
+live many times and in many shapes, though not always on this world, and
+that between each life there is a wall of darkness."
+
+"If so, of what use are lives which we do not remember after death has
+shut the door of each of them?"
+
+"The doors may open again at last, Prince, and show us all the chambers
+through which our feet have wandered from the beginning."
+
+"Our religion teaches us, Ki, that after death we live eternally
+elsewhere in our own bodies, which we find again on the day of
+resurrection. Now eternity, having no end, can have no beginning; it is
+a circle. Therefore if the one be true, namely that we live on, it would
+seem that the other must be true, namely that we have always lived."
+
+"That is well reasoned, Prince. In the early days, before the priests
+froze the thought of man into blocks of stone and built of them shrines
+to a thousand gods, many held that this reasoning was true, as then they
+held that there was but one god."
+
+"As do these Israelites whom I go to visit. What say you of their god,
+Ki?"
+
+"That _he_ is the same as our gods, Prince. To men's eyes God has many
+faces, and each swears that the one he sees is the only true god. Yet
+they are wrong, for all are true."
+
+"Or perchance false, Ki, unless even falsehood is a part of truth. Well,
+you have told me of two dangers, one to my body and one to my heart. Has
+any other been revealed to your wisdom?"
+
+"Yes, Prince. The third is that this journey may in the end cost you
+your throne."
+
+"If I die certainly it will cost me my throne."
+
+"No, Prince, if you live."
+
+"Even so, Ki, I think that I could endure life seated more humbly than
+on a throne, though whether her Highness could endure it is another
+matter. Then you say that if I go upon this journey another will be
+Pharaoh in my place."
+
+"We do not say that, Prince. It is true that our arts have shown us
+another filling your place in a time of wizardry and wonders and of the
+death of thousands. Yet when we look again we see not that other but you
+once more filling your own place."
+
+Here I, Ana, bethought me of my vision in Pharaoh's hall.
+
+"The matter is even worse than I thought, Ki, since having once left
+the crown behind me, I think that I should have no wish to wear it any
+more," said Seti. "Who shows you all these things, and how?"
+
+"Our _Kas_, which are our secret selves, show them to us, Prince, and in
+many ways. Sometimes it is by dreams or visions, sometimes by pictures
+on water, sometimes by writings in the desert sand. In all these
+fashions, and by others, our _Kas_, drawing from the infinite well of
+wisdom that is hidden in the being of every man, give us glimpses of the
+truth, as they give us who are instructed power to work marvels."
+
+"Of the truth. Then these things you tell me are true?"
+
+"We believe so, Prince."
+
+"Then being true must happen. So what is the use of your warning me
+against what must happen? There cannot be two truths. What would you
+have me do? Not go upon this journey? Why have you told me that I must
+not go, since if I did not go the truth would become a lie, which it
+cannot? You say it is fated that I should go and because I go such and
+such things will come about. And yet you tell me not to go, for that is
+what you mean. Oh! Kherheb Ki and Bakenkhonsu, doubtless you are great
+magicians and strong in wisdom, but there are greater than you who rule
+the world, and there is a wisdom to which yours is but as a drop of
+water to the Nile. I thank you for your warnings, but to-morrow I go
+down to the land of Goshen to fulfil the commands of Pharaoh. If I come
+back again we will talk more of these matters here upon the earth. If I
+do not come back, perchance we will talk of them elsewhere. Farewell."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE LAND OF GOSHEN
+
+The Prince Seti and all his train, a very great company, came in safety
+to the land of Goshen, I, Ana, travelling with him in his chariot. It
+was then as now a rich land, quite flat after the last line of desert
+hills through which we travelled by a narrow, tortuous path. Everywhere
+it was watered by canals, between which lay the grain fields wherein the
+seed had just been sown. Also there were other fields of green fodder
+whereon were tethered beasts by the hundred, and beyond these, upon the
+drier soil, grazed flocks of sheep. The town Goshen, if so it could
+be called, was but a poor place, numbers of mud huts, no more, in the
+centre of which stood a building, also of mud, with two brick pillars in
+front of it, that we were told was the temple of this people, into the
+inner parts of which none might enter save their High-priest. I laughed
+at the sight of it, but the Prince reproved me, saying that I should not
+judge the spirit by the body, or of the god by his house.
+
+We camped outside this town and soon learned that the people who dwelt
+in it or elsewhere in other towns must be numbered by the ten thousand,
+for more of them than I could count wandered round the camp to look at
+us. The men were fierce-eyed and hook-nosed; the young women well-shaped
+and pleasant to behold; the older women for the most part stout and
+somewhat unwieldy, and the children very beautiful. All were roughly
+clad in robes of loosely-woven, dark-coloured cloth, beneath which the
+women wore garments of white linen. Notwithstanding the wealth we
+saw about us in corn and cattle, their ornaments seemed to be few, or
+perhaps these were hidden from our sight.
+
+It was easy to see that they hated us Egyptians, and even dared to
+despise us. Hate shone in their glittering eyes, and I heard them
+calling us the 'idol-worshippers' one to the other, and asking where was
+our god, the Bull, for being ignorant they thought that we worshipped
+Apis (as mayhap some of the common people do) instead of looking upon
+the sacred beast as a symbol of the powers of Nature. Indeed they did
+more, for on the first night after our coming they slaughtered a bull
+marked much as Apis is, and in the morning we found it lying near the
+gate of the camp, and pinned to its hide with sharp thorns great numbers
+of the scarabæus beetle still living. For again they did not know that
+among us Egyptians this beetle is no god but an emblem of the Creator,
+because it rolls a ball of mud between its feet and sets therein its
+eggs to hatch, as the Creator rolls the world that seems to be round,
+and causes it to produce life.
+
+Now all were angry at these insults except the Prince, who laughed
+and said that he thought the jest coarse but clever. But worse was to
+happen. It seems that a soldier with wine in him had done insult to a
+Hebrew maiden who came alone to draw water at a canal. The news spread
+among the people and some thousands of them rushed to the camp, shouting
+and demanding vengeance in so threatening a manner that it was necessary
+to form up the regiments of guards.
+
+The Prince being summoned commanded that the girl and her kin should be
+admitted and state their case. She came, weeping and wailing and tearing
+her garments, throwing dust on her head also, though it appeared that
+she had taken no great harm from the soldier from whom she ran away. The
+Prince bade her point out the man if she could see him, and she showed
+us one of the bodyguard of the Count Amenmeses, whose face was scratched
+as though by a woman's nails. On being questioned he said he could
+remember little of the matter, but confessed that he had seen the maiden
+by the canal at moonrise and jested with her.
+
+The kin of this girl clamoured that he should be killed, because he had
+offered insult to a high-born lady of Israel. This Seti refused, saying
+that the offence was not one of death, but that he would order him to
+be publicly beaten. Thereupon Amenmeses, who was fond of the soldier, a
+good man enough when not in his cups, sprang up in a rage, saying that
+no servant of his should be touched because he had offered to caress
+some light Israelitish woman who had no business to be wandering about
+alone at night. He added that if the man were flogged he and all those
+under his command would leave the camp and march back to make report to
+Pharaoh.
+
+Now the Prince, having consulted with the councillors, told the woman
+and her kin that as Pharaoh had been appealed to, he must judge of the
+matter, and commanded them to appear at his court within a month and
+state their case against the soldier. They went away very ill-satisfied,
+saying that Amenmeses had insulted their daughter even more than his
+servant had done. The end of this matter was that on the following night
+this soldier was discovered dead, pierced through and through with knife
+thrusts. The girl, her parents and brethren could not be found, having
+fled away into the desert, nor was there any evidence to show by whom
+the soldier had been murdered. Therefore nothing could be done in the
+business except bury the victim.
+
+On the following morning the Inquiry began with due ceremony, the Prince
+Seti and the Count Amenmeses taking their seats at the head of a large
+pavilion with the councillors behind them and the scribes, among whom I
+was, seated at their feet. Then we learned that the two prophets whom I
+had seen at Pharaoh's court were not in the land of Goshen, having left
+before we arrived "to sacrifice to God in the wilderness," nor did any
+know when they would return. Other elders and priests, however, appeared
+and began to set out their case, which they did at great length and in
+a fierce and turbulent fashion, speaking often all of them at once, thus
+making it difficult for the interpreters to render their words, since
+they pretended that they did not know the Egyptian tongue.
+
+Moreover they told their story from the very beginning, when they had
+entered Egypt hundreds of years before and were succoured by the vizier
+of the Pharaoh of that day, one Yusuf, a powerful and clever man of
+their race who stored corn in a time of famine and low Niles. This
+Pharaoh was of the Hyksos people, one of the Shepherd kings whom we
+Egyptians hated and after many wars drove out of Khem. Under these
+Shepherd kings, being joined by many of their own blood, the Israelites
+grew rich and powerful, so that the Pharaohs who came after and who
+loved them not, began to fear them.
+
+This was as far as the story was taken on the first day.
+
+On the second day began the tale of their oppression, under which,
+however, they still multiplied like gnats upon the Nile, and grew so
+strong and numerous that at length the great Rameses did a wicked thing,
+ordering that their male children should be put to death. This order was
+never carried out, because his daughter, she who found Moses among the
+reeds of the river, pleaded for them.
+
+At this point the Prince, wearied with the noise and heat in that
+crowded place, broke off the sitting until the morrow. Commanding me to
+accompany him, he ordered a chariot, not his own, to be made ready, and,
+although I prayed him not to do so, set out unguarded save for myself
+and the charioteer, saying that he would see how these people laboured
+with his own eyes.
+
+Taking a Hebrew lad to run before the horses as our guide, we drove
+to the banks of a canal where the Israelites made bricks of mud which,
+after drying in the sun, were laden into boats that waited for them on
+the canal and taken away to other parts of Egypt to be used on Pharaoh's
+works. Thousands of men were engaged upon this labour, toiling in gangs
+under the command of Egyptian overseers who kept count of the bricks,
+cutting their number upon tally sticks, or sometimes writing them upon
+sherds. These overseers were brutal fellows, for the most part of the
+low class, who used vile language to the slaves. Nor were they content
+with words. Noting a crowd gathered at one place and hearing cries, we
+went to see what passed. Here we found a lad stretched upon the ground
+being cruelly beaten with hide whips, so that the blood ran down him.
+At a sign from the Prince I asked what he had done and was told roughly,
+for the overseers and their guards did not know who we were, that during
+the past six days he had only made half of his allotted tale of bricks.
+
+"Loose him," said the Prince quietly.
+
+"Who are you that give me orders?" asked the head overseer, who was
+helping to hold the lad while the guards flogged him. "Begone, lest I
+serve you as I serve this idle fellow."
+
+Seti looked at him, and as he looked his lips turned white.
+
+"Tell him," he said to me.
+
+"You dog!" I gasped. "Do you know who it is to whom you dare to speak
+thus?"
+
+"No, nor care. Lay on, guard."
+
+The Prince, whose robes were hidden by a wide-sleeved cloak of common
+stuff and make, threw the cloak open revealing beneath it the pectoral
+he had worn in the Court, a beautiful thing of gold whereon were
+inscribed his royal names and titles in black and red enamel. Also he
+held up his right hand on which was a signet of Pharaoh's that he wore
+as his commissioner. The men stared, then one of them who was more
+learned than the rest cried:
+
+"By the gods! this is his Highness the Prince of Egypt!" at which words
+all of them fell upon their faces.
+
+"Rise," said Seti to the lad who looked at him, forgetting his pain in
+his wonderment, "and tell me why you have not delivered your tale of
+bricks."
+
+"Sir," sobbed the boy in bad Egyptian, "for two reasons. First, because
+I am a cripple, see," and he held up his left arm which was withered and
+thin as a mummy's, "and therefore cannot work quickly. Secondly, because
+my mother, whose only child I am, is a widow and lies sick in bed, so
+that there are no women or children in our home who can go out to gather
+straw for me, as Pharaoh has commanded that we should do. Therefore
+I must spend many hours in searching for straw, since I have no means
+wherewith to pay others to do this for me."
+
+"Ana," said the Prince, "write down this youth's name with the place of
+his abode, and if his tale prove true, see that his wants and those of
+his mother are relieved before we depart from Goshen. Write down also
+the names of this overseer and his fellows and command them to report
+themselves at my camp to-morrow at sunrise, when their case shall be
+considered. Say to the lad also that, being one afflicted by the gods,
+Pharaoh frees him from the making of bricks and all other labour of the
+State."
+
+Now while I did these things the overseer and his companions beat their
+heads upon the ground and prayed for mercy, being cowards as the cruel
+always are. His Highness answered them never a word, but only looked
+at them with cold eyes, and I noted that his face which was so kind had
+grown terrible. So those men thought also, for that night they ran away
+to Syria, leaving their families and all their goods behind them, nor
+were they ever seen again in Egypt.
+
+When I had finished writing the Prince turned and, walking to where the
+chariot waited, bade the driver cross the canal by a bridge there
+was here. We drove on a while in silence, following a track which ran
+between the cultivated land and the desert. At length I pointed to the
+sinking sun and asked if it were not time to return.
+
+"Why?" replied the Prince. "The sun dies, but there rises the full moon
+to give us light, and what have we to fear with swords at our sides and
+her Highness Userti's mail beneath our robes? Oh! Ana, I am weary of
+men with their cruelties and shouts and strugglings, and I find this
+wilderness a place of rest, for in it I seem to draw nearer to my own
+soul and the Heaven whence it came, or so I hope."
+
+"Your Highness is fortunate to have a soul to which he cares to draw
+near; it is not so with all of us;" I answered laughing, for I sought to
+change the current of his thoughts by provoking argument of a sort that
+he loved.
+
+Just then, however, the horses, which were not of the best, came to a
+halt on a slope of heavy sand. Nor would Seti allow the driver to flog
+them, but commanded him to let them rest a space. While they did so we
+descended from the chariot and walked up the desert rise, he leaning on
+my arm. As we reached its crest we heard sobs and a soft voice speaking
+on the further side. Who it was that spoke and sobbed we could not see,
+because of a line of tamarisk shrubs which once had been a fence.
+
+"More cruelty, or at least more sorrow," whispered Seti. "Let us look."
+
+So we crept to the tamarisks, and peeping through their feathery tops,
+saw a very sweet sight in the pure rays of that desert moon. There, not
+five paces away, stood a woman clad in white, young and shapely in form.
+Her face we could not see because it was turned from us, also the long
+dark hair which streamed about her shoulders hid it. She was praying
+aloud, speaking now in Hebrew, of which both of us knew something,
+and now in Egyptian, as does one who is accustomed to think in either
+tongue, and stopping from time to time to sob.
+
+"O God of my people," she said, "send me succour and bring me safe home,
+that Thy child may not be left alone in the wilderness to become the
+prey of wild beasts, or of men who are worse than beasts."
+
+Then she sobbed, knelt down on a great bundle which I saw was stubble
+straw, and again began to pray. This time it was in Egyptian, as though
+she feared lest the Hebrew should be overheard and understood.
+
+"O God," she said, "O God of my fathers, help my poor heart, help my
+poor heart!"
+
+We were about to withdraw, or rather to ask her what she ailed, when
+suddenly she turned her head, so that the light fell full upon her
+face. So lovely was it that I caught my breath and the Prince at my side
+started. Indeed it was more than lovely, for as a lamp shines through an
+alabaster vase or a shell of pearl so did the spirit within this woman
+shine through her tear-stained face, making it mysterious as the night.
+Then I understood, perhaps for the first time, that it is the spirit
+which gives true beauty both to maid and man and not the flesh. The
+white vase of alabaster, however shapely, is still a vase alone; it
+is the hidden lamp within that graces it with the glory of a star. And
+those eyes, those large, dreaming eyes aswim with tears and hued
+like richest lapis-lazuli, oh! what man could look on them and not be
+stirred?
+
+"Merapi!" I whispered.
+
+"Moon of Israel!" murmured Seti, "filled with the moon, lovely as the
+moon, mystic as the moon and worshipping the moon, her mother."
+
+"She is in trouble; let us help her," I said.
+
+"Nay, wait a while, Ana, for never again shall you and I see such a
+sight as this."
+
+Low as we spoke beneath our breath, I think the lady heard us. At least
+her face changed and grew frightened. Hastily she rose, lifted the great
+bundle of straw upon which she had been kneeling and placed it on her
+head. She ran a few steps, then stumbled and sank down with a little
+moan of pain. In an instant we were at her side. She stared at us
+affrighted, for who we were she could not see because of the wide
+hoods of our common cloaks that made us look like midnight thieves, or
+slave-dealing Bedouin.
+
+"Oh! Sirs," she babbled, "harm me not. I have nothing of value on me
+save this amulet."
+
+"Who are you and what do you here?" asked the Prince disguising his
+voice.
+
+"Sirs, I am Merapi, the daughter of Nathan the Levite, he whom the
+accursed Egyptian captain, Khuaka, murdered at Tanis."
+
+"How do you dare to call the Egyptians accursed?" asked Seti in tones
+made gruff to hide his laughter.
+
+"Oh! Sirs, because they are--I mean because I thought you were Arabs who
+hate them, as we do. At least this Egyptian was accursed, for the high
+Prince Seti, Pharaoh's heir, caused him to be beheaded for that crime."
+
+"And do you hate the high Prince Seti, Pharaoh's heir, and call him
+accursed?"
+
+She hesitated, then in a doubtful voice said:
+
+"No, I do not hate him."
+
+"Why not, seeing that you hate the Egyptians of whom he is one of
+the first and therefore twice worthy of hatred, being the son of your
+oppressor, Pharaoh?"
+
+"Because, although I have tried my best, I cannot. Also," she added with
+the joy of one who has found a good reason, "he avenged my father."
+
+"This is no cause, girl, seeing that he only did what the law forced him
+to do. They say that this dog of a Pharaoh's son is here in Goshen upon
+some mission. Is it true, and have you seen him? Answer, for we of the
+desert folk desire to know."
+
+"I believe it is true, Sir, but I have not seen him."
+
+"Why not, if he is here?"
+
+"Because I do not wish to, Sir. Why should a daughter of Israel desire
+to look upon the face of a prince of Egypt?"
+
+"In truth I do not know," replied Seti forgetting his feigned voice.
+Then, seeing that she glanced at him sharply, he added in gruff tones:
+
+"Brother, either this woman lies or she is none other than the maid they
+call Moon of Israel who dwells with old Jabez the Levite, her uncle.
+What think you?"
+
+"I think, Brother, that she lies, and for three reasons," I answered,
+falling into the jest. "First, she is too fair to be of the black Hebrew
+blood."
+
+"Oh! Sir," moaned Merapi, "my mother was a Syrian lady of the mountains,
+with a skin as white as milk, and eyes blue as the heavens."
+
+"Secondly," I went on without heeding her, "if the great Prince Seti is
+really in Goshen and she dwells there, it is unnatural that she should
+not have gone to look upon him. Being a woman only two things would have
+kept her away, one--that she feared and hated him, which she denies, and
+the other--that she liked him too well, and, being prudent, thought it
+wisest not to look upon him more."
+
+When she heard the first of these words, Merapi glanced up with her lips
+parted as though to answer. Instead, she dropped her eyes and suddenly
+seemed to choke, while even in the moonlight I saw the red blood pour to
+her brow and along her white arms.
+
+"Sir," she gasped, "why should you affront me? I swear that never till
+this moment did I think such a thing. Surely it would be treason."
+
+"Without doubt," interrupted Seti, "yet one of a sort that kings might
+pardon."
+
+"Thirdly," I went on as though I had heard neither of them, "if this
+girl were what she declares, she would not be wandering alone in the
+desert at night, seeing that I have heard among the Arabs that Merapi,
+daughter of Nathan the Levite, is a lady of no mean blood among the
+Hebrews and that her family has wealth. Still, however much she lies, we
+can see for ourselves that she is beautiful."
+
+"Yes, Brother, in that we are fortunate, since without doubt she will
+sell for a high price among the slave traders beyond the desert."
+
+"Oh! Sir," cried Merapi seizing the hem of his robe, "surely you who
+I feel, I know not why, are no evil thief, you who have a mother and,
+perchance, sisters, would not doom a maiden to such a fate. Misjudge me
+not because I am alone. Pharaoh has commanded that we must find straw
+for the making of bricks. This morning I came far to search for it on
+behalf of a neighbour whose wife is ill in childbed. But towards sundown
+I slipped and cut myself upon the edge of a sharp stone. See," and
+holding up her foot she showed a wound beneath the instep from which the
+blood still dropped, a sight that moved both of us not a little, "and
+now I cannot walk and carry this heavy straw which I have been at such
+pains to gather."
+
+"Perchance she speaks truth, Brother," said the Prince, "and if we took
+her home we might earn no small reward from Jabez the Levite. But first
+tell me, Maiden, what was that prayer which you made to the moon, that
+Hathor should help your heart?"
+
+"Sir," she answered, "only the idolatrous Egyptians pray to Hathor, the
+Lady of Love."
+
+"I thought that all the world prayed to the Lady of Love, Maiden. But
+what of the prayer? Is there some man whom you desire?"
+
+"None," she answered angrily.
+
+"Then why does your heart need so much help that you ask it of the air?
+Is there perchance someone whom you do _not_ desire?"
+
+She hung her head and made no answer.
+
+"Come, Brother," said the Prince, "this lady is weary of us, and I
+think that if she were a true woman she would answer our questions more
+readily. Let us go and leave her. As she cannot walk we can take her
+later if we wish."
+
+"Sirs," she said, "I am glad that you are going, since the hyenas will
+be safer company than two men who can threaten to sell a helpless
+woman into slavery. Yet as we part to meet no more I will answer your
+question. In the prayer to which you were not ashamed to listen I did
+not pray for any lover, I prayed to be rid of one."
+
+"Now, Ana," said the Prince bursting into laughter and throwing back his
+dark cloak, "do you discover the name of that unhappy man of whom the
+lady Merapi wishes to be rid, for I dare not."
+
+She gazed into his face and uttered a little cry.
+
+"Ah!" she said, "I thought I knew the voice again when once you forget
+your part. Prince Seti, does your Highness think that this was a kind
+jest to practise upon one alone and in fear?"
+
+"Lady Merapi," he answered smiling, "be not wroth, for at least it was
+a good one and you have told us nothing that we did not know. You may
+remember that at Tanis you said that you were affianced and there was
+that in your voice----. Suffer me now to tend this wound of yours."
+
+Then he knelt down, tore a strip from his ceremonial robe of fine linen,
+and began to bind up her foot, not unskilfully, being a man full of
+strange and unexpected knowledge. As he worked at the task, watching
+them, I saw their eyes meet, saw too that rich flood of colour creep
+once more to Merapi's brow. Then I began to think it unseemly that the
+Prince of Egypt should play the leech to a woman's hurts, and to wonder
+why he had not left that humble task to me.
+
+Presently the bandaging was done and made fast with a royal scarabæus
+mounted on a pin of gold, which the Prince wore in his garments. On it
+was cut the uræus crown and beneath it were the signs which read "Lord
+of the Lower and the Upper Land," being Pharaoh's style and title.
+
+"See now, Lady," he said, "you have Egypt beneath your foot," and when
+she asked him what he meant, he read her the writing upon the jewel,
+whereat for the third time she coloured to the eyes. Then he lifted
+her up, instructing her to rest her weight upon his shoulder, saying he
+feared lest the scarab, which he valued, should be broken.
+
+Thus we started, I bearing the bundle of straw behind as he bade me,
+since, he said, having been gathered with such toil, it must not be
+lost. On reaching the chariot, where we found the guide gone and the
+driver asleep, he sat her in it upon his cloak, and wrapped her in mine
+which he borrowed, saying I should not need it who must carry the straw.
+Then he mounted also and they drove away at a foot's pace. As I walked
+after the chariot with the straw that fell about my ears, I heard
+nothing of their further talk, if indeed they talked at all which, the
+driver being present, perhaps they did not. Nor in truth did I listen
+who was engaged in thought as to the hard lot of these poor Hebrews, who
+must collect this dirty stuff and bear it so far, made heavy as it was
+by the clay that clung about the roots.
+
+Even now, as it chanced, we did not reach Goshen without further
+trouble. Just as we had crossed the bridge over the canal I, toiling
+behind, saw in the clear moonlight a young man running towards us. He
+was a Hebrew, tall, well-made and very handsome in his fashion. His eyes
+were dark and fierce, his nose was hooked, his teeth where regular and
+white, and his long, black hair hung down in a mass upon his shoulders.
+He held a wooden staff in his hand and a naked knife was girded about
+his middle. Seeing the chariot he halted and peered at it, then asked in
+Hebrew if those who travelled had seen aught of a young Israelitish lady
+who was lost.
+
+"If you seek me, Laban, I am here," replied Merapi, speaking from the
+shadow of the cloak.
+
+"What do you there alone with an Egyptian, Merapi?" he said fiercely.
+
+What followed I do not know for they spoke so quickly in their
+unfamiliar tongue that I could not understand them. At length Merapi
+turned to the Prince, saying:
+
+"Lord, this is Laban my affianced, who commands me to descend from the
+chariot and accompany him as best I can."
+
+"And I, Lady, command you to stay in it. Laban your affianced can
+accompany us."
+
+Now at this Laban grew angry, as I could see he was prone to do, and
+stretched out his hand as though to push Seti aside and seize Merapi.
+
+"Have a care, man,' said the Prince, while I, throwing down the straw,
+drew my sword and sprang between them, crying:
+
+"Slave, would you lay hands upon the Prince of Egypt?"
+
+"Prince of Egypt!" he said, drawing back astonished, then added
+sullenly, "Well what does the Prince of Egypt with my affianced?"
+
+"He helps her who is hurt to her home, having found her helpless in the
+desert with this accursed straw," I answered.
+
+"Forward, driver," said the Prince, and Merapi added, "Peace, Laban, and
+bear the straw which his Highness's companion has carried such a weary
+way."
+
+He hesitated a moment, then snatched up the bundle and set it on his
+head.
+
+As we walked side by side, his evil temper seemed to get the better
+of him. Without ceasing, he grumbled because Merapi was alone in the
+chariot with an Egyptian. At length I could bear it no longer.
+
+"Be silent, fellow," I said. "Least of all men should you complain of
+what his Highness does, seeing that already he has avenged the killing
+of this lady's father, and now has saved her from lying out all night
+among the wild beasts and men of the wilderness."
+
+"Of the first I have heard more than enough," he answered, "and of
+the second doubtless I shall hear more than enough also. Ever since my
+affianced met this prince, she has looked on me with different eyes and
+spoken to me with another voice. Yes, and when I press for marriage, she
+says it cannot be for a long while yet, because she is mourning for her
+father; her father forsooth, whom she never forgave because he betrothed
+her to me according to the custom of our people."
+
+"Perhaps she loves some other man?" I queried, wishing to learn all I
+could about this lady.
+
+"She loves no man, or did not a while ago. She loves herself alone."
+
+"One with so much beauty may look high in marriage."
+
+"High!" he replied furiously. "How can she look higher than myself
+who am a lord of the line of Judah, and therefore greater far than an
+upstart prince or any other Egyptian, were he Pharaoh himself?"
+
+"Surely you must be trumpeter to your tribe," I mocked, for my temper
+was rising.
+
+"Why?" he asked. "Are not the Hebrews greater than the Egyptians, as
+those oppressors soon shall learn, and is not a lord of Israel more than
+any idol-worshipper among your people?"
+
+I looked at the man clad in mean garments and foul from his labour in
+the brickfield, marvelling at his insolence. There was no doubt but that
+he believed what he said; I could see it in his proud eye and bearing.
+He thought that his tribe was of more import in the world than our great
+and ancient nation, and that he, an unknown youth, equalled or surpassed
+Pharaoh himself. Then, being enraged by these insults, I answered:
+
+"You say so, but let us put it to the proof. I am but a scribe, yet
+I have seen war. Linger a little that we may learn whether a lord of
+Israel is better than a scribe of Egypt."
+
+"Gladly would I chastise you, Writer," he answered, "did I not see your
+plot. You wish to delay me here, and perhaps to murder me by some foul
+means, while your master basks in the smiles of the Moon of Israel.
+Therefore I will not stay, but another time it shall be as you wish, and
+perhaps ere long."
+
+Now I think that I should have struck him in the face, though I am not
+one of those who love brawling. But at this moment there appeared a
+company of Egyptian horse led by none other than the Count Amenmeses.
+Seeing the Prince in the Chariot, they halted and gave the salute.
+Amenmeses leapt to the ground.
+
+"We are come out to search for your Highness," he said, "fearing lest
+some hurt had befallen you."
+
+"I thank you, Cousin," answered the Prince, "but the hurt has befallen
+another, not me."
+
+"That is well, your Highness," said the Count, studying Merapi with a
+smile. "Where is the lady wounded? Not in the breast, I trust."
+
+"No, Cousin, in the foot, which is why she travels with me in this
+chariot."
+
+"Your Highness was ever kind to the unfortunate. I pray you let me take
+your place, or suffer me to set this girl upon a horse."
+
+"Drive on," said Seti.
+
+So, escorted by the soldiers, whom I heard making jests to each other
+about the Prince and the lady, as I think did the Hebrew Laban also, for
+he glared about him and ground his teeth, we came at last to the town.
+Here, guided by Merapi, the chariot was halted at the house of Jabez her
+uncle, a white-bearded old Hebrew with a cunning eye, who rushed from
+the door of his mud-roofed dwelling crying he had done no harm that
+soldiers should come to take him.
+
+"It is not you whom the Egyptians wish to capture, it is your niece and
+my betrothed," shouted Laban, whereat the soldiers laughed, as did some
+women who had gathered round. Meanwhile the Prince was helping Merapi to
+descend out of the chariot, from which indeed he lifted her. The sight
+seemed to madden Laban, who rushed forward to tear her from his arms,
+and in the attempt jostled his Highness. The captain of the soldiers--he
+was an officer of Pharaoh's bodyguard--lifted his sword in a fury and
+struck Laban such a blow upon the head with the flat of the blade that
+he fell upon his face and lay there groaning.
+
+"Away with that Hebrew dog and scourge him!" cried the captain. "Is the
+royal blood of Egypt to be handled by such as he?"
+
+Soldiers sprang forward to do his bidding, but Seti said quietly:
+
+"Let the fellow be, friends; he lacks manners, that is all. Is he hurt?"
+
+As he spoke Laban leapt to his feet and, fearing worse things, fled away
+with a curse and a glare of hate at the Prince.
+
+"Farewell, Lady," said Seti. "I wish you a quick recovery."
+
+"I thank your Highness," she answered, looking about her confusedly. "Be
+pleased to wait a little while that I may return to you your jewel."
+
+"Nay, keep it, Lady, and if ever you are in need or trouble of any sort,
+send it to me who know it well and you shall not lack succour."
+
+She glanced at him and burst into tears.
+
+"Why do you weep?" he asked.
+
+"Oh! your Highness, because I fear that trouble is near at hand. My
+affianced, Laban, has a revengeful heart. Help me to the house, my
+uncle."
+
+"Listen, Hebrew," said Seti, raising his voice; "if aught that is evil
+befalls this niece of yours, or if she is forced to walk whither she
+would not go, sorrow shall be your portion and that of all with whom you
+have to do. Do you hear?"
+
+"O my Lord, I hear, I hear. Fear nothing. She shall be guarded carefully
+as--as she will doubtless guard that trinket on her foot."
+
+
+
+"Ana," said the Prince to me that night, when I was talking with him
+before he went to rest, "I know not why, but I fear that man Laban; he
+has an evil eye."
+
+"I too think it would have been better if your Highness had left him to
+be dealt with by the soldiers, after which there would have been nothing
+to fear from him in this world."
+
+"Well, I did not, so there's an end. Ana, she is a fair woman and a
+sweet."
+
+"The fairest and the sweetest that ever I saw, my Prince."
+
+"Be careful, Ana. I pray you be careful, lest you should fall in love
+with one who is already affianced."
+
+I only looked at him in answer, and as I looked I bethought me of the
+words of Ki the Magician. So, I think, did the Prince; at least he
+laughed not unhappily and turned away.
+
+For my part I rested ill that night, and when at last I slept, it was to
+dream of Merapi making her prayer in the rays of the moon.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE AMBUSH
+
+Eight full days went by before we left the land of Goshen. The story
+that the Israelites had to tell was long, sad also. Moreover, they gave
+evidence as to many cruel things that they had suffered, and when this
+was finished the testimony of the guards and others must be called, all
+of which it was necessary to write down. Lastly, the Prince seemed to
+be in no hurry to be gone, as he said because he hoped that the two
+prophets would return from the wilderness, which they never did. During
+all this time Seti saw no more of Merapi, nor indeed did he speak
+of her, even when the Count Amenmeses jested him as to his chariot
+companion and asked him if he had driven again in the desert by
+moonlight.
+
+I, however, saw her once. When I was wandering in the town one day
+towards sunset, I met her walking with her uncle Jabez upon one side and
+her lover, Laban, on the other, like a prisoner between two guards. I
+thought she looked unhappy, but her foot seemed to be well again; at
+least she moved without limping.
+
+I stopped to salute her, but Laban scowled and hurried her away. Jabez
+stayed behind and fell into talk with me. He told me that she was
+recovered of her hurt, but that there had been trouble between her and
+Laban because of all that happened on that evening when she came by it,
+ending in his encounter with the captain.
+
+"This young man seems to be of a jealous nature," I said, "one who will
+make a harsh husband for any woman."
+
+"Yes, learned scribe, jealousy has been his curse from youth as it is
+with so many of our people, and I thank God that I am not the woman whom
+he is to marry."
+
+"Why, then, do you suffer her to marry him, Jabez?"
+
+"Because her father affianced her to this lion's whelp when she was
+scarce more than a child, and among us that is a bond hard to break.
+For my own part," he added, dropping his voice, and glancing round with
+shifting eyes, "I should like to see my niece in some different place
+to that of the wife of Laban. With her great beauty and wit, she might
+become anything--anything if she had opportunity. But under our laws,
+even if Laban died, as might happen to so violent a man, she could wed
+no one who is not a Hebrew."
+
+"I thought she told us that her mother was a Syrian."
+
+"That is so, Scribe Ana. She was a beautiful captive of war whom Nathan
+came to love and made his wife, and the daughter takes after her. Still
+she is Hebrew and of the Hebrew faith and congregation. Had it not been
+so, she might have shone like a star, nay, like the very moon after
+which she is named, perhaps in the court of Pharaoh himself."
+
+"As the great queen Taia did, she who changed the religion of Egypt to
+the worship of one god in a bygone generation," I suggested.
+
+"I have heard of her, Scribe Ana. She was a wondrous woman, beautiful
+too by her statues. Would that you Egyptians could find such another
+to turn your hearts to a purer faith and to soften them towards us poor
+aliens. When does his Highness leave the land of Goshen?"
+
+"At sunrise on the third day from this."
+
+"Provision will be needed for the journey, much provision for so large a
+train. I deal in sheep and other foodstuffs, Scribe Ana."
+
+"I will mention the matter to his Highness and to the Vizier, Jabez."
+
+"I thank you, Scribe, and will in waiting at the camp to-morrow morning.
+See, Laban returns with Merapi. One word, let his Highness beware of
+Laban. He is very revengeful and has not forgotten that sword-blow on
+the head."
+
+"Let Laban be careful," I answered. "Had it not been for his Highness
+the soldiers would have killed him the other night because he dared
+to offer affront to the royal blood. A second time he will not escape.
+Moreover, Pharaoh would avenge aught he did upon the people of Israel."
+
+"I understand. It would be sad if Laban were killed, very sad. But the
+people of Israel have One who can protect them even against Pharaoh and
+all his hosts. Farewell, learned Scribe. If ever I come to Tanis, with
+your leave we will talk more together."
+
+That night I told the Prince all that had passed. He listened, and said:
+
+"I grieve for the lady Merapi, for hers is like to be a hard fate. Yet,"
+he added laughing, "perhaps it is as well for you, friend, that you
+should see no more of her who is sure to bring trouble wherever she
+goes. That woman has a face which haunts the mind, as the Ka haunts the
+tomb, and for my part I do not wish to look upon it again."
+
+"I am glad to hear it, Prince, and for my part, I have done with women,
+however sweet. I will tell this Jabez that the provisions for the
+journey will be bought elsewhere."
+
+"Nay, buy them from him, and if Nehesi grumbles at the price, pay it on
+my account. The way to a Hebrew's heart is through his treasure bags.
+If Jabez is well treated, it may make him kinder to his niece, of whom I
+shall always have a pleasant memory, for which I am grateful among this
+sour folk who hate us, and with reason."
+
+So the sheep and all the foodstuffs for the journey were bought from
+Jabez at his own price, for which he thanked me much, and on the third
+day we started. At the last moment the Prince, whose mood seemed to be
+perverse that evening, refused to travel with the host upon the morrow
+because of the noise and dust. In vain did the Count Amenmeses reason
+with him, and Nehesi and the great officers implore him almost on their
+knees, saying that they must answer for his safety to Pharaoh and the
+Princess Userti. He bade them begone, replying that he would join them
+at their camp on the following night. I also prayed him to listen, but
+he told me sharply that what he said he had said, and that he and I
+would journey in his chariot alone, with two armed runners and no more,
+adding that if I thought there was danger I could go forward with the
+troops. Then I bit my lip and was silent, whereon, seeing that he had
+hurt me, he turned and craved my pardon humbly enough as his kind heart
+taught him to do.
+
+"I can bear no more of Amenmeses and those officers," he said, "and I
+love to be in the desert alone. Last time we journeyed there we met with
+adventures that were pleasant, Ana, and at Tanis doubtless I shall find
+others that are not pleasant. Admit that Hebrew priest who is waiting to
+instruct me in the mysteries of his faith which I desire to understand."
+
+So I bowed and left him to make report that I had failed to shake his
+will. Taking the risk of his wrath, however, I did this--for had I not
+sworn to the Princess that I would protect him? In place of the runners
+I chose two of the best and bravest soldiers to play their part.
+Moreover, I instructed that captain who smote down Laban to hide away
+with a score of picked men and enough chariots to carry them, and to
+follow after the Prince, keeping just out of sight.
+
+So on the morrow the troops, nobles, and officers went on at daybreak,
+together with the baggage carriers; nor did we follow them till many
+hours had gone by. Some of this time the Prince spent in driving about
+the town, taking note of the condition of the people. These, as I saw,
+looked on us sullenly enough, more so than before, I thought, perhaps
+because we were unguarded. Indeed, turning round I caught sight of a man
+shaking his fist and of an old hag spitting after us, and wished that we
+were out of the land of Goshen. But when I reported it to the Prince he
+only laughed and took no heed.
