The pharaoh told Samentu to go into the second division of the tent.

The unfortunate officer soon showed himself. He fell with his face to the earth, and then kneeling, and sighing, continued,

"I pray every day at his rising and setting to Re Harmachis, and to Amon, and Re, and Ptah, and to other gods and goddesses, for thy health, O sovereign of Egypt! That Thou live! That Thou have success, and that I might see even the splendor of thy heel." [Authentic]

"What does he wish?" asked the pharaoh of Tutmosis, observing etiquette for the first time.

"His holiness is pleased to inquire what thy wish is?" repeated Tutmosis.

The deceitful Eunana, remaining on his knees, turned toward the favorite, and said,

"Thou art the ear and eye of the land; Thou givest delight and life, hence I will answer thee as at the judgment of Osiris: I have served in the priests' regiment of the divine Isis ten years; I have fought six years on the eastern boundary. Men of my age are commanders of thousands, but I am only a centurion. I receive blows of sticks at command of the god-fearing priests. And why is such injustice done me? In the day-time I think of books, and at night I read them, since the fool who leaves books as quickly as a gazelle takes to flight is of low mind; he is like the ass which receives lashes, like the deaf man who does not hear, and with whom one must speak with his fingers. In spite of my love for science I am not puffed up with my own knowledge, but I take counsel with all, for from each man it is possible to learn something, and I surround with my esteem worthy sages."

The pharaoh moved impatiently, but listened on, knowing that an Egyptian considered garrulousness as his duty and the highest honor to superiors.

"This is what I am," said Eunana. "In a strange house I look not at women. I give my attendants to eat what is proper, but when my turn comes I dispute not about the division. I have a face which is satisfied at all times, and in presence of superiors I act respectfully. I never sit in the presence of an older man standing; I am not forward, and without invitation I go not into other men's houses. I am silent touching that which my eyes see, for I know that we are deaf to men who use many words.

"Wisdom teaches that the body of a man is like a granary full of various objects. Therefore, I choose at all times the good that is in me and express it. I keep the bad shut up in my person. The deceits of other men I repeat not, and as to that which is committed to me I always accomplish it in the best manner possible.

"And what is my reward?" finished Eunana, raising his voice; "I suffer cold, I go in rags, I am not able to lie on my back, it is so beaten. I read in books that the priestly order rewards valor and prudence. Indeed! that must have been at some other time, and very long ago. For the priests of today turn from men of ability and drive strength and valor out of the bones of officers."

"I shall fall asleep in presence of this man," said the pharaoh.

"Eunana," said Tutmosis, "his holiness is convinced that Thou art expert in books, but tell now in as few words as possible what thy wish is."

"An arrow does not go so quickly to its mark as my request will fly to the divine feet of his holiness," replied Eunana. "The service of the shaven heads has so disgusted me, the priests have filled my heart with such bitterness, that if I am not transferred to the army of the pharaoh, I shall pierce myself with my own sword, before which the enemies of Egypt have trembled more than one time and more than a hundred times. I would rather be a decurion, nay a simple warrior of his holiness than a centurion in priestly regiments; a pig or a dog may serve them, but not a believing Egyptian!"

Eunana uttered the last words with such mad anger that the pharaoh said in Greek to Tutmosis,

"Take him to the guard. An officer who does not like the priests may be of use to us."

"His holiness, the lord of both worlds has given command to receive thee into his guard," repeated Tutmosis.

"My health and life belong to our lord. May he live through eternity!" exclaimed Eunana, and he kissed the footstool beneath the feet of the pharaoh.

Eunana, now made happy, moved backward, falling on his face after every couple of steps, and left the tent, blessing his sovereign.

"His garrulousness irritated me," said Ramses. "I must teach Egyptian soldiers and officers to speak briefly, not like learned scribes."

"May the gods grant that to be his only failing," whispered Tutmosis, on whom Eunana had made a bad impression.

Ramses summoned Samentu.

"Be at rest," said he to the priest. "That officer who came after thee was not following. He is too stupid for commissions of that sort. But a heavy hand may be used in case of necessity. Well, now, tell me what inclined thee to such cautiousness?"

"I know, almost, the road to the treasure chambers in the labyrinth," said Samentu.

The pharaoh shook his head.

"That is a difficult task," said he in a low voice. "I ran an hour through various halls and corridors, like a mouse chased by a cat. And I confess that, not merely did I not understand that road, but I could not have even escaped from the place unattended. Death in the sunlight may be pleasant, but death in those dens, where a mole would lose its way! Brr!"

"Still we must find that road and master it," said Samentu.

"But if the overseers themselves give the necessary part of the treasure," inquired the pharaoh.