+
+"All can see that they hate us Egyptians," he said. "Well, let it be our
+task to try to turn their hate to love."
+
+"That you will never do, Prince, it is too deep-rooted in their
+hearts; for generations they have drunk it in with their mother's milk.
+Moreover, this is a war of the gods of Egypt and of Israel, and men must
+go where their gods drive them."
+
+"Do you think so, Ana? Then are men nothing but dust blown by the
+winds of heaven, blown from the darkness that is before the dawn to be
+gathered at last and for ever into the darkness of the grave of night?"
+
+He brooded a while, then went on.
+
+"Yet if I were Pharaoh I would let these people go, for without doubt
+their god has much power and I tell you that I fear them."
+
+"Why will he not let them go?" I asked. "They are a weakness, not a
+strength to Egypt, as was shown at the time of the invasion of the
+Barbarians with whom they sided. Moreover, the value of this rich land
+of theirs, which they cannot take with them, is greater than that of all
+their labour."
+
+"I do not know, friend. The matter is one upon which my father keeps
+his own counsel, even from the Princess Userti. Perhaps it is because he
+will not change the policy of his father, Rameses; perhaps because he is
+stiff-necked to those who cross his will. Or it may be that he is held
+in this path by a madness sent of some god to bring loss and shame on
+Egypt."
+
+"Then, Prince, all the priests and nobles are mad also, from Count
+Amenmeses down."
+
+"Where Pharaoh leads priests and nobles follow. The question is, who
+leads Pharaoh? Here is the temple of these Hebrews; let us enter."
+
+So we descended from the chariot, where, for my part, I would have
+remained, and walked through the gateway in the surrounding mud wall
+into the outer court of the temple, which on this the holy seventh day
+of the Hebrews was full of praying women, who feigned not to see us yet
+watched us out of the corners of their eyes. Passing through them we
+came to a doorway, by which we entered another court that was roofed
+over. Here were many men who murmured as we appeared. They were engaged
+in listening to a preacher in a white robe, who wore a strange shaped
+cap and some ornaments on his breast. I knew the man; he was the priest
+Kohath who had instructed the Prince in so much of the mysteries of the
+Hebrew faith as he chose to reveal. On seeing us he ceased suddenly in
+his discourse, uttered some hasty blessing and advanced to greet us.
+
+I waited behind the Prince, thinking it well to watch his back among all
+those fierce men, and did not hear what the priest said to him, as he
+whispered in that holy place. Kohath led him forward, to free him from
+the throng, I thought, till they came to the head of the little temple
+that was marked by some steps, above which hung a thick and heavy
+curtain. The Prince, walking on, did not see the lowest of these steps
+in the gloom, which was deep. His foot caught on it; he fell forward,
+and to save himself grasped at the curtain where the two halves of it
+met, and dragged it open, revealing a chamber plain and small beyond, in
+which was an altar. That was all I had time to see, for next instant a
+roar of rage rent the air and knives flashed in the gloom.
+
+"The Egyptian defiles the tabernacle!" shouted one. "Drag him out and
+kill him!" screamed another.
+
+"Friends," said Seti, turning as they surged towards him, "if I have
+done aught wrong it was by chance----"
+
+He could add no more, seeing that they were on him, or rather on me who
+had leapt in front of him. Already they had grasped my robes and my hand
+was on my sword-hilt, when the priest Kohath cried out:
+
+"Men of Israel, are you mad? Would you bring Pharaoh's vengeance on us?"
+
+They halted a little and their spokesman shouted:
+
+"We defy Pharaoh! Our God will protect us from Pharaoh. Drag him forth
+and kill him beyond the wall!"
+
+Again they began to move, when a man, in whom I recognized Jabez, the
+uncle of Merapi, called aloud:
+
+"Cease! If this Prince of Egypt has done insult to Jahveh by will and
+not by chance, it is certain that he will avenge himself upon him. Shall
+men take the judgment of God into their own hands? Stand back and wait
+awhile. If Jahveh is affronted, the Egyptian will fall dead. If he does
+not fall dead, let him pass hence unharmed, for such is Jahveh's will.
+Stand back, I say, while I count threescore."
+
+They withdrew a space and slowly Jabez began to count.
+
+Although at that time I knew nothing of the power of the god of Israel,
+I will say that I was filled with fear as one by one he counted, pausing
+at each ten. The scene was very strange. There by the steps stood the
+Prince against the background of the curtain, his arms folded and a
+little smile of wonder mixed with contempt upon his face, but not a sign
+of fear. On one side of him was I, who knew well that I should share his
+fate whatever it might be, and indeed desired no other; and on the other
+the priest Kohath, whose hands shook and whose eyes started from his
+head. In front of us old Jabez counted, watching the fierce-faced
+congregation that in a dead silence waited for the issue. The count went
+on. Thirty. Forty. Fifty--oh! it seemed an age.
+
+At length sixty fell from his lips. He waited a while and all watched
+the Prince, not doubting but that he would fall dead. But instead he
+turned to Kohath and asked quietly if this ordeal was now finished, as
+he desired to make an offering to the temple, which he had been invited
+to visit, and begone.
+
+"Our God has given his answer," said Jabez. "Accept it, men of Israel.
+What this Prince did he did by chance, not of design."
+
+They turned and went without a word, and after I had laid the offering,
+no mean one, in the appointed place, we followed them.
+
+"It would seem that yours is no gentle god," said the Prince to Kohath,
+when at length we were outside the temple.
+
+"At least he is just, your Highness. Had it been otherwise, you who had
+violated his sanctuary, although by chance, would ere now be dead."
+
+"Then you hold, Priest, that Jahveh has power to slay us when he is
+angry?"
+
+"Without a doubt, your Highness--as, if our Prophets speak truth, I
+think that Egypt will learn ere all be done," he added grimly.
+
+Seti looked at him and answered:
+
+"It may be so, but all gods, or their priests, claim the power to
+torment and slay those who worship other gods. It is not only women who
+are jealous, Kohath, or so it seems. Yet I think that you do your god
+injustice, seeing that even if this strength is his, he proved more
+merciful than his worshippers who knew well that I only grasped the veil
+to save myself from falling. If ever I visit your temple again it shall
+be in the company of those who can match might against might, whether of
+the spirit or the sword. Farewell."
+
+So we reached the chariot, near to which stood Jabez, he who had saved
+us.
+
+"Prince," he whispered, glancing at the crowd who lingered not far away,
+silent and glowering, "I pray you leave this land swiftly for here your
+life is not safe. I know it was by chance, but you have defiled the
+sanctuary and seen that upon which eyes may not look save those of the
+highest priests, an offence no Israelite can forgive."
+
+"And you, or your people, Jabez, would have defiled this sanctuary of
+my life, spilling my heart's blood and _not_ by chance. Surely you are
+a strange folk who seek to make an enemy of one who has tried to be your
+friend."
+
+"I do not seek it," exclaimed Jabez. "I would that we might have
+Pharaoh's mouth and ear who soon will himself be Pharaoh upon our side.
+O Prince of Egypt, be not wroth with all the children of Israel because
+their wrongs have made some few of them stubborn and hard-hearted.
+Begone now, and of your goodness remember my words."
+
+"I will remember," said Seti, signing to the charioteer to drive on.
+
+Yet still the Prince lingered in the town, saying that he feared nothing
+and would learn all he could of this people and their ways that he might
+report the better of them to Pharaoh. For my part I believed that there
+was one face which he wished to see again before he left, but of this I
+thought it wise to say nothing.
+
+At length about midday we did depart, and drove eastwards on the track
+of Amenmeses and our company. All the afternoon we drove thus, preceded
+by the two soldiers disguised as runners and followed, as a distant
+cloud of dust told me, by the captain and his chariots, whom I had
+secretly commanded to keep us in sight.
+
+Towards evening we came to the pass in the story hills which bounded the
+land of Goshen. Here Seti descended from the chariot, and we climbed,
+accompanied by the two soldiers whom I signed to follow us, to the crest
+of one of these hills that was strewn with huge boulders and lined with
+ridges of sandstone, between which gullies had been cut by the winds of
+thousands of years.
+
+Leaning against one of these ridges we looked back upon a wondrous
+sight. Far away across the fertile plain appeared the town that we had
+left, and behind it the sun sank. It would seem as though some storm
+had broken there, although the firmament above us was clear and blue.
+At least in front of the town two huge pillars of cloud stretched from
+earth to heaven like the columns of some mighty gateway. One of these
+pillars was as though it were made of black marble, and the other like
+to molten gold. Between them ran a road of light ending in a glory, and
+in the midst of the glory the round ball of Ra, the Sun, burned like the
+eye of God. The spectacle was as awesome as it was splendid.
+
+"Have you ever seen such a sky in Egypt, Prince?" I asked.
+
+"Never," he answered, and although he spoke low, in that great stillness
+his voice sounded loud to me.
+
+For a while longer we watched, till suddenly the sun sank, and only the
+glory about it and above remained, which took shapes like to the palaces
+and temples of a city in the heavens, a far city that no mortal could
+reach except in dreams.
+
+"I know not why, Ana," said Seti, "but for the first time since I was a
+man I feel afraid. It seems to me that there are omens in the sky and I
+cannot read them. Would that Ki were here to tell us what is signified
+by the pillar of blackness to the right and the pillar of fire to the
+left, and what god has his home in the city of glory behind, and how
+man's feet may walk along the shining road which leads to its pylon
+gates. I tell you that I am afraid; it is as though Death were very near
+to me and all his wonders open to my mortal sight."
+
+"I too am afraid," I whispered. "Look! The pillars move. That of fire
+goes before; that of black cloud follows after, and between them I seem
+to see a countless multitude marching in unending companies. See how the
+light glitters on their spears! Surely the god of the Hebrews is afoot."
+
+"He, or some other god, or no god at all, who knows? Come, Ana, let us
+be going if we would reach that camp ere dark."
+
+So we descended from the ridge, and re-entering the chariot, drove on
+towards the neck of the pass. Now this neck was very narrow, not more
+than four paces wide for a certain distance, and, on either side of
+the roadway were tumbled sandstone boulders, between which grew desert
+plants, and gullies that had been cut by storm-water, while beyond these
+rose the sides of the mountain. Here the horses went at a walk towards a
+turn in the path, at which point the land began to fall again.
+
+When we were about half a spear's throw from this turn of a sudden I
+heard a sound and, glancing to the right, perceived a woman leaping down
+the hillside towards us. The charioteer saw also and halted the horses,
+and the two runner guards turned and drew their swords. In less than
+half a minute the woman had reached us, coming out of the shadow so that
+the light fell upon her face.
+
+"Merapi!" exclaimed the Prince and I, speaking as though with one
+breath.
+
+Merapi it was indeed, but in evil case. Her long hair had broken loose
+and fell about her, the cloak she wore was torn, and there were blood
+and foam upon her lips. She stood gasping, since speak she could not for
+breathlessness, supporting herself with one hand upon the side of the
+chariot and with the other pointing to the bend in the road. At last a
+word came, one only. It was:
+
+"Murder!"
+
+"She means that she is going to be murdered," said the Prince to me.
+
+"No," she panted, "you--you! The Hebrews. Go back!"
+
+"Turn the horses!" I cried to the charioteer.
+
+He began to obey helped by the two guards, but because of the narrowness
+of the road and the steepness of the banks this was not easy. Indeed
+they were but half round in such fashion that they blocked the pathway
+from side to side, when a wild yell of 'Jahveh' broke upon our ears,
+and from round the bend, a few paces away, rushed a horde of fierce,
+hook-nosed men, brandishing knives and swords. Scarcely was there time
+for us to leap behind the shelter of the chariot and make ready, when
+they were on us.
+
+"Hearken," I said to the charioteer as they came, "run as you never ran
+before, and bring up the guard behind!"
+
+He sprang away like an arrow.
+
+"Get back, Lady," cried Seti. "This is no woman's work, and see here
+comes Laban to seek you," and he pointed with his sword at the leader of
+the murderers.
+
+She obeyed, staggering a few paces to a stone at the roadside, behind
+which she crouched. Afterwards she told me that she had no strength to
+go further, and indeed no will, since if we were killed, it were better
+that she who had warned us should be killed also.
+
+Now they had reached us, the whole flood of them, thirty or forty men.
+The first who came stabbed the frightened horses, and down they went
+against the bank, struggling. On the chariot leapt the Hebrews, seeking
+to come at us, and we met them as best we might, tearing off our cloaks
+and throwing them over our left arms to serve as shields.
+
+Oh! what a fight was that. In the open, or had we not been prepared, we
+must have been slain at once, but, as it was, the place and the barrier
+of the chariot gave us some advantage. So narrow was the roadway, the
+walls of which were here too steep to climb, that not more than four of
+the Hebrews could strike at us at once, which four must first surmount
+the chariot or the still living horses.
+
+But we also were four, and thanks to Userti, two of us were clad in mail
+beneath our robes--four strong men fighting for their lives. Against us
+came four of the Hebrews. One leapt from the chariot straight at Seti,
+who received him upon the point of his iron sword, whereof I heard the
+hilt ring against his breast-bone, that same famous iron sword which
+to-day lies buried with him in his grave.
+
+Down he came dead, throwing the Prince to the ground by the weight of
+his body. The Hebrew who attacked me caught his foot on the chariot
+pole and fell forward, so I killed him easily with a blow upon the head,
+which gave me time to drag the Prince to his feet again before another
+followed. The two guards also, sturdy fighters both of them, killed or
+mortally wounded their men. But others were pressing behind so thick and
+fast that I could keep no count of all that happened afterwards.
+
+Presently I saw one of the guards fall, slain by Laban. A stab on the
+breast sent me reeling backwards; had it not been for that mail I was
+sped. The other guard killed him who would have killed me, and then
+himself was killed by two who came on him at once.
+
+Now only the Prince and I were left, fighting back to back. He closed
+with one man, a very great fellow, and wounded him on the hand, so that
+he dropped his sword. This man gripped him round the middle and they
+rolled together on the ground. Laban appeared and stabbed the Prince in
+the back, but the curved knife he was using snapped on the Syrian mail.
+I struck at Laban and wounded him on the head, dazing him so that he
+staggered back and seemed to fall over the chariot. Then others rushed
+at me, and but for Userti's armour three times at least I must have
+died. Fighting madly, I staggered against the rock, and whilst waiting
+for a new onset, saw that Seti, hurt by Laban's thrust, was now beneath
+the great Hebrew who had him by the throat, and was choking the life out
+of him.
+
+I saw something else also--a woman holding a sword with both hands and
+stabbing downward, after which the grip of the Hebrew loosened from
+Seti's throat.
+
+"Traitress!" cried one, and struck at her, so that she reeled back hurt.
+Then when all seemed finished, and beneath the rain of blows my senses
+were failing, I heard the thunder of horses' hoofs and the shout of
+"_Egypt! Egypt!_" from the throats of soldiers. The flash of bronze
+caught my dazed eyes, and with the roar of battle in my ears I seemed to
+fall asleep just as the light of day departed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+SETI COUNSELS PHARAOH
+
+Dream upon dream. Dreams of voices, dreams of faces, dreams of sunlight
+and of moonlight and of myself being borne forward, always forward;
+dreams of shouting crowds, and, above all, dreams of Merapi's eyes
+looking down on me like two watching stars from heaven. Then at last the
+awakening, and with it throbs of pain and qualms of sickness.
+
+At first I thought that I was dead and lying in a tomb. Then by degrees
+I saw that I was in no tomb but in a darkened room that was familiar
+to me, my own room in Seti's palace at Tanis. It must be so, for
+there, near to the bed on which I lay, was my own chest filled with the
+manuscripts that I had brought from Memphis. I tried to lift my left
+hand, but could not, and looking down saw that the arm was bandaged like
+to that of a mummy, which made me think again that I must be dead, if
+the dead could suffer so much pain. I closed my eyes and thought or
+slept a while.
+
+As I lay thus I heard voices. One of them seemed to be that of a
+physician, who said, "Yes, he will live and ere long recover. The blow
+upon the head which has made him senseless for so many days was the
+worst of his wounds, but the bone was but bruised, not shattered or
+driven in upon the brain. The flesh cuts on his arms are healing well,
+and the mail he wore protected his vitals from being pierced."
+
+"I am glad, physician," answered a voice that I knew to be that of
+Userti, "since without a doubt, had it not been for Ana, his Highness
+would have perished. It is strange that one whom I thought to be nothing
+but a dreaming scribe should have shown himself so brave a warrior. The
+Prince says that this Ana killed three of those dogs with his own hands,
+and wounded others."
+
+"It was well done, your Highness," answered the physician, "but still
+better was his forethought in providing a rear-guard and in despatching
+the charioteer to call it up. It seems to have been the Hebrew lady who
+really saved the life of his Highness, when, forgetting her sex, she
+stabbed the murderer who had him by the throat."
+
+"That is the Prince's tale, or so I understand," she answered coldly.
+"Yet it seems strange that a weak and worn-out girl could have pierced a
+giant through from back to breast."
+
+"At least she warned him of the ambush, your Highness."
+
+"So they say. Perhaps Ana here will soon tell us the truth about these
+matters. Tend him well, physician, and you shall not lack for your
+reward."
+
+Then they went away, still talking, and I lay quiet, filled with
+thankfulness and wonder, for now everything came back to me.
+
+A while later, as I lay with my eyes still shut, for even that low light
+seemed to hurt them, I became aware of a woman's soft step stealing
+round my bed and of a fragrance such as comes from a woman's robes and
+hair. I looked and saw Merapi's star-like eyes gazing down on me just as
+I had seen them in my dreams.
+
+"Greeting, Moon of Israel," I said. "Of a truth we meet again in strange
+case."
+
+"Oh!" she whispered, "are you awake at last? I thank God, Scribe Ana,
+who for three days thought that you must die."
+
+"As, had it not been for you, Lady, surely I should have done--I and
+another. Now it seems that all three of us will live."
+
+"Would that but two lived, the Prince and you, Ana. Would that _I_ had
+died," she answered, sighing heavily.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Cannot you guess? Because I am outcast who has betrayed my people.
+Because their blood flows between me and them. For I killed that
+man, and he was my own kinsman, for the sake of an Egyptian--I mean,
+Egyptians. Therefore the curse of Jahveh is on me, and as my kinsman
+died doubtless I shall die in a day to come, and afterwards--what?"
+
+"Afterwards peace and great reward, if there be justice in earth or
+heaven, O most noble among women."
+
+"Would that I could think so! Hush, I hear steps. Drink this; I am the
+chief of your nurses, Scribe Ana, an honourable post, since to-day all
+Egypt loves and praises you."
+
+"Surely it is you, lady Merapi, whom all Egypt should love and praise,"
+I answered.
+
+Then the Prince Seti entered. I strove to salute him by lifting my less
+injured arm, but he caught my hand and pressed it tenderly.
+
+"Hail to you, beloved of Menthu, god of war," he said, with his pleasant
+laugh. "I thought I had hired a scribe, and lo! in this scribe I find a
+soldier who might be an army's boast."
+
+At this moment he caught sight of Merapi, who had moved back into the
+shadow.
+
+"Hail to you also, Moon of Israel," he said bowing. "If I name Ana here
+a warrior of the best, what name can both of us find for you to whom we
+owe our lives? Nay, look not down, but answer."
+
+"Prince of Egypt," she replied confusedly, "I did but little. The plot
+came to my ears through Jabez my uncle, and I fled away and, knowing
+the short paths from childhood, was just in time. Had I stayed to think
+perchance I should not have dared."
+
+"And what of the rest, Lady? What of the Hebrew who was choking me and
+of a certain sword thrust that loosed his hands for ever?"
+
+"Of that, your Highness, I can recall nothing, or very little," then,
+doubtless remembering what she had just said to me, she made obeisance
+and passed from the chamber.
+
+"She can tell falsehoods as sweetly as she does all else," said Seti,
+when he had watched her go. "Oh! what a woman have we here, Ana. Perfect
+in beauty, perfect in courage, perfect in mind. Where are her faults, I
+wonder? Let it be your part to search them out, since I find none."
+
+"Ask them of Ki, O Prince. He is a very great magician, so great that
+perhaps his art may even avail to discover what a woman seeks to hide.
+Also you may remember that he gave you certain warnings before we
+journeyed to Goshen."
+
+"Yes--he told me that my life would be in danger, as certainly it was.
+There he was right. He told me also that I should see a woman whom I
+should come to love. There he was wrong. I have seen no such woman. Oh!
+I know well what is passing in your mind. Because I hold the lady Merapi
+to be beautiful and brave, you think that I love her. But it is not so.
+I love no woman, except, of course, her Highness. Ana, you judge me by
+yourself."
+
+"Ki said 'come to love,' Prince. There is yet time."
+
+"Not so, Ana. If one loves, one loves at once. Soon I shall be old and
+she will be fat and ugly, and how can one love then? Get well quickly,
+Ana, for I wish you to help me with my report to Pharaoh. I shall tell
+him that I think these Israelites are much oppressed and that he should
+make them amends and let them go."
+
+"What will Pharaoh say to that after they have just tried to kill his
+heir?"
+
+"I think Pharaoh will be angry, and so will the people of Egypt, who do
+not reason well. He will not see that, believing what they do, Laban
+and his band were right to try to kill me who, however unwittingly,
+desecrated the sanctuary of their god. Had they done otherwise they
+would have been no good Hebrews, and for my part I cannot bear them
+malice. Yet all Egypt is afire about this business and cries out that
+the Israelites should be destroyed."
+
+"It seems to me, Prince, that whatever may be the case with Ki's second
+prophecy, his third is in the way of fulfilment--namely that this
+journey to Goshen may cause you to risk your throne."
+
+He shrugged his shoulders and answered:
+
+"Not even for that, Ana, will I say to Pharaoh what is not in my mind.
+But let that matter be till you are stronger."
+
+"What chanced at the end of the fight, Prince, and how came I here?"
+
+"The guard killed most of the Hebrews who remained alive. Some few fled
+and escaped in the darkness, among them Laban their leader, although you
+had wounded him, and six were taken alive. They await their trial. I was
+but little hurt and you, whom we thought dead, were but senseless, and
+senseless or wandering you have remained till this hour. We carried you
+in a litter, and here you have been these three days."
+
+"And the lady Merapi?"
+
+"We set her in a chariot and brought her to the city, since had we left
+her she would certainly have been murdered by her people. When Pharaoh
+heard what she had done, as I did not think it well that she should
+dwell here, he gave her the small house in this garden that she might
+be guarded, and with it slave women to attend upon her. So there she
+dwells, having the freedom of the palace, and all the while has filled
+the office of your nurse."
+
+At this moment I grew faint and shut my eyes. When I opened them again,
+the Prince had gone. Six more days went by before I was allowed to leave
+my bed, and during this time I saw much of Merapi. She was very sad and
+lived in fear of being killed by the Hebrews. Also she was troubled in
+her heart because she thought she had betrayed her faith and people.
+
+"At least you are rid of Laban," I said.
+
+"Never shall I be rid of him while we both live," she answered. "I
+belong to him and he will not loose my bond, because his heart is set on
+me."
+
+"And is your heart set on him?" I asked.
+
+Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.
+
+"A woman may not have a heart. Oh! Ana, I am unhappy," she answered, and
+went away.
+
+Also I saw others. The Princess came to visit me. She thanked me much
+because I had fulfilled my promise to her and guarded the Prince.
+Moreover she brought me a gift of gold from Pharaoh, and other gifts of
+fine raiment from herself. She questioned me closely about Merapi, of
+whom I could see she was already jealous, and was glad when she learned
+that she was affianced to a Hebrew. Old Bakenkhonsu came too, and asked
+me many things about the Prince, the Hebrews and Merapi, especially
+Merapi, of whose deeds, he said, all Egypt was talking, questions that I
+answered as best I could.
+
+"Here we have that woman of whom Ki told us," he said, "she who shall
+bring so much joy and so much sorrow to the Prince of Egypt."
+
+"Why so?" I asked. "He has not taken her into his house, nor do I think
+that he means to do so."
+
+"Yet he will, Ana, whether he means it or not. For his sake she betrayed
+her people, which among the Israelites is a deadly crime. Twice she
+saved his life, once by warning him of the ambush, and again by stabbing
+with her own hands one of her kinsmen who was murdering him. Is it not
+so? Tell me; you were there."
+
+"It is so, but what then?"
+
+"This: that whatever she may say, she loves him; unless indeed, it is
+you whom she loves," and he looked at me shrewdly.
+
+"When a woman has a prince, and such a prince to her hand, would she
+trouble herself to set snares to catch a scribe?" I asked, with some
+bitterness.
+
+"Oho!" he said, with one of his great laughs, "so things stand thus, do
+they? Well, I thought it, but, friend Ana, be warned in time. Do not try
+to conjure down the Moon to be your household lamp lest she should set,
+and the Sun, her lord, should grow wroth and burn you up. Well, she
+loves him, and therefore soon or late she will make him love her, being
+what she is."
+
+"How, Bakenkhonsu?"
+
+"With most men, Ana, it would be simple. A sigh, some half-hidden tears
+at the right moment, and the thing is done, as I have known it done a
+thousand times. But this prince being what he is, it may be otherwise.
+She may show him that her name is gone from him; that because of him she
+is hated by her people, and rejected by her god, and thus stir his pity,
+which is Love's own sister. Or mayhap, being also, as I am told, wise,
+she will give him counsel as to all these matters of the Israelites, and
+thus creep into his heart under the guise of friendship, and then her
+sweetness and her beauty will do the rest in Nature's way. At least by
+this road or by that, upstream or downstream, thither she will come."
+
+"If so, what of it? It is the custom of the kings of Egypt to have more
+wives than one."
+
+"This, Ana; Seti, I think, is a man who in truth will have but one, and
+that one will be this Hebrew. Yes, a Hebrew woman will rule Egypt, and
+turn him to the worship of her god, for never will she worship ours.
+Indeed, when they see that she is lost to them, her people will use her
+thus. Or perchance her god himself will use her to fulfil his purpose,
+as already he may have used her."
+
+"And afterwards, Bakenkhonsu?"
+
+"Afterwards--who knows? I am not a magician, at least not one of any
+account, ask it of Ki. But I am very, very old and I have watched the
+world, and I tell you that these things will happen, unless----" and he
+paused.
+
+"Unless what?"
+
+He dropped his voice.
+
+"Unless Userti is bolder than I think, and kills her first or, better
+still, procures some Hebrew to kill her--say, that cast-off lover
+of hers. If you would be a friend to Pharaoh and to Egypt, you might
+whisper it in her ear, Ana."
+
+"Never!" I answered angrily.
+
+"I did not think you would, Ana, who also struggle in this net of
+moonbeams that is stronger and more real than any twisted out of palm
+or flax. Well, nor will I, who in my age love to watch such human sport
+and, being so near to them, fear to thwart the schemes of gods. Let this
+scroll unroll itself as it will, and when it is open, read it, Ana, and
+remember what I said to you this day. It will be a pretty tale, written
+at the end with blood for ink. Oho! O-ho-ho!" and, laughing, he hobbled
+from the room, leaving me frightened.
+
+Moreover the Prince visited me every day, and even before I left my bed
+began to dictate to me his report to Pharaoh, since he would employ no
+other scribe. The substance of it was what he had foreshadowed, namely
+that the people of Israel, having suffered much for generations at
+the hands of the Egyptians, should now be allowed to depart as their
+prophets demanded, and go whither they would unharmed. Of the attack
+upon us in the pass he made light, saying it was the evil work of a few
+zealots wrought on by fancied insult to their god, a deed for which the
+whole people should not be called upon to suffer. The last words of the
+report were:
+
+"Remember, O Pharaoh, I pray thee, that Amon, god of the Egyptians,
+and Jahveh, the god of the Israelites, cannot rule together in the same
+land. If both abide in Egypt there will be a war of the gods wherein
+mortals may be ground to dust. Therefore, I pray thee, let Israel go."
+
+After I had risen and was recovered, I copied out this report in my
+fairest writing, refusing to tell any of its purport, although all
+asked, among them the Vizier Nehesi, who offered me a bribe to disclose
+its secret. This came to the ears of Seti, I know not how, and he was
+much pleased with me about the matter, saying he rejoiced to find that
+there was one scribe in Egypt who could not be bought. Userti also
+questioned me, and when I refused to answer, strange to say, was not
+angry, because, she declared, I only did my duty.
+
+At last the roll was finished and sealed, and the Prince with his own
+hand, but without speaking, laid it on the knees of Pharaoh at a public
+Court, for this he would trust no one else to do. Amenmeses also brought
+up his report, as did Nehesi the Vizier, and the Captain of the guard
+which saved us from death. Eight days later the Prince was summoned to a
+great Council of State, as were all others of the royal House, together
+with the high officers. I too received a summons, as one who had been
+concerned in these matters.
+
+The Prince, accompanied by the Princess, drove to the palace in
+Pharaoh's golden chariot, drawn by two milk-white horses of the blood of
+those famous steeds that had saved the life of the great Rameses in the
+Syrian war. All down the streets, that were filled with thousands of the
+people, they were received with shouts of welcome.
+
+"See," said the old councillor Bakenkhonsu, who was my companion in a
+second chariot, "Egypt is proud and glad. It thought that its Prince was
+but a dreamer of dreams. But now it has heard the tale of the ambush in
+the pass and learned that he is a man of war, a warrior who can fight
+with the best. Therefore it loves him and rejoices."
+
+"Then, by the same rule, Bakenkhonsu, a butcher should be more great
+than the wisest of scribes."
+
+"So he is, Ana, especially if the butcher be one of men. The writer
+creates, but the slayer kills, and in a world ruled of death he who
+kills has more honour than he who creates. Hearken, now they are
+shouting out your name. Is that because you are the author of certain
+writings? I tell you, No. It is because you killed three men yonder in
+the pass. If you would become famous and beloved, Ana, cease from the
+writing of books and take to the cutting of throats."
+
+"Yet the writer still lives when he is dead."
+
+"Oho!" laughed Bakenkhonsu, "you are even more foolish than I thought.
+How is a man advantaged by what happens when he is dead? Why, to-day
+that blind beggar whining on the temple steps means more to Egypt than
+all the mummies of all the Pharaohs, unless they can be robbed. Take
+what life can give you, Ana, and do not trouble about the offerings
+which are laid in the tombs for time to crumble."
+
+"That is a mean faith, Bakenkhonsu."
+
+"Very mean, Ana, like all else that we can taste and handle. A mean
+faith suited to mean hearts, among whom should be reckoned all save one
+in every thousand. Yet, if you would prosper, follow it, and when you
+are dead I will come and laugh upon your grave, and say, 'Here lies one
+of whom I had hoped higher things, as I hope them of your master.'"
+
+"And not in vain, Bakenkhonsu, whatever may happen to the servant."
+
+"That we shall learn, and ere long, I think. I wonder who will ride at
+his side before the next Nile flood. By then, perchance, he will have
+changed Pharaoh's golden chariot for an ox-cart, and you will goad the
+oxen and talk to him of the stars--or, mayhap of the moon. Well, you
+might both be happier thus, and she of the moon is a jealous goddess who
+loves worship. Oho-ho! Here are the palace steps. Help me to descend,
+Priest of the Lady of the Moon."
+
+We entered the palace and were led through the great hall to a smaller
+chamber where Pharaoh, who did not wear his robes of state, awaited us,
+seated in a cedar chair. Glancing at him I saw that his face was stern
+and troubled; also it seemed to me that he had grown older. The Prince
+and Princess made obeisance to him, as did we lesser folk, but he took
+no heed. When all were present and the doors had been shut, Pharaoh
+said:
+
+"I have read your report, Son Seti, concerning your visit to the
+Israelites, and all that chanced to you; and also the reports of you,
+nephew Amenmeses, and of you, Officers, who accompanied the Prince of
+Egypt. Before I speak of them, let the Scribe Ana, who was the chariot
+companion of his Highness when the Hebrews attacked him, stand forward
+and tell me all that passed."
+
+So I advanced, and with bowed head repeated that tale, only leaving
+out so far as was possible any mention of myself. When I had finished,
+Pharaoh said:
+
+"He who speaks but half the truth is sometimes more mischievous than a
+liar. Did you then sit in the chariot, Scribe, doing nothing while the
+Prince battled for his life? Or did you run away? Speak, Seti, and say
+what part this man played for good or ill."
+
+Then the Prince told of my share in the fight, with words that brought
+the blood to my brow. He told also how that it was I who, taking the
+risk of his wrath, had ordered the guard of twenty men to follow us
+unseen, had disguised two seasoned soldiers as chariot runners, and had
+thought to send back the driver to summon help at the commencement of
+the fray; how I had been hurt also, and was but lately recovered. When
+he had finished, Pharaoh said:
+
+"That this story is true I know from others. Scribe, you have done
+well. But for you to-day his Highness would lie upon the table of the
+embalmers, as indeed for his folly he deserves to do, and Egypt would
+mourn from Thebes to the mouths of Nile. Come hither."
+
+I came with trembling steps, and knelt before his Majesty. Around his
+neck hung a beauteous chain of wrought gold. He took it, and cast it
+over my head, saying:
+
+"Because you have shown yourself both brave and wise, with this gold I
+give you the title of Councillor and King's Companion, and the right
+to inscribe the same upon your funeral stele. Let it be noted. Retire,
+Scribe Ana, Councillor and King's Companion."
+
+So I withdrew confused, and as I passed Seti, he whispered in my ear:
+
+"I pray you, my lord, do not cease to be Prince's Companion, because you
+have become that of the King."
+
+Then Pharaoh ordered that the Captain of the guard should be advanced
+in rank, and that gifts should be given to each of the soldiers, and
+provision be made for the children of those who had been killed, with
+double allowance to the families of the two men whom I had disguised as
+runners.
+
+This done, once more Pharaoh spoke, slowly and with much meaning, having
+first ordered that all attendants and guards should leave the chamber. I
+was about to go also, but old Bakenkhonsu caught me by the robe, saying
+that in my new rank of Councillor I had the right to remain.
+
+"Prince Seti," he said, "after all that I have heard, I find this report
+of yours strange reading. Moreover, the tenor of it is different indeed
+to that of those of the Count Amenmeses and the officers. You counsel me
+to let these Israelites go where they will, because of certain hardships
+that they have suffered in the past, which hardships, however, have left
+them many and rich. That counsel I am not minded to take. Rather am I
+minded to send an army to the land of Goshen with orders to despatch
+this people, who conspired to murder the Prince of Egypt, through the
+Gateway of the West, there to worship their god in heaven or in hell.
+Aye, to slay them all from the greybeard down to the suckling at the
+breast."
+
+"I hear Pharaoh," said Seti, quietly.
+
+"Such is my will," went on Meneptah, "and those who accompanied you upon
+your business, and all my councillors think as I do, for truly Egypt
+cannot bear so hideous a treason. Yet, according to our law and custom
+it is needful, before such great acts of war and policy are undertaken,
+that he who stands next to the throne, and is destined to fill it,
+should give consent thereto. Do you consent, Prince of Egypt?"
+
+"I do not consent, Pharaoh. I think it would be a wicked deed that tens
+of thousands should be massacred for the reason that a few fools waylaid
+a man who chanced to be of royal blood, because by inadvertence, he had
+desecrated their sanctuary."
+
+Now I saw that this answer made Pharaoh wroth, for never before had his
+will been crossed in such a fashion. Still he controlled himself, and
+asked:
+
+"Do you then consent, Prince, to a gentler sentence, namely that the
+Hebrew people should be broken up; that the more dangerous of them
+should be sent to labour in the desert mines and quarries, and the rest
+distributed throughout Egypt, there to live as slaves?"
+
+"I do not consent, Pharaoh. My poor counsel is written in yonder roll
+and cannot be changed."
+
+Meneptah's eyes flashed, but again he controlled himself, and asked:
+
+"If you should come to fill this place of mine, Prince Seti, tell us,
+here assembled, what policy will you pursue towards these Hebrews?"
+
+"That policy, O Pharaoh, which I have counselled in the roll. If ever
+I fill the throne, I shall let them go whither they will, taking their
+goods with them."
+
+Now all those present stared at him and murmured. But Pharaoh rose,
+shaking with wrath. Seizing his robe where it was fastened at the
+breast, he rent it, and cried in a terrible voice:
+
+"Hear him, ye gods of Egypt! Hear this son of mine who defies me to my
+face and would set your necks beneath the heel of a stranger god. Prince
+Seti, in the presence of these royal ones, and these my councillors,
+I----"
+
+He said no more, for the Princess Userti, who till now had remained
+silent, ran to him, and throwing her arms about him, began to whisper in
+his ear. He hearkened to her, then sat himself down, and spoke again:
+
+"The Princess brings it to my mind that this is a great matter, one not
+to be dealt with hastily. It may happen that when the Prince has taken
+counsel with her, and with his own heart, and perchance has sought the
+wisdom of the gods, he will change the words which have passed his lips.
+I command you, Prince, to wait upon me here at this same hour on the
+third day from this. Meanwhile, I command all present, upon pain of
+death, to say nothing of what has passed within these walls."
+
+"I hear Pharaoh," said the Prince, bowing.
+
+Meneptah rose to show that the Council was discharged, when the Vizier
+Nehesi approached him, and asked:
+
+"What of the Hebrew prisoners, O Pharaoh, those murderers who were
+captured in the pass?"
+
+"Their guilt is proved. Let them be beaten with rods till they die, and
+if they have wives or children, let them be seized and sold as slaves."
+
+"Pharaoh's will be done!" said the Vizier.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+THE SMITING OF AMON
+
+That evening I sat ill at ease in my work-chamber in Seti's palace,
+making pretence to write, I who felt that great evils threatened my
+lord the Prince, and knew not what to do to turn them from him. The door
+opened, and old Pambasa the chamberlain appeared and addressed me by my
+new titles, saying that the Hebrew lady Merapi, who had been my nurse in
+sickness, wished to speak with me. Presently she came and stood before
+me.
+
+"Scribe Ana," she said, "I have but just seen my uncle Jabez, who has
+come, or been sent, with a message to me," and she hesitated.
+
+"Why was he sent, Lady? To bring you news of Laban?"
+
+"Not so. Laban has fled away and none know where he is, and Jabez has
+only escaped much trouble as the uncle of a traitress by undertaking
+this mission."
+
+"What is the mission?"
+
+"To pray me, if I would save myself from death and the vengeance of God,
+to work upon the heart of his Highness, which I know not how to do----"
+
+"Yet I think you might find means, Merapi."
+
+"----save through you, his friend and counsellor," she went on, turning
+away her face. "Jabez has learned that it is in the mind of Pharaoh
+utterly to destroy the people of Israel."
+
+"How does he know that, Merapi?"
+
+"I cannot say, but I think all the Hebrews know. I knew it myself though
+none had told me. He has learned also that this cannot be done under the
+law of Egypt unless the Prince who is heir to the throne and of full age
+consents. Now I am come to pray you to pray the Prince not to consent."
+
+"Why not pray to the Prince yourself, Merapi----" I began, when from
+the shadows behind me I heard the voice of Seti, who had entered by the
+private door bearing some writings in his hand, saying:
+
+"And what prayer has the lady Merapi to make to me? Nay, rise and speak,
+Moon of Israel."
+
+"O Prince," she pleaded, "my prayer is that you will save the Hebrews
+from death by the sword, as you alone have the power to do."
+
+At this moment the doors opened and in swept the royal Userti.
+
+"What does this woman here?" she asked.
+
+"I think that she came to see Ana, wife, as I did, and as doubtless you
+do. Also being here she prays me to save her people from the sword."
+
+"And I pray you, husband, to give her people to the sword, which they
+have earned, who would have murdered you."
+
+"And been paid, everyone of them, Userti, unless some still linger
+beneath the rods," he added with a shudder. "The rest are innocent--why
+should they die?"
+
+"Because your throne hangs upon it, Seti. I say that if you continue to
+thwart the will of Pharaoh, as by the law of Egypt you can do, he will
+disinherit you and set your cousin Amenmeses in your place, as by the
+law of Egypt he can do."
+
+"I thought it, Userti. Yet why should I turn my back upon the right over
+a matter of my private fortunes? The question is--is it the right?"
+
+She stared at him in amazement, she who never understood Seti and could
+not dream that he would throw away the greatest throne in all the world
+to save a subject people, merely because he thought that they should
+not die. Still, warned by some instinct, she left the first question
+unanswered, dealing only with the second.
+
+"It is the right," she said, "for many reasons whereof I need give but
+one, for in it lie all the others. The gods of Egypt are the true gods
+whom we must serve and obey, or perish here and hereafter. The god of
+the Israelites is a false god and those who worship him are heretics and
+by their heresy under sentence of death. Therefore it is most right
+that those whom the true gods have condemned should die by the swords of
+their servants."
+
+"That is well argued, Userti, and if it be so, mayhap my mind will
+become as yours in this matter, so that I shall no longer stand between
+Pharaoh and his desire. But is it so? There's the problem. I will not
+ask you why you say that the gods of the Egyptians are the true gods,
+because I know what you would answer, or rather that you could give no
+answer. But I will ask this lady whether her god is a false god, and if
+she replies that he is not, I will ask her to prove this to me if
+she can. If she is able to prove it, then I think that what I said to
+Pharaoh to-day I shall repeat three days hence. If she is not able to
+prove it, then I shall consider very earnestly of the matter. Answer
+now, Moon of Israel, remembering that many thousands of lives may hang
+on what you say."
+
+"O your Highness," began Merapi. Then she paused, clasped her hands and
+looked upwards. I think that she was praying, for her lips moved. As she
+stood thus I saw, and I think Seti saw also, a very wonderful light grow
+on her face and gather in her eyes, a kind of divine fire of inspiration
+and resolve.
+
+"How can I, a poor Hebrew maiden, prove to your Highness that my God is
+the true God and that the gods of Egypt are false gods? I know not, and
+yet, is there any one god among all the many whom you worship, whom you
+are prepared to set up against him?"
+
+"Of a surety, Israelite," answered Userti. "There is Amon-Ra, Father of
+the gods, of whom all other gods have their being, and from whom they
+draw their strength. Yonder his statue sits in the sanctuary of his
+ancient temple. Let your god stir him from his place! But what will you
+bring forward against the majesty of Amon-Ra?"
+
+"My God has no statues, Princess, and his place is in the hearts of
+men, or so I have been taught by his prophets. I have nothing to bring
+forward in this war save that which must be offered in all wars--my
+life."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Seti, astounded.
+
+"I mean that I, unfriended and alone, will enter the presence of Amon-Ra
+in his chosen sanctuary, and in the name of my God will challenge him to
+kill me, if he can."
+
+We stared at her, and Userti exclaimed:
+
+"If he can! Hearken now to this blasphemer, and do you, Seti, accept her
+challenge as hereditary high-priest of the god Amon? Let her life pay
+forfeit for her sacrilege."
+
+"And if the great god Amon cannot, or does not deign to kill you, Lady,
+how will that prove that your god is greater than he?" asked the Prince.
+"Perhaps he might smile and in his pity, let the insult pass, as your
+god did by me."
+
+"Thus it shall be proved, your Highness. If naught happens to me, or if
+I am protected from anything that does happen, then I will dare to call
+upon my god to work a sign and a wonder, and to humble Amon-Ra before
+your eyes."
+
+"And if your god should also smile and let the matter pass, Lady, as he
+did by me the other day when his priests called upon him, what shall we
+have learned as to his strength, or as to that of Amon-Ra?"
+
+"O Prince, you will have learned nothing. Yet if I escape from the wrath
+of Amon and my God is deaf to my prayer, then I am ready to be delivered
+over into the hands of the priests of Amon that they may avenge my
+sacrilege upon me."
+
+"There speaks a great heart," said Seti; "yet I am not minded that
+this lady should set her life upon such an issue. I do not believe that
+either the high-god of Egypt or the god of the Israelites will stir, but
+I am quite sure that the priests of Amon will avenge the sacrilege, and
+that cruelly enough. The dice are loaded against you, Lady. You shall
+not prove your faith with blood."
+
+"Why not?" asked Userti. "What is this girl to you, Seti, that you
+should stand between her and the fruit of her wickedness, you who at
+least in name are the high-priest of the god whom she blasphemes and who
+wear his robes at temple feasts? She believes in her god, leave it to
+her god to help her as she has dared to say he will."
+
+"You believe in Amon, Userti. Are you prepared to stake your life
+against hers in this contest?"
+
+"I am not so mad and vain, Seti, as to believe that the god of all the
+world will descend from heaven to save me at my prayer, as this impious
+girl pretends that she believes."
+
+"You refuse. Then, Ana, what say you, who are a loyal worshipper of
+Amon?"
+
+"I say, O Prince, that it would be presumptuous of me to take precedence
+of his high-priest in such a matter."
+
+Seti smiled and answered:
+
+"And the high-priest says that it would be presumptuous of him to push
+so far the prerogative of a high office which he never sought."
+
+"Your Highness," broke in Merapi in her honeyed, pleading voice, "I pray
+you to be gracious to me, and to suffer me to make this trial, which
+I have sought, I know not why. Words such as I have spoken cannot be
+recalled. Already they are registered in the books of Eternity, and soon
+or late, in this way or in that, must be fulfilled. My life is staked,
+and I desire to learn at once if it be forfeit."
+
+Now even Userti looked on her with admiration, but answered only:
+
+"Of a truth, Israelite, I trust that this courage will not forsake you
+when you are handed over to the mercies of Ki, the Sacrificer of Amon,
+and the priests, in the vaults of the temple you would profane."
+
+"I also trust that it will not, your Highness, if such should be my
+fate. Your word, Prince of Egypt."
+
+Seti looked at her standing before him so calmly with bowed head, and
+hands crossed upon her breast. Then he looked at Userti, who wore a
+mocking smile upon her face. She read the meaning of that smile as I
+did. It was that she did not believe that he would allow this beautiful
+woman, who had saved his life, to risk her life for the sake of any or
+all the powers of heaven or hell. For a little while he walked to and
+fro about the chamber, then he stopped and said suddenly addressing, not
+Merapi, but Userti:
+
+"Have your will, remembering that if this brave woman fails and dies,
+her blood is on your hands, and that if she triumphs and lives, I shall
+hold her to be one of the noblest of her sex, and shall make study of
+all this matter of religion. Moon of Israel, as titular high-priest of
+Amon-Ra, I accept your challenge on behalf of the god, though whether
+he will take note of it I do not know. The trial shall be made
+to-morrow night in the sanctuary of the temple, at an hour that will be
+communicated to you. I shall be present to make sure that you meet with
+justice, as will some others. Register my commands, Scribe Ana, and
+let the head-priest of Amon, Roi, and the sacrificer to Amon, Ki the
+Magician, be summoned, that I may speak with them. Farewell, Lady."
+
+She went, but at the door turned and said:
+
+"I thank you, Prince, on my own behalf, and on that of my people.
+Whatever chances, I beseech you do not forget the prayer that I have
+made to you to save them, being innocent, from the sword. Now I ask that
+I may be left quite alone till I am summoned to the temple, who must
+make such preparation as I can to meet my fate, whatever it may be."
+
+Userti departed also without a word.
+
+"Oh! friend, what have I done?" said Seti. "Are there any gods? Tell me,
+are there any gods?"
+
+"Perhaps we shall learn to-morrow night, Prince," I answered. "At least
+Merapi thinks that there is a god, and doubtless has been commanded to
+put her faith to proof. This, as I believe, was the real message that
+Jabez her uncle has brought to her."
+
+
+
+It was the hour before the dawn, just when the night is darkest. We
+stood in the sanctuary of the ancient temple of Amon-Ra, that was lit
+with many lamps. It was an awful place. On either side the great columns
+towered to the massive roof. At the head of the sanctuary sat the statue
+of Amon-Ra, thrice the size of a man. On his brow, rising from the
+crown, were two tall feathers of stone, and in his hands he held the
+Scourge of Rule and the symbols of Power and Everlastingness. The
+lamplight flickered upon his stern and terrible face staring towards the
+east. To his right was the statue of Mut, the Mother of all things. On
+her head was the double crown of Egypt and the uræus crest, and in her
+hand the looped cross, the sign of Life eternal. To his left sat Khonsu,
+the hawk-headed god of the moon. On his head was the crescent of the
+young moon carrying the disc of the full moon; in his right hand he also
+held the looped cross, the sign of Life eternal, and in his left the
+Staff of Strength. Such was this mighty triad, but of these the greatest
+was Amon-Ra, to whom the shrine was dedicated. Fearful they stood
+towering above us against the background of blackness.
+
+Gathered there were Seti the Prince, clothed in a priest's white
+robe, and wearing a linen headdress, but no ornaments, and Userti the
+Princess, high-priestess of Hathor, Lady of the West, Goddess of Love
+and Nature. She wore Hathor's vulture headdress, and on it the disc of
+the moon fashioned of silver. Also were present Roi the head-priest,
+clad in his sacerdotal robes, an old and wizened man with a strong,
+fierce face, Ki the Sacrificer and Magician, Bakenkhonsu the ancient,
+myself, and a company of the priests of Amon-Ra, Mut, and Khonsu. From
+behind the statues came the sound of solemn singing, though who sang we
+could not see.
+
+Presently from out of the darkness that lay beyond the lamps appeared a
+woman, led by two priestesses and wrapped in a long cloak. They brought
+her to an open place in front of the statue of Amon, took from her the
+cloak and departed, glancing back at her with eyes of hate and fear.
+There before us stood Merapi, clad in white, with a simple wimple about
+her head made fast beneath her chin with that scarabæus clasp which Seti
+had given to her in the city of Goshen, one spot of brightest blue amid
+a cloud of white. She looked neither to right nor left of her. Once only
+she glanced at the towering statue of the god that frowned above, then
+with a little shiver, fixed her eyes upon the pattern of the floor.
+
+"What does she look like?" whispered Bakenkhonsu to me.
+
+"A corpse made ready for the embalmers," I answered.
+
+He shook his great head.
+
+"Then a bride made ready for her husband."
+
+Again he shook his head.
+
+"Then a priestess about to read from the roll of Mysteries."
+
+"Now you have it, Ana, and to understand what she reads, which few
+priestesses ever do. Also all three answers were right, for in this
+woman I seem to see doom that is Death, life that is Love, and spirit
+that is Power. She has a soul which both Heaven and Earth have kissed."
+
+"Aye, but which of them will claim her in the end?"
+
+"That we may learn before the dawn, Ana. Hush! the fight begins."
+
+The head-priest, Roi, advanced and, standing before the god, sprinkled
+his feet with water and with perfume. Then he stretched out his hands,
+whereon all present prostrated themselves, save Merapi only, who stood
+alone in that great place like the survivor of a battle.
+
+"Hail to thee, Amon-Ra," he began, "Lord of Heaven, Establisher of
+all things, Maker of the gods, who unrolled the skies and built the
+foundations of the Earth. O god of gods, appears before thee this woman
+Merapi, daughter of Nathan, a child of the Hebrew race that owns thee
+not. This woman blasphemes thy might; this woman defies thee; this woman
+sets up her god above thee. Is it not so, woman?"
+
+"It is so," answered Merapi in a low voice.
+
+"Thus does she defy thee, thou Only One of many Forms, saying 'if the
+god Amon of the Egyptians be a greater god than my god, let him snatch
+me out of the arms of my god and here in this the shrine of Amon take
+the breath from out my lips and leave me a thing of clay.' Are these thy
+words, O woman?"
+
+"They are my words," she said in the same low voice, and oh! I shivered
+as I heard.
+
+The priest went on.
+
+"O Lord of Time, Lord of Life, Lord of Spirits and the Divinities of
+Heaven, Lord of Terror, come forth now in thy majesty and smite this
+blasphemer to the dust."
+
+Roi withdrew and Seti stood forward.
+
+"Know, O god Amon," he said, addressing the statue as though he wee
+speaking to a living man, "from the lips of me, thy high-priest, by
+birth the Prince and Heir of Egypt, that great things hang upon this
+matter here in the Land of Egypt, mayhap even who shall sit upon the
+throne that thou givest to its kings. This woman of Israel dares thee to
+thy face, saying that there is a greater god than thou art and that
+thou canst not harm her through the buckler of his strength. She says,
+moreover, that she will call upon her god to work a sign and a wonder
+upon thee. Lastly, she says that if thou dost not harm her and if her
+god works no sign upon thee, then she is ready to be handed over to thy
+priests and die the death of a blasphemer. Thy honour is set against her
+life, O great God of Egypt, and we, thy worshippers, watch to see the
+balance turn."
+
+"Well and justly put," muttered Bakenkhonsu to me. "Now if Amon fails
+us, what will you think of Amon, Ana?"
+
+"I shall learn the high-priest's mind and think what the high-priest
+thinks," I answered darkly, though in my heart I was terribly afraid
+for Merapi, and, to speak truth, for myself also, because of the doubts
+which arose in me and would not be quenched.
+
+Seti withdrew, taking his stand by Userti, and Ki stood forward and
+said:
+
+"O Amon, I thy Sacrificer, I thy Magician, to whom thou givest power,
+I the priest and servant of Isis, Mother of Mysteries, Queen of the
+company of the gods, call upon thee. She who stands before thee is but a
+Hebrew woman. Yet, as thou knowest well, O Father, in this house she is
+more than woman, inasmuch as she is the Voice and Sword of thine enemy,
+Jahveh, god of the Israelites. She thinks, mayhap, that she has come
+here of her own will, but thou knowest, Father Amon, as I know, that she
+is sent by the great prophets of her people, those magicians who guide
+her soul with spells to work thee evil and to set thee, Amon, beneath
+the heel of Jahveh. The stake seems small, the life of this one maid, no
+more; yet it is very great. This is the stake, O Father: Shall Amon rule
+the world, or Jahveh. If thou fallest to-night, thou fallest for ever;
+if thou dost triumph to-night, thou dost triumph for ever. In yonder
+shape of stone hides thy spirit; in yonder shape of woman's flesh hides
+the spirit of thy foe. Smite her, O Amon, smite her to small dust; let
+not the strength that is in her prevail against thy strength, lest thy
+name should be defiled and sorrows and loss should come upon the land
+which is thy throne; lest, too, the wizards of the Israelites should
+overcome us thy servants. Thus prayeth Ki thy magician, on whose soul it
+has pleased thee to pour strength and wisdom."
+
+Then followed a great silence.
+
+Watching the statue of the god, presently I thought that it moved, and
+as I could see by the stir among them, so did the others. I thought that
+its stone eyes rolled, I thought that it lifted the Scourge of Power in
+its granite hand, though whether these things were done by some spirit
+or by some priest, or by the magic of Ki, I do not know. At the least,
+a great wind began to blow about the temple, stirring our robes and
+causing the lamps to flicker. Only the robes of Merapi did not stir. Yet
+she saw what I could not see, for suddenly her eyes grew frightened.
+
+"The god is awake," whispered Bakenkhonsu. "Now good-bye to your fair
+Israelite. See, the Prince trembles, Ki smiles, and the face of Userti
+glows with triumph."
+
+As he spoke the blue scarabæus was snatched from Merapi's breast as
+though by a hand. It fell to the floor as did her wimple, so that now
+she appeared with her rich hair flowing down her robe. Then the eyes of
+the statue seemed to cease to roll, the wind ceased to blow, and again
+there was silence.
+
+Merapi stooped, lifted the wimple, replaced it on her head, found the
+scarabæus clasp, and very quietly, as a woman who was tiring herself
+might do, made it fast in its place again, a sight at which I heard
+Userti gasp.
+
+For a long while we waited. Watching the faces of the congregation, I
+saw amazement and doubt on those of the priests, rage on that of Ki, and
+on Seti's the flicker of a little smile. Merapi's eyes were closed as
+though she were asleep. At length she opened them, and turning her head
+towards the Prince said:
+
+"O high-priest of Amon-Ra, has your god worked his will on me, or must I
+wait longer before I call upon my God?"
+
+"Do what you will or can, woman, and make an end, for almost it is the
+moment of dawn when the temple worship opens."
+
+Then Merapi clasped her hands, and looking upwards, prayed aloud very
+sweetly and simply, saying:
+
+"O God of my fathers, trusting in Thee, I, a poor maid of Thy people
+Israel, have set the life Thou gavest me in Thy Hand. If, as I believe,
+Thou art the God of gods, I pray Thee show a sign and a wonder upon
+this god of the Egyptians, and thereby declare Thine Honour and keep
+my breath within my breast. If it pleases Thee not, then let me die, as
+doubtless for my many sins I deserve to do. O God of my fathers, I have
+made my prayer. Hear it or reject it according to Thy Will."
+
+So she ended, and listening to her, I felt the tears rising in my eyes,
+because she was so much alone, and I feared that this god of hers would
+never come to save her from the torments of the priests. Seti also
+turned his head away, and stared down the sanctuary at the sky over the
+open court where the lights of dawn were gathering.
+
+Once more there was silence. Then again that wind blew, very strongly,
+extinguishing the lamps, and, as it seemed to me, whirling away Merapi
+from where she was, so that now she stood to one side of the statue. The
+sanctuary was filled with gloom, till presently the first rays of
+the rising sun struck upon the roof. They fell down, down, as minute
+followed minute, till at length they rested like a sword of flame upon
+the statue of Amon-Ra. Once more that statue seemed to move. I thought
+that it lifted its stone arms to protect its head. Then in a moment with
+a rending noise, its mighty mass burst asunder, and fell in small dust
+about the throne, almost hiding it from sight.
+
+"Behold my God has answered me, the most humble of His servants," said
+Merapi in the same sweet and gentle voice. "Behold the sign and the
+wonder!"
+
+"Witch!" screamed the head-priest Roi, and fled away, followed by his
+fellows.
+
+"Sorceress!" hissed Userti, and fled also, as did all the others, save
+the Prince, Bakenkhonsu, I Ana, and Ki the Magician.
+
+We stood amazed, and while we did so, Ki turned to Merapi and spoke.
+His face was terrible with fear and fury, and his eyes shone like lamps.
+Although he did but whisper, I who was nearest to them heard all that
+was said, which the others could not do.
+
+"Your magic is good, Israelite," he muttered, "so good that it has
+overcome mine here in the temple where I serve."
+
+"I have no magic," she answered very low. "I obeyed a command, no more."
+
+He laughed bitterly, and asked:
+
+"Should two of a trade waste time on foolishness? Listen now. Teach
+me your secrets, and I will teach you mine, and together we will drive
+Egypt like a chariot."
+
+"I have no secrets, I have only faith," said Merapi again.
+
+"Woman," he went on, "woman or devil, will you take me for friend or
+foe? Here I have been shamed, since it was to me and not to their gods
+that the priests trusted to destroy you. Yet I can still forgive. Choose
+now, knowing that as my friendship will lead you to rule, to life and
+splendour, so my hate will drive you to shame and death."
+
+"You are beside yourself, and know not what you say. I tell you that I
+have no magic to give or to withhold," she answered, as one who did not
+understand or was indifferent, and turned away from him.
+
+Thereon he muttered some curse which I could not catch, bowed to the
+heap of dust that had been the statue of the god, and vanished away
+among the pillars of the sanctuary.
+
+"Oho-ho!" laughed Bakenkhonsu. "Not in vain have I lived to be so very
+old, for now it seems we have a new god in Egypt, and there stands his
+prophetess."
+
+Merapi came to the prince.
+
+"O high-priest of Amon," she said, "does it please you to let me go, for
+I am very weary?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE DEATH OF PHARAOH
+
+It was the appointed day and hour. By command of the Prince I drove with
+him to the palace of Pharaoh, whither her Highness the Princess refused
+to be his companion, and for the first time we talked together of that
+which had passed in the temple.
+
+"Have you seen the lady Merapi?" he asked of me.
+
+I answered No, as I was told that she was sick within her house and lay
+abed suffering from weariness, or I knew not what.
+
+"She does well to keep there," said Seti, "I think that if she came out
+those priests would murder her if they could. Also there are others,"
+and he glanced back at the chariot that bore Userti in state. "Say, Ana,
+can you interpret all this matter?"
+
+"Not I, Prince. I thought that perhaps your Highness, the high-priest of
+Anon, could give me light."
+
+"The high-priest of Amon wanders in thick darkness. Ki and the rest
+swear that this Israelite is a sorceress who has outmatched their magic,
+but to me it seems more simple to believe that what she says is true;
+that her god is greater than Amon."
+
+"And if this be true, Prince, what are we to do who are sworn to the
+gods of Egypt?"
+
+"Bow our heads and fall with them, I suppose, Ana, since honour will not
+suffer us to desert them."
+
+"Even if they be false, Prince?"
+
+"I do not think that they are false, Ana, though mayhap they be less
+true. At least they are the gods of the Egyptians and we are Egyptians."
+He paused and glanced at the crowded streets, then added, "See, when I
+passed this way three days ago I was received with shouts of welcome by
+the people. Now they are silent, every one."
+
+"Perhaps they have heard of what passed in the temple."
+
+"Doubtless, but it is not that which troubles them who think that the
+gods can guard themselves. They have heard also that I would befriend
+the Hebrews whom they hate, and therefore they begin to hate me. Why
+should I complain when Pharaoh shows them the way?"
+
+"Prince," I whispered, "what will you say to Pharaoh?"
+
+"That depends on what Pharaoh says to me. Ana, if I will not desert our
+gods because they seem to be the weaker, though it should prove to my
+advantage, do you think that I would desert these Hebrews because they
+seem to be weaker, even to gain a throne?"
+
+"There greatness speaks," I murmured, and as we descended from the
+chariot he thanked me with a look.
+
+We passed through the great hall to that same chamber where Pharaoh had
+given me the chain of gold. Already he was there seated at the head of
+the chamber and wearing on his head the double crown. About him were
+gathered all those of royal blood and the great officers of state. We
+made our obeisances, but of these he seemed to take no note. His eyes
+were almost closed, and to me he looked like a man who is very ill.
+The Princess Userti entered after us and to her he spoke some words of
+welcome, giving her his hand to kiss. Then he ordered the doors to be
+closed. As he did so, an officer of the household entered and said that
+a messenger had come from the Hebrews who desired speech with Pharaoh.
+
+"Let him enter," said Meneptah, and presently he appeared.
+
+He was a wild-eyed man of middle age, with long hair that fell over
+his sheepskin robe. To me he looked like a soothsayer. He stood before
+Pharaoh, making no salutation.
+
+"Deliver your message and be gone," said Nehesi the Vizier.
+
+"These are the words of the Fathers of Israel, spoken by my lips," cried
+the man in a voice that rang all round the vaulted chamber. "It has come
+to our ears, O Pharaoh, that the woman Merapi, daughter of Nathan, who
+has refuged in your city, she who is named Moon of Israel, has shown
+herself to be a prophetess of power, one to whom our God has given
+strength, in that, standing alone amidst the priests and magicians of
+Amon of the Egyptians, she took no harm from their sorceries and was
+able with the sword of prayer to smite the idol of Amon to the dust. We
+demand that this prophetess be restored to us, making oath on our part
+that she shall be given over safely to her betrothed husband and that no
+harm shall come to her for any crimes or treasons she may have committed
+against her people."
+
+"As to this matter," replied Pharaoh quietly, "make your prayer to the
+Prince of Egypt, in whose household I understand the woman dwells. If
+it pleases him to surrender her who, I take it, is a witch or a cunning
+worker of tricks, to her betrothed and her kindred, let him do so. It is
+not for Pharaoh to judge of the fate of private slaves."
+
+The man wheeled round and addressed Seti, saying:
+
+"You have heard, Son of the King. Will you deliver up this woman?"
+
+"Neither do I promise to deliver her up nor not to deliver her up,"
+answered Seti, "since the lady Merapi is no member of my household, nor
+have I any authority over her. She who saved my life dwells within my
+walls for safety's sake. If it pleases her to go, she can go; if it
+pleases her to remain, she can remain. When this Court is finished I
+give you safe-conduct to appear and in my presence learn her pleasure
+from her lips."
+
+"You have your answer; now be gone," said Nehesi.
+
+"Nay," cried the man, "I have more words to speak. Thus say the Fathers
+of Israel: We know the black counsel of your heart, O Pharaoh. It has
+been revealed to us that it is in your mind to put the Hebrews to the
+sword, as it is in the mind of the Prince of Egypt to save them from
+the sword. Change that mind of yours, O Pharaoh, and swiftly, lest death
+fall upon you from heaven above."
+
+"Cease!" thundered Meneptah in a voice that stilled the murmurs of the
+court. "Dog of a Hebrew, do you dare to threaten Pharaoh on his
+own throne? I tell you that were you not a messenger, and therefore
+according to our ancient law safe till the sun sets, you should be hewn
+limb from limb. Away with him, and if he is found in this city after
+nightfall let him be slain!"
+
+Then certain of the councillors sprang upon the man and thrust him forth
+roughly. At the door he wrenched himself free and shouted:
+
+"Think upon my words, Pharaoh, before this sun has set. And you, great
+ones of Egypt, think on them also before it appears again."
+
+They drove him out with blows and the doors were shut. Once more
+Meneptah began to speak, saying:
+
+"Now that this brawler is gone, what have you to say to me, Prince of
+Egypt? Do you still give me the counsel that you wrote in the roll? Do
+you still refuse, as heir of the Throne, to assent to my decree that
+these accursed Hebrews be destroyed with the sword of my justice?"
+
+Now all turned their eyes on Seti, who thought a while, and answered:
+
+"Let Pharaoh pardon me, but the counsel that I gave I still give; the
+assent that I refused I still refuse, because my heart tells me that
+so it is right to do, and so I think will Egypt be saved from many
+troubles."
+
+When the scribes had finished writing down these words Pharaoh asked
+again:
+
+"Prince of Egypt, if in a day to come you should fill my place, is it
+still your intent to let this people of the Hebrews go unharmed, taking
+with them the wealth that they have gathered here?"
+
+"Let Pharaoh pardon me, that is still my intent."
+
+Now at these fateful words there arose a sigh of astonishment from all
+that heard them. Before it had died away Pharaoh had turned to Userti
+and was asking:
+
+"Are these your counsel, your will, and your intent also, O Princess of
+Egypt?"
+
+"Let Pharaoh hear me," answered Userti in a cold, clear voice, "they are
+not. In this great matter my lord the Prince walks one road and I walk
+another. My counsel, will, and intent are those of Pharaoh."
+
+"Seti my son," said Meneptah, more kindly than I had ever heard him
+speak before, "for the last time, not as your king but as your father,
+I pray you to consider. Remembering that as it lies in your power,
+being of full age and having been joined with me in many matters of
+government, to refuse your assent to a great act of state, so it lies
+in my power with the assent of the high-priests and of my ministers to
+remove you from my path. Seti, I can disinherit you and set another in
+your place, and if you persist, that and no less I shall do. Consider,
+therefore, my son."
+
+In the midst of an intense silence Seti answered:
+
+"I have considered, O my Father, and whatever be the cost to me I cannot
+go back upon my words."
+
+Then Pharaoh rose and cried:
+
+"Take note all you assembled here, and let it be proclaimed to the
+people of Egypt without the gates, that they take note also, that I
+depose Seti my son from his place as Prince of Egypt and declare that
+he is removed from the succession to the double Crown. Take note that
+my daughter Userti, Princess of Egypt, wife of the Prince Seti, I do not
+depose. Whatever rights and heritages are hers as heiress of Egypt let
+those rights and heritages remain to her, and if a child be born of
+her and Prince Seti, who lives, let that child be heir to the Throne of
+Egypt. Take note that, if no such child is born or until it is born,
+I name my nephew, the count Amenmeses, son of by brother Khaemuas, now
+gathered to Osiris, to fill the Throne of Egypt when I am no more. Come
+hither, Count Amenmeses."
+
+He advanced and stood before him. Then Pharaoh lifted from his head the
+double crown he wore and for a moment set it on the brow of Amenmeses,
+saying as he replaced it on his own head:
+
+"By this act and token do I name and constitute you, Amenmeses, to
+be Royal Prince of Egypt in place of my son, Prince Seti, deposed.
+Withdraw, Royal Prince of Egypt. I have spoken."
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength!" cried all the company bowing before Pharaoh,
+all save the Prince Seti who neither bowed nor stirred. Only he cried:
+
+"And I have heard. Will Pharaoh be pleased to declare whether with
+my royal heritage he takes my life? If so, let it be here and now. My
+cousin Amenmeses wears a sword."
+
+"Nay, Son," answered Meneptah sadly, "your life is left to you and with
+it all your private rank and your possessions whatsoever and wherever
+they may be."
+
+"Let Pharaoh's will be done," replied Seti indifferently, "in this as
+in all things. Pharaoh spares my life until such time as Amenmeses his
+successor shall fill his place, when it shall be taken."
+
+Meneptah started; this thought was new to him.
+
+"Stand forth, Amenmeses," he cried, "and swear now the threefold oath
+that may not be broken. Swear by Amon, by Ptah, and by Osiris, god of
+death, that never will you attempt to harm the Prince Seti, your cousin,
+either in body or in such state and prerogative as remain to him. Let
+Roi, the head-priest of Amon, administer the oath now before us all."
+
+So Roi spoke the oath in the ancient form, which was terrible even to
+hear, and Amenmeses, unwillingly enough as I thought, repeated it after
+him, adding however these words at the end, "All these things I swear
+and all these penalties in this world and the world to be I invoke upon
+my head, provided only that when the time comes the Prince Seti leaves
+me in peace upon the throne to which it has pleased Pharaoh to decree to
+me."
+
+Now some there murmured that this was not enough, since in their hearts
+there were few who did not love Seti and grieve to see him thus stripped
+of his royal heritage because his judgment differed from that of
+Pharaoh over a matter of State policy. But Seti only laughed and said
+scornfully:
+
+"Let be, for of what value are such oaths? Pharaoh on the throne is
+above all oaths who must make answer to the gods only and from the
+hearts of some the gods are far away. Let Amenmeses not fear that I
+shall quarrel with him over this matter of a crown, I who in truth have
+never longed for the pomp and cares of royalty and who, deprived of
+these, still possess all that I can desire. I go my way henceforward
+as one of many, a noble of Egypt--no more, and if in a day to come it
+pleases the Pharaoh to be to shorten my wanderings, I am not sure that
+even then I shall grieve so very much, who am content to accept the
+judgment of the gods, as in the end he must do also. Yet, Pharaoh my
+father, before we part I ask leave to speak the thoughts that rise in
+me."
+
+"Say on," muttered Meneptah.
+
+"Pharaoh, having your leave, I tell you that I think you have done a
+very evil work this day, one that is unpleasing to those Powers which
+rule the world, whoever and whatsoever they may be, one too that will
+bring upon Egypt sorrows countless as the sand. I believe that these
+Hebrews whom you unjustly seek to slay worship a god as great or greater
+than our own, and that they and he will triumph over Egypt. I believe
+also that the mighty heritage which you have taken from me will bring
+neither joy nor honour to him by whom it has been received."
+
+Here Amenmeses started forward, but Meneptah held up his hand, and he
+was silent.
+
+"I believe, Pharaoh--alas! that I must say it--that your days on
+earth are few and that for the last time we look on each other living.
+Farewell, Pharaoh my father, whom still I love mayhap more in this hour
+of parting than ever I did before. Farewell, Amenmeses, Prince of Egypt.
+Take from me this ornament which henceforth should be worn by you only,"
+and lifting from his headdress that royal circlet which marks the heir
+to the throne, he held it to Amenmeses, who took it and, with a smile of
+triumph, set it on his brow.
+
+"Farewell, Lords and Councillors; it is my hope that in yonder prince
+you will find a master more to your liking that ever I could have been.
+Come, Ana, my friend, if it still pleases you to cling to me for a
+little while, now that I have nothing left to give."
+
+For a few moments he stood still looking very earnestly at his father,
+who looked back at him with tears in his deep-set, faded eyes.
+
+Then, though whether this was by chance I cannot say, taking no note of
+the Princess Userti, who gazed at him perplexed and wrathful, Seti drew
+himself up and cried in the ancient form:
+
+"Life! Blood! Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!" and bowed almost to
+the ground.
+
+Meneptah heard. Muttering beneath his breath, "Oh! Seti, my son, my most
+beloved son!" he stretched out his arms as though to call him back or
+perhaps to clasp him. As he did so I saw his face change. Next instant
+he fell forward to the ground and lay there still. All the company stood
+struck with horror, only the royal physician ran to him, while Roi and
+others who were priests began to mutter prayers.
+
+"Has the good god been gathered to Osiris?" asked Amenmeses presently in
+a hoarse voice, "because if it be so, I am Pharaoh."
+
+"Nay, Amenmeses," exclaimed Userti, "the decrees have not yet been
+sealed or promulgated. They have neither strength nor weight."
+
+Before he could answer the physician cried:
+
+"Peace! Pharaoh still lives, his heart beats. This is but a fit which
+may pass. Begone, every one, he must have quiet."
+
+So we went, but first Seti knelt down and kissed his father on the brow.
+
+
+
+An hour later the Princess Userti broke into the room of his palace
+where the Prince and I were talking.
+
+"Seti," she said, "Pharaoh still lives, but the physicians say he will
+be dead by dawn. There is yet time. Here I have a writing, sealed with
+his signet and witnessed, wherein he recalls all that he decreed in the
+Court to-day, and declares you, his son, to be the true and only heir of
+the throne of Egypt."
+
+"Is it so, wife? Tell me now how did a dying man in a swoon command and
+seal this writing?" and he touched the scroll she held in her hand.
+
+"He recovered for a little while; Nehesi will tell you how," she
+replied, looking him in the face with cold eyes. Then before he could
+speak, she added, "Waste no more breath in questions, but act and
+at once. The General of the guards waits below; he is your faithful
+servant. Through him I have promised a gift to every soldier on the day
+that you are crowned. Nehesi and most of the officers are on our side.
+Only the priests are against us because of that Hebrew witch whom you
+shelter, and of her tribe whom you befriend; but they have not had time
+to stir up the people nor will they attempt revolt. Act, Seti, act, for
+none will move without your express command. Moreover, no question will
+be raised afterwards, since from Thebes to the sea and throughout the
+world you are known to be the heir of Egypt."
+
+"What would you have me do, wife?" asked Seti, when she paused for lack
+of breath.
+
+"Cannot you guess? Must I put statecraft into your head as well as a
+sword into your hand? Why that scribe of yours, who follows your heels
+like a favoured dog, would be more apt a pupil. Hearken then. Amenmeses
+has sent out to gather strength, but as yet there are not fifty men
+about him whom he can trust." She leant forward and whispered fiercely,
+"Kill the traitor, Amenmeses--all will hold it a righteous act, and the
+General waits your word. Shall I summon him?"
+
+"I think not," answered Seti. "Because Pharaoh, as he has a right to do,
+is pleased to name a certain man of royal blood to succeed him, how does
+this make that man a traitor to Pharaoh who still lives? But, traitor or
+none, I will not murder my cousin Amenmeses."
+
+"Then he will murder you."
+
+"Maybe. That is a matter between him and the gods which I leave them to
+settle. The oath he swore to-day is not one to be lightly broken. But
+whether he breaks it or not, I also swore an oath, at least in my heart,
+namely that I would not attempt to dispute the will of Pharaoh whom,
+after all, I love as my father and honour as my king, Pharaoh who
+still lives and may, as I hope, recover. What should I say to him if he
+recovered or, at the worst, when at last we meet elsewhere?"
+
+"Pharaoh never will recover; I have spoken to the physician and he
+told me so. Already they pierce his skull to let out the evil spirit of
+sickness, after which none of our family have lived for very long."
+
+"Because, as I hold, thereby, whatever priests and physicians may say,
+they let in the good spirit of death. Ana, I pray you if I----"
+
+"Man," she broke in, striking her hand upon the table by which she
+stood, "do you understand that while you muse and moralise your crown is
+passing from you?"
+
+"It has already passed, Lady. Did you not see me give it to Amenmeses?"
+
+"Do you understand that you who should be the greatest king in all the
+world, in some few hours if indeed you are allowed to live, will be
+nothing but a private citizen of Egypt, one at whom the very beggars may
+spit and take no harm?"
+
+"Surely, Wife. Moreover, there is little virtue in what I do, since
+on the whole I prefer that prospect and am willing to take the risk of
+being hurried from an evil world. Hearken," he added, with a change of
+tone and gesture. "You think me a fool and a weakling; a dreamer also,
+you, the clear-eyed, hard-brained stateswoman who look to the glittering
+gain of the moment for which you are ready to pay in blood, and
+guess nothing of what lies beyond. I am none of these things, except,
+perchance, the last. I am only a man who strives to be just and to do
+right, as right seems to me, and if I dream, it is of good, not evil, as
+I understand good and evil. You are sure that this dreaming of mine will
+lead me to worldly loss and shame. Even of that _I_ am not sure. The
+thought comes to me that it may lead me to those very baubles on which
+you set your heart, but by a path strewn with spices and with flowers,
+not by one paved with the bones of men and reeking with their gore.
+Crowns that are bought with the promise of blood and held with cruelty
+are apt to be lost in blood, Userti."
+
+She waved her hand. "I pray you keep the rest, Seti, till I have more
+time to listen. Moreover if I need prophecies, I think it better to turn
+to Ki and those who make them their life-study. For me this is a day of
+deeds, not dreams, and since you refuse my help, and behave as a sick
+girl lost in fancies, I must see to myself. As while you live I cannot
+reign alone or wage war in my own name only, I go to make terms with
+Amenmeses, who will pay me high for peace."
+
+"You go--and do you return, Userti?"
+
+She drew herself to her full height, looking very royal, and answered
+slowly:
+
+"I do not return. I, the Princess of Egypt, cannot live as the wife of
+a common man who falls from a throne to set himself upon the earth, and
+smears his own brow with mud for a uræus crown. When your prophecies
+come true, Seti, and you crawl from your dust, then perhaps we may speak
+again."
+
+"Aye, Userti, but the question is, what shall we say?"
+
+"Meanwhile," she added, as she turned, "I leave you to your chosen
+counsellors--yonder scribe, whom foolishness, not wisdom, has whitened
+before his time, and perchance the Hebrew sorceress, who can give you
+moonbeams to drink from those false lips of hers. Farewell, Seti, once a
+prince and my husband."
+
+"Farewell, Userti, who, I fear, must still remain my sister."
+
+Then he watched her go, and turning to me, said:
+
+"To-day, Ana, I have lost both a crown and a wife, yet strange to tell
+I do not know which of these calamities grieves me least. Yet it is time
+that fortune turned. Or mayhap all the evils are not done. Would you
+not go also, Ana? Although she gibes at you in her anger, the Princess
+thinks well of you, and would keep you in her service. Remember, whoever
+falls in Egypt, she will be great till the last."
+
+"Oh! Prince," I answered, "have I not borne enough to-day that you
+must add insult to my load, you with whom I broke the cup and swore the
+oath?"
+
+"What!" he laughed. "Is there one in Egypt who remembers oaths to his
+own loss? I thank you, Ana," and taking my hand he pressed it.
+
+At that moment the door opened, and old Pambasa entered, saying:
+
+"The Hebrew woman, Merapi, would see you; also two Hebrew men."
+
+"Admit them," said Seti. "Note, Ana, how yonder old time-server turns
+his face from the setting sun. This morning even it would have been 'to
+see your Highness,' uttered with bows so low that his beard swept the
+floor. Now it is 'to see you' and not so much as an inclination of the
+head in common courtesy. This, moreover, from one who has robbed me year
+by year and grown fat on bribes. It is the first of many bitter lessons,
+or rather the second--that of her Highness was the first; I pray that I
+may learn them with humility."
+
+While he mused thus and, having no comfort to offer, I listened sad at
+heart, Merapi entered, and a moment after her the wide-eyed messenger
+whom we had seen in Pharaoh's Court, and her uncle Jabez the cunning
+merchant. She bowed low to Seti, and smiled at me. Then the other two
+appeared, and with small salutation the messenger began to speak.
+
+"You know my demand, Prince," he said. "It is that this woman should be
+returned to her people. Jabez, her uncle, will lead her away."
+
+"And you know my answer, Israelite," answered Seti. "It is that I have
+no power over the coming or the going of the lady Merapi, or at least
+wish to claim none. Address yourself to her."
+
+"What is it you wish with me, Priest?" asked Merapi quickly.
+
+"That you should return to the town of Goshen, daughter of Nathan. Have
+you no ears to hear?"
+
+"I hear, but if I return, what will you of me?"
+
+"That you who have proved yourself a prophetess by your deeds in yonder
+temple should dedicate your powers to the service of your people,
+receiving in return full forgiveness for the evils you have wrought
+against them, which we swear to you in the name of God."
+
+"I am no prophetess, and I have wrought no evils against my people,
+Priest. I have only saved them from the evil of murdering one who has
+shown himself their friend, even as I hear to the laying down of his
+crown for their sake."
+
+"That is for the Fathers of Israel and not for you to judge, woman. Your
+answer?"
+
+"It is neither for them nor for me, but for God only." She paused, then
+added, "Is this all you ask of me?"
+
+"It is all the Fathers ask, but Laban asks his affianced wife."
+
+"And am I to be given in marriage to--this assassin?"
+
+"Without doubt you are to be given to this brave soldier, being already
+his."
+
+"And if I refuse?"
+
+"Then, Daughter of Nathan, it is my part to curse you in the name of
+God, and to declare you cut off and outcast from the people of God. It
+is my part to announce to you further that your life is forfeit, and
+that any Hebrew may kill you when and how he can, and take no blame."
+
+Merapi paled a little, then turning to Jabez, asked:
+
+"You have heard, my uncle. What say you?"
+
+Jabez looked round shiftily, and said in his unctuous voice:
+
+"My niece, surely you must obey the commands of the Elders of Israel who
+speak the will of Heaven, as you obeyed them when you matched yourself
+against the might of Amon."
+
+"You gave me a different counsel yesterday, my uncle. Then you said I
+had better bide where I was."
+
+The messenger turned and glared at him.
+
+"There is a great difference between yesterday and to-day," went on
+Jabez hurriedly. "Yesterday you were protected by one who would soon
+be Pharaoh, and might have been able to move his mind in favour of your
+folk. To-day his greatness is stripped from him, and his will has no
+more weight in Egypt. A dead lion is not to be feared, my niece."
+
+Seti smiled at this insult, but Merapi's face, like my own, grew red, as
+though with anger.
+
+"Sleeping lions have been taken for dead ere now, my uncle, as those who
+would spurn them have discovered to their cost. Prince Seti, have you no
+word to help me in this strait?"
+
+"What is the strait, Lady? If you wish to go to your people and--to
+Laban, who, I understand, is recovered from his hurts, there is naught
+between you and me save my gratitude to you which gives me the right to
+say you shall not go. If, however, you wish to stay, then perhaps I am
+still not so powerless to shield or smite as this worthy Jabez thinks,
+who still remain the greatest lord in Egypt and one with those that love
+him. Therefore should you desire to remain, I think that you may do so
+unmolested of any, and least of all by that friend in whose shadow it
+pleases you to sojourn."
+
+"Those are very gentle words," murmured Merapi, "words that few would
+speak to a maid from whom naught is asked and who has naught to give."
+
+"A truce to this talk," snarled the messenger. "Do you obey or do you
+rebel? Your answer."
+
+She turned and looked him full in the face, saying:
+
+"I do not return to Goshen and to Laban, of whose sword I have seen
+enough."
+
+"Mayhap you will see more of it before all is done. For the last time,
+think ere the curse of your God and your people falls upon you, and
+after it, death. For fall I say it shall, I, who, as Pharaoh knows
+to-day, am no false prophet, and as that Prince knows also."
+
+"I do not think that my God, who sees the hearts of those that he has
+made, will avenge himself upon a woman because she refuses to be wedded
+to a murderer whom of her own will she never chose, which, Priest, is
+the fate you offer me. Therefore I am content to leave judgment in
+the hands of the great Judge of all. For the rest I defy you and your
+commands. If I must be slaughtered, let me die, but at least let me die
+mistress of myself and free, who am no man's love, or wife, or slave."
+
+"Well spoken!" whispered Seti to me.
+
+Then this priest became terrible. Waving his arms and rolling his wild
+eyes, he poured out some hideous curse upon the head of this poor maid,
+much of which, as it was spoken rapidly in an ancient form of Hebrew,
+we did not understand. He cursed her living, dying, and after death.
+He cursed her in her love and hate, wedded or alone. He cursed her in
+child-bearing or in barrenness, and he cursed her children after her to
+all generations. Lastly, he declared her cut off from and rejected by
+the god she worshipped, and sentenced her to death at the hands of any
+who could slay her. So horrible was that curse that she shrank away
+from him, while Jabez crouched about the ground hiding his eyes with his
+hands, and even I felt my blood turn cold.
+
+At length he paused, foaming at the lips. Then, suddenly, shouting,
+"After judgment, doom!" he drew a knife from his robe and sprang at her.
+
+She fled behind us. He followed, but Seti, crying, "Ah, I thought it,"
+leapt between them, as he did so drawing the iron sword which he wore
+with his ceremonial dress. At him he sprang and the next thing I saw was
+the red point of the sword standing out beyond the priest's shoulders.
+
+Down he fell, babbling:
+
+"Is this how you show your love for Israel, Prince?"
+
+"It is how I show my hate of murderers," answered Seti.
+
+Then the man died.
+
+"Oh!" cried Merapi wringing her hands, "once more I have caused Hebrew
+blood to flow and now all this curse will fall on me."
+
+"Nay, on me, Lady, if there is anything in curses, which I doubt, for
+this deed was mine, and at the worst yonder mad brute's knife did not
+fall on you."
+
+"Yes, life is left if only for a little while. Had it not been for you,
+Prince, by now, I----" and she shuddered.
+
+"And had it not been for you, Moon of Israel, by now I----" and he
+smiled, adding, "Surely Fate weaves a strange web round you and me.
+First you save me from the sword; then I save you. I think, Lady, that
+in the end we ought to die together and give Ana here stuff for the best
+of all his stories. Friend Jabez," he went on to the Israelite who was
+still crouching in the corner with the eyes starting from his head, "get
+you back to your gentle-hearted people and make it clear to them why the
+lady Merapi cannot companion you, taking with you that carrion to prove
+your tale. Tell them that if they send more men to molest your niece a
+like fate awaits them, but that now as before I do not turn my back upon
+them because of the deeds of a few madmen or evil-doers, as I have given
+them proof to-day. Ana, make ready, since soon I leave for Memphis.
+See that the Lady Merapi, who will travel alone, has fit escort for her
+journey, that is if it pleases her to depart from Tanis."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE CROWNING OF AMENMESES
+
+Now, notwithstanding all the woes that fell on Egypt and a certain
+secret sorrow of my own, began the happiest of the days which the gods
+have given me. We went to Mennefer or Memphis, the white-walled city
+where I was born, the city that I loved. Now no longer did I dwell in
+a little house near to the enclosure of the temple of Ptah, which is
+vaster and more splendid than all those of Thebes or Tanis. My home was
+in the beautiful palace of Seti, which he had inherited from his mother,
+the Great Royal Wife. It stood, and indeed still stands, on a piled-up
+mound without the walls near to the temple of the goddess Neit, who
+always has her habitation to the north of the wall, why I do not know,
+because even her priests cannot tell me. In front of this palace,
+facing to the north, is a great portico, whereof the roof is borne upon
+palm-headed, painted columns whence may be seen the most lovely prospect
+in Egypt. First the gardens, then the palm-groves, then the cultivated
+land, then the broad and gentle Nile and, far away, the desert.
+
+Here, then, we dwelt, keeping small state and almost unguarded, but in
+wealth and comfort, spending our time in the library of the palace,
+or in those of the temples, and when we wearied of work, in the lovely
+gardens or, perchance, sailing upon the bosom of the Nile. The lady
+Merapi dwelt there also, but in a separate wing of the palace, with
+certain slaves and servants whom Seti had given to her. Sometimes we met
+her in the gardens, where it pleased her to walk at the same hours that
+we did, namely before the sun grew hot, or in the cool of the evening,
+and now and again when the moon shone at night. Then the three of us
+would talk together, for Seti never sought her company alone or within
+walls.
+
+Those talks were very pleasant. Moreover they grew more frequent as time
+went on, since Merapi had a thirst for learning, and the Prince would
+bring her rolls to read in a little summer-house there was. Here we
+would sit, or if the heat was great, outside beneath the shadow of
+two spreading trees that stretched above the roof of the little
+pleasure-house, while Seti discoursed of the contents of the rolls and
+instructed her in the secrets of our writing. Sometimes, too, I read
+them stories of my making, to which it pleased them both to listen, or
+so they said, and I, in my vanity, believed. Also we would talk of the
+mystery and the wonder of the world and of the Hebrews and their fate,
+or of what passed in Egypt and the neighbouring lands.
+
+Nor was Merapi altogether lonesome, seeing that there dwelt in Memphis
+certain ladies who had Hebrew blood in their veins, or were born of the
+Israelites and had married Egyptians against their law. Among these she
+made friends, and together they worshipped in their own fashion with
+none to say them nay, since here no priests were allowed to trouble
+them.
+
+For our part we held intercourse with as many as we pleased, since few
+forgot that Seti was by blood the Prince of Egypt, that is, a man almost
+half divine, and all were eager to visit him. Also he was much beloved
+for his own sake and more particularly by the poor, whose wants it was
+his delight to relieve to the full limit of his wealth. Thus it came
+about that whenever he went abroad, although against his will, he was
+received with honours and homage that were almost royal, for though
+Pharaoh could rob him of the Crown he could not empty his veins of the
+blood of kings.
+
+It was on this account that I feared for his safety, since I was sure
+that through his spies Amenmeses knew all and would grow jealous of
+a dethroned prince who was still so much adored by those over whom of
+right he should have ruled. I told Seti of my doubts and that when he
+travelled the streets he should be guarded by armed men. But he only
+laughed and answered that, as the Hebrews had failed to kill him, he did
+not think that any others would succeed. Moreover he believed there
+were no Egyptians in the land who would lift a sword against him, or put
+poison in his drink, whoever bade them. Also he added these words:
+
+"The best way to escape death is to have no fear of death, for then
+Osiris shuns us."
+
+
+
+Now I must tell of the happenings at Tanis. Pharaoh Meneptah lingered
+but a few hours and never found his mind again before his spirit flew
+to Heaven. Then there was great mourning in the land, for, if he was not
+loved, Meneptah was honoured and feared. Only among the Israelites there
+was open rejoicing, because he had been their enemy and their prophets
+had foretold that death was near to him. They gave it out that he had
+been smitten of their God, which caused the Egyptians to hate them more
+than ever. There was doubt, too, and bewilderment in Egypt, for though
+his proclamation disinheriting the Prince Seti had been published
+abroad, the people, and especially those who dwelt in the south, could
+not understand why this should have been done over a matter of the
+shepherd slaves who dwelt in Goshen. Indeed, had the Prince but held up
+his hand, tens of thousands would have rallied to his standard. Yet
+this he refused to do, which astonished all the world, who thought it
+marvellous that any man should refuse a throne which would have
+lifted him almost to the level of the gods. Indeed, to avoid their
+importunities he had set out at once for Memphis, and there remained
+hidden away during the period of mourning for his father. So it came
+about that Amenmeses succeeded with none to say him nay, since without
+her husband Userti could not or would not act.
+
+After the days of embalmment were accomplished the body of Pharaoh
+Meneptah was carried up the Nile to be laid in his eternal house, the
+splendid tomb that he had made ready for himself in the Valley of Dead
+Kings at Thebes. To this great ceremony the Prince Seti was not bidden,
+lest, as Bakenkhonsu told me afterwards, his presence should cause some
+rising in his favour, with or without his will. For this reason also the
+dead god, as he was named, was not suffered to rest at Memphis on his
+last journey up the Nile. Disguised as a man of the people the Prince
+watched his father's body pass in the funeral barge guarded by shaven,
+white-robed priests, the centre of a splendid procession. In front went
+other barges filled with soldiers and officers of state, behind came
+the new Pharaoh and all the great ones of Egypt, while the sounds of
+lamentation floated far over the face of the waters. They appeared, they
+passed, they disappeared, and when they had vanished Seti wept a little,
+for in his own fashion he loved his father.
+
+"Of what use is it to be a king and named half-divine, Ana," he said to
+me, "seeing that the end of such gods as these is the same as that of
+the beggar at the gate?"
+
+"This, Prince," I answered, "that a king can do more good than a beggar
+while the breath is in his nostrils, and leave behind him a great
+example to others."
+
+"Or more harm, Ana. Also the beggar can leave a great example, that of
+patience in affliction. Still, if I were sure that I should do nothing
+but good, then perhaps I would be a king. But I have noted that those
+who desire to do the most good often work the greatest harm."
+
+"Which, if followed out, would be an argument for wishing to do evil,
+Prince."
+
+"Not so," he answered, "because good triumphs at the last. For good is
+truth and truth rules earth and heaven."
+
+"Then it is clear, Prince, that you should seek to be a king."
+
+"I will remember the argument, Ana, if ever time brings me an
+opportunity unstained by blood," he answered.
+
+When the obsequies of Pharaoh were finished, Amenmeses returned to
+Tanis, and there was crowned as Pharaoh. I attended this great ceremony,
+bearing coronation gifts of certain royal ornaments which the Prince
+sent to Pharaoh, saying it was not fit that he, as a private person,
+should wear them any longer. These I presented to Pharaoh, who took them
+doubtfully, declaring that he did not understand the Prince Seti's mind
+and actions.
+
+"They hide no snare, O Pharaoh," I said. "As you rejoice in the glory
+that the gods have sent you, so the Prince my master rejoices in the
+rest and peace which the gods have given him, asking no more."
+
+"It may be so, Scribe, but I find this so strange a thing, that
+sometimes I fear lest the rich flowers of this glory of mine should
+hide some deadly snake, whereof the Prince knows, if he did not set it
+there."
+
+"I cannot say, O Pharaoh, but without doubt, although he could work no
+guile, the Prince is not as are other men. His mind is both wide and
+deep."
+
+"Too deep for me," muttered Amenmeses. "Nevertheless, say to my royal
+cousin that I thank him for his gifts, especially as some of them were
+worn, when he was heir to Egypt, by my father Khaemuas, who I would had
+left me his wisdom as well as his blood. Say to him also that while he
+refrains from working me harm upon the throne, as I know he has done up
+to the present, he may be sure that I will work him none in the station
+which he has chosen."
+
+Also I saw the Princess Userti who questioned me closely concerning
+her lord. I told her everything, keeping naught back. She listened and
+asked:
+
+"What of that Hebrew woman, Moon of Israel? Without doubt she fills my
+place."
+
+"Not so, Princess," I answered. "The Prince lives alone. Neither she nor
+any other woman fills your place. She is a friend to him, no more."
+
+"A friend! Well, at least we know the end of such friendships. Oh!
+surely the Prince must be stricken with madness from the gods!"
+
+"It may be so, your Highness, but I think that if the gods smote more
+men with such madness, the world would be better than it is."
+
+"The world is the world, and the business of those who are born to
+greatness is to rule it as it is, not to hide away amongst books and
+flowers, and to talk folly with a beautiful outland woman, and a scribe
+however learned," she answered bitterly, adding, "Oh! if the Prince
+is not mad, certainly he drives others to madness, and me, his spouse,
+among them. That throne is his, his; yet he suffers a cross-grained dolt
+to take his place, and sends him gifts and blessings."
+
+"I think your Highness should wait till the end of the story before you
+judge of it."
+
+She looked at me sharply, and asked:
+
+"Why do you say that? Is the Prince no fool after all? Do he and you,
+who both seem to be so simple, perchance play a great and hidden game,
+as I have known men feign folly in order to do with safety? Or has that
+witch of an Israelite some secret knowledge in which she instructs you,
+such as a woman who can shatter the statue of Amon to fine dust might
+well possess? You make believe not to know, which means that you will
+not answer. Oh! Scribe Ana, if only it were safe, I think I could find
+a way to wring the truth out of you, although you do pretend to be but a
+babe for innocence."
+
+"It pleases your Highness to threaten and without cause."
+
+"No," she answered, changing her voice and manner, "I do not threaten;
+it is only the madness that I have caught from Seti. Would you not be
+mad if you knew that another woman was to be crowned to-morrow in your
+place, because--because----" and she began to weep, which frightened me
+more than all her rough words.
+
+Presently she dried her tears, and said:
+
+"Say to my lord that I rejoice to hear that he is well and send him
+greetings, but that never of my own wish will I look upon his living
+face again unless indeed he takes another counsel, and sets himself to
+win that which is his own. Say to him that though he has so little care
+for me, and pays no heed to my desires, still I watch over his welfare
+and his safety, as best I may."
+
+"His safety, Princess! Pharaoh assured me not an hour ago that he had
+naught to fear, as indeed he fears naught."
+
+"Oh! which of you is the more foolish," she exclaimed stamping her foot,
+"the man or his master? You believe that the Prince has naught to fear
+because that usurper tells you so, and he believes it--well, because he
+fears naught. For a little while he may sleep in peace. But let him wait
+until troubles of this sort or of that arise in Egypt and, understanding
+that the gods send them on account of the great wickedness that my
+father wrought when death had him by the throat and his mind was
+clouded, the people begin to turn their eyes towards their lawful king.
+Then the usurper will grow jealous, and if he has his way, the Prince
+will sleep in peace--for ever. If his throat remains uncut, it will be
+for one reason only, that I hold back the murderer's hand. Farewell, I
+can talk no more, for I say to you that my brain is afire--and to-morrow
+he should have been crowned, and I with him," and she swept away, royal
+as ever, leaving me wondering what she meant when she spoke of troubles
+arising in Egypt, or if the words were but uttered at hazard.
+
+Afterwards Bakenkhonsu and I supped together at the college of the
+temple of Ptah, of which because of his age he was called the father,
+when I heard more of this matter.
+
+"Ana," he said, "I tell you that such gloom hangs over Egypt as I have
+never known even when it was thought that the Ninebow Barbarians would
+conquer and enslave the land. Amenmeses will be the fifth Pharaoh whom
+I have seen crowned, the first of them when I was but a little
+child hanging to my mother's robe, and not once have I known such
+joylessness."
+
+"That may be because the crown passes to one who should not wear it,
+Bakenkhonsu."
+
+He shook his head. "Not altogether. I think this darkness comes from the
+heavens as light does. Men are afraid they know not of what."
+
+"The Israelites," I suggested.
+
+"Now you are near to it, Ana, for doubtless they have much to do with
+the matter. Had it not been for them Seti and not Amenmeses would be
+crowned to-morrow. Also the tale of the marvel which the beautiful
+Hebrew woman wrought in the temple yonder has got abroad and is taken as
+an omen. Did I tell you that six days gone a fine new statue of the god
+was consecrated there and on the following morning was found lying on
+its side, or rather with its head resting on the breast of Mut?"
+
+"If so, Merapi is blameless, because she has gone away from this city."
+
+"Of course she has gone away, for has not Seti gone also? But I think
+she left something behind her. However that may be, even our new divine
+lord is afraid. He dreams ill, Ana," he added, dropping his voice, "so
+ill that he has called in Ki, the Kherheb,[*] to interpret his visions."
+
+     [*] "Kherheb" was the title of the chief official magician
+     in ancient Egypt.
+
+"And what said Ki?"
+
+"Ki could say nothing or, rather, that the only answer vouchsafed to
+him and his company, when they made inquiry of their Kas, was that
+this god's reign would be very short and that it and his life would end
+together."
+
+"Which perhaps did not please the god Amenmeses, Bakenkhonsu?"
+
+"Which did not please the god at all. He threatened Ki. It is a foolish
+thing to threaten a great magician, Ana, as the Kherheb Ki, himself
+indeed told him, looking him in the eyes. Then he prayed his pardon and
+asked who would succeed him on the throne, but Ki said he did not know,
+as a Kherheb who had been threatened could never remember anything,
+which indeed he never can--except to pay back the threatener."
+
+"And did he know, Bakenkhonsu?"
+
+By way of answer the old Councillor crumbled some bread fine upon the
+table, then with his finger traced among the crumbs the rough likeness
+of a jackal-headed god and of two feathers, after which with a swift
+movement he swept the crumbs onto the floor.
+
+"Seti!" I whispered, reading the hieroglyphs of the Prince's name, and
+he nodded and laughed in his great fashion.
+
+"Men come to their own sometimes, Ana, especially if they do not
+seek their own," he said. "But if so, much must happen first that is
+terrible. The new Pharaoh is not the only man who dreams, Ana. Of late
+years my sleep has been light and sometimes I dream, though I have no
+magic like to that of Ki."
+
+"What did you dream?"
+
+"I dreamed of a great multitude marching like locusts over Egypt. Before
+them went a column of fire in which were two hands. One of these held
+Amon by the throat and one held the new Pharaoh by the throat. After
+them came a column of cloud, and in it a shape like to that of an
+unwrapped mummy, a shape of death standing upon water that was full of
+countless dead."
+
+Now I bethought me of the picture that the Prince and I had seen in
+the skies yonder in the land of Goshen, but of it I said nothing. Yet I
+think that Bakenkhonsu saw into my mind, for he asked:
+
+"Do _you_ never dream, Friend? You see visions that come true--Amenmeses
+on the throne, for instance. Do you not also dream at times? No? Well,
+then, the Prince? You look like men who might, and the time is ripe
+and pregnant. Oh! I remember. You are both of you dreaming, not of the
+pictures that pass across the terrible eyes of Ki, but of those that the
+moon reflects upon the waters of Memphis, the Moon of Israel. Ana, be
+advised by me, put away the flesh and increase the spirit, for in it
+alone is happiness, whereof woman and all our joys are but earthly
+symbols, shadows thrown by that mortal cloud which lies between us and
+the Light Above. I see that you understand, because some of that light
+has struggled to your heart. Do you remember that you saw it shining in
+the hour when your little daughter died? Ah! I thought so. It was the
+gift she left you, a gift that will grow and grow in such a breast as
+yours, if only you will put away the flesh and make room for it,
+Ana. Man, do not weep--laugh as I do, Oho-ho! Give me my staff, and
+good-night. Forget not that we sit together at the crowning to-morrow,
+for you are a King's Companion and that rank once conferred is one which
+no new Pharaoh can take away. It is like the gift of the spirit, Ana,
+which is hard to win, but once won more eternal than the stars. Oh! why
+do I live so long who would bathe in it, as when a child I used to bathe
+in Nile?"
+
+
+
+On the following day at the appointed hour I went to the great hall of
+the palace, that in which I had first seen Meneptah, and took my stand
+in the place allotted to me. It was somewhat far back, perhaps because
+it was not wished that I, who was known to be the private scribe of
+Seti, should remind Egypt of him by appearing where all could see me.
+
+Great as was the hall the crowd filled it to its furthest corners.
+Moreover no common man was present there, but rather every noble and
+head-priest in Egypt, and with them their wives and daughters, so that
+all the dim courts shone with gold and precious gems set upon festal
+garments. While I was waiting old Bakenkhonsu hobbled towards me, the
+crowd making way for him, and I could see that there was laughter in his
+sunken eyes.
+
+"We are ill-placed, Ana," he said. "Still if any of the many gods there
+are in Egypt should chance to rain fires on Pharaoh, we shall be the
+safer. Talking of gods," he went on in a whisper, "have you heard what
+happened an hour ago in the temple of Ptah of Tanis whence I have just
+come? Pharaoh and all the Blood-royal--save one--walked according to
+custom before the statue of the god which, as you know, should bow its
+head to show that he chooses and accepts the king. In front of Amenmeses
+went the Princess Userti, and as she passed the head of the god bowed,
+for I saw it, though all pretended that they did not see. Then came
+Pharaoh and stood waiting, but it would not bow, though the priests
+called in the old formula, 'The god greets the king.'
+
+"At length he went on, looking as black as night, and others of the
+blood of Rameses followed in their order. Last of all limped Saptah and,
+behold! the god bowed again."
+
+"How and why does it do these things?" I asked, "and at the wrong time?"
+
+"Ask the priests, Ana, or Userti, or Saptah. Perhaps the divine neck
+has not been oiled of late, or too much oiled, or too little oiled,
+or prayers--or strings--may have gone wrong. Or Pharaoh may have been
+niggard in his gifts to that college of the great god of his House. Who
+am I that I should know the ways of gods? That in the temple where I
+served at Thebes fifty years ago did not pretend to bow or to trouble
+himself as to which of the royal race sat upon the throne. Hush! Here
+comes Pharaoh."
+
+Then in a splendid procession, surrounded by princes, councillors,
+ladies, priests, and guards, Amenmeses and the Royal Wife, Urnure, a
+large woman who walked awkwardly, entered the hall, a glittering band.
+The high-priest, Roi, and the chancellor, Nehesi, received Pharaoh and
+led him to his throne. The multitude prostrated itself, trumpets blew
+and thrice the old salute of "Life! Blood! Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!
+Pharaoh!" was cried aloud.
+
+Amenmeses rose and bowed, and I saw that his heavy face was troubled and
+looked older. Then he swore some oath to gods and men which Roi dictated
+to him, and before all the company put on the double crown and the
+other emblems, and took in his hands the scourge and golden sickle. Next
+homage was paid. The Princess Userti came first and kissed Pharaoh's
+hand, but bent no knee. Indeed first she spoke with him a while. We
+could not hear what was said, but afterwards learned that she demanded
+that he should publicly repeat all the promises which her father
+Meneptah had made to her before him, confirming her in her place and
+rights. This in the end he did, though it seemed to me unwillingly
+enough.
+
+So with many forms and ancient celebrations the ceremony went on, till
+all grew weary waiting for that time when Pharaoh should make his speech
+to the people. That speech, however, was never made, for presently,
+thrusting past us, I saw those two prophets of the Israelites who had
+visited Meneptah in this same hall. Men shrank from them, so that they
+walked straight up to the throne, nor did even the guards strive to bar
+their way. What they said there I could not hear, but I believe that
+they demanded that their people should be allowed to go to worship their
+god in their own fashion, and that Amenmeses refused as Meneptah had
+done.
+
+Then one of them cast down a rod and it turned to a snake which hissed
+at Pharaoh, whereon the Kherheb Ki and his company also cast down rods
+that turned to snakes, though I could only hear the hissing. After this
+a great gloom fell upon the hall, so that men could not see each other's
+faces and everyone began to call aloud till the company broke up in
+confusion. Bakenkhonsu and I were borne together to the doorway by the
+pressure of the people, whence we were glad enough to see the sky again.
+
+
+
+Thus ended the crowning of Amenmeses.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE MESSAGE OF JABEZ
+
+That night there were none who rejoiced in the streets of the city, and
+save in the palace and houses of those of the Court, none who feasted. I
+walked abroad in the market-place and noted the people going to and fro
+gloomily, or talking together in whispers. Presently a man whose face
+was hidden in a hood began to speak with me, saying that he had a
+message for my master, the Prince Seti. I answered that I took no
+messages from veiled strangers, whereon he threw back his hood, and I
+saw that it was Jabez, the uncle of Merapi. I asked him whether he had
+obeyed the Prince, and borne the body of that prophet back to Goshen and
+told the elders of the manner of the man's death.
+
+"Yes," he answered, "nor were the Elders angry with the Prince over this
+matter. They said that their messenger had exceeded his authority, since
+they had never told him to curse Merapi, and much less attempt to kill
+her, and that the Prince did right to slay one who would have done
+murder before his royal eyes. Still they added that the curse, having
+once been spoken by this priest, would surely fall upon Merapi in this
+way or in that."
+
+"What then should she do, Jabez?"
+
+"I do not know, Scribe. If she returns to her people, perchance she
+will be absolved, but then she must surely marry Laban. It is for her to
+judge."
+
+"And what would you do if you were in her place, Jabez?"
+
+"I think that I should stay where I was, and make myself very dear to
+Seti, taking the chance that the curse may pass her by, since it was not
+lawfully decreed upon her. Whichever way she looks, trouble waits, and
+at the worst, a woman might wish to satisfy her heart before it falls,
+especially if that heart should happen to turn to one who will be
+Pharaoh."
+
+"Why do you say 'who will be Pharaoh,' Jabez?" I asked, for we were
+standing in an empty place alone.
+
+"That I may not tell you," he replied cunningly, "yet it will come about
+as I say. He who sits upon the throne is mad as Meneptah was mad,
+and will fight against a strength that is greater than his until it
+overwhelms him. In the Prince's heart alone does the light of wisdom
+shine. That which you saw to-day is only the first of many miracles,
+Scribe Ana. I can say no more."
+
+"What then is your message, Jabez?"
+
+"This: Because the Prince has striven to deal well with the people of
+Israel and for their sake has cast aside a crown, whatever may chance
+to others, let him fear nothing. No harm shall come to him, or to those
+about him, such as yourself, Scribe Ana, who also would deal justly by
+us. Yet it may happen that through my niece Merapi, on whose head the
+evil word has fallen, a great sorrow may come to both him and her.
+Therefore, perhaps, although setting this against that, she may be wise
+to stay in the house of Seti, he, on the balance, may be wise to turn
+her from his doors."
+
+"What sorrow?" I asked, who grew bewildered with his dark talk, but
+there was no answer, for he had gone.
+
+Near to my lodging another man met me, and the moonlight shining on his
+face showed me the terrible eyes of Ki.
+
+"Scribe Ana," he said, "you leave for Memphis to-morrow at the dawn, and
+not two days hence as you purposed."
+
+"How do you know that, Magician Ki?" I answered, for I had told my
+change of plan to none, not even to Bakenkhonsu, having indeed only
+determined upon it since Jabez left me.
+
+"I know nothing, Ana, save that a faithful servant who has learned all
+you have learned to-day will hurry to make report of it to his master,
+especially if there is some other to whom he would also wish to make
+report, as Bakenkhonsu thinks."
+
+"Bakenkhonsu talks too much, whatever he may think," I exclaimed
+testily.
+
+"The aged grow garrulous. You were at the crowning to-day, were you
+not?"
+
+"Yes, and if I saw aright from far away, those Hebrew prophets seemed
+to worst you at your own trade there, Kherheb, which must grieve you, as
+you were grieved in the temple when Amon fell."
+
+"It does not grieve me, Ana. If I have powers, there may be others who
+have greater powers, as I learned in the temple of Amon. Why therefore
+should I feel ashamed?"
+
+"Powers!" I replied with a laugh, for the strings of my mind seemed torn
+that night, "would not craft be a better word? How do you turn a stick
+into a snake, a thing which is impossible to man?"
+
+"Craft might be a better word, since craft means knowledge as well as
+trickery. 'Impossible to man!' After what you saw a while ago in the
+temple of Amon, do you hold that there is anything impossible to man or
+woman? Perhaps you could do as much yourself."
+
+"Why do you mock me, Ki? I study books, not snake-charming."
+
+He looked at me in his calm fashion, as though he were reading, not my
+face, but the thoughts behind it. Then he looked at the cedar wand in
+his hand and gave it to me, saying:
+
+"Study this, Ana, and tell me, what is it."
+
+"Am I a child," I answered angrily, "that I should not know a priest's
+rod when I see one?"
+
+"I think that you are something of a child, Ana," he murmured, all the
+while keeping those eyes of his fixed upon my face.
+
+Then a horror came about. For the rod began to twist in my hand and
+when I stared at it, lo! it was a long, yellow snake which I held by
+the tail. I threw the reptile down with a scream, for it was turning
+its head as though to strike me, and there in the dust it twisted and
+writhed away from me and towards Ki. Yet an instant later it was only a
+stick of yellow cedar-wood, though between me and Ki there was a snake's
+track in the sand.
+
+"It is somewhat shameless of you, Ana," said Ki, as he lifted the wand,
+"to reproach me with trickery while you yourself try to confound a poor
+juggler with such arts as these."
+
+Then I know not what I said to him, save the end of it was that I
+supposed he would tell me next that I could fill a hall with darkness at
+noonday and cover a multitude with terror.
+
+"Let us have done with jests," he said, "though these are well enough in
+their place. Will you take this rod again and point it to the moon? You
+refuse and you do well, for neither you nor I can cover up her face.
+Ana, because you are wise in your way and consort with one who is wiser,
+and were present in the temple when the statue of Amon was shattered by
+a certain witch who matched her strength against mine and conquered me,
+I, the great magician, have come to ask _you_--whence came that darkness
+in the hall to-day?"
+
+"From God, I think," I answered in an awed whisper.
+
+"So I think also, Ana. But tell me, or ask Merapi, Moon of Israel, to
+tell me--from what god? Oh! I say to you that a terrible power is afoot
+in this land and that the Prince Seti did well to refuse the throne of
+Egypt and to fly to Memphis. Repeat it to him, Ana."
+
+Then he too was gone.
+
+
+
+Now I returned in safety to Memphis and told all these tidings to the
+Prince, who listened to them eagerly. Once only was he greatly stirred;
+it was when I repeated to him the words of Userti, that never would she
+look upon his face again unless it pleased him to turn it towards the
+throne. On hearing this tears came into his eyes, and rising, he walked
+up and down the chamber.
+
+"The fallen must not look for gentleness," he said, "and doubtless, Ana,
+you think it folly that I should grieve because I am thus deserted."
+
+"Nay, Prince, for I too have been abandoned by a wife and the pain is
+unforgotten."
+
+"It is not of the wife I think, Ana, since in truth her Highness is no
+wife to me. For whatever may be the ancient laws of Egypt, how could it
+happen otherwise, at any rate in my case and hers? It is of the sister.
+For though my mother was not hers, she and I were brought up together
+and in our way loved each other, though always it was her pleasure to
+lord it over me, as it was mine to submit and pay her back in jests.
+That is why she is so angry because now of a sudden I have thrown off
+her rule to follow my own will whereby she has lost the throne."
+
+"It has always been the duty of the royal heiress of Egypt to marry
+the Pharaoh of Egypt, Prince, and having wed one who would be Pharaoh
+according to that duty, the blow cuts deep."
+
+"Then she had best thrust aside that foolish wife of his and wed him who
+is Pharaoh. But that she will never do; Amenmeses she has always hated,
+so much that she loathed to be in the same place with him. Nor indeed
+would he wed her, who wishes to rule for himself, not through a woman
+whose title to the crown is better than his own. Well, she has put
+me away and there's an end. Henceforth I must go lonely,
+unless--unless----Continue your story, friend. It is kind of her in her
+greatness to promise to protect one so humble. I should remember that,
+although it is true that fallen heads sometimes rise again," he added
+bitterly.
+
+"So at least Jabez thinks, Prince," and I told him how the Israelites
+were sure that he would be Pharaoh, whereat he laughed and said:
+
+"Perhaps, for they are good prophets. For my part I neither know or
+care. Or maybe Jabez sees advantage in talking thus, for as you know he
+is a clever trader."
+
+"I do not think so," I answered and stopped.
+
+"Had Jabez more to say of any other matter, Ana? Of the lady Merapi, for
+instance?"
+
+Now feeling it to be my duty, I told him every word that had passed
+between Jabez and myself, though somewhat shamefacedly.
+
+"This Hebrew takes much for granted, Ana, even as to whom the Moon of
+Israel would wish to shine upon. Why, friend, it might be you whom she
+desires to touch with her light, or some youth in Goshen--not Laban--or
+no one."
+
+"Me, Prince, me!" I exclaimed.
+
+"Well, Ana, I am sure you would have it so. Be advised by me and ask her
+mind upon the matter. Look not so confused, man, for one who has been
+married you are too modest. Come tell me of this Crowning."
+
+So glad enough to escape from the matter of Merapi, I spoke at length
+of all that had happened when Pharaoh Amenmeses took his seat upon the
+throne. When I described how the rod of the Hebrew prophet had been
+turned to a snake and how Ki and his company had done likewise, the
+Prince laughed and said that these were mere jugglers' tricks. But when
+I told of the darkness that had seemed to gather in the hall and of
+the gloom that filled the hearts of all men and of the awesome dream of
+Bakenkhonsu, also of the words of Ki after he had clouded my mind and
+played his jest upon me, he listened with much earnestness and answered:
+
+"My mind is as Ki's in this matter. I too think that a terrible power is
+afoot in Egypt, one that has its home in the land of Goshen, and that I
+did well to refuse the throne. But from what god these fortunes come I
+do not know. Perhaps time will tell us. Meanwhile if there is aught in
+the prophesies of these Hebrews, as interpreted by Jabez, at least you
+and I may sleep in peace, which is more than will chance to Pharaoh
+on the throne that Userti covets. If so, this play will be worth the
+watching. You have done your mission well, Ana. Go rest you while I
+think over all that you have said."
+
+
+
+It was evening and as the palace was very hot I went into the garden and
+making my way to that little pleasure-house where Seti and I were wont
+to study, I sat myself down there and, being weary, fell asleep. When
+I awoke from a dream about some woman who was weeping, night had fallen
+and the full moon shone in the sky, so that its rays fell on the garden
+before me.
+
+Now in front of this little house, as I have said, grew trees that at
+this season of the year were covered with white and cup-like blossoms,
+and between these trees was a seat built up of sun-dried bricks. On this
+seat sat a woman whom I knew from her shape to be Merapi. Also she was
+sad, for although her head was bowed and her long hair hid her face I
+could hear her gentle sighs.
+
+The sight of her moved me very much and I remembered what the Prince had
+said to me, telling me that I should do well to ask this lady whether
+she had any mind my way. Therefore if I did so, surely I could not be
+blamed. Yet I was certain that it was not to me that her heart turned,
+though to speak the truth, much I wished it otherwise. Who would look
+at the ibis in the swamp when the wide-winged eagle floated in heaven
+above?
+
+An evil thought came into my mind, sent by Set. Suppose that this
+watcher's eyes were fixed upon the eagle, lord of the air. Suppose
+that she worshipped this eagle; that she loved it because its home was
+heaven, because to her it was the king of all the birds. And suppose one
+told her that if she lured it down to earth from the glorious safety of
+the skies, she would bring it to captivity or death at the hand of the
+snarer. Then would not that loving watcher say: "Let it go free and
+happy, however much I long to look upon it," and when it had sailed from
+sight, perhaps turn her eyes to the humble ibis in the mud?
+
+Jabez had told me that if this woman and the Prince grew dear to each
+other she would bring great sorrow on his head. If I repeated his
+words to her, she who had faith in the prophecies of her people would
+certainly believe them. Moreover, whatever her heart might prompt, being
+so high-natured, never would she consent to do what might bring trouble
+on Seti's head, even if to refuse him should sink her soul in sorrow.
+Nor would she return to the Hebrews there to fall into the hands of one
+she hated. Then perhaps I----. Should I tell her? If Jabez had not meant
+that the matter must be brought to her ears, would he have spoken of
+it at all? In short was it not my duty to her, and perhaps also to the
+Prince who thereby might be saved from miseries to come, that is if this
+talk of future troubles were anything more than an idle story.
+
+Such was the evil reasoning with which Set assailed my spirit. How I
+beat it down I do not know. Not by my own goodness, I am sure, since at
+the moment I was aflame with love for the sweet and beautiful lady who
+sat before me and in my foolishness would, I think, have given my life
+to kiss her hand. Not altogether for her sake either, since passion
+is very selfish. No, I believe it was because the love that I bore
+the Prince was more deep and real than that which I could feel for any
+woman, and I knew well that were she not in my sight no such treachery
+would have overcome my heart. For I was sure, although he had never said
+so to me, that Seti loved Merapi and above all earthly things desired
+her as his companion, while if once I spoke those words, whatever my own
+gain or loss and whatever her secret wish, that she would never be.
+
+So I conquered, though the victory left me trembling like a child, and
+wishing that I had not been born to know the pangs of love denied. My
+reward was very swift, for just then Merapi unfastened a gem from the
+breast of her white robe and held it towards the moon, as though to
+study it. In an instant I knew it again. It was that royal scarab of
+lapis-lazuli with which in Goshen the Prince had made fast the bandage
+on her wounded food, which also had been snatched from her breast by
+some power on that night when the statue of Amon was shattered in the
+temple.
+
+Long and earnestly she looked at it, then having glanced round to make
+sure she was alone, she pressed it to her lips and kissed it thrice with
+passion, muttering I know not what between the kisses. Now the scales
+fell from my eyes and I knew that she loved Seti, and oh! how I thanked
+my guardian god who had saved me from such useless shame.
+
+I wiped the cold damp from my brow and was about to flee away,
+discovering myself with as few words as might be, when, looking up, I
+saw standing behind Merapi the figure of a man, who was watching her
+replace the ornament in her robe. While I hesitated a moment the man
+spoke and I knew the voice for that of Seti. Then again I thought of
+flight, but being somewhat timid by nature, feared to show myself until
+it was too late, thinking that afterward the Prince would make me the
+target of his wit. So I sat close and still, hearing and seeing all
+despite myself.
+
+"What gem is that, Lady, which you admire and cherish so tenderly?"
+asked Seti in his slow voice that so often hid a hint of laughter.
+
+She uttered a little scream and springing up, saw him.
+
+"Oh! my lord," she exclaimed, "pardon your servant. I was sitting
+here in the cool, as you gave me leave to do, and the moon was so
+bright--that--I wished to be see if by it I could read the writing on
+this scarab."
+
+Never before, thought I to myself, did I know one who read with her
+lips, though it is true that first she used her eyes.
+
+"And could you, Lady? Will you suffer me to try?"
+
+Very slowly and colouring, so that even the moonlight showed her
+blushes, she withdrew the ornament again and held it towards him.
+
+"Surely this is familiar to me? Have I not seen it before?" he asked.
+
+"Perhaps. I wore it that night in the temple, your Highness."
+
+"You must not name me Highness, Lady. I have no longer any rank in
+Egypt."
+
+"I know--because of--my people. Oh! it was noble."
+
+"But about the scarabæus----" he broke in, with a wave of his hand.
+"Surely it is the same with which the bandage was made fast upon your
+hurt--oh! years ago?"
+
+"Yes, it is the same," she answered, looking down.
+
+"I thought it. And when I gave it to you, I said some words that seemed
+to me well spoken at the time. What were they? I cannot remember. Have
+you also forgotten?"
+
+"Yes--I mean--no. You said that now I had all Egypt beneath my foot,
+speaking of the royal cartouche upon the scarab."
+
+"Ah! I recall. How true, and yet how false the jest, or prophecy."
+
+"How can anything be both true and false, Prince?"
+
+"That I could prove to you very easily, but it would take an hour or
+more, so it shall be for another time. This scarab is a poor thing,
+give it back to me and you shall have a better. Or would you choose this
+signet? As I am no longer Prince of Egypt it is useless to me."
+
+"Keep the scarab, Prince. It is your own. But I will not take the ring
+because it is----"
+
+"----useless to me, and you would not have that which is without value
+to the giver. Oh! I string words ill, but they were not what I meant."
+
+"No, Prince, because your royal ring is too large for one so small."
+
+"How can you tell until you have tried? Also that is a fault which might
+perhaps be mended."
+
+Then he laughed, and she laughed also, but as yet she did not take the
+ring.
+
+"Have you seen Ana?" he went on. "I believe he set out to search for
+you, in such a hurry indeed that he could scarcely finish his report to
+me."
+
+"Did he say that?"
+
+"No, he only looked it. So much so that I suggested he should seek you
+at once. He answered that he was going to rest after his long journey,
+or perhaps I said that he ought to do so. I forget, as often one does,
+on so beauteous a night when other thoughts seem nearer."
+
+"Why did Ana wish to see me, Prince?"
+
+"How can I tell? Why does a man who is still young--want to see a sweet
+and beautiful lady? Oh! I remember. He had met your uncle at Tanis who
+inquired as to your health. Perhaps that is why he wanted to see you."
+
+"I do not wish to hear about my uncle at Tanis. He reminds me of too
+many things that give pain, and there are nights when one wishes to
+escape pain, which is sure to be found again on the morrow."
+
+"Are you still of the same mind about returning to your people?" he
+asked, more earnestly.
+
+"Surely. Oh! do not say that you will send me hence to----"
+
+"Laban, Lady?"
+
+"Laban amongst others. Remember, Prince, that I am one under a curse. If
+I return to Goshen, in this way or in that, soon I shall die."
+
+"Ana says that your uncle Jabez declares that the mad fellow who tried
+to murder you had no authority to curse and much less to kill you. You
+must ask him to tell you all."
+
+"Yet the curse will cling and crush me at the last. How can I, one
+lonely woman, stand against the might of the people of Israel and their
+priests?"
+
+"Are you then lonely?"
+
+"How can it be otherwise with an outcast, Prince?"
+
+"No, it cannot be otherwise. I know it who am also an outcast."
+
+"At least there is her Highness your wife, who doubtless will come to
+comfort you," she said, looking down.
+
+"Her Highness will not come. If you had seen Ana, he would perhaps have
+told you that she has sworn not to look upon my face again, unless above
+it shines a crown."
+
+"Oh! how can a woman be so cruel? Surely, Prince, such a stab must cut
+you to the heart," she exclaimed, with a little cry of pity.
+
+"Her Highness is not only a woman; she is a Princess of Egypt which is
+different. For the rest it does cut me to the heart that my royal sister
+should have deserted me, for that which she loves better--power and
+pomp. But so it is, unless Ana dreams. It seems therefore that we are in
+the same case, both outcasts, you and I, is it not so?"
+
+She made no answer but continued to look upon the ground, and he went on
+very slowly:
+
+"A thought comes into my mind on which I would ask your judgment. If two
+who are forlorn came together they would be less forlorn by half, would
+they not?"
+
+"It would seem so, Prince--that is if they remained forlorn at all. But
+I do not understand the riddle."
+
+"Yet you have answered it. If you are lonely and I am lonely apart, we
+should, you say, be less lonely together."
+
+"Prince," she murmured, shrinking away from him, "I spoke no such
+words."
+
+"No, I spoke them for you. Hearken to me, Merapi. They think me a
+strange man in Egypt because I have held no woman dear, never having
+seen one whom I could hold dear." Here she looked at him searchingly,
+and he went on, "A while ago, before I visited your land of Goshen--Ana
+can tell you about the matter, for I think he wrote it down--Ki and
+old Bakenkhonsu came to see me. Now, as you know, Ki is without doubt
+a great magician, though it would seem not so great as some of your
+prophets. He told me that he and others had been searching out my future
+and that in Goshen I should find a woman whom it was fated I must love.
+He added that this woman would bring me much joy." Here Seti paused,
+doubtless remembering this was not all that Ki had said, or Jabez
+either. "Ki told me also," he went on slowly, "that I had already known
+this woman for thousands of years."
+
+She started and a strange look came into her face.
+
+"How can that be, Prince?"
+
+"That is what I asked him and got no good answer. Still he said it,
+not only of the woman but of my friend Ana as well, which indeed would
+explain much, and it would appear that the other magicians said it also.
+Then I went to the land of Goshen and there I saw a woman----"
+
+"For the first time, Prince?"
+
+"No, for the third time."
+
+Here she sank upon the bench and covered her eyes with her hands.
+
+"----and loved her, and felt as though I had loved her for 'thousands of
+years.'"
+
+"It is not true. You mock me, it is not true!" she whispered.
+
+"It is true for if I did not know it then, I knew it afterwards, though
+never perhaps completely until to-day, when I learned that Userti had
+deserted me indeed. Moon of Israel, you are that woman. I will not
+tell you," he went on passionately, "that you are fairer than all other
+women, or sweeter, or more wise, though these things you seem to me. I
+will only tell you that I love you, yes, love you, whatever you may be.
+I cannot offer you the Throne of Egypt, even if the law would suffer it,
+but I can offer you the throne of this heart of mine. Now, Lady Merapi,
+what have you to say? Before you speak, remember that although you seem
+to be my prisoner here at Memphis, you have naught to fear from me.
+Whatever you may answer, such shelter and such friendship as I can give
+will be yours while I live, and never shall I attempt to force myself
+upon you, however much it may pain me to pass you by. I know not the
+future. It may happen that I shall give you great place and power, it
+may happen that I shall give you nothing but poverty and exile, or even
+perhaps a share in my own death, but with either will go the worship of
+my body and my spirit. Now, speak."
+
+She dropped her hands from her face, looking up at him, and there were
+tears shining in her beautiful eyes.
+
+"It cannot be, Prince," she murmured.
+
+"You mean you do not wish it to be?"
+
+"I said that it cannot be. Such ties between an Egyptian and an
+Israelite are not lawful."
+
+"Some in this city and elsewhere seem to find them so."
+
+"And I am married, I mean perhaps I am married--at least in name."
+
+"And I too am married, I mean----"
+
+"That is different. Also there is another reason, the greatest of all, I
+am under a curse, and should bring you, not joy as Ki said, but sorrow,
+or, at the least, sorrow with the joy."
+
+He looked at her searchingly.
+
+"Has Ana----" he began, then continued, "if so what lives have you known
+that are not compounded of mingled joy and sorrow?"
+
+"None. But the woe I should bring would outweigh the joy--to you. The
+curse of my God rests upon me and I cannot learn to worship yours. The
+curse of my people rests upon me, the law of my people divides me
+from you as with a sword, and should I draw close to you these will be
+increased upon my head, which matters not, but also upon yours," and she
+began to sob.
+
+"Tell me," he said, taking her by the hand, "but one thing, and if the
+answer is No, I will trouble you no more. Is your heart mine?"
+
+"It is," she sighed, "and has been ever since my eyes fell upon you
+yonder in the streets of Tanis. Oh! then a change came into me and I
+hated Laban, whom before I had only misliked. Moreover, I too felt that
+of which Ki spoke, as though I had known you for thousands of years. My
+heart is yours, my love is yours; all that makes me woman is yours, and
+never, never can turn from you to any other man. But still we must stay
+apart, for your sake, my Prince, for your sake."
+
+"Then, were it not for me, you would be ready to run these hazards?"
+
+"Surely! Am I not a woman who loves?"
+
+"If that be so," he said with a little laugh, "being of full age and of
+an understanding which some have thought good, by your leave I think I
+will run them also. Oh! foolish woman, do you not understand that there
+is but one good thing in the world, one thing in which self and its
+miseries can be forgot, and that thing is love? Mayhap troubles will
+come. Well, let them come, for what do they matter if only the love or
+its memory remains, if once we have picked that beauteous flower and for
+an hour worn it on our breasts. You talk of the difference between the
+gods we worship and maybe it exists, but all gods send their gifts of
+love upon the earth, without which it would cease to be. Moreover, my
+faith teaches me more clearly perhaps than yours, that life does not end
+with death and therefore that love, being life's soul, must endure while
+it endures. Last of all, I think, as you think, that in some dim way
+there is truth in what the magicians said, and that long ago in the past
+we have been what once more we are about to be, and that the strength of
+this invisible tie has drawn us together out of the whole world and will
+bind us together long after the world is dead. It is not a matter of
+what we wish to do, Merapi, it is a matter of what Fate has decreed we
+shall do. Now, answer again."
+
+But she made no answer, and when I looked up after a little moment she
+was in his arms and her lips were upon his lips.
+
+
+
+Thus did Prince Seti of Egypt and Merapi, Moon of Israel, come
+together at Memphis in Egypt.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE RED NILE
+
+On the morrow of this night I found the Prince alone for a little while,
+and put him in mind of certain ancient manuscripts that he wished to
+read, which could only be consulted at Thebes where I might copy them;
+also of others that were said to be for sale there. He answered that
+they could wait, but I replied that the latter might find some other
+purchaser if I did not go at once.
+
+"You are over fond of long journeys upon my business, Ana," he said.
+Then he considered me curiously for a while, and since he could read my
+mind, as indeed I could his, saw that I knew all, and added in a gentle
+voice:
+
+"You should have done as I told you, and spoken first. If so, who
+knows----"
+
+"You do, Prince," I answered, "you and another."
+
+"Go, and the gods be with you, friend, but stay not too long copying
+those rolls, which any scribe can do. I think there is trouble at hand
+in Egypt, and I shall need you at my side. Another who holds you dear
+will need you also."
+
+"I thank my lord and that other," I said, bowing, and went.
+
+Moreover, while I was making some humble provision for my journey, I
+found that this was needless, since a slave came to tell me that the
+Prince's barge was waiting to sail with the wind. So in that barge I
+travelled to Thebes like a great noble, or a royal mummy being borne
+to burial. Only instead of wailing priests, until I sent them back to
+Memphis, musicians sat upon the prow, and when I willed, dancing girls
+came to amuse my leisure and, veiled in golden nets, to serve at my
+table.
+
+So I journeyed as though I were the Prince himself, and as one who was
+known to have his ear was made much of by the governors of the Nomes,
+the chief men of the towns, and the high priests of the temples at every
+city where we moored. For, as I have said, although Amenmeses sat
+upon the throne, Seti still ruled in the hearts of the folk of Egypt.
+Moreover, as I sailed further up the Nile to districts where little
+was known of the Israelites, and the troubles they were bringing on the
+land, I found this to be so more and more. Why is it, the Great Ones
+would whisper in my ear, that his Highness the Prince Seti does not
+hold his father's place? Then I would tell them of the Hebrews, and they
+would laugh and say:
+
+"Let the Prince unfurl his royal banner here, and we will show him what
+we think of the question of these Israelitish slaves. May not the Heir
+of Egypt form his own judgment on such a matter as to whether they
+should abide there in the north, or go away into that wilderness which
+they desire?"
+
+To all of which, and much like it, I would only answer that their words
+should be reported. More I did not, and indeed did not dare to say,
+since everywhere I found that I was being followed and watched by the
+spies of Pharaoh.
+
+At length I came to Thebes and took up my abode in a fine house that was
+the property of the Prince, which I found that a messenger had commanded
+should be made ready for me. It stood near by the entrance to the Avenue
+of Sphinxes, which leads to the greatest of all the Theban temples,
+where is that mighty columned hall built by the first Seti and his son,
+Rameses II, the Prince's grandfather.
+
+Here, having entrance to the place, I would often wander at night,
+and in my spirit draw as near to heaven as ever it has been my lot to
+travel. Also, crossing the Nile to the western bank, I visited that
+desolate valley where the rulers of Egypt lie at rest. The tomb of
+Pharaoh Meneptah was still unsealed, and accompanied by a single
+priest with torches, I crept down its painted halls and looked upon the
+sarcophagus of him whom so lately I had seen seated in glory upon the
+throne, wondering, as I looked, how much or how little he knew of all
+that passed in Egypt to-day.
+
+Moreover, I copied the papyri that I had come to seek, in which there
+was nothing worth preserving, and some of real value that I discovered
+in the ancient libraries of the temples, and purchased others. One of
+these indeed told a very strange tale that has given me much cause for
+thought, especially of late years now when all my friends are dead.
+
+Thus I spent two months, and should have stayed longer had not
+messengers reached me from the Prince saying that he desired my return.
+Of these, one followed within three days of the other, and his words
+were:
+
+"Think you, Scribe Ana, that because I am no more Prince of Egypt I am
+no longer to be obeyed? If so, bear in mind that the gods may decree
+that one day I shall grow taller than ever I was before, and then be
+sure that I will remember your disobedience, and make you shorter by a
+head. Come swiftly, my friend, for I grow lonely, and need a man to talk
+with."
+
+To which I replied, that I returned as fast as the barge would carry
+me, being so heavily laden with the manuscripts that I had copied and
+purchased.
+
+So I started, being, to tell truth, glad to get away, for this reason.
+Two nights before, when I was walking alone from the great temple of the
+house, a woman dressed in many colours appeared and accosted me as such
+lost ones do. I tried to shake her off, but she clung to me, and I saw
+that she had drunk more than enough of wine. Presently she asked, in a
+voice that I thought familiar, if I knew who was the officer that
+had come to Thebes on the business of some Royal One and abode in the
+dwelling that was known as House of the Prince. I answered that his name
+was Ana.
+
+"Once I knew an Ana very well," she said, "but I left him."
+
+"Why?" I asked, turning cold in my limbs, for although I could not see
+her face because of a hood she wore, now I began to be afraid.
+
+"Because he was a poor fool," she answered, "no man at all, but one who
+was always thinking about writings and making them, and another came my
+way whom I liked better until he deserted me."
+
+"And what happened to this Ana?" I asked.
+
+"I do not know. I suppose he went on dreaming, or perhaps he took
+another wife; if so, I am sorry for her. Only, if by chance it is the
+same that has come to Thebes, he must be wealthy now, and I shall go and
+claim him and make him keep me well."
+
+"Had you any children?" I asked.
+
+"Only one, thank the gods, and that died--thank the gods again, for
+otherwise it might have lived to be such as I am," and she sobbed once
+in a hard fashion and then fell to her vile endearments.
+
+As she did so, the hood slipped from her head and I saw that the face
+was that of my wife, still beauteous in a bold fashion, but grown
+dreadful with drink and sin. I trembled from head to foot, then said in
+the disguised voice that I had used to her.
+
+"Woman, I know this Ana. He is dead and you were his ruin. Still,
+because I was his friend, take this and go reform your ways," and I drew
+from my robe and gave to her a bag containing no mean weight of gold.
+
+She snatched it as a hawk snatches, and seeing its contents by the
+starlight, thanked me, saying:
+
+"Surely Ana dead is worth more than Ana alive. Also it is well that he
+is dead, for he is gone where the child went, which he loved more than
+life, neglecting me for its sake and thereby making me what I am. Had he
+lived, too, being as I have said a fool, he would have had more ill-luck
+with women, whom he never understood. Farewell, friend of Ana, who
+have given me that which will enable me to find another husband," and
+laughing wildly she reeled off behind a sphinx and vanished into the
+darkness.
+
+For this reason, then, I was glad to escape from Thebes. Moreover, that
+miserable one had hurt me sorely, making me sure of what I had only
+guessed, namely, that with women I was but a fool, so great a fool that
+then and there I swore by my guardian god that never would I look with
+love on one of them again, an oath which I have kept well whatever
+others I may have broken. Again she stabbed me through with the talk of
+our dead child, for it is true that when that sweet one took flight to
+Osiris my heart broke and in a fashion has never mended itself again.
+Lastly, I feared lest it might also be true that I had neglected the
+mother for the sake of this child which was the jewel of my worship,
+yes, and is, and thereby helped her on to shame. So much did this
+thought torment me that through an agent whom I trusted, who believed
+that I was but providing for one whom I had wronged, I caused enough to
+be paid to her to keep her in comfort.
+
+She did marry again, a merchant about whom she had cast her toils, and
+in due course spent his wealth and brought him to ruin, after which he
+ran away from her. As for her, she died of her evil habits in the third
+year of the reign of Seti II. But, the gods be thanked she never knew
+that the private scribe of Pharaoh's chamber was that Ana who had been
+her husband. Here I will end her story.
+
+Now as I was passing down the Nile with a heart more heavy than the
+great stone that served as anchor on the barge, we moored at dusk on
+the third night by the side of a vessel that was sailing up Nile with
+a strong northerly wind. On board this boat was an officer whom I had
+known at the Court of Pharaoh Meneptah, travelling to Thebes on duty.
+This man seemed so much afraid that I asked him if anything weighed upon
+his mind. Then he took me aside into a palm grove upon the bank, and
+seating himself on the pole whereby oxen turned a waterwheel, told me
+that strange things were passing at Tanis.
+
+It seemed that the Hebrew prophets had once more appeared before
+Pharaoh, who since his accession had left the Israelites in peace,
+not attacking them with the sword as Meneptah had wished to do, it was
+thought through fear lest if he did so he should die as Meneptah died.
+As before, they had put up their prayer that the people of the Hebrews
+should be suffered to go to worship in the wilderness, and Pharaoh had
+refused them. Then when he went down to sail upon the river early in
+the morning of another day, they had met him and one of them struck the
+water with his rod, and it had turned to blood. Whereon Ki and Kherheb
+and his company also struck the water with their rods, and it turned to
+blood. That was six days ago, and now this officer swore to me that the
+blood was creeping up the Nile, a tale at which I laughed.
+
+"Come then and see," he said, and led me back to his boat, where all the
+crew seemed as fearful as he was himself.
+
+He took me forward to a great water jar that stood upon the prow and,
+behold! it seemed to be full of blood, and in it was a fish dead,
+and--stinking.
+
+"This water," said he, "I drew from the Nile with my own hands, not
+five hours sail to the north. But now we have outsped the blood, which
+follows after us," and taking a lamp he held it over the prow of the
+boat and I saw that all its planks were splashed as though with blood.
+
+"Be advised by me, learned scribe," he added, "and fill every jar and
+skin that you can gather with sweet water, lest to-morrow you and your
+company should go thirsty," and he laughed a very dreary laugh.
+
+Then we parted without more words, for neither of us knew what to say,
+and about midnight he sailed on with the wind, taking his chance of
+grounding on the sandbanks in the darkness.
+
+For my part I did as he bade me, though my rowers who had not spoken
+with his men, thought that I was mad to load up the barge with so much
+water.
+
+At the first break of day I gave the order to start. Looking over the
+side of the barge it seemed to me as though the lights of dawn
+had fallen from the sky into the Nile whereof the water had become
+pink-hued. Moreover, this hue, which grew ever deeper, was travelling up
+stream, not down, against the course of nature, and could not therefore
+have been caused by red soil washed from the southern lands. The
+bargemen stared and muttered together. Then one of them, leaning over
+the side, scooped up water in the hollow of his hand and drew some into
+his mouth, only to spit it out again with a cry of fear.
+
+"'Tis blood," he cried. "Blood! Osiris has been slain afresh, and his
+holy blood fills the banks of Nile."
+
+So much were they afraid, indeed, that had I not forced them to hold to
+their course they would have turned and rowed up stream, or beached
+the boat and fled into the desert. But I cried to them to steer on
+northwards, for thus perhaps we should sooner be done with this horror,
+and they obeyed me. Ever as we went the hue of the water grew more red,
+almost to blackness, till at last it seemed as though we were travelling
+through a sea of gore in which dead fish floated by the thousand, or
+struggled dying on the surface. Also the stench was so dreadful that we
+must bind linen about our nostrils to strain the foetid air.
+
+We came abreast of a town, and from its streets one great wail of terror
+rose to heaven. Men stood staring as though they were drunken, looking
+at their red arms which they had dipped in the stream, and women ran to
+and fro upon the bank, tearing their hair and robes, and crying out such
+words as--
+
+"Wizard's work! Bewitched! Accursed! The gods have slain each other, and
+men too must die!" and so forth.
+
+Also we saw peasants digging holes at a distance from the shore to see
+perchance if they might come to water that was sweet and wholesome. All
+day long we travelled thus through this horrible flood, while the spray
+driven by the strong north wind spotted our flesh and garments, till we
+were like butchers reeking from the shambles. Nor could we eat any food
+because of the stench from this spray, which made it to taste salt as
+does fresh blood, only we drank of the water which I had provided, and
+the rowers who had held me to be mad now named me the wisest of men; one
+who knew what would befall in the future.
+
+At length towards evening we noted that the water was growing much less
+red with every hour that passed, which was another marvel, seeing that
+above us, upstream, it was the colour of jasper, whereon we paused from
+our rowing and, all defiled as we were, sang a hymn and gave thanks to
+Hapi, god of Nile, the Great, the Secret, the Hidden. Before sunset,
+indeed, the river was clean again, save that on the bank where we made
+fast for the night the stones and rushes were all stained, and the dead
+fish lay in thousands polluting the air. To escape the stench we climbed
+a cliff that here rose quite close to Nile, in which we saw the mouths
+of ancient tombs that long ago had been robbed and left empty, purposing
+to sleep in one of them.
+
+A path worn by the feet of men ran to the largest of these tombs,
+whence, as we drew near, we heard the sound of wailing. Looking in, I
+saw a woman and some children crouched upon the floor of the tomb, their
+heads covered with dust who, when they perceived us, cried more loudly
+than before, though with harsh dry voices, thinking no doubt that we
+were robbers or perhaps ghosts because of our bloodstained garments.
+Also there was another child, a little one, that did not cry, because
+it was dead. I asked the woman what passed, but even when she understood
+that we were only men who meant her no harm, she could not speak or do
+more than gasp "Water! Water!" We gave her and the children to drink
+from the jars which we had brought with us, which they did greedily,
+after which I drew her story from her.
+
+She was the wife of a fisherman who made his home in this cave, and said
+that seven days before the Nile had turned to blood, so that they could
+not drink of it, and had no water save a little in a pot. Nor could
+they dig to find it, since here the ground was all rock. Nor could they
+escape, since when he saw the marvel, her husband in his fear had leapt
+from his boat and waded to land and the boat had floated away.
+
+I asked where was her husband, and she pointed behind her. I went to
+look, and there found a man hanging by his neck from a rope that was
+fixed to the capital of a pillar in the tomb, quite dead and cold.
+Returning sick at heart, I inquired of her how this had come about. She
+answered that when he saw that all the fish had perished, taking away
+his living, and that thirst had killed his youngest child, he went mad,
+and creeping to the back of the tomb, without her knowledge hung himself
+with a net rope. It was a dreadful story.
+
+Having given the widow of our food, we went to sleep in another tomb,
+not liking the company of those dead ones. Next morning at the dawn we
+took the woman and her children on board the barge, and rowed them three
+hours' journey to a town where she had a sister, whom she found. The
+dead man and the child we left there in the tomb, since my men would not
+defile themselves by touching them.
+
+So, seeing much terror and misery on our journey, at last we came safe
+to Memphis. Leaving the boatmen to draw up the barge, I went to the
+palace, speaking with none, and was led at once to the Prince. I found
+him in a shaded chamber seated side by side with the lady Merapi, and
+holding her hand in such a fashion that they remind me of the life-sized
+Ka statues of a man and his wife, such as I have seen in the ancient
+tombs, cut when the sculptors knew how to fashion the perfect likenesses
+of men and women. This they no longer do to-day, I think because the
+priests have taught them that it is not lawful. He was talking to her
+in a low voice, while she listened, smiling sweetly as she ever did,
+but with eyes, fixed straight before her that were, as it seemed to me,
+filled with fear. I thought that she looked very beautiful with her
+hair outspread over her white robe, and held back from her temples by a
+little fillet of god. But as I looked, I rejoiced to find that my heart
+no longer yearned for her as it had upon that night when I had seen her
+seated beneath the trees without the pleasure-house. Now she was its
+friend, no more, and so she remained until all was finished, as both the
+Prince and she knew well enough.
+
+When he saw me Seti sprang from his seat and came to greet me, as a man
+does the friend whom he loves. I kissed his hand, and going to Merapi,
+kissed hers also noting that on it now shone that ring which once she
+had rejected as too large.
+
+"Tell me, Ana, all that has befallen you," he said in his pleasant,
+eager voice.
+
+"Many things, Prince; one of them very strange and terrible," I
+answered.
+
+"Strange and terrible things have happened here also," broke in Merapi,
+"and, alas! this is but the beginning of woes."
+
+So saying, she rose, as though she could trust herself to speak no more,
+bowed first to her lord and then to me, and left the chamber.
+
+I looked at the Prince and he answered the question in my eyes.
+
+"Jabez has been here," he said, "and filled her heart with forebodings.
+If Pharaoh will not let the Israelites go, by Amon I wish he would let
+Jabez go to some place whence he never could return. But tell me, have
+you also met blood travelling against the stream of Nile? It would seem
+so," and he glanced at the rusty stains that no washing would remove
+from my garments.
+
+I nodded and we talked together long and earnestly, but in the end were
+no wiser for all our talking. For neither of us knew how it came about
+that men by striking water with a rod could turn it into what seemed to
+be blood, as the Hebrew prophet and Ki both had done, or how that blood
+could travel up the Nile against the stream and everywhere endure for a
+space of seven days; yes, and spread too to all the canals in Egypt, so
+that men must dig holes for water and dig them fresh each day because
+the blood crept in and poisoned them. But both of us thought that this
+was the work of the gods, and most of all of that god whom the Hebrews
+worship.
+
+"You remember, Ana," said the Prince, "the message which you brought to
+me from Jabez, namely that no harm should come to me because of these
+Israelites and their curses. Well, no harm as come as yet, except the
+harm of Jabez, for he came. On the day before the news of this blood
+plague reached us, Jabez appeared disguised as a merchant of Syrian
+stuffs, all of which he sold to me at three times their value. He
+obtained admission to the chambers of Merapi, where she is accustomed to
+see whom she wills, and under pretence of showing her his stuffs, spoke
+with her and, as I fear, told her what you and I were so careful to
+hide, that she would bring trouble on me. At the least she has never
+been quite the same since, and I have thought it wise to make her swear
+by an oath, which I know she will never break, that now we are one she
+will not attempt to separate herself from me while we both have life."
+
+"Did he wish her to go away with him, Prince?"
+
+"I do not know. She never told me so. Still I am sure that had he come
+with his evil talk before that day when you returned from Tanis, she
+would have gone. Now I hope that there are reasons that will keep her
+where she is."
+
+"What then did he say, Prince?"
+
+"Little beyond what he had already said to you, that great troubles were
+about to fall on Egypt. He added that he was sent to save me and mine
+from these troubles because I had been a friend to the Hebrews in so far
+as that was possible. Then he walked through this house and all round
+its gardens, as he went reciting something that was written on a
+roll, of which I could not understand the meaning, and now and again
+prostrating himself to pray to his god. Thus, where the canal enters the
+garden and where it leaves the garden he stayed to pray, as he did at
+the well whence drinking water is drawn. Moreover, led by Merapi, he
+visited all my cornlands and those where my cattle are herded, reciting
+and praying until the servants thought that he was mad. After this he
+returned with her and, as it chanced, I overheard their parting. She
+said to him:
+
+"'The house you have blessed and it is safe; the fields you have blessed
+and they are safe; will you not bless me also, O my Uncle, and any that
+are born of me?'
+
+"He answered, shaking his head, 'I have no command, my Niece, either to
+bless or to curse you, as did that fool whom the Prince slew. You have
+chosen your own path apart from your people. It may be well, or it
+may be ill, or perhaps both, and henceforth you must walk it alone to
+wherever it may lead. Farewell, for perhaps we shall meet no more.'
+
+"Thus speaking they passed out of earshot, but I could see that still
+she pleaded and still he shook his head. In the end, however, she gave
+him an offering, of all that she had I think, though whether this went
+to the temple of the Hebrews or into his own pouch I know not. At least
+it seemed to soften him, for he kissed her on the brow tenderly enough
+and departed with the air of a happy merchant who has sold his wares.
+But of all that passed between them Merapi would tell me nothing. Nor
+did I tell her of what I had overheard."
+
+"And then?"
+
+"And then, Ana, came the story of the Hebrew prophet who made the water
+into blood, and of Ki and his disciples who did likewise. The latter
+I did not believe, because I said it would be more reasonable had Ki
+turned the blood back into water, instead of making more blood of which
+there was enough already."
+
+"I think that magicians have no reason."
+
+"Or can do mischief only, Ana. At any rate after the story came the
+blood itself and stayed with us seven whole days, leaving much sickness
+behind it because of the stench of the rotting fish. Now for the
+marvel--here about my house there was no blood, though above and below
+the canal was full of it. The water remained as it has always been and
+the fish swam in it as they have always done; also that of the well
+kept sweet and pure. When this came to be known thousands crowded to the
+place, clamouring for water; that is until they found that outside the
+gates it grew red in their vessels, after which, although some still
+came, they drank the water where they stood, which they must do
+quickly."
+
+"And what tale do they tell of this in Memphis, Prince?" I asked
+astonished.
+
+"Certain of them say that not Ki but I am the greatest magician in
+Egypt--never, Ana, was fame more lightly earned. And certain say that
+Merapi, of whose doings in the temple at Tanis some tale has reached
+them, is the real magician, she being an Israelite of the tribe of the
+Hebrew prophets. Hush! She returns."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+KI COMES TO MEMPHIS
+
+Now of all the terrors of which this turning of the water into blood was
+the beginning in Egypt, I, Ana, the scribe, will not write, for if I did
+so, never in my life-days should I, who am old, find time to finish the
+story of them. Over a period of many, many moons they came, one by one,
+till the land grew mad with want and woe. Always the tale was the same.
+The Hebrew prophets would visit Pharaoh at Tanis and demand that
+he should led their people go, threatening him with vengeance if he
+refused. Yet he did refuse, for some madness had hold of him, or perhaps
+the god of the Israelites laid an enchantment on him, why I know not.
+
+Thus but a little while after the terror of blood came a plague of frogs
+that filled Egypt from north to south, and when these were taken away
+made the air to stink. This miracle Ki and his company worked also,
+sending the frogs into Goshen, where they plagued the Israelites. But
+however it came about, at Seti's palace at Memphis and on the land that
+he owned around it there were no frogs, or at least but few of them,
+although at night from the fields about the sound of their croaking went
+up like the sound of beaten drums.
+
+Next came a plague of lice, and these Ki and his companions would have
+also called down upon the Hebrews, but they failed, and afterwards
+struggled no more against the magic of the Israelites. Then followed a
+plague of flies, so that the air was black with them and no food could
+be kept sweet. Only in Seti's palace there were no flies, and in the
+garden but a few. After this a terrible pest began among the cattle,
+whereof thousands died. But of Seti's great herd not one was even sick,
+nor, as we learned, was there a hoof the less in the land of Goshen.
+
+This plague struck Egypt but a little while after Merapi had given birth
+to a son, a very beautiful child with his mother's eyes, that was named
+Seti after his father. Now the marvel of the escape of the Prince and
+his household and all that was his from these curses spread abroad and
+made much talk, so that many sent to inquire of it.
+
+Among the first came old Bakenkhonsu with a message from Pharaoh, and
+a private one to myself from the Princess Userti, whose pride would not
+suffer her to ask aught of Seti. We could tell him nothing except what
+I have written, which at first he did not believe. Having satisfied
+himself, however, that the thing was true, he said that he had fallen
+sick and could not travel back to Tanis. Therefore he asked leave of the
+Prince to rest a while in his house, he who had been the friend of his
+father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather. Seti laughed, as
+indeed did the cunning old man himself, and there with us Bakenkhonsu
+remained till the end, to our great joy, for he was the most pleasant
+of all companions and the most learned. As for his message, one of his
+servants took back the answer to Pharaoh and to Userti, with the news of
+his master's grievous sickness.
+
+Some eight days or so later, as I stood one morning basking in the sun
+at that gate of the palace gardens which overlooks the temple of Ptah,
+idly watching the procession of priests passing through its courts and
+chanting as they went (for because of the many sicknesses at this time
+I left the palace but rarely), I saw a tall figure approaching me draped
+against the morning cold. The man drew near, and addressing me over the
+head of the guard, asked if he could see the lady Merapi. I answered No,
+as she was engaged in nursing her son.
+
+"And in other things, I think," he said with meaning, in a voice that
+seemed familiar to me. "Well, can I see the Prince Seti?"
+
+I answered No, he was also engaged.
+
+"In nursing his own soul, studying the eyes of the lady Merapi, the
+smile of his infant, the wisdom of the scribe Ana, and the attributes
+of the hundred and one gods that are known to him, including that of
+Israel, I suppose," said the familiar voice, adding, "Then can I see
+this scribe Ana, who I understand, being lucky, holds himself learned."
+
+Now, angered at the scoffing of this stranger (though all the time I
+felt that he was none), I answered that the scribe Ana was striving to
+mend his luck by the pursuit of the goddess of learning in his study.
+
+"Let him pursue," mocked the stranger, "since she is the only woman that
+he is ever likely to catch. Yet it is true that once one caught him. If
+you are of his acquaintance ask him of his talk with her in the avenue
+of the Sphinxes outside the great temple at Thebes and of what it cost
+him in gold and tears."
+
+Hearing this I put my hand to my forehead and rubbed my eyes, thinking
+that I must have fallen into a dream there in the sunshine. When I
+lifted it again all was the same as before. There stood the sentry,
+indifferent to that which had no interest for him; the cock that had
+moulted its tail still scratched in the dirt; the crested hoopoe still
+sat spreading its wings on the head of one of the two great statues of
+Rameses which watched the gate; a water-seller in the distance still
+cried his wares, but the stranger was gone. Then I knew that I had been
+dreaming and turned to go also, to find myself face to face with him.
+
+"Man," I said, indignantly, "how in the name of Ptah and all his priests
+did you pass a sentry and through that gate without my seeing you?"
+
+"Do not trouble yourself with a new problem when already you have so
+many to perplex you, friend Ana. Say, have you yet solved that of how
+a rod like this turned itself into a snake in your hand?" and he threw
+back his hood, revealing the shaved head and the glowing eyes of the
+Kherheb Ki.
+
+"No, I have not," I answered, "and I thank you," for here he proffered
+me the staff, "but I will not try the trick again. Next time the beast
+might bite. Well, Ki, as you can pass in here without my leave, why do
+you ask it? In short, what do you want with me, now that those Hebrew
+prophets have put you on your back?"
+
+"Hush, Ana. Never grow angry, it wastes strength, of which we have so
+little to spare, for you know, being so wise, or perhaps you do not
+know, that at birth the gods give us a certain store of it, and when
+that is used we die and have to go elsewhere to fetch more. At this rate
+your life will be short, Ana, for you squander it in emotions."
+
+"What do you want?" I repeated, being too angry to dispute with him.
+
+"I want to find an answer to the question you asked so roughly: Why the
+Hebrew prophets have, as you say, put me on my back?"
+
+"Not being a magician, as you pretend you are, I can give you none, Ki."
+
+"Never for one moment did I suppose that you could," he replied blandly,
+stretching out his hands, and leaving the staff which had fallen from
+them standing in front of him. (It was not till afterwards that I
+remembered that this accursed bit of wood stood there of itself without
+visible support, for it rested on the paving-stone of the gateway.)
+"But, as it chances, you have in this house the master, or rather the
+mistress of all magicians, as every Egyptian knows to-day, the lady
+Merapi, and I would see her."
+
+"Why do you say she is a mistress of magicians?" I asked indignantly.
+
+"Why does one bird know another of its own kind? Why does the water here
+remain pure, when all other water turns to blood? Why do not the frogs
+croak in Seti's halls, and why do the flies avoid his meat? Why, also,
+did the statue of Amon melt before her glance, while all my magic fell
+back from her breast like arrows from a shirt of mail? Those are the
+questions that Egypt asks, and I would have an answer to them from the
+beloved of Seti, or of the god Set, she who is named Moon of Israel."
+
+"Then why not go seek it for yourself, Ki? To you, doubtless, it would
+be a small matter to take the form of a snake or a rat, or a bird, and
+creep or run or fly into the presence of Merapi."
+
+"Mayhap it would not be difficult, Ana. Or, better still, I might visit
+her in her sleep, as I visited you on a certain night at Thebes, when
+you told me of a talk you had held with a woman in the avenue of the
+Sphinxes, and of what it cost you in gold and tears. But, as it chances,
+I wish to appear as a man and a friend, and to stay a while. Bakenkhonsu
+tells me that he finds life here at Memphis very pleasant, free too
+from the sicknesses which just now seem to be so common in Egypt; so why
+should not I do the same, Ana?"
+
+I looked at his round, ripe face, on which was fixed a smile unchanging
+as that worn by the masks on mummy coffins, from which I think he must
+have copied it, and at the cold, deep eyes above, and shivered a
+little. To tell truth I feared this man, whom I felt to be in touch with
+presences and things that are not of our world, and thought it wisest to
+withstand him no more.
+
+"That is a question which you had best put to my master Seti who owns
+this house. Come, I will lead you to him," I said.
+
+So we went to the great portico of the palace, passing in and out
+through the painted pillars, towards my own apartments, whence I
+purposed to send a message to the Prince. As it chanced this was
+needless, since presently we saw him seated in a little bay out of reach
+of the sun. By his side was Merapi, and on a woven rug between them lay
+their sleeping infant, at whom both of them gazed adoringly.
+
+"Strange that this mother's heart should hide more might than can be
+boasted by all the gods of Egypt. Strange that those mother's eyes can
+rive the ancient glory of Amon into dust!" Ki said to me in so low a
+voice that it almost seemed as though I heard his thought and not his
+words, which perhaps indeed I did.
+
+Now we stood in front of these three, and the sun being behind us, for
+it was still early, the shadow of the cloaked Ki fell upon a babe and
+lay there. A hateful fancy came to me. It looked like the evil form
+of an embalmer bending over one new dead. The babe felt it, opened its
+large eyes and wailed. Merapi saw it, and snatched up her child. Seti
+too rose from his seat, exclaiming, "Who comes?"
+
+Thereon, to my amazement, Ki prostrated himself and uttered the
+salutation which may only be given to the King of Egypt: "Life! Blood!
+Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!"
+
+"Who dares utter those words to me?" said Seti. "Ana, what madman do you
+bring here?"
+
+"May it please the Prince, _he_ brought _me_ here," I replied faintly.
+
+"Fellow, tell me who bade you say such words, than which none were ever
+less welcome."
+
+"Those whom I serve, Prince."
+
+"And whom do you serve?"
+
+"The gods of Egypt."
+
+"Then, man, I think the gods must need your company. Pharaoh does not
+sit at Memphis, and were he to hear of them----"
+
+"Pharaoh will never hear them, Prince, until he hears all things."
+
+They stared at each other. Then, as I had done by the gate Seti rubbed
+his eyes, and said:
+
+"Surely this is Ki. Why, then, did you look otherwise just now?"
+
+"The gods can change the fashion of their messenger a thousand times in
+a flash, if so they will, O Prince."
+
+Now Seti's anger passed, and turned to laughter.
+
+"Ki, Ki," he said, "you should keep these tricks for Court. But, since
+you are in the mood, what salutation have you for this lady by my side?"
+
+Ki considered her, till she who ever feared and hated him shrank before
+his gaze.
+
+"Crown of Hathor, I greet you. Beloved of Isis, shine on perfect in the
+sky, shedding light and wisdom ere you set."
+
+Now this saying puzzled me. Indeed, I did not fully understand it until
+Bakenkhonsu reminded me that Merapi's name was Moon of Israel, that
+Hathor, goddess of love, is crowned with the moon in all her statues,
+that Isis is the queen of mysteries and wisdom, and that Ki who thought
+Merapi perfect in love and beauty, also the greatest of all sorceresses,
+was likening her to these.
+
+"Yes," I answered, "but what did he mean when he talked about her
+setting?"
+
+"Does not the moon always set, and is it not sometimes eclipsed?" he
+asked shortly.
+
+"So does the sun," I answered.
+
+"True; so does the sun! You are growing wise, very wise indeed, friend
+Ana. Oho--ho!"
+
+To return: When Seti heard these words, he laughed again, and said:
+
+"I must think that saying over, but it is clear that you have a pretty
+turn for praise. Is it not so, Merapi, Crown of Hathor, and Holder of
+the wisdom of Isis?"
+
+But Merapi, who, I think, understood more than either of us, turned
+pale, and shrank further away, but outwards into the sunshine.
+
+"Well, Ki," went on Seti, "finish your greetings. What for the babe?"
+
+Ki considered it also.
+
+"Now that it is no longer in the shadow, I see that this shoot from the
+royal root of Pharaoh grows so fast and tall that my eyes cannot reach
+its crest. He is too high and great for greetings, Prince."
+
+Then Merapi uttered a little cry, and bore the child away.
+
+"She is afraid of magicians and their dark sayings," said Seti, looking
+after her with a troubled smile.
+
+"That she should not be, Prince, seeing that she is the mistress of all
+our tribe."
+
+"The lady Merapi a magician? Well, after a fashion, yes--where the
+hearts of men are concerned, do you not think so, Ana? But be more
+plain, Ki. It is still early, and I love riddles best at night."
+
+"What other could have shattered the strong and holy house where the
+majesty of Amon dwells on earth? Not even those prophets of the Hebrews
+as I think. What other could fence this garden round against the curses
+that have fallen upon Egypt?" asked Ki earnestly, for now all his
+mocking manner had departed.
+
+"I do not think she does these things, Ki. I think some Power does
+them through her, and I know that she dared to face Amon in his temple
+because she was bidden so to do by the priests of her people."
+
+"Prince," he answered with a short laugh, "a while ago I sent you a
+message by Ana, which perhaps other thoughts may have driven from his
+memory. It was as to the nature of that Power of which you speak. In
+that message I said that you were wise, but now I perceive that you lack
+wisdom like the rest of us, for if you had it, you would know that
+the tool which carves is not the guiding hand, and the lightning which
+smites is not the sending strength. So with this fair love of yours, and
+so with me and all that work marvels. We do not the things we seem to
+do, who are but the tool and the lightning. What I would know is who or
+what guides her hand and gives her the might to shield or to destroy."
+
+"The question is wide, Ki, or so it seems to me who, as you say, have
+little wisdom, and whoever can answer it holds the key of knowledge.
+Your magic is but a small thing which seems great because so few can
+handle it. What miracle is it that makes the flower to grow, the child
+to be born, the Nile to rise, and the sun and stars to shine in heaven?
+What causes man to be half a beast and half a god and to grow downward
+to the beast or upward to the god--or both? What is faith and what is
+unbelief? Who made these things, through them to declare the purposes of
+life, of death, and of eternity? You shake your head, you do not know;
+how then can I know who, as you point out, am but foolish? Go get your
+answer from the lady Merapi's self, only mayhap you will find your
+questions countered."
+
+"I'll take my chance. Thanks to Merapi's lord! A boon, O Prince, since
+you will not suffer that other name which comes easiest to the lips of
+one to whom the Present and the Future are sometimes much alike."
+
+Seti looked at him keenly, and for the first time with a tinge of fear
+in his eyes.
+
+"Leave the Future to itself, Ki," he exclaimed. "Whatever may be the
+mind of Egypt, just now I hold the Present enough for me," and he
+glanced first at the chair in which Merapi had been seated and then at
+the cloth upon which his son had lain.
+
+"I take back my words. The Prince is wiser than I thought. Magicians
+know the future because at times it rushes down upon them and they must.
+It is that which makes them lonely, since what they know they cannot
+say. But only fools will seek it."
+
+"Yet now and again they lift a corner of the veil, Ki. Thus I remember
+certain sayings of your own as to one who would find a great treasure
+in the land of Goshen and thereafter suffer some temporal loss, and--I
+forget the rest. Man, cease smiling at me with your face and piercing me
+through with your sword-like eyes. You can command all things, what boon
+then do you seek from me?"
+
+"To lodge here a little while, Prince, in the company of Ana and
+Bakenkhonsu. Hearken, I am no more Kherheb. I have quarrelled with
+Pharaoh, perhaps because a little breath from that great wind of the
+future blows through my soul; perhaps because he does not reward me
+according to my merits--what does it matter which? At least I have come
+to be of one mind with you, O Prince, and think that Pharaoh would do
+well to let the Hebrews go, and therefore no longer will I attempt to
+match my magic against theirs. But he refuses, so we have parted."
+
+"Why does he refuse, Ki?"
+
+"Perhaps it is written that he must refuse. Or perhaps because, thinking
+himself the greatest of all kings instead of but a plaything of the
+gods, pride locks the doors of his heart that in a day to come the
+tempest of the Future, whereof I have spoken, may wreck the house which
+holds it. I do not know why he refuses, but her Highness Userti is much
+with him."
+
+"For one who does not know, you have many reasons and all of them
+different, O instructed Ki," said Seti.
+
+Then he paused, walking up and down the portico, and I who knew his mind
+guessed that he was wondering whether he would do well to suffer Ki,
+whom at times he feared because his objects were secret and never
+changed, to abide in his house, or whether he should send him away. Ki
+also shivered a little, as though he felt the shadow cold, and descended
+from the portico into the bright sunshine. Here he held out his hand and
+a great moth dropped from the roof and lit upon it, whereon it lifted it
+to his lips, which moved as though he were talking to the insect.
+
+"What shall I do?" muttered Seti, as he passed me.
+
+"I do not altogether like his company, nor, I think, does the lady
+Merapi, but he is an ill man to offend, Prince," I answered. "Look, he
+is talking with his familiar."
+
+Seti returned to his place, and shaking off the moth which seemed loth
+to leave him, for twice it settled on his head, Ki came back into the
+shadow.
+
+"Where is the use of your putting questions to me, Ki, when, according
+to your own showing, already you know the answer that I will give? What
+answer shall I give?" asked the Prince.
+
+"That painted creature which sat upon my hand just now, seemed to
+whisper to me that you would say, O Prince, 'Stay, Ki, and be my
+faithful servant, and use any little lore you have to shield my house
+from ill.'"
+
+Then Seti laughed in his careless fashion, and replied:
+
+"Have your way, since it is a rule that none of the royal blood of Egypt
+may refuse hospitality to those who seek it, having been their friends,
+and I will not quote against your moth what a bat whispered in my ears
+last night. Nay, none of your salutations revealed to you by insects or
+by the future," and he gave him his hand to kiss.
+
+When Ki was gone, I said:
+
+"I told you that night-haunting thing was his familiar."
+
+"Then you told me folly, Ana. The knowledge that Ki has he does not get
+from moths or beetles. Yet now that it is too late I wish that I had
+asked the lady Merapi what her will was in this matter. You should have
+thought of that, Ana, instead of suffering your mind to be led astray
+by an insect sitting on his hand, which is just what he meant that you
+should do. Well, in punishment, day by day it shall be your lot to look
+upon a man with a countenance like--like what?"
+
+"Like that which I saw upon the coffin of the good god, your divine
+father, Meneptah, as it was prepared for him during his life in the
+embalmer's shop at Tanis," I answered.
+
+"Yes," said the Prince, "a face smiling eternally at the Nothingness
+which is Life and Death, but in certain lights, with eyes of fire."
+
+
+
+On the following day, by her invitation, I walked with the lady Merapi
+in the garden, the head nurse following us, bearing the royal child in
+her arms.
+
+"I wish to ask you about Ki, friend Ana," she said. "You know he is my
+enemy, for you must have heard the words he spoke to me in the temple
+of Amon at Tanis. It seems that my lord has made him the guest of this
+house--oh look!" and she pointed before her.
+
+I looked, and there a few paces away, where the shadow of the
+overhanging palms was deepest, stood Ki. He was leaning on his staff,
+the same that had turned to a snake in my hand, and gazing upwards like
+one who is lost in thought, or listens to the singing of birds. Merapi
+turned as though to fly, but at that moment Ki saw us, although he still
+seemed to gaze upwards.
+
+"Greeting, O Moon of Israel," he said bowing. "Greeting, O Conqueror of
+Ki!"
+
+She bowed back, and stood still, as a little bird stands when it sees a
+snake. There was a long silence, which he broke by asking:
+
+"Why seek that from Ana which Ki himself is eager to give? Ana is
+learned, but is his heart the heart of Ki? Above all, why tell him that
+Ki, the humblest of your servants, is your enemy?"
+
+Now Merapi straightened herself, looked into his eyes, and answered:
+
+"Have I told Ana aught that he did not know? Did not Ana hear the last
+words you said to me in the temple of Amon at Tanis?"
+
+"Doubtless he heard them, Lady, and therefore I am glad that he is here
+to hear their meaning. Lady Merapi, at that moment, I, the Sacrificer to
+Amon, was filled--not with my own spirit, but with the angry spirit of
+the god whom you had humbled as never before had befallen him in
+Egypt. The god through me demanded of you the secret of your magic, and
+promised you his hate, if you refused. Lady, you have his hate, but mine
+you have not, since I also have his hate because I, and he through me,
+have been worsted by your prophets. Lady, we are fellow-travellers in
+the Valley of Trouble."
+
+She gazed at him steadily, and I could see that of all that passed his
+lips she believed no one word. Making no answer to him and his talk of
+Amon, she asked only:
+
+"Why do you come here to do me ill who have done you none?"
+
+"You are mistaken, Lady," he replied. "I come here to refuge from Amon,
+and from his servant Pharaoh, whom Amon drives on to ruin. I know well
+that, if you will it, you can whisper in the ear of the Prince and
+presently he will put me forth. Only then----" and he looked over her
+head to where the nurse stood rocking the sleeping child.
+
+"Then what, Magician?"
+
+Giving no answer, he turned to me.
+
+"Learned Ana, to you remember meeting me at Tanis one night?"
+
+I shook my head, though I guessed well enough what night he meant.
+
+"Your memory weakens, learned Ana, or rather is confused, for we met
+often, did we not?"
+
+Then he stared at the staff in his hand. I stared also, because I could
+not help it, and saw, or thought I saw, the dead wood begin to swell and
+curve. This was enough for me and I said hastily:
+
+"If you mean the night of the Coronation, I do recall----"
+
+"Ah! I thought you would. You, learned Ana, who like all scribes observe
+so closely, will have noted how little things--such as the scent of a
+flower, or the passing of a bird, or even the writhing of a snake in the
+dust--often bring back to the mind events or words it has forgotten long
+ago."
+
+"Well--what of our meeting?" I broke in hastily.
+
+"Nothing at all--or only this. Just before it you were talking with the
+Hebrew Jabez, the lady Merapi's uncle, were you not?"
+
+"Yes, I was talking with him in an open place, alone."
+
+"Not so, learned Scribe, for you know we are never alone--quite. Could
+you but see it, every grain of sand has an ear."
+
+"Be pleased to explain, O Ki."
+
+"Nay, Ana, it would be too long, and short jests are ever the best. As I
+have told you, you were not alone, for though there were some words that
+I did not catch, _I_ heard much of what passed between you and Jabez."
+
+"What did you hear?" I asked wrathfully, and next instant wished that I
+had bitten through my tongue before it shaped the words.
+
+"Much, much. Let me think. You spoke about the lady Merapi, and whether
+she would do well to bide at Memphis in the shadow of the Prince, or to
+return to Goshen into the shadow of a certain--I forget the name. Jabez,
+a well-instructed man, said he thought that she might be happier at
+Memphis, though perhaps her presence there would bring a great sorrow
+upon herself and--another."
+
+Here again he looked at the child, which seemed to feel his glance, for
+it woke up and beat the air with its little hands.
+
+The nurse felt it also, although her head was turned away, for she
+started and then took shelter behind the bole of one of the palm-trees.
+Now Merapi said in a low and shaken voice:
+
+"I know what you mean, Magician, for since then I have seen my uncle
+Jabez."
+
+"As I have also, several times, Lady, which may explain to you what Ana
+here thinks so wonderful, namely that I should have learned what they
+said together when he thought they were alone, which, as I have told
+him, no one can ever be, at least in Egypt, the land of listening
+gods----"
+
+"And spying sorcerers," I exclaimed.
+
+"----And spying sorcerers," he repeated after me, "and scribes who take
+notes, and learn them by heart, and priests with ears as large as asses,
+and leaves that whisper--and many other things."
+
+"Cease your gibes, and say what you have to say," said Merapi, in the
+same broken voice.
+
+He made no answer, but only looked at the tree behind which the nurse
+and child had vanished.
+
+"Oh! I know, I know," she exclaimed in tones that were like a cry. "My
+child is threatened! You threaten my child because you hate me."
+
+"Your pardon, Lady. It is true that evil threatens this royal babe,
+or so I understood from Jabez, who knows so much. But it is not I that
+threaten it, any more than I hate you, in whom I acknowledge a fellow of
+my craft, but one greater than myself that it is my duty to obey."
+
+"Have done! Why do you torment me?"
+
+"Can the priests of the Moon-goddess torment Isis, Mother of Magic, with
+their prayers and offerings? And can I who would make a prayer and an
+offering----"
+
+"What prayer, and what offering?"
+
+"The prayer that you will suffer me to shelter in this house from the
+many dangers that threaten me at the hands of Pharaoh and the prophets
+of your people, and an offering of such help as I can give by my arts
+and knowledge against blacker dangers which threaten--another."
+
+Here once more he gazed at the trunk of the tree beyond which I heard
+the infant wail.
+
+"If I consent, what then?" she asked, hoarsely.
+
+"Then, Lady, I will strive to protect a certain little one against a
+curse which Jabez tells me threatens him and many others in whom runs
+the blood of Egypt. I will strive, if I am allowed to bide here--I do
+not say that I shall succeed, for as your lord has reminded me, and as
+you showed me in the temple of Amon, my strength is smaller than that of
+the prophets and prophetesses of Israel."
+
+"And if I refuse?"
+
+"Then, Lady," he answered in a voice that rang like iron, "I am sure
+that one whom you love--as mothers love--will shortly be rocked in the
+arms of the god whom we name Osiris."
+
+"_Stay_," she cried and, turning, fled away.
+
+"Why, Ana, she is gone," he said, "and that before I could bargain
+for my reward. Well, this I must find in your company. How strange are
+women, Ana! Here you have one of the greatest of her sex, as you learned
+in the temple of Amon. And yet she opens beneath the sun of hope and
+shrivels beneath the shadow of fear, like the touched leaves of that
+tender plant which grows upon the banks of the river; she who, with her
+eyes set on the mystery that is beyond, whereof she hears the whispering
+winds, should tread both earthly hope and fear beneath her feet, or make
+of them stepping stones to glory. Were she a man she would do so, but
+her sex wrecks her, she who thinks more of the kiss of a babe than
+of all the splendours she might harbour in her breast. Yes, a babe, a
+single wretched little babe. You had one once, did you not, Ana?"
+
+"Oh! to Set and his fires with you and your evil talk," I said, and left
+him.
+
+When I had gone a little way, I looked back and saw that he was
+laughing, throwing up his staff as he laughed, and catching it again.
+
+"Set and his fires," he called after me. "I wonder what they are like,
+Ana. Perhaps one day we shall learn, you and I together, Scribe Ana."
+
+So Ki took up his abode with us, in the same lodgings as Bakenkhonsu,
+and almost every day I would meet them walking in the garden, since I,
+who was of the Prince's table, except when he ate with the lady Merapi,
+did not take my food with them. Then we would talk together about many
+subjects. On those which had to do with learning, or even religion, I
+had the better of Ki, who was no great scholar or master of theology.
+But always before we parted he would plant some arrow in my ribs, at
+which old Bakenkhonsu laughed, and laughed again, yet ever threw over me
+the shield of his venerable wisdom, just because he loved me I think.
+
+It was after this that the plague struck the cattle of Egypt, so that
+tens of thousands of them died, though not all as was reported. But, as
+I have said, of the herds of Seti none died, nor, as we were told, did
+any of those of the Israelites in the land of Goshen. Now there was
+great distress in Egypt, but Ki smiled and said that he knew it would
+be so, and that there was much worse to come, for which I could have
+smitten him over the head with his own staff, had I not feared that, if
+I did so, it might once more turn to a serpent in my hand.
+
+Old Bakenkhonsu looked upon the matter with another face. He said that
+since his last wife died, I think some fifty years before, he had found
+life very dull because he missed the exercises of her temper, and her
+habit of presenting things as these never had been nor could possibly
+ever be. Now, however, it grew interesting again, since the marvels
+which were happening in Egypt, being quite contrary to Nature, reminded
+him of his last wife and her arguments. All of which was his way of
+saying that in those years we lived in a new world, whereof for the
+Egyptians Set the Evil One seemed to be the king.
+
+But still Pharaoh would not let the Hebrews go, perhaps because he had
+vowed as much to Meneptah who set him on the throne, or perhaps for
+those other reasons, or one of them, which Ki had given to the Prince.
+
+Then came the curse of sores afflicting man, woman, and child throughout
+the land, save those who dwelt in the household of Seti. Thus the
+watchman and his family whose lodge was without the gates suffered, but
+the watchman and his family who lived within the gates, not twenty paces
+away, did not suffer, which caused bitterness between their women.
+In the same way Ki, who resided as a guest of the Prince at Memphis,
+suffered from no sores, whereas those of his College who remained at
+Tanis were more heavily smitten than any others, so that some of them
+died. When he heard this, Ki laughed and said that he had told them
+it would be so. Also Pharaoh himself and even her Highness Userti were
+smitten, the latter upon the cheek, which made her unsightly for a
+while. Indeed, Bakenkhonsu heard, I know not how, that so great was her
+rage that she even bethought her of returning to her lord Seti, in whose
+house she had learned people were safe, and the beauty of her successor,
+Moon of Israel, remained unscarred and was even greater than before,
+tidings that I think Bakenkhonsu himself conveyed to her. But in the end
+this her pride, or her jealousy, prevented her from doing.
+
+Now the heart of Egypt began to turn towards Seti in good earnest.
+The Prince, they said, had opposed the policy of the oppression of the
+Hebrews, and because he could not prevail had abandoned his right to the
+throne, which Pharaoh Amenmeses had purchased at the price of accepting
+that policy whereof the fruits had been proved to be destruction.
+Therefore, they reasoned, if Amenmeses were deposed, and the Prince
+reigned, their miseries would cease. So they sent deputations to him
+secretly, praying him to rise against Amenmeses and promising him
+support. But he would listen to none of them, telling them that he was
+happy as he was and sought no other state. Still Pharaoh grew jealous,
+for all these things his spies reported to him, and set about plots to
+destroy Seti.
+
+Of the first of these Userti warned me by a messenger, but the second
+and worse Ki discovered in some strange way, so that the murderer was
+trapped at the gate and killed by the watchman, whereon Seti said that
+after all he had been wise to give hospitality to Ki, that is, if to
+continue to live were wisdom. The lady Merapi also said as much to me,
+but I noted that always she shunned Ki, whom she held in mistrust and
+fear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+THE NIGHT OF FEAR
+
+Then came the hail, and some months after the hail the locusts, and
+Egypt went mad with woe and terror. It was known to us, for with Ki and
+Bakenkhonsu in the palace we knew everything, that the Hebrew prophets
+had promised this hail because Pharaoh would not listen to them.
+Therefore Seti caused it to be put about through all the land that the
+Egyptians should shelter their cattle, or such as were left to them,
+at the first sign of storm. But Pharaoh heard of it and issued a
+proclamation that this was not to be done, inasmuch as it would be an
+insult to the gods of Egypt. Still many did so and these saved their
+cattle. It was strange to see that wall of jagged ice stretching
+from earth to heaven and destroying all upon which it fell. The tall
+date-palms were stripped even of their bark; the soil was churned up;
+men and beasts if caught abroad were slain or shattered.
+
+I stood at the gate and watched it. There, not a yard away, fell the
+white hail, turning the world to wreck, while here within the gate there
+was not a single stone. Merapi watched also, and presently came Ki as
+well, and with him Bakenkhonsu, who for once had never seen anything
+like this in all his long life. But Ki watched Merapi more than he did
+the hail, for I saw him searching out her very soul with those merciless
+eyes of his.
+
+"Lady," he said at length, "tell your servant, I beseech you, how you
+do this thing?" and he pointed first to the trees and flowers within the
+gate and then to the wreck without.
+
+At first I thought that she had not heard him because of the roar of the
+hail, for she stepped forward and opened the side wicket to admit a
+poor jackal that was scratching at the bars. Still this was not so, for
+presently she turned and said:
+
+"Does the Kherheb, the greatest magician in Egypt, ask an unlearned
+woman to teach him of marvels? Well, Ki, I cannot, because I neither do
+it nor know how it is done."
+
+Bakenkhonsu laughed, and Ki's painted smile grew as it were brighter
+than before.
+
+"That is not what they say in the land of Goshen, Lady," he answered,
+"and not what the Hebrew women say here in Memphis. Nor is it what the
+priests of Amon say. These declare that you have more magic than all the
+sorcerers of the Nile. Here is the proof of it," and he pointed to the
+ruin without and the peace within, adding, "Lady, if you can protect
+your own home, why cannot you protect the innocent people of Egypt?"
+
+"Because I cannot," she answered angrily. "If ever I had such power it
+is gone from me, who am now the mother of an Egyptian's child. But I
+have none. There in the temple of Amon some Strength worked through me,
+that is all, which never will visit me again because of my sin."
+
+"What sin, Lady?"
+
+"The sin of taking the Prince Seti to lord. Now, if any god spoke
+through me it would be one of those of the Egyptians, since He of Israel
+has cast me out."
+
+Ki started as though some new thought had come to him, and at this
+moment she turned and went away.
+
+"Would that she were high-priestess of Isis that she might work for us
+and not against us," he said.
+
+Bakenkhonsu shook his head.
+
+"Let that be," he answered. "Be sure that never will an Israelitish
+woman offer sacrifice to what she would call the abomination of the
+Egyptians."
+
+"If she will not sacrifice to save the people, let her be careful lest
+the people sacrifice her to save themselves," said Ki in a cold voice.
+
+Then he too went away.
+
+"I think that if ever that hour comes, then Ki will have his share in
+it," laughed Bakenkhonsu. "What is the good of a shepherd who shelters
+here in comfort, while outside the sheep are dying, eh, Ana?"
+
+It was after the plague of locusts, which ate all there was left to eat
+in Egypt, so that the poor folk who had done no wrong and had naught
+to say to the dealings of Pharaoh with the Israelites starved by the
+thousand, and during that of the great darkness, that Laban came. Now
+this darkness lay upon the land like a thick cloud for three whole days
+and nights. Nevertheless, though the shadows were deep, there was no
+true darkness over the house of Seti at Memphis, which stood in a funnel
+of grey light stretching from earth to sky.
+
+Now the terror was increased tenfold, and it seemed to me that all the
+hundreds of thousands of Memphis were gathered outside our walls, so
+that they might look upon the light, such as it was, if they could do no
+more. Seti would have admitted as many as the place would hold, but Ki
+bade him not, saying, that if he did so the darkness would flow in
+with them. Only Merapi did admit some of the Israelitish women who were
+married to Egyptians in the city, though for her pains they only cursed
+her as a witch. For now most of the inhabitants of Memphis were certain
+that it was Merapi who, keeping herself safe, had brought these woes
+upon them because she was a worshipper of an alien god.
+
+"If she who is the love of Egypt's heir would but sacrifice to Egypt's
+gods, these horrors would pass from us," said they, having, as I think,
+learned their lesson from the lips of Ki. Or perhaps the emissaries of
+Userti had taught them.
+
+Once more we stood by the gate watching the people flitting to and
+fro in the gloom without, for this sight fascinated Merapi, as a snake
+fascinates a bird. Then it was that Laban appeared. I knew his hooked
+nose and hawk-like eyes at once, and she knew him also.
+
+"Come away with me, Moon of Israel," he cried, "and all shall yet
+be forgiven you. But if you will not come, then fearful things shall
+overtake you."
+
+She stood staring at him, answering never a word, and just then the
+Prince Seti reached us and saw him.
+
+"Take that man," he commanded, flushing with anger, and guards sprang
+into the darkness to do his bidding. But Laban was gone.
+
+On the second day of the darkness the tumult was great, on the third it
+was terrible. A crowd thrust the guard aside, broke down the gates and
+burst into the palace, humbly demanding that the lady Merapi would come
+to pray for them, yet showing by their mien that if she would not come
+they meant to take her.
+
+"What is to be done?" asked Seti of Ki and Bakenkhonsu.
+
+"That is for the Prince to judge," said Ki, "though I do not see how it
+can harm the lady Merapi to pray for us in the open square of Memphis."
+
+"Let her go," said Bakenkhonsu, "lest presently we should all go further
+than we would."
+
+"I do not wish to go," cried Merapi, "not knowing for whom I am to pray
+or how."
+
+"Be it as you will, Lady," said Seti in his grave and gentle voice.
+"Only, hearken to the roar of the mob. If you refuse, I think that very
+soon every one of us will have reached a land where perhaps it is not
+needful to pray at all," and he looked at the infant in her arms.
+
+"I will go," she said.
+
+She went forth carrying the child and I walked behind her. So did the
+Prince, but in that darkness he was cut off by a rush of thousands of
+folk and I saw him no more till all was over. Bakenkhonsu was with me
+leaning on my arm, but Ki had gone on before us, for his own ends as I
+think. A huge mob moved through the dense darkness, in which here and
+there lights floated like lamps upon a quiet sea. I did not know where
+we were going until the light of one of these lamps shone upon the knees
+of the colossal statue of the great Rameses, revealing his cartouche.
+Then I knew that we were near the gateway of the vast temple of Memphis,
+the largest perhaps in the whole world.
+
+We went on through court after pillared court, priests leading us by
+the hand, till we came to a shrine commanding the biggest court of all,
+which was packed with men and women. It was that of Isis, who held at
+her breast the infant Horus.
+
+"O friend Ana," cried Merapi, "give help. They are dressing me in
+strange garments."
+
+I tried to get near to her but was thrust back, a voice, which I thought
+to be that of Ki, saying:
+
+"On your life, fool!"
+
+Presently a lamp was held up, and by the light of it I saw Merapi seated
+in a chair dressed like a goddess, in the sacerdotal robes of Isis and
+wearing the vulture cap headdress--beautiful exceedingly. In her arms
+was the child dressed as the infant Horus.
+
+"Pray for us, Mother Isis," cried thousands of voices, "that the curse
+of blackness may be removed."
+
+Then she prayed, saying:
+
+"O my God, take away this curse of blackness from these innocent
+people," and all of those present, repeated her prayer.
+
+At that moment the sky began to lighten and in less than half an hour
+the sun shone out. When Merapi saw how she and the child were arrayed
+she screamed aloud and tore off her jewelled trappings, crying:
+
+"Woe! Woe! Woe! Great woe upon the people of Egypt!"
+
+But in their joy at the new found light few hearkened to her who they
+were sure had brought back the sun. Again Laban appeared for a moment.
+
+"Witch! Traitress!" he cried. "You have worn the robes of Isis and
+worshipped in the temple of the gods of the Egyptians. The curse of the
+God of Israel be on you and that which is born of you."
+
+I sprang at him but he was gone. Then we bore Merapi home swooning.
+
+So this trouble passed by, but from that time forward Merapi would not
+suffer her son to be taken out of her sight.
+
+"Why do you make so much of him, Lady?" I asked one day.
+
+"Because I would love him well while he is here, Friend," she answered,
+"but of this say nothing to his father."
+
+A while went by and we heard that still Pharaoh would not let the
+Israelites go. Then the Prince Seti sent Bakenkhonsu and myself to Tanis
+to see Pharaoh and to say to him:
+
+"I seek nothing for myself and I forget those evils which you would have
+worked on me through jealousy. But I say unto you that if you will not
+let these strangers go great and terrible things shall befall you and
+all Egypt. Therefore, hear my prayer and let them go."
+
+Now Bakenkhonsu and I came before Pharaoh and we saw that he was greatly
+aged, for his hair had gone grey about his temples and the flesh hung in
+bags beneath his eyes. Also not for one minute could he stay still.
+
+"Is your lord, and are you also of the servants of this Hebrew prophet
+whom the Egyptians worship as a god because he has done them so much
+ill?" he asked. "It may well be so, since I hear that my cousin Seti
+keeps an Israelitish witch in his house, who wards off from him all the
+plagues that have smitten the rest of Egypt, and that to him has fled
+also Ki the Kherheb, my magician. Moreover, I hear that in payment for
+these wizardries he has been promised the throne of Egypt by many fickle
+and fearful ones among my people. Let him be careful lest I lift him up
+higher than he hopes, who already have enough traitors in this land; and
+you two with him."
+
+Now I said nothing, who saw that the man was mad, but Bakenkhonsu
+laughed out loud and answered:
+
+"O Pharaoh, I know little, but I know this although I be old, namely,
+that after men have ceased to speak your name I shall still hold
+converse with the wearer of the Double Crown in Egypt. Now will you let
+these Hebrews go, or will you bring death upon Egypt?"
+
+Pharaoh glared at him and answered, "I will not let them go."
+
+"Why not, Pharaoh? Tell me, for I am curious."
+
+"Because I cannot," he answered with a groan. "Because something
+stronger than myself forces me to deny their prayer. Begone!"
+
+So we went, and this was the last time that I looked upon Amenmeses at
+Tanis.
+
+As we left the chamber I saw the Hebrew prophet entering the presence.
+Afterwards a rumour reached us that he had threatened to kill all the
+people in Egypt, but that still Pharaoh would not let the Israelites
+depart. Indeed, it was said that he had told the prophet that if he
+appeared before him any more he should be put to death.
+
+Now we journeyed back to Memphis with all these tidings and made report
+to Seti. When Merapi heard them she went half mad, weeping and wringing
+her hands. I asked her what she feared. She answered death, which was
+near to all of us. I said:
+
+"If so, there are worse things, Lady."
+
+"For you mayhap you are faithful and good in your own fashion, but not
+for me. Do you not understand, friend Ana, that I am one who has broken
+the law of the God I was taught to worship?"
+
+"And which of us is there who has not broken the law of the god we were
+taught to worship, Lady? If in truth you have done anything of the sort
+by flying from a murderous villain to one who loves you well, which I do
+not believe, surely there is forgiveness for such sins as this."
+
+"Aye, perhaps, but, alas! the thing is blacker far. Have you forgotten
+what I did? Dressed in the robes of Isis I worshipped in the temple of
+Isis with my boy playing the part of Horus on my bosom. It is a crime
+that can never be forgiven to a Hebrew woman, Ana, for my God is a
+jealous God. Yet it is true that Ki tricked me."
+
+"If he had not, Lady, I think there would have been none of us left to
+trick, seeing that the people were crazed with the dread of the darkness
+and believed that it could be lifted by you alone, as indeed happened,"
+I added somewhat doubtfully.
+
+"More of Ki's tricks! Oh! do you not understand that the lifting of the
+darkness at that moment was Ki's work, because he wished the people to
+believe that I am indeed a sorceress."
+
+"Why?" I asked.
+
+"I do not know. Perhaps that one day he may find a victim to bind to the
+altar in his place. At least I know well that it is I who must pay
+the price, I and my flesh and blood, whatever Ki may promise," and she
+looked at the sleeping child.
+
+"Do not be afraid, Lady," I said. "Ki has left the palace and you will
+see him no more."
+
+"Yes, because the Prince was angry with him about the trick in the
+temple of Isis. Therefore suddenly he went, or pretended to go, for
+how can one tell where such a man may really be? But he will come back
+again. Bethink you, Ki was the greatest magician in Egypt; even old
+Bakenkhonsu can remember none like to him. Then he matches himself
+against the prophets of my people and fails."
+
+"But did he fail, Lady? What they did he did, sending among the
+Israelites the plagues that your prophets had sent among us."
+
+"Yes, some of them, but he was outpaced, or feared to be outpaced at
+last. Is Ki a man to forget that? And if Ki chances really to believe
+that I am his adversary and his master at this black work, as because
+of what happened in the temple of Amon thousands believe to-day, will he
+not mete me my own measure soon or late? Oh! I fear Ki, Ana, and I fear
+the people of Egypt, and were it not for my lord beloved, I would flee
+away into the wilderness with my son, and get me out of this haunted
+land! Hush! he wakes."
+
+From this time forward until the sword fell there was great dread in
+Egypt. None seemed to know exactly what they dreaded, but all thought
+that it had to do with death. People went about mournfully looking over
+their shoulders as though someone were following them, and at night
+they gathered together in knots and talked in whispers. Only the Hebrews
+seemed to be glad and happy. Moreover, they were making preparations
+for something new and strange. Thus those Israelitish women who dwelt
+in Memphis began to sell what property they had and to borrow of the
+Egyptians. Especially did they ask for the loan of jewels, saying that
+they were about to celebrate a feast and wished to look fine in the eyes
+of their countrymen. None refused them what they asked because all were
+afraid of them. They even came to the palace and begged her ornaments
+from Merapi, although she was a countrywoman of their own who had showed
+them much kindness. Yes, and seeing that her son wore a little gold
+circlet on his hair, one of them begged that also, nor did she say her
+nay. But, as it chanced, the Prince entered, and seeing the woman with
+this royal badge in her hand, grew very angry and forced her to restore
+it.
+
+"What is the use of crowns without heads to wear them?" she sneered, and
+fled away laughing, with all that she had gathered.
+
+After she had heard that saying Merapi grew even sadder and more
+distraught than she was before, and from her the trouble crept to Seti.
+He too became sad and ill at ease, though when I asked him why he vowed
+he did not know, but supposed it was because some new plague drew near.
+
+"Yet," he added, "as I have made shift to live through nine of them, I
+do not know why I should fear a tenth."
+
+Still he did fear it, so much that he consulted Bakenkhonsu as to
+whether there were any means by which the anger of the gods could be
+averted.
+
+Bakenkhonsu laughed and said he thought not, since always if the gods
+were not angry about one thing they were angry about another. Having
+made the world they did nothing but quarrel with it, or with other gods
+who had a hand in its fashioning, and of these quarrels men were the
+victims.
+
+"Bear your woes, Prince," he added, "if any come, for ere the Nile has
+risen another fifty times at most, whether they have or have not been,
+will be the same to you."
+
+"Then you think that when we go west we die indeed, and that Osiris is
+but another name for the sunset, Bakenkhonsu."
+
+The old Councillor shook his great head, and answered:
+
+"No. If ever you should lose one whom you greatly love, take comfort,
+Prince, for I do not think that life ends with death. Death is the nurse
+that puts it to sleep, no more, and in the morning it will wake again to
+travel through another day with those who have companioned it from the
+beginning."
+
+"Where do all the days lead it to at last, Bakenkhonsu?"
+
+"Ask that of Ki; I do not know."
+
+"To Set with Ki, I am angered with him," said the Prince, and went away.
+
+"Not without reason, I think," mused Bakenkhonsu, but when I asked him
+what he meant, he would not or could not tell me.
+
+So the gloom deepened and the palace, which had been merry in its way,
+became sad. None knew what was coming, but all knew that something was
+coming and stretched out their hands to strive to protect that which
+they loved best from the stroke of the warring gods. In the case of Seti
+and Merapi this was their son, now a beautiful little lad who could run
+and prattle, one too of a strange health and vigour for a child of the
+inbred race of the Ramessids. Never for a minute was this boy allowed to
+be out of the sight of one or other of his parents; indeed I saw little
+of Seti in those days and all our learned studies came to nothing,
+because he was ever concerned with Merapi in playing nurse to this son
+of his.
+
+When Userti was told of it, she said in the hearing of a friend of mine:
+
+"Without a doubt that is because he trains his bastard to fill the
+throne of Egypt."
+
+But, alas! all that the little Seti was doomed to fill was a coffin.
+
+
+
+It was a still, hot evening, so hot that Merapi had bid the nurse bring
+the child's bed and set it between two pillars of the great portico.
+There on the bed he slept, lovely as Horus the divine. She sat by his
+side in a chair that had feet shaped like to those of an antelope.
+Seti walked up and down the terrace beyond the portico leaning on my
+shoulder, and talking by snatches of this or that. Occasionally as he
+passed he would stay for a while to make sure by the bright moonlight
+that all was well with Merapi and the child, as of late it had become
+a habit with him to do. Then without speaking, for fear lest he should
+awake the boy, he would smile at Merapi, who sat there brooding, her
+head resting on her hand, and pass on.
+
+The night was very still. The palm leaves did not rustle, no jackals
+were stirring, and even the shrill-voiced insects had ceased their
+cries. Moreover, the great city below was quiet as a home of the dead.
+It was as though the presage of some advancing doom scared the world to
+silence. For without doubt doom was in the air. All felt it down to
+the nurse woman, who cowered close as she dared to the chair of her
+mistress, and even in that heat shivered from time to time.
+
+Presently little Seti awoke, and began to prattle about something he had
+dreamed.
+
+"What did you dream, my son?" asked his father.
+
+"I dreamed," he answered in his baby talk, "that a woman, dressed as
+Mother was in the temple, took me by the hand and led me into the air. I
+looked down, and saw you and Mother with white faces and crying. I began
+to cry too, but the woman with the feather cap told me not as she was
+taking me to a beautiful big star where Mother would soon come to find
+me."
+
+The Prince and I looked at each other and Merapi feigned to busy herself
+with hushing the child to sleep again. It drew towards midnight and
+still no one seemed minded to go to rest. Old Bakenkhonsu appeared and
+began to say something about the night being very strange and unrestful,
+when, suddenly, a little bat that was flitting to and fro above us fell
+upon his head and thence to the ground. We looked at it, and saw that it
+was dead.
+
+"Strange that the creature should have died thus," said Bakenkhonsu,
+when, behold! another fell to the ground near by. The black kitten which
+belonged to Little Seti saw it fall and darted from beside his bed where
+it was sleeping. Before ever it reached the bat, the creature wheeled
+round, stood upon its hind legs, scratching at the air about it, then
+uttered one pitiful cry and fell over dead.
+
+We stared at it, when suddenly far away a dog howled in a very piercing
+fashion. Then a cow began to bale as these beasts do when they have lost
+their calves. Next, quite close at hand but without the gates, there
+arose the ear-curdling cry of a woman in agony, which on the instant
+seemed to be echoed from every quarter, till the air was full of
+wailing.
+
+"Oh, Seti! Seti!" exclaimed Merapi, in a voice that was rather a hiss
+than a whisper, "look at your son!"
+
+We sprang to where the babe lay, and looked. He had awakened and was
+staring upward with wide-opened eyes and frozen face. The fear, if such
+it were, passed from his features, though still he stared. He rose to
+his little feet, always looking upwards. Then a smile came upon his
+face, a most beautiful smile; he stretched out his arms, as though to
+clasp one who bent down towards him, and fell backwards--quite dead.
+
+Seti stood still as a statue; we all stood still, even Merapi. Then she
+bend down, and lifted the body of the boy.
+
+"Now, my lord," she said, "there has fallen on you that sorrow which
+Jabez my uncle warned you would come, if ever you had aught to do with
+me. Now the curse of Israel has pierced my heart, and now our child, as
+Ki the evil prophesied, has grown too great for greetings, or even for
+farewells."
+
+Thus she spoke in a cold and quiet voice, as one might speak of
+something long expected or foreseen, then made her reverence to the
+Prince, and departed, bearing the body of the child. Never, I think, did
+Merapi seem more beautiful to me than in this, her hour of bereavement,
+since now through her woman's loveliness shone out some shadow of the
+soul within. Indeed, such were her eyes and such her movements that well
+might have been a spirit and not a woman who departed from us with that
+which had been her son.
+
+Seti leaned on my shoulder looking at the empty bed, and at the scared
+nurse who still sat behind, and I felt a tear drop upon my hand. Old
+Bakenkhonsu lifted his massive face, and looked at him.
+
+"Grieve not over much, Prince," he said, "since, ere as many years as I
+have lived out have come and gone, this child will be forgotten and his
+mother will be forgotten, and even you, O Prince, will live but as a
+name that once was great in Egypt. And then, O Prince, elsewhere the
+game will begin afresh, and what you have lost shall be found anew, and
+the sweeter for it sheltering from the vile breath of men. Ki's magic
+is not all a lie, or if his is, mine holds some shadow of the truth, and
+when he said to you yonder in Tanis that not for nothing were you named
+'Lord of Rebirths,' he spoke words that you should find comfortable
+to-night."
+
+"I thank you, Councillor," said Seti, and turning, followed Merapi.
+
+"Now I suppose we shall have more deaths," I exclaimed, hardly knowing
+what I said in my sorrow.
+
+"I think not, Ana," answered Bakenkhonsu, "since the shield of Jabez,
+or of his god, is over us. Always he foretold that trouble would come to
+Merapi, and to Seti through Merapi, but that is all."
+
+I glanced at the kitten.
+
+"It strayed here from the town three days ago, Ana. And the bats also
+may have flown from the town. Hark to the wailing. Was ever such a sound
+heard before in Egypt?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+JABEZ SELLS HORSES
+
+Bakenkhonsu was right. Save the son of Seti alone, none died who dwelt
+in or about his house, though elsewhere all the first-born of Egypt lay
+dead, and the first-born of the beasts also. When this came to be known
+throughout the land a rage seized the Egyptians against Merapi who, they
+remembered, had called down woe on Egypt after she had been forced to
+pray in the temple and, as they believed, to lift the darkness from
+Memphis.
+
+Bakenkhonsu and I and others who loved her pointed out that her own
+child had died with the rest. To this it was answered, and here I
+thought I saw the fingers of Userti and of Ki, that it was nothing,
+since witches did not love children. Moreover, they said she could
+have as many as she liked and when she liked, making them to look like
+children out of clay figures and to grow up into evil spirits to torment
+the land. Lastly, people swore that she had been heard to say that,
+although to do it she must kill her own lord's son, she would not on
+that account forego her vengeance on the Egyptians, who once had
+treated her as a slave and murdered her father. Further, the Israelites
+themselves, or some of them, mayhap Laban among them, were reported
+to have told the Egyptians that it was the sorceress who had bewitched
+Prince Seti who brought such great troubles on them.
+
+So it happened that the Egyptians came to hate Merapi, who of all women
+was the sweetest and the most to be loved, and to her other supposed
+crimes, added this also, that by her witcheries she had stolen the heart
+of Seti away from his lawful wife and made him to turn that lady, the
+Royal Princess of Egypt, even from his gates, so that she was forced to
+dwell alone at Tanis. For in all these matters none blamed Seti, whom
+everyone in Egypt loved, because it was known that he would have dealt
+with the Israelites in a very different fashion, and thus averted all
+the woes that had desolated the ancient land of Khem. As for this matter
+of the Hebrew girl with the big eyes who chanced to have thrown a spell
+upon him, that was his ill-fortune, nothing more. Amongst the many women
+with whom they believed he filled his house, as was the way of princes,
+it was not strange that one favourite should be a witch. Indeed, I am
+certain that only because he was known to love her, was Merapi saved
+from death by poison or in some other secret fashion, at any rate for a
+while.
+
+Now came the glad tidings that the pride of Pharaoh was broken at last
+(for his first-born child had died with the others), or that the cloud
+of madness had lifted from his brain, whichever it might be, and that he
+had decreed that the Children of Israel might depart from Egypt when
+and whither they would. Then the people breathed again, seeing hope that
+their miseries might end.
+
+It was at this time that Jabez appeared once more at Memphis, driving a
+number of chariot horses, which he said he wished to sell to the Prince,
+as he did not desire them to pass into any other hands. He was admitted
+and stated the price of his horses, according to which they must have
+been beasts of great value.
+
+"Why do you wish to sell your horses?" asked Seti.
+
+"Because I go with my people into lands where there is little water and
+there they might die, O Prince."
+
+"I will buy the horses. See to it, Ana," said Seti, although I knew well
+that already he had more than he needed.
+
+The Prince rose to show that the interview was ended, whereon Jabez, who
+was bowing his thanks, said hurriedly:
+
+"I rejoice to learn, O Royal One, that things have befallen as I
+foretold, or rather was bidden to foretell, and that the troubles which
+have afflicted Egypt have passed by your dwelling."
+
+"Then you rejoice to learn a falsehood, Hebrew, since the worst of those
+troubles has made its home here. My son is dead," and he turned away.
+
+Jabez lifted his shifty eyes from the floor and glanced at him.
+
+"Prince," he said, "I know and grieve because this loss has cut you to
+the heart. Yet it was no fault of mine or of my people. If you think,
+you will remember that both when I built a wall of protection about
+this place because of your good deeds to Israel, O Prince, and before,
+I warned, and caused you to be warned, that if you and my niece, Moon of
+Israel, came together a great trouble might fall on you through her who,
+having become the woman of an Egyptian in defiance of command, must bear
+the fate of Egyptian women."
+
+"It may be so," said the Prince. "The matter is not one of which I care
+to talk. If this death were wrought by the magic of your wizards I have
+only this to say--that it is an ill payment to me in return for all that
+I have striven to do on behalf of the Hebrews. Yet, what else could I
+expect from such a people in such a world? Farewell."
+
+"One prayer, O Prince. I would ask your leave to speak with my niece,
+Merapi."
+
+"She is veiled. Since the murder of her child by wizardry, she sees no
+man."
+
+"Still I think she will see her uncle, O Prince."
+
+"What then do you wish to say to her?"
+
+"O Prince, through the clemency of Pharaoh we poor slaves are about to
+leave the land of Egypt never to return. Therefore, if my niece remains
+behind, it is natural that I should wish to bid her farewell, and to
+confide to her certain matters connected with our race and family, which
+she might desire to pass on to her children."
+
+Now when he heard this word "children" Seti softened.
+
+"I do not trust you," he said. "You may be charged with more of your
+Hebrew curses against Merapi, or you may say words to her that will make
+her even unhappier than she is. Yet if you would wish to see her in my
+presence----"
+
+"My lord Prince, I will not trouble you so far. Farewell. Be pleased to
+convey----"
+
+"Or if that does not suit you," interrupted Seti, "in the presence of
+Ana here you can do so, unless she refuses to receive you."
+
+Jabez reflected for a moment, and answered:
+
+"Then in the presence of Ana let it be, since he is a man who knows when
+to be silent."
+
+Jabez made obeisance and departed, and at a sign from the Prince I
+followed him. Presently we were ushered into the chamber of the lady
+Merapi, where she sat looking most sad and lonely, with a veil of black
+upon her head.
+
+"Greeting, my uncle," she said, after glancing at me, whose presence
+I think she understood. "Are you the bearer of more prophecies? I pray
+not, since your last were overtrue," and she touched the black veil with
+her finger.
+
+"I am the bearer of tidings, and of a prayer, Niece. The tidings are
+that the people of Israel are about to leave Egypt. The prayer, which is
+also a command, is--that you make ready to accompany them----"
+
+"To Laban?" she asked, looking up.
+
+"No, my niece. Laban would not wish as a wife one who has been the
+mistress of an Egyptian, but to play your part, however humble, in the
+fortunes of our people."
+
+"I am glad that Laban does not wish what he never could obtain, my
+uncle. Tell me, I pray you, why should I hearken to this prayer, or this
+command?"
+
+"For a good reason, Niece--that your life hangs on it. Heretofore you
+have been suffered to take your heart's desire. But if you bide in Egypt
+where you have no longer a mission to fulfil, having done all that was
+sought of you in keeping with the mind of your lover, the Prince Seti,
+true to the cause of Israel, you will surely die."
+
+"You mean that our people will kill me?"
+
+"No, not our people. Still you will die."
+
+She took a step towards him, and looked him in the eyes.
+
+"You are certain that I shall die, my uncle?"
+
+"I am, or at least others are certain."
+
+Now she laughed; it was the first time I had seen her laugh for several
+moons.
+
+"Then I will stay here," she said.
+
+Jabez stared at her.
+
+"I thought that you loved this Egyptian, who indeed is worthy of any
+woman's love," he muttered into his beard.
+
+"Perhaps it is because I love him that I wish to die. I have given him
+all I have to give; there is nothing left of my poor treasure except
+what will bring trouble and misfortune on his head. Therefore the
+greater the love--and it is more great than all those pyramids massed to
+one--the greater the need that it should be buried for a while. Do you
+understand?"
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"I understand only that you are a very strange woman, different from any
+other that I have known."
+
+"My child, who was slain with the rest, was all the world to me, and I
+would be where he is. Do you understand now?"
+
+"You would leave your life, in which, being young, you may have more
+children, to lie in a tomb with your dead son?" he asked slowly, like
+one astonished.
+
+"I only care for life while it can serve him whom I love, and if a day
+comes when he sits upon the throne how will a daughter of the hated
+Israelites serve him then? Also I do not wish for more children. Living
+or dead, he that is gone owns all my heart; there is no room in it for
+others. That love at least is pure and perfect, and having been embalmed
+by death, can never change. Moreover, it is not in a tomb that I shall
+lie with him, or so I believe. The faith of these Egyptians which we
+despise tells of a life eternal in the heavens, and thither I would
+go to seek that which is lost, and to wait that which is left behind
+awhile."
+
+"Ah!" said Jabez. "For my part I do not trouble myself with these
+problems, who find in a life temporal on the earth enough to fill my
+thoughts and hands. Yet, Merapi, you are a rebel, and whether in heaven
+or on earth, how are rebels received by the king against whom they have
+rebelled?"
+
+"You say I am rebel," she said, turning on him with flashing eyes. "Why?
+Because I would not dishonour myself by marrying a man I hate, one also
+who is a murderer, and because while I live I will not desert a man whom
+I love to return to those who have done me naught but evil. Did God then
+make women to be sold like cattle of the field for the pleasure and the
+profit of him who can pay the highest?"
+
+"It seems so," said Jabez, spreading out his hands.
+
+"It seems that you think so, who fashion God as you would wish him to
+be, but for my part I do not believe it, and if I did, I should seek
+another king. My uncle, I appeal from the priest and the elder to That
+which made both them and me, and by Its judgment I will stand or fall."
+
+"Always a very dangerous thing to do," reflected Jabez aloud, "since the
+priest is apt to take the law into his own hands before the cause can
+be pleaded elsewhere. Still, who am I that I should set up my reasonings
+against one who can grind Amon to powder in his own sanctuary, and who
+therefore may have warrant for all she thinks and does?"
+
+Merapi stamped her foot.
+
+"You know well it was you who brought me the command to dare the god
+Amon in his temple. It was not I----" she began.
+
+"I do know," replied Jabez waving his hand. "I know also that is what
+every wizard says, whatever his nation or his gods, and what no one ever
+believes. Thus because, having faith, you obeyed the command and through
+you Amon was smitten, among both the Israelites and the Egyptians you
+are held to be the greatest sorceress that has looked upon the Nile, and
+that is a dangerous repute, my niece."
+
+"One to which I lay no claim, and never sought."
+
+"Just so, but which all the same has come to you. Well, knowing as
+without doubt you do all that will soon befall in Egypt, and having been
+warned, if you needed warning, of the danger with which you yourself are
+threatened, you still refuse to obey this second command which it is my
+duty to deliver to you?"
+
+"I refuse."
+
+"Then on your own head be it, and farewell. Oh! I would add that there
+is a certain property in cattle, and the fruit of lands which descends
+to you from your father. In the event of your death----"
+
+"Take it all, uncle, and may it prosper you. Farewell."
+
+"A great woman, friend Ana, and a beautiful," said the old Hebrew, after
+he had watched her go. "I grieve that I shall never see her again, and,
+indeed, that no one will see her for very long; for, remember, she is
+my niece of whom I am fond. Now I too must be going, having completed my
+errand. All good fortune to you, Ana. You are no longer a soldier, are
+you? No? Believe me, it is as well, as you will learn. My homage to
+the Prince. Think of me at times, when you grow old, and not unkindly,
+seeing that I have served you as best I could, and your master also, who
+I hope will soon find again that which he lost awhile ago."
+
+"Her Highness, Princess Userti," I suggested.
+
+"The Princess Userti among other things, Ana. Tell the Prince, if he
+should deem them costly, that those horses which I sold him are really
+of the finest Syrian blood, and of a strain that my family has owned for
+generations. If you should chance to have any friend whose welfare you
+desire, let him not go into the desert soldiering during the next few
+moons, especially if Pharaoh be in command. Nay, I know nothing, but it
+is a season of great storm. Farewell, friend Ana, and again farewell."
+
+"Now what did he mean by that?" thought I to myself, as I departed to
+make my report to Seti. But no answer to the question rose in my mind.
+
+Very soon I began to understand. It appeared that at length the
+Israelites were leaving Egypt, a vast horde of them, and with them tens
+of thousands of Arabs of various tribes who worshipped their god
+and were, some of them, descended from the people of the Hyksos, the
+shepherds who once ruled in Egypt. That this was true was proved to us
+by the tidings which reached us that all the Hebrew women who dwelt in
+Memphis, even those of them who were married to Egyptians, had departed
+from the city, leaving behind them their men and sometimes their
+children. Indeed, before these went, certain of them who had been
+friends visited Merapi, and asked her if she were not coming also. She
+shook her head as she replied:
+
+"Why do you go? Are you so fond of journeyings in the desert that for
+the sake of them you are ready never again to look upon the men you love
+and the children of your bodies?"
+
+"No, Lady," they answered, weeping. "We are happy here in white-walled
+Memphis and here, listening to the murmur of the Nile, we would grow
+old and die, rather than strive to keep house in some desert tent with a
+stranger or alone. Yet fear drives us hence."
+
+"Fear of what?"
+
+"Of the Egyptians who, when they come to understand all that they have
+suffered at our hands in return for the wealth and shelter which they
+have given us for many generations, whereby we have grown from a handful
+into a great people, will certainly kill any Israelite whom they find
+left among them. Also we fear the curses of our priests who bid us to
+depart."
+
+"Then _I_ should fear these things also," said Merapi.
+
+"Not so, Lady, seeing that being the only beloved of the Prince of Egypt
+who, rumour tells us, will soon be Pharaoh of Egypt, by him you will
+be protected from the anger of the Egyptians. And being, as we all know
+well, the greatest sorceress in the world, the overthrower of Amon-Ra
+the mighty, and one who by sacrificing her child was able to ward away
+every plague from the household where she dwelt, you have naught to fear
+from priests and their magic."
+
+Then Merapi sprang up, bidding them to leave her to her fate and to
+be gone to their own, which they did hastily enough, fearing lest she
+should cast some spell upon them. So it came about that presently the
+fair Moon of Israel and certain children of mixed blood were all of the
+Hebrew race that were left in Egypt. Then, notwithstanding the miseries
+and misfortunes that during the past few years by terror, death, and
+famine had reduced them to perhaps one half of their number, the people
+of Egypt rejoiced with a great joy.
+
+In every temple of every god processions were held and offerings made by
+those who had anything left to offer, while the statues of the gods were
+dressed in fine new garments and hung about with garlandings of flowers.
+Moreover, on the Nile and on the sacred lakes boats floated to and
+fro, adorned with lanterns as at the feast of the Rising of Osiris. As
+titular high-priest of Amon, an office of which he could not be deprived
+while he lived, Prince Seti attended these demonstrations, which indeed
+he must do, in the great temple of Memphis, whither I accompanied him.
+When the ceremonies were over he led the procession through the masses
+of the worshippers, clad in his splendid sacerdotal robes, whereon every
+throat of the thousands present there greeted him in a shout of thunder
+as "Pharaoh!" or at least as Pharaoh's heir.
+
+When at length the shouting died, he turned upon them and said:
+
+"Friends, if you would send me to be of the company that sits at the
+table of Osiris and not at Pharaoh's feasts, you will repeat this
+foolish greeting, whereof our Lord Amenmeses will hear with little joy."
+
+In the silence that followed a voice called out:
+
+"Have no fear, O Prince, while the Hebrew witch sleeps night by night
+upon your bosom. She who could smite Egypt with so many plagues can
+certainly shelter you from harm;" whereon the roars of acclamation went
+up again.
+
+It was on the following day that Bakenkhonsu the aged returned with more
+tidings from Tanis, where he had been upon a visit. It seemed that a
+great council had been held there in the largest hall of one of the
+largest temples. At this council, which was open to all the people,
+Amenmeses had given report on the matter of the Israelites who, he
+stated, were departing in their thousands. Also offerings were made to
+appease the angry gods of Egypt. When the ceremony was finished, but
+before the company broke up in a heavy mood, her Highness the Princess
+Userti rose in her place, and addressed Pharaoh:
+
+"By the spirits of our fathers," she cried, "and more especially by that
+of the good god Meneptah, my begetter, I ask of you, Pharaoh, and I ask
+of you, O people, whether the affront that has been put upon us by these
+Hebrew slaves and their magicians is one that the proud land of Egypt
+should be called upon to bear? Our gods have been smitten and defied;
+woes great and terrible, such as history tells not of, have fallen
+upon us through magic; tens of thousands, from the first-born child of
+Pharaoh down, have perished in a single night. And now these Hebrews,
+who have murdered them by sorcery, for they are sorcerers all, men and
+women together, especially one of them who sits at Memphis, of whom I
+will not speak because she has wrought me private harm, by the decree
+of Pharaoh are to be suffered to leave the land. More, they are to take
+with them all their cattle, all their threshed corn, all the treasure
+they have hoarded for generations, and all the ornaments of price and
+wealth that they have wrung by terror from our own people, borrowing
+that which they never purpose to return. Therefore I, the Royal Princess
+of Egypt, would ask of Pharaoh, is this the decree of Pharaoh?"
+
+"Now," said Bakenkhonsu, "Pharaoh sat with hanging head upon his throne
+and made no answer."
+
+"Pharaoh does not speak," went on Userti. "Then I ask, is this the
+decree of the Council of Pharaoh and of the people of Egypt? There
+is still a great army in Egypt, hundreds of chariots and thousands of
+footmen. Is this army to sit still while these slaves depart into the
+desert there to rouse our enemies of Syria against us and return with
+them to butcher us?"
+
+"At these words," continued Bakenkhonsu, "from all that multitude there
+went up a shout of 'No.'"
+
+"The people say No. What saith Pharaoh?" cried Userti.
+
+There followed a silence, till suddenly Amenmeses rose and spoke:
+
+"Have it as you will, Princess, and on your head and the heads of all
+these whom you have stirred up let the evil fall if evil comes, though
+I think it is your husband, the Prince Seti, who should stand where you
+stand and put up this prayer in your place."
+
+"My husband, the Prince Seti, is tied to Memphis by a rope of witch's
+hair, or so they tell me," she sneered, while the people murmured in
+assent.
+
+"I know not," went on Amenmeses, "but this I know that always the Prince
+would have let these Hebrews go from among us, and at times, as sorrow
+followed sorrow, I have thought that he was right. Truly more than once
+I also would have let them go, but ever some Strength, I know not what,
+descended on my heart, turning it to stone, and wrung from me words that
+I did not desire to utter. Even now I would let them go, but all of you
+are against me, and, perchance, if I withstand you, I shall pay for it
+with my life and throne. Captains, command that my armies be made ready,
+and let them assemble here at Tanis that I myself may lead them after
+the people of Israel and share their dangers."
+
+Then with a mighty shouting the company broke up, so that at the last
+all were gone and only Pharaoh remained seated upon his throne, staring
+at the ground with the air, said Bakenkhonsu, rather of one who is dead
+than of a living king about to wage war upon his foes.
+
+To all these words the Prince listened in silence, but when they were
+finished he looked up and asked:
+
+"What think you, Bakenkhonsu?"
+
+"I think, O Prince," answered the wise old man, "that her Highness did
+ill to stir up this matter, though doubtless she spoke with the voices
+of the priests and of the army, against which Pharaoh was not strong
+enough to stand."
+
+"What you think, I think," said Seti.
+
+At this moment the lady Merapi entered.
+
+"I hear, my lord," she said, "that Pharaoh purposes to pursue the people
+of Israel with his host. I come to pray my lord that he will not join
+himself to the host of Pharaoh."
+
+"It is but natural, Lady, that you should not wish me to make war upon
+your kin, and to speak truth I have no mind that way," replied Seti,
+and, turning, left the chamber with her.
+
+"She is not thinking of her king but of her lover's life," said
+Bakenkhonsu. "She is not a witch as they declare, but it is true that
+she knows what we do not."
+
+"Yes," I answered, "it is true."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE DREAM OF MERAPI
+
+A while went by; it may have been fourteen days, during which we heard
+that the Israelites had started on their journey. They were a mighty
+multitude who bore with them the coffin and the mummy of their prophet,
+a man of their blood, Vizier, it is reported, to that Pharaoh who
+welcomed them to Egypt hundreds of years before. Some said they went
+this way and some that, but Bakenkhonsu, who knew everything, declared
+that they were heading for the Lake of Crocodiles, which others name Sea
+of Reeds, whereby they would cross into the desert beyond, and thence to
+Syria. I asked him how, seeing that at its narrowest part, this lake
+was six thousand paces in width, and that the depth of its mud was
+unfathomable. He replied that he did not know, but that I might do well
+to inquire of the lady Merapi.
+
+"So you have changed your mind, and also think her a witch," I said, to
+which he answered:
+
+"One must breathe the wind that blows, and Egypt is so full of
+witchcraft that it is difficult to say. Also it was she and no other
+who destroyed the ancient statue of Amon. Oh! yes, witch or no witch,
+it might be well to ask her how her people purpose to cross the Sea of
+Reeds, especially if Pharaoh's chariots chance to be behind them."
+
+So I did ask her, but she answered that she knew nothing of the matter,
+and wished to know nothing, seeing that she had separated from her
+people, and remained in Egypt.
+
+Then Ki came, I know not whence, and having made his peace with Seti as
+to the dressing of Merapi in the robes of Isis which, he vowed, was done
+by the priests against his wish, told us that Pharaoh and a great host
+had started to pursue the Israelites. The Prince asked him why he had
+not gone with the host, to which he replied that he was no soldier, also
+that Pharaoh hid his face from him. In return he asked the Prince why
+_he_ had not gone.
+
+Seti answered, because had been deprived of his command with his other
+officers and had no wish to take share in this business as a private
+citizen.
+
+"You are wise, as always, Prince," said Ki.
+
+It was on the following night, very late, while the Prince, Ki,
+Bakenkhonsu and I, Ana, sat talking, that suddenly the lady Merapi broke
+in upon us as she had risen from her bed, wild-eyed, and with her hair
+flowing down her robes.
+
+"I have dreamed a dream!" she cried. "I dreamed that I saw all the
+thousands of my people following after a flame that burned from earth
+to heaven. They came to the edge of a great water and behind them rushed
+Pharaoh and all the hosts of the Egyptians. Then my people ran on to the
+face of the water, and it bore them as though it were sound land.
+Now the soldiers of the Pharaoh were following, but the gods of Egypt
+appeared, Amon, Osiris, Horus, Isis, Hathor, and the rest, and would
+have turned them back. Still they refused to listen, and dragging the
+gods with them, rushed out upon the water. Then darkness fell, and in
+the darkness sounds of wailing and of a mighty laughter. It passed,
+the moon rose, shining upon emptiness. I awoke, trembling in my limbs.
+Interpret me this dream if you can, O Ki, Master of Magic."
+
+"Where is the need, Lady," he answered, awaking as though from sleep,
+"when the dreamer is also the seer? Shall the pupil venture to
+instruct the teacher, or the novice to make plain the mysteries to the
+high-priestess of the temple? Nay, Lady, I and all the magicians of
+Egypt are beneath your feet."
+
+"Why will you ever mock me?" she said, and as she spoke, she shivered.
+
+Then Bakenkhonsu opened his lips, saying:
+
+"The wisdom of Ki has been buried in a cloud of late, and gives no light
+to us, his disciples. Yet the meaning of this dream is plain, though
+whether it be also true I do not know. It is that all the host of Egypt,
+and with it the gods of Egypt, are threatened with destruction because
+of the Israelites, unless one to whom they will hearken can be found to
+turn them from some purpose that I do not understand. But to whom will
+the mad hearken, oh! to whom will they hearken?" and lifting his great
+head, he looked straight at the Prince.
+
+"Not to me, I fear, who now am no one in Egypt," said Seti.
+
+"Why not to you, O Prince, who to-morrow may be everyone in Egypt?"
+asked Bakenkhonsu. "Always you have pleaded the cause of the Hebrews,
+and said that naught but evil would befall Egypt because of them, as
+has happened. To whom, then, will the people and the army listen more
+readily?"
+
+"Moreover, O Prince," broke in Ki, "a lady of your household has dreamed
+a very evil dream, of which, if naught be said, it might be held that it
+was no dream, but a spell of power aimed against the majesty of Egypt;
+such a spell as that which cast great Amon from his throne, such a spell
+as that which has set a magic fence around this house and field."
+
+"Again I tell you that I weave no spells, O Ki, who with my own child
+have paid the price of them."
+
+"Yet spells were woven, Lady, and has been known from of old, strength
+is perfected in sacrifice alone," Ki answered darkly.
+
+"Have done with your talk of spells, Magician," exclaimed the Prince,
+"or if you must speak of them, speak of your own, which are many. It was
+Jabez who protected us here against the plagues, and the statue of Amon
+was shattered by some god."
+
+"I ask your pardon, Prince," said Ki bowing, "it was _not_ this lady but
+her uncle who fenced your house against the plagues which ravaged Egypt,
+and it was _not_ this lady but some god working in her which overthrew
+Amon of Tanis. The Prince has said it. Yet this lady has dreamed a
+certain dream which Bakenkhonsu has interpreted although I cannot, and I
+think that Pharaoh and his captains should be told of the dream, that on
+it they may form their own judgment."
+
+"Then why do you not tell them, Ki?"
+
+"It has pleased Pharaoh, O Prince, to dismiss me from his service as
+one who failed and to give my office of Kherheb to another. If I appear
+before the face of Pharaoh I shall be killed."
+
+Now I, Ana, listening, wished that Ki would appear before the face of
+Pharaoh, although I did not believe that he could be killed by him or by
+anybody else, since against death he had charms. For I was afraid of Ki,
+and felt in myself that again he was plotting evil to Merapi whom I knew
+to be innocent.
+
+The Prince walked up and down the chamber as was his fashion when lost
+in thought. Presently he stopped opposite to me and said:
+
+"Friend Ana, be pleased to command that my chariots be made ready with
+a general's escort of a hundred men and spare horses to each chariot.
+We ride at dawn, you and I, to seek out the army of Pharaoh and pray
+audience of Pharaoh."
+
+"My lord," said Merapi in a kind of cry, "I pray you go not, leaving me
+alone."
+
+"Why should I leave you, Lady? Come with me if you will." She shook her
+head, saying:
+
+"I dare not. Prince, there has been some charm upon me of late that
+draws me back to my own people. Twice in the night I have awakened and
+found myself in the gardens with my face set towards the north, and
+heard a voice in my ears, even that of my father who is dead, saying:
+
+"'Moon of Israel, thy people wander in the wilderness and need thy
+light.'
+
+"It is certain therefore that if I came near to them I should be dragged
+down as wood is dragged of an eddy, nor would Egypt see me any more."
+
+"Then I pray you bide where you are, Merapi," said the Prince, laughing
+a little, "since it is certain that where you go I must follow, who have
+no desire to wander in the wilderness with your Hebrew folk. Well, it
+seems that as you do not wish to leave Memphis and will not come with
+me, I must stay with you."
+
+Ki fixed his piercing eyes upon the pair of them.
+
+"Let the Prince forgive me," he said, "but I swear it by the gods that
+never did I think to live to hear the Prince Seti Meneptah set a woman's
+whims before his honour."
+
+"Your words are rough," said Seti, drawing himself up, "and had they
+been spoken in other days, mayhap, Ki----"
+
+"Oh! my lord," said Ki prostrating himself till his forehead touched the
+ground, "bethink you then how great must be the need which makes me dare
+to speak them. When first I came hither from the court of Tanis, the
+spirit that is within me speaking through my lips gave certain titles
+to your Highness, for which your Highness was pleased to reprove me.
+Yet the spirit in me cannot lie and I know well, and bid all here make
+record of my words, that to-night I stand in the presence of him who ere
+two moons have passed will be crowned Pharaoh."
+
+"Truly you were ever a bearer of ill-tidings, Ki, but if so, what of
+it?"
+
+"This your Highness: Were it not that the spirits of Truth and Right
+compel me for their own reasons, should I, who have blood that can be
+shed or bones that can be broken, dare to hurl hard words at him who
+will be Pharaoh? Should I dare to cross the will of the sweet dove who
+nestles on his heart, the wise, white dove that murmurs the mysteries
+of heaven, whence she came, and is stronger than the vulture of Isis and
+swifter than the hawk of Ra; the dove that, were she angry, could rend
+me into more fragments than did Set Osiris?"
+
+Now I saw Bakenkhonsu begin to swell with inward laughter like a frog
+about to croak, but Seti answered in a weary voice:
+
+"By all the birds of Egypt with the sacred crocodiles thrown in, I do
+not know, since that mind of yours, Ki, is not an open writing which can
+be read by the passer-by. Still, if you would tell me what is the reason
+with which the goddesses of Truth and Justice have inspired you----"
+
+"The reason is, O Prince, that the fate of all Egypt's army may be
+hidden in your hand. The time is short and I will be plain. Deny it as
+she will this lady here, who seems to be but a thing of love and beauty,
+is the greatest sorceress in Egypt, as I whom she has mastered know
+well. She matched herself against the high god of Egypt and smote him to
+the dust, and has paid back upon him, his prophets, and his worshippers
+the ills that he would have worked to her, as in the like case any of
+our fellowship would do. Now she has dreamed a dream, or her spirit has
+told her that the army of Egypt is in danger of destruction, and I know
+that this dream is true. Hasten then, O Prince, to save the hosts of
+Egypt, which you will surely need when you come to sit upon its throne."
+
+"I am no sorceress," cried Merapi, "and yet--alas! that I must say
+it--this smiling-featured, cold-eyed wizard's words are true. _The sword
+of death hangs over the hosts of Egypt!_"
+
+"Command that the chariots be made ready," said Seti again.
+
+
+
+Eight days had gone by. It was sunset and we drew rein over against the
+Sea of Reeds. Day and night we had followed the army of Pharaoh across
+the wilderness on a road beaten down by his chariot wheels and soldiers,
+and by the tens of thousands of the Israelites who had passed that way
+before them. Now from the ridge where we had halted we saw it encamped
+beneath us, a very great army. Moreover, stragglers told us that beyond,
+also encamped, was the countless horde of the Israelites, and beyond
+these the vast Sea of Reeds which barred their path. But we could
+not see them for a very strange reason. Between these and the army
+of Pharaoh rose a black wall of cloud, built as it were from earth to
+heaven. One of those stragglers of whom I have spoken, told us that this
+cloud travelled before the Israelites by day, but at night was turned
+into a pillar of fire. Only on this day, when the army of Pharaoh
+approached, it had moved round and come between the people of Israel and
+the army.
+
+Now when the Prince, Bakenkhonsu, and I heard these things we looked at
+each other and were silent. Only presently the Prince laughed a little,
+and said:
+
+"We should have brought Ki with us, even if we had to carry him bound,
+that he might interpret this marvel, for it is sure that no one else
+can."
+
+"It would be hard to keep Ki bound, Prince, if he wished to go free,"
+answered Bakenkhonsu. "Moreover, before ever we entered the chariots at
+Memphis he had departed south for Thebes. I saw him go."
+
+"And I gave orders that he should not be allowed to return, for I hold
+him an ill guest, or so thinks the lady Merapi," replied Seti with a
+sigh.
+
+"Now that we are here what would the Prince do?" I asked.
+
+"Descend to the camp of Pharaoh and say what we have to say, Ana."
+
+"And if he will not listen, Prince?"
+
+"Then cry our message aloud and return."
+
+"And if he will not suffer us to return, Prince?"
+
+"Then stand still and live or die as the gods may decree."
+
+"Truly our lord has a great heart!" exclaimed Bakenkhonsu, "and though
+I feel over young to die, I am minded to see the end of this matter with
+him," and he laughed aloud.
+
+But I who was afraid thought that _O-ho-ho_ of his, which the sky seemed
+to echo back upon our heads, a strange and indeed a fearful sound.
+
+Then we put on robes of ceremony that we had brought with us, but
+neither swords nor armour, and having eaten some food, drove on with the
+half of our guard towards the place where we saw the banners of Pharaoh
+flying about his pavilion. The rest of our guard we left encamped,
+bidding them, if aught happened to us, to return and make report at
+Memphis and in the other great cities. As we drew near to the camp the
+outposts saw us and challenged. But when they perceived by the light of
+the setting sun who it was that they challenged, a murmur went through
+them, of:
+
+"The Prince of Egypt! The Prince of Egypt!" for so they had never ceased
+to name Seti, and they saluted with their spears and let us pass.
+
+So at length we came to the pavilion of Pharaoh, round about which
+a whole regiment stood on guard. The sides of it were looped up high
+because of the heat of the night which was great, and within sat
+Pharaoh, his captains, his councillors, his priests, his magicians, and
+many others at meat or serving food and drink. They sat at a table that
+was bent like a bow, with their faces towards the entrance, and Pharaoh
+was in the centre of the table with his fan-bearers and butlers behind
+him.
+
+We advanced into the pavilion, the Prince in the centre, Bakenkhonsu
+leaning on his staff on the right hand, and I, wearing the gold chain
+that Pharaoh Meneptah had given me, on the left, but those with us
+remained among the guard at the entrance.
+
+"Who are these?" asked Amenmeses, looking up, "who come here unbidden?"
+
+"Three citizens of Egypt who have a message for Pharaoh," answered Seti
+in his quiet voice, "which we have travelled fast and far to speak in
+time."
+
+"How are you named, citizens of Egypt, and who sends your message?"
+
+"We are named, Seti Meneptah aforetime Prince of Egypt, and heir to its
+crown; Bakenkhonsu the aged Councillor, and Ana the scribe and King's
+Companion, and our message is from the gods."
+
+"We have heard those names, who has not?" said Pharaoh, and as he spoke
+all, or very nearly all, the company rose, or half rose, and bowed
+towards the Prince. "Will you and your companions be seated and eat,
+Prince Seti Meneptah?"
+
+"We thank the divine Pharaoh, but we have already eaten. Have we
+Pharaoh's leave to deliver our message?"
+
+"Speak on, Prince."
+
+"O Pharaoh, many moons have gone by, since last we looked upon each
+other face to face, on that day when my father, the good god Meneptah,
+disinherited me, and afterwards fled hence to Osiris. Pharaoh will
+remember why I was thus cut off from the royal root of Egypt. It was
+because of the matter of these Israelites, who in my judgment had been
+evilly dealt by, and should be suffered to leave our land. The good
+god Meneptah, being so advised by you and others, O Pharaoh, would have
+smitten the Israelites with the sword, making an end of them, and to
+this he demanded my assent as the Heir of Egypt. I refused that assent
+and was cast out, and since then, you, O Pharaoh, have worn the double
+crown, while I have dwelt as a citizen of Memphis, living upon such
+lands and revenues as are my own. Between that hour and this, O Pharaoh,
+many griefs have smitten Egypt, and the last of them cost you your
+first-born, and me mine. Yet through them all, O Pharaoh, you have
+refused to let these Hebrews go, as I counselled should be done at the
+beginning. At length after the death of the first-born, your decree was
+issued that they might go. Yet now you follow them with a great army and
+purpose to do to them what my father, the good god Meneptah, would have
+done, had I consented, namely--to destroy them with the sword. Hear me,
+Pharaoh!"
+
+"I hear; also the case is well if briefly set. What else would the
+Prince Seti say?"
+
+"This, O Pharaoh. That I pray you to return with all your host from
+the following of these Hebrews, not to-morrow or the next day, but at
+once--this night."
+
+"Why, O Prince?"
+
+"Because of a certain dream that a lady of my household who is Hebrew
+has dreamed, which dream foretells destruction to you and the army of
+Egypt, unless you hearken to these words of mine."
+
+"I think that we know of this snake whom you have taken to dwell in your
+bosom, whence it may spit poison upon Egypt. It is named Merapi, Moon of
+Israel, is it not?"
+
+"That is the name of the lady who dreamed the dream," replied Seti in a
+cold voice, though I felt him tremble with anger at my side, "the dream
+that if Pharaoh wills my companions here shall set out word for word to
+his magicians."
+
+"Pharaoh does not will it," shouted Amenmeses smiting the board with his
+fist, "because Pharaoh knows that it is but another trick to save these
+wizards and thieves from the doom that they have earned."
+
+"Am I then a worker of tricks, O Pharaoh? If I had been such, why have
+I journeyed hither to give warning, when by sitting yonder at Memphis
+to-morrow, I might once more have become heir to the double crown? For
+if you will not hearken to me, I tell you that very soon you shall
+be dead, and with you these"--and he pointed to all those who sat at
+table--"and with them the great army that lies without. Ere you speak,
+tell me, what is that black cloud which stands before the camp of the
+Hebrews? Is there no answer? Then I will give you the answer. It is the
+pall that shall wrap the bones of every one of you."
+
+Now the company shivered with fear, yes, even the priests and the
+magicians shivered. But Pharaoh went mad with rage. Springing from his
+seat, he snatched at the double crown upon his head, and hurled it to
+the ground, and I noted that the golden uræus band about it, rolled
+away, and rested upon Seti's sandalled foot. He tore his robes and
+shouted:
+
+"At least our fate shall be your fate, Renegade, who have sold Egypt
+to the Hebrew witch in payment of her kisses. Seize this man and his
+companions, and when we go down to battle against these Israelites
+to-morrow after the darkness lifts, let them be set with the captains of
+the van. So shall the truth be known at last."
+
+Thus Pharaoh commanded, and Seti, answering nothing, folded his arms
+upon his breast and waited.
+
+Men rose from their seats as though to obey Pharaoh and sank back to
+them again. Guards started forward and yet remained standing where they
+were. Then Bakenkhonsu burst into one of his great laughs.
+
+"O-ho-ho," he laughed, "Pharaohs have I seen come and go, one and two
+and three, and four and five, but never yet have I seen a Pharaoh whom
+none of his councillors or guards could obey however much they willed
+it. When you are Pharaoh, Prince Seti, may your luck be better. Your
+arm, Ana, my friend, and lead on, Royal Heir of Egypt. The truth is
+shown to blind eyes that will not see. The word is spoken to deaf ears
+that will not hearken, and the duty done. Night falls. Sleep ye well, ye
+bidden of Osiris, sleep ye well!"
+
+Then we turned and walked from that pavilion. At its entrance I looked
+back, and in the low light that precedes the darkness, it seemed to me
+as though all seated there were already dead. Blue were their faces and
+hollow shone their eyes, and from their lips there came no word. Only
+they stared at us as we went, and stared and stared again.
+
+Without the door of the pavilion, by command of the Prince, I called
+aloud the substance of the lady Merapi's dream, and warned all within
+earshot to cease from pursuing the people of Israel, if they would
+continue to live to look upon the sun. Yet even now, although to speak
+thus was treason against Pharaoh, none lifted a hand against the Prince,
+or against me his servant. Often since then I have wondered why this was
+so, and found no answer to my questionings. Mayhap it was because of the
+majesty of my master, whom all knew to be the true Pharaoh, and loved
+at heart. Mayhap it was because they were sure that he would not have
+travelled so far and placed himself in the power of Amenmeses save to
+work the armies of Egypt good, and not ill, and to bring them a message
+that had been spoken by the gods themselves.
+
+Or mayhap it was because he was still hedged about by that protection
+which the Hebrews had vowed to him through their prophets with the
+voice of Jabez. At least so it happened. Pharaoh might command, but his
+servants would not obey. Moreover, the story spread, and that night many
+deserted from the host of Pharaoh and encamped about us, or fled back
+towards the cities whence they came. Also with them were not a few
+councillors and priests who had talked secretly with Bakenkhonsu. So it
+chanced that even if Pharaoh desired to make an end of us, as perhaps he
+purposed to do in the midnight watches, he thought it wisest to let the
+matter lie until he had finished with the people of Israel.
+
+
+
+It was a very strange night, silent, with a heavy, stirless air. There
+were no stars, but the curtain of black cloud which seemed to hang
+beyond the camp of the Egyptians was alive with lightnings which
+appeared to shape themselves to letters that I could not read.
+
+"Behold the Book of Fate written in fire by the hand of God!" said
+Bakenkhonsu, as he watched.
+
+About midnight a mighty east wind began to blow, so strongly that we
+must lie upon our faces under the lea of the chariots. Then the wind
+died away and we heard tumult and shoutings, both from the camp of
+Egypt, and from the camp of Israel beyond the cloud. Next there came a
+shock as of earthquake, which threw those of us who were standing to the
+ground, and by a blood-red moon that now appeared we perceived that all
+the army of Pharaoh was beginning to move towards the sea.
+
+"Whither go they?" I asked of the Prince who clung to my arm.
+
+"To doom, I think," he answered, "but to what doom I do not know."
+
+After this we said no more, because we were too much afraid.
+
+
+
+Dawn came at last, showing the most awful sight that was ever beheld by
+the eye of man.
+
+The wall of cloud had disappeared, and in the clear light of the
+morning, we perceived that the deep waters of the Sea of Reeds had
+divided themselves, leaving a raised roadway that seemed to have
+been cleared by the wind, or perchance to have been thrown up by the
+earthquake. Who can say? Not I who never set foot upon that path of
+death. Along this wide road streamed the tens of thousands of the
+Israelites, passing between the water on the right hand, and the water
+on the left, and after them followed all the army of Pharaoh, save those
+who had deserted, and stood or lay around us, watching. We could even
+see the golden chariots that marked the presence of Pharaoh himself, and
+of his bodyguard, deep in the heart of the broken host that struggled
+forward without discipline or order.
+
+"What now? Oh! what now?" murmured Seti, and as he spoke there was a
+second shock of earthquake. Then to the west on the sea there arose a
+mighty wave, whereof the crest seemed to be high as a pyramid. It rolled
+forward with a curved and foaming head, and in the hollow of it for a
+moment, no more, we saw the army of Egypt. Yet in that moment I seemed
+to see mighty shapes fleeing landwards along the crest of the wave,
+which shapes I took to be the gods of Egypt, pursued by a form of light
+and glory that drove them as with a scourge. They came, they went,
+accompanied by a sound of wailing, and the wave fell.
+
+But beyond it, the hordes of Israel still marched--upon the further
+shore.
+
+Dense gloom followed, and through the gloom I saw, or thought I saw,
+Merapi, Moon of Israel, standing before us with a troubled face and
+heard or thought I heard her cry:
+
+"_Oh! help me, my lord Seti! Help me, my lord Seti!_"
+
+Then she too was gone.
+
+
+"Harness the chariots!" cried Seti, in a hollow voice.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE CROWNING OF MERAPI
+
+Fast as sped our horses, rumour, or rather the truth, carried by those
+who had gone before us, flew faster. Oh! that journey was as a dream
+begotten by the evil gods. On we galloped through the day and through
+the night and lo! at every town and village women rushed upon us crying:
+
+"Is it true, O travellers, is it true that Pharaoh and his host are
+perished in the sea?"
+
+Then old Bakenkhonsu would call in answer:
+
+"It is true that he who _was_ Pharaoh and his host are perished in the
+sea. But lo! here is he who _is_ Pharaoh," and he pointed to the Prince,
+who took no heed and said nothing, save:
+
+"On! On!"
+
+Then forward we would plunge again till once more the sound of wailing
+died into silence.
+
+It was sunset, and at length we drew near to the gates of Memphis. The
+Prince turned to me and spoke.
+
+"Heretofore I have not dared to ask," he said, "but tell me, Ana. In the
+gloom after the great cliff of water fell and the shapes of terror swept
+by, did you seem to see a woman stand before us and did you seem to hear
+her speak?"
+
+"I did, O Prince."
+
+"Who was that woman and what did she say?"
+
+"She was one who bore a child to you, O Prince, which child is not, and
+she said, 'Oh! help me, my lord Seti. Help me, my lord Seti!'"
+
+His face grew ashen even beneath its veil of dust, and he groaned.
+
+"Two who loved her have seen and two who loved her have heard," he said.
+"There is no room for doubt. Ana, she is dead!"
+
+"I pray the gods----"
+
+"Pray not, for the gods of Egypt are also dead, slain by the god of
+Israel. Ana, who has murdered her?"
+
+With my finger I who am a draughtsman drew in the thick dust that lay
+on the board of the chariot the brows of a man and beneath them two deep
+eyes. The gilt on the board where the sun caught it looked like light in
+the eyes.
+
+The Prince nodded and said:
+
+"Now we shall learn whether great magicians such as Ki can die like
+other men. Yes, if need be, to learn that I will put on Pharaoh's
+crown."
+
+We halted at the gates of Memphis. They were shut and barred, but from
+within the vast city rose a sound of tumult.
+
+"Open!" cried the Prince to the guard.
+
+"Who bids me open?" answered the captain of the gate peering at us, for
+the low sun lay behind.
+
+"Pharaoh bids you open."
+
+"Pharaoh!" said the man. "We have sure tidings that Pharaoh and his
+armies are slain by wizardry in the sea."
+
+"Fool!" thundered the Prince, "Pharaoh never dies. Pharaoh Amenmeses
+is with Osiris but the good god Seti Meneptah who _is_ Pharaoh bids you
+open."
+
+Then the bronze gates rolled back, and those who guarded them prostrated
+themselves in the dust.
+
+"Man," I called to the captain, "what means yonder shouting?"
+
+"Sir," he answered, "I do not know, but I am told that the witch who has
+brought woe on Egypt and by magic caused the death of Pharaoh Amenmeses
+and his armies, dies by fire in the place before the temple."
+
+"By whose command?" I cried again as the charioteer flogged the horses,
+but no answer reached our ears.
+
+We rushed on up the wide street to the great place that was packed with
+tens of thousands of the people. We drove the horses at them.
+
+"Way for Pharaoh! Way for the Mighty One, the good god, Seti Meneptah,
+King of the Upper and the Lower Land!" shouted the escort.
+
+The people turned and saw the tall shape of the Prince still clad in the
+robes of state which he had worn when he stood before Amenmeses in the
+pavilion by the sea.
+
+"Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Hail to Pharaoh!" they cried, prostrating themselves,
+and the cry passed on through Memphis like a wind.
+
+Now we were come to the centre of the place, and there in front of the
+great gates of the temple burned a vast pyre of wood. Before the pyre
+moved figures, in one of whom I knew Ki dressed in his magician's robe.
+Outside of these there was a double circle of soldiers who kept the
+people back, which these needed, for they raved like madmen and shook
+their fists. A group of priests near the fire separated, and I saw that
+among them stood a man and a woman, the latter with dishevelled hair and
+torn robes as though she had been roughly handled. At this moment her
+strength seemed to fail her and she sank to the ground, lifting her face
+as she did so. It was the face of Merapi, Moon of Israel.
+
+So she was not dead. The man at her side stooped as though to lift her
+up, but a stone thrown out of the shadow struck him in the back and
+caused him to straighten himself, which he did with a curse at the
+thrower. I knew the voice at once, although the speaker was disguised.
+
+It was that of Laban the Israelite, he who had been betrothed to Merapi,
+and had striven to murder us in the land of Goshen. What did he here? I
+wondered dimly.
+
+Ki was speaking. "Hark how the Hebrew cat spits," he said. "Well,
+the cause has been tried and the verdict given, and I think that the
+familiar should feed the flames before the witch. Watch him now, and
+perhaps he will change into something else."
+
+All this he said, smiling in his usual pleasant fashion, even when he
+made a sign to certain black temple slaves who stood near. They leapt
+forward, and I saw the firelight shone upon their copper armlets as they
+gripped Laban. He fought furiously, shouting:
+
+"Where are your armies, Egyptians, and where is your dog of a Pharaoh?
+Go dig them from the Sea of Reeds. Farewell, Moon of Israel. Look how
+your royal lover crowns you at the last, O faithless----"
+
+He said no more, for at this moment the slaves hurled him headlong into
+the heart of the great fire, which blackened for a little and burned
+bright again.
+
+Then it was that Merapi struggled to her feet and cried in a ringing
+voice those very words which the Prince and I had seemed to hear her
+speak far away by the Sea of Reeds--"_Oh! help me my lord Seti! Help me,
+my lord Seti!_" Yes, the same words which had echoed in our ears days
+before they passed her lips, or so we believed.
+
+Now all this while our chariots had been forcing their way foot by foot
+through the wall of the watching crowd, perhaps while a man might count
+a hundred, no more. As the echoes of her cry died away at length we were
+through and leaping to the ground.
+
+"The witch calls on one who sups to-night at the board of Osiris with
+Pharaoh and his host," sneered Ki. "Well, let her go to seek him there
+if the guardian gods will suffer it," and again he made a sign to the
+black slaves.
+
+But Merapi had seen or felt Seti advancing from the shadows and seeing
+flung herself upon his breast. He kissed her on the brow before them
+all, then bade me hold her up and turned to face the people.
+
+"Bow down. Bow down. Bow down!" cried the deep voice of Bakenkhonsu.
+"Life! Blood! Strength! Pharaoh! Pharaoh! Pharaoh!" and what he said the
+escort echoed.
+
+Then of a sudden the multitude understood. To their knees they fell and
+from every side rose the ancient salutation. Seti held up his hand
+and blessed them. Watching, I saw Ki slip towards the darkness, and
+whispered a word to the guards, who sprang upon him and brought him
+back.
+
+Then the Prince spoke:
+
+"Ye name me Pharaoh, people of Memphis, and Pharaoh I fear I am by
+descent of blood to-day, though whether I will consent to bear the
+burdens of government, should Egypt wish it of me, as yet I know not.
+Still he who wore the double crown is, I believe, dead in the midst
+of the sea; at the least I saw the waters overwhelm him and his army.
+Therefore, if only for an hour, I will be Pharaoh, that as Pharaoh I may
+judge of certain matters. Lady Merapi, tell me, I pray you, how came you
+to this pass?"
+
+"My lord," she answered, in a low voice, "after you had gone to warn the
+army of Pharaoh because of that dream I dreamed, Ki, who departed on
+the same day, returned again. Through one of the women of the household,
+over whom he had power, or so I think, he obtained access to me when I
+was alone in my chamber. There he made me this offer:
+
+"'Give me,' he said, 'the secret of your magic that I may be avenged
+upon the wizards of the Hebrews who have brought about my downfall, and
+upon the Hebrews themselves, and also upon all my other enemies, and
+thus once more become the greatest man in Egypt. In turn I will fulfil
+all your desires, and make you, and no other, Queen of Egypt, and be
+your faithful servant, and that of your lord Seti who shall be Pharaoh,
+until the end of your lives. Refuse, and I will stir up the people
+against you, and before ever the Prince returns, if he returns at all,
+they who believe you to be an evil sorceress shall mete out to you the
+fate of a sorceress.'
+
+"My lord, I answered to Ki what I have often told him before, that I
+had no magic to reveal to him, I who knew nothing of the black arts of
+sorcery, seeing that it was not I who destroyed the statue of Amon in
+the temple at Tanis, but that same Power which since then has brought
+all the plagues on Egypt. I said, too, that I cared nothing for the
+gifts he offered to me, as I had no wish to be Queen of Egypt. My lord,
+he laughed in my face, saying I should find that he was one ill to mock,
+as others had found before me. Then he pointed at me with his wand and
+muttered some spell over me, which seemed to numb my limbs and voice,
+holding me helpless till he had been gone a long while, and could not be
+found by your servants, whom I commanded in your name to seize, and keep
+him till your return.
+
+"From that hour the people began to threaten me. They crowded about the
+palace gates in thousands, crying day and night that they were going to
+kill me, the witch. I prayed for help, but from me, a sinner, heaven
+has grown so far away that my prayers seem to fall back unheard upon my
+head. Even the servants in the palace turned against me, and would not
+look upon my face. I grew mad with fear and loneliness, since all fled
+before me. At last one night towards the dawn I went on to the terrace,
+and since no god would hear me, I turned towards the north whither I
+knew that you had gone, and cried to you to help me in those same words
+which I cried again just now before you appeared." (Here the Prince
+looked at me and I Ana looked at him.) "Then it was that from among the
+bushes of the garden appeared a man, hidden in a long, sheepskin cloak,
+so that I could not see his face, who said to me:
+
+"'Moon of Israel, I have been sent by his Highness, the Prince Seti, to
+tell you that you are in danger of your life, as he is in danger of his,
+wherefore he cannot come to you. His command is that you come to him,
+that together you may flee away out of Egypt to a land where you will
+both be safe until all these troubles are finished.'
+
+"'How know I that you of the veiled face are a true messenger?' I asked.
+'Give me a sign.'
+
+"Then he held out to me that scarabæus of lapis-lazuli which your
+Highness gave to me far away in the land of Goshen, the same that you
+asked back from me as a love token when we plighted troth, and you gave
+me your royal ring, which scarabæus I had seen in your robe when you
+drove away with Ana."
+
+"I lost it on our journey to the Sea of Reeds, but said nothing of it to
+you, Ana, because I thought the omen evil, having dreamed in the night
+that Ki appeared and stole it from me," whispered the Prince to me.
+
+"'It is not enough,' I answered. 'This jewel may have been thieved
+away, or snatched from the dead body of the Prince, or taken from him by
+magic.'
+
+"The cloaked man thought a while and said, 'This night, not an hour ago,
+Pharaoh and his chariots were overwhelmed in the Sea of Reeds. Let that
+serve as a sign.'
+
+"'How can this be?' I answered, 'since the Sea of Reeds is far away,
+and such tidings cannot travel thence in an hour. Get you gone, false
+tempter.'
+
+"'Yet it is so,' he answered.
+
+"'When you prove it to me, I will believe, and come.'
+
+"'Good,' he said, and was gone.
+
+"Next day a rumour began to run that this awful thing had happened. It
+grew stronger and stronger, until all swore that it had happened. Now
+the fury of the people rose against me, and they ravened round the
+palace like lions of the desert, roaring for my blood. Yet it was as
+though they could not enter here, since whenever they rushed at the
+gates or walls, they fell back again, for some spirit seemed to protect
+the place. The days went by; the night came again and at the dawn, this
+dawn that is past, once more I stood upon the terrace, and once more the
+cloaked man appeared from among the trees.
+
+"'Now you have heard, Moon of Israel,' he said, 'and now you must
+believe and come, although you think yourself safe because at the
+beginning of the plagues this, the home of Seti, was enchanted against
+evil, so that none within it can be harmed.'
+
+"'I have heard, and I think that I believe, though how the tidings
+reached Memphis in an hour I do not understand. Yet, stranger, I say to
+you that it is not enough.'
+
+"Then the man drew a papyrus roll from his bosom and threw it at my
+feet. I opened it and read. The writing was the writing of Ana as I knew
+well, and the signature was the signature of you, my lord, and it was
+sealed with your seal, and with the seal of Bakenkhonsu as a witness.
+Here it is," and from the breast of her garment, she drew out a roll and
+gave it to me upon whom she rested all this while.
+
+I opened it, and by the light of torches the Prince, Bakenkhonsu, and
+I read. It was as she had told us in what seemed to be my writing, and
+signed and sealed as she had said. The words ran:
+
+"To Merapi, Moon of Israel, in my house at Memphis.
+
+"Come, Lady, Flower of Love, to me your lord, to whom the bearer of this
+will guide you safely. Come at once, for I am in great danger, as you
+are, and together only can we be safe."
+
+"Ana, what means this?" asked the Prince in a terrible voice. "If you
+have betrayed me and her----"
+
+"By the gods," I began angrily, "am I a man that I should live to hear
+even your Highness speak thus to me, or am I but a dog of the desert?"
+
+I ceased, for at that moment Bakenkhonsu began to laugh.
+
+"Look at the letter!" he laughed. "Look at the letter."
+
+We looked, and as we looked, behold the writing on it turned first
+to the colour of blood and then faded away, till presently there was
+nothing in my hand but a blank sheet of papyrus.
+
+"Oho-ho!" laughed Bakenkhonsu. "Truly, friend Ki, you are the first
+of magicians, save those prophets of the Israelites who have brought
+you--Whither have they brought you, friend Ki?"
+
+Then for the first time the painted smile left the face of Ki, and it
+became like a block of stone in which were set two angry jewels that
+were his eyes.
+
+"Continue, Lady," said the Prince.
+
+"I obeyed the letter. I fled away with the man who said he had a chariot
+waiting. We passed out by the little gate.
+
+"'Where is the chariot?' I asked.
+
+"'We go by boat,' he answered, and led the way towards the river. As we
+threaded the big palm grove men appeared from between the trees.
+
+"'You have betrayed me,' I cried.
+
+"'Nay,' he answered, 'I am myself betrayed.'
+
+"Then for the first time I knew his voice for that of Laban.
+
+"The men seized us; at the head of them was Ki.
+
+"'This is the witch,' he said, 'who, her wickedness finished, flies with
+her Hebrew lover, who is also the familiar of her sorceries.'
+
+"They tore the cloak and the false beard from him and there before me
+stood Laban. I cursed him to his face. But all he answered was:
+
+"'Merapi, what I have done I did for love of you. It was my purpose to
+take you away to our people, for here I knew that they would kill you.
+This magician promised you to me if I could tempt you from the safety of
+the palace, in return for certain tidings that I have given him.'
+
+"These were the only words that passed between us till the end. They
+dragged us to the secret prison of the great temple where we were
+separated. Here all day long Ki and the priests tormented me with
+questions, to which I gave no answer. Towards the evening they brought
+me out and led me here with Laban at my side. When the people saw me a
+great cry went up of 'Sorceress! Hebrew witch!' They broke through the
+guard; they seized me, threw me to the ground and beat me. Laban strove
+to protect me but was torn away. At length the people were driven off,
+and oh! my lord, you know the rest. I have spoken truth, I can no more."
+
+So saying her knees loosened beneath her and she swooned. We bore her to
+the chariot.
+
+"You have heard, Ki," said the Prince. "Now, what answer?"
+
+"None, O Pharaoh," he replied coldly, "for Pharaoh you are, as I
+promised that you should be. My spirit has deserted me, those Hebrews
+have stolen it away. That writing should have faded from the scroll
+as soon as it was read by yonder lady, and then I would have told you
+another story; a story of secret love, of betrayal and attempted flight
+with her lover. But some evil god kept it there until you also had read,
+you who knew that you had not written what appeared before your eyes.
+Pharaoh, I am conquered. Do your will with me, and farewell. Beloved you
+shall always be as you have always been, but happy never in this world."
+
+"O People," cried Seti, "I will not be judge in my own cause. You have
+heard, do you judge. For this wizard, what reward?"
+
+Then there went up a great cry of "Death! Death by fire. The death he
+had made ready for the innocent!"
+
+That was the end, but they told me afterwards that, when the great pyre
+had burned out, in it was found the head of Ki looking like a red-hot
+stone. When the sunlight fell on it, however, it crumbled and faded
+away, as the writing had faded from the roll. If this be true I do not
+know, who was not present at the time.
+
+
+We bore Merapi to the palace. She lived but three days, she whose body
+and spirit were broken. The last time I saw her was when she sent for me
+not an hour before death came. She was lying in Seti's arms babbling to
+him of their child and looking very sweet and happy. She thanked me for
+my friendship, smiling the while in a way which showed me that she knew
+it was more than friendship, and bade me tend my master well until we
+all met again elsewhere. Then she gave me her hand to kiss and I went
+away weeping.
+
+After she was dead a strange fancy took Seti. In the great hall of the
+palace he caused a golden throne to be put up, and on this throne he set
+her in regal garments, with pectoral and necklaces of gems, crowned like
+a queen of Egypt, and thus he showed her to the lords of Memphis. Then
+he caused her to be embalmed and buried in a secret sepulchre, the place
+of which I have sworn never to reveal, but without any rites because she
+was not of the faith of Egypt.
+
+There then she sleeps in her eternal house until the Day of
+Resurrection, and with her sleeps her little son.
+
+
+It was within a moon of this funeral that the great ones of Egypt
+came to Memphis to name the Prince as Pharaoh, and with them came her
+Highness, the Queen Userti. I was present at the ceremony, which to me
+was very strange. There was the Vizier Nehesi; there was the high-priest
+Roi and with him many other priests; and there was even the old
+chamberlain Pambasa, pompous yet grovelling as before, although he had
+deserted the household of the Prince after his disinheritance for that
+of the Pharaoh Amenmeses. His appearance with his wand of office and
+long white beard, of which he was so proud because it was his own, drew
+from Seti the only laugh I had heard him utter for many weeks.
+
+"So you are back again, Chamberlain Pambasa," he said.
+
+"O most Holy, O most Royal," answered the old knave, "has Pambasa, the
+grain of dust beneath your feet, ever deserted the House of Pharaoh, or
+that of him who will be Pharaoh?"
+
+"No," replied Seti, "it is only when you think that he will not be
+Pharaoh that you desert. Well, get you to your duties, rogue, who
+perhaps at bottom are as honest as the rest."
+
+Then followed the great and ancient ceremony of the Offering of the
+Crown, in which spoke priests disguised as gods and other priests
+disguised as mighty Pharaohs of the past; also the nobles of the Nomes
+and the chief men of cities. When all had finished Seti answered:
+
+"I take this, my heritage," and he touched the double crown, "not
+because I desire it but because it is my duty, as I swore that I would
+to one who has departed. Blow upon blow have smitten Egypt which, I
+think, had my voice been listened to, would never have fallen. Egypt
+lies bleeding and well-nigh dead. Let it be your work and mine to try to
+nurse her back to life. For no long while am I with you, who also have
+been smitten, how it matters not, yet while I am here, I who seem to
+reign will be your servant and that of Egypt. It is my decree that no
+feasts or ceremonials shall mark this my accession, and that the wealth
+which would have been scattered upon them shall be distributed among the
+widows and children of those who perished in the Sea of Reeds. Depart!"
+
+They went, humble yet happy, since here was a Pharaoh who knew the needs
+of Egypt, one too who loved her and who alone had shown himself wise of
+heart while others were filled with madness. Then her Highness entered,
+splendidly apparelled, crowned and followed by her household, and made
+obeisance.
+
+"Greeting to Pharaoh," she cried.
+
+"Greeting to the Royal Princess of Egypt," he answered.
+
+"Nay, Pharaoh, the Queen of Egypt."
+
+By Seti's side there was another throne, that in which he had set dead
+Merapi with a crown upon her head. He turned and looked at it a while.
+Then, he said:
+
+"I see that this seat is empty. Let the Queen of Egypt take her place
+there if so she wills."
+
+She stared at him as if she thought that he was mad, though doubtless
+she had heard something of that story, then swept up the steps and sat
+herself down in the royal chair.
+
+"Your Majesty has been long absent," said Seti.
+
+"Yes," she answered, "but as my Majesty promised she would do, she has
+returned to her lawful place at the side of Pharaoh--never to leave it
+more."
+
+"Pharaoh thanks her Majesty," said Seti, bowing low.
+
+
+Some six years had gone by, when one night I was seated with the Pharaoh
+Seti Meneptah in his palace at Memphis, for there he always chose to
+dwell when matters of State allowed.
+
+It was on the anniversary of the Death of the Firstborn, and of this
+matter it pleased him to talk to me. Up and down the chamber he walked
+and, watching him by the lamplight, I noted that of a sudden he seemed
+to have grown much older, and that his face had become sweeter even than
+it was before. He was more thin also, and his eyes had in them a look of
+one who stares at distances.
+
+"You remember that night, Friend, do you not," he said; "perhaps the
+most terrible night the world has ever seen, at least in the little
+piece of it called Egypt." He ceased, lifted a curtain, and pointed to
+a spot on the pillared portico without. "There she sat," he went on;
+"there you stood; there lay the boy and there crouched his nurse--by the
+way, I grieve to hear that she is ill. You are caring for her, are you
+not, Ana? Say to her that Pharaoh will come to visit her--when he may,
+when he may."
+
+"I remember it all, Pharaoh."
+
+"Yes, of course you would remember, because you loved her, did you not,
+and the boy too, and even me, the father. And so you will love us always
+when we reach a land where sex with its walls and fires are forgotten,
+and love alone survives--as we shall love you."
+
+"Yes," I answered, "since love is the key of life, and those alone are
+accursed who have never learned to love."
+
+"Why accursed, Ana, seeing that, if life continues, they still may
+learn?" He paused a while, then went on: "I am glad that he died, Ana,
+although had he lived, as the Queen will have no children, he might have
+become Pharaoh after me. But what is it to be Pharaoh? For six years
+now I have reigned, and I think that I am beloved; reigned over a broken
+land which I have striven to bind together, reigned over a sick land
+which I have striven to heal, reigned over a desolated land which I have
+striven to make forget. Oh! the curse of those Hebrews worked well. And
+I think that it was my fault, Ana, for had I been more of a man, instead
+of casting aside my burden, I should have stood up against my father
+Meneptah and his policy and, if need were, have raised the people. Then
+the Israelites would have gone, and no plagues would have smitten Egypt.
+Well, what I did, I did because I must, perhaps, and what has happened,
+has happened. And now my time comes to an end, and I go hence to balance
+my account as best I may, praying that I may find judges who understand,
+and are gentle."
+
+"Why does Pharaoh speak thus?" I asked.
+
+"I do not know, Ana, yet that Hebrew wife of mine has been much in my
+mind of late. She was wise in her way, as wise as loving, was she
+not, and if we could see her once again, perhaps she would answer the
+question. But although she seems so near to me, I never can see her,
+quite. Can you, Ana?"
+
+"No, Pharaoh, though one night old Bakenkhonsu vowed that he perceived
+her passing before us, and looking at me earnestly as she passed."
+
+"Ah! Bakenkhonsu. Well, he is wise too, and loved her in his fashion.
+Also the flesh fades from him, though mayhap he will live to make
+offerings at both our tombs. Well, Bakenkhonsu is at Tanis, or is it at
+Thebes, with her Majesty, whom he ever loves to observe, as I do. So he
+can tell us nothing of what he thought he saw. This chamber is hot, Ana,
+let us stand without."
+
+So we passed the curtain, and stood upon the portico, looking at the
+garden misty with moonlight, and talking of this and that--about the
+Israelites, I think, who, as we heard, were wandering in the deserts of
+Sinai. Then of a sudden we grew silent, both of us.
+
+A cloud floated over the face of the moon, leaving the world in
+darkness. It passed, and I became aware that we were no longer alone.
+There in front of us was a mat, and on the mat lay a dead child, the
+royal child named Seti; there by the mat stood a woman with agony in her
+eyes, looking at the dead child, the Hebrew woman named Moon of Israel.
+
+Seti touched me, and pointed to her, and I pointed to the child. We
+stood breathless. Then of a sudden, stooping down, Merapi lifted up
+the child and held it towards its father. But, lo! now no longer was it
+dead; nay, it laughed and laughed, and seeing him, seemed to throw its
+arms about his neck, and to kiss him on the lips. Moreover, the agony
+in the woman's eyes turned to joy unspeakable, and she became more
+beautiful than a star. Then, laughing like the child, Merapi turned to
+Seti, beckoned, and was gone.
+
+"We have seen the dead," he said to me presently, "and, oh! Ana, _the
+dead still live!_"
+
+
+That night, ere dawn, a cry rang through the palace, waking me from my
+sleep. This was the cry:
+
+"The good god Pharaoh is no more! The hawk Seti has flown to heaven!"
+
+
+At the burial of Pharaoh, I laid the halves of the broken cup upon his
+breast, that he might drink therefrom in the Day of Resurrection.
+
+
+Here ends the writing of the Scribe Ana, the Counsellor and Companion of
+the King, by him beloved.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Moon of Israel, by H. Rider Haggard
+
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