"They will not do that while Mefres, Herhor, and their confederates are living. Believe me, sovereign, the question for those dignitaries is to roll thee in swaddling clothes, like an infant."

Ramses grew pale from anger.

"Unless I wind them in chains! How wilt Thou discover the way?"

"Here in Abydos, in the grave of Osiris, I found the whole plan of the road to the treasure," said Samentu.

"But how didst Thou learn that it was here?"

"Inscriptions in my temple of Set explained that to me."

"When didst Thou find the plan?"

"When the mummy of thy eternally living father, O holiness, was in the temple of Osiris. I accompanied the revered relics and while on night service in the hall of 'repose' I entered the sanctuary."

"Thou shouldst be a general, not a high priest!" cried Ramses, laughing. "And now Thou understandest the way of the labyrinth?"

"I have understood it this long time, now I have taken indications for guidance."

"Canst Thou explain it to me?"

"Of course, at the right time, I will even show thee a plan, holiness. That way," continued Samentu, "passes in zigzags four times through the whole labyrinth; it begins on the upper story and ends in the lowest place underground, and has a number of other twists. That is why it is so long."

"And how couldst Thou go from one hall to another when there is such a multitude of doors in them?"

"On every door leading to the object there is a portion of this sentence: 'Woe to the traitor who tries to penetrate the supreme secret of the state and to stretch forth a sacrilegious hand toward the treasure of the gods. His remains will be like offal, and his soul, torn by its sins, will wander without rest, through dark places.'"

"And that inscription does not terrify thee?"

"But, holiness, does the sight of a Libyan spear terrify thee? Threats are good against common people, but not against me, who am able myself to write curses still more dreadful."

The pharaoh fell to thinking.

"Thou art right," said he. "A spear will not harm him who knows how to ward it off, and a deceitful road will not lead astray the sage who knows the word of truth. But how wilt Thou manage to make stones in the wall move apart before thee, and columns change into doors of entrance?"

Samentu shrugged his shoulders contemptuously.

"In my temple," replied he, "there are imperceptible entrances even more difficult to open than those in the labyrinth. Whoso knows the key to a mystery can go everywhere, as Thou hast said justly, O holiness."

Ramses rested his head on his hand and continued thinking.

"I should be sorry," said he, "if misfortune were to meet thee on the way."

"In the worst event I shall meet death, and does not death threaten even a pharaoh. Besides, didst Thou not march to the Soda Lakes boldly, though Thou wert not sure of returning? And, lord, think not," continued the priest, "that I must pass over the same distance as other men who visit the labyrinth. I shall find nearer points, and in the course of one prayer to Osiris I can reach a place which Thou wouldst only reach after thirty prayers."

"But are there other entrances?"

"There are, most assuredly, and I must find them. I shall not enter as Thou didst, by the main gate or in the daytime."

"How then?"

"There are external doors which I know and which the wise overseers of the labyrinth leave unguarded. In the court the watches are not numerous and they trust so much to the care of the gods, or to the fear of the people that they sleep in the night time most frequently. Besides, the priests go to pray in the temple three times between sunset and sunrise, but the guards perform their devotions in the open air. Before one prayer is finished I shall be in the edifice."

"And if Thou go astray?"

"I have a plan."

"But if the plan is imperfect?" asked the pharaoh, unable to hide his anxiety.

"But, holiness, if Thou obtain not the treasures of the labyrinth? If the Phoenicians change their minds and refuse the promised loan? If the army be hungry, and the hopes of the common people be deceived? Be pleased to believe me, lord," continued the priest, "that I amid the corridors of the labyrinth shall be safer than Thou in thy kingdom of Egypt."

"But the darkness the darkness! And the walls which one cannot break through, and the depth, and those hundreds of ways in which he who enters must lose himself. Believe me, Samentu, a battle with men is amusement, but a conflict with darkness and doubt that is dreadful."

"Holiness," answered Samentu, smiling, "Thou dost not know my life. At the age of twenty-five I was a priest of Osiris."

"Thou?" asked Ramses, with astonishment.

"I, and I will tell at once why I passed to the service of Set. They sent me to the peninsula of Sinai to build a small chapel for miners. The labor of building continued six years. I, had much free time and wandered among mountains, examining the caves in them.

"What have I not seen in those places! Corridors so long that it took hours to pass through them, narrow entrances through which if a man passes he must crawl on his stomach; chambers so immense that in each a whole temple might find room sufficient. I saw underground rivers, lakes, crystal chambers, dens totally dark in which no man could see his own hand, again others in which there was as much light as if a second sun had been shining there.

"How often have I been lost in countless passages, how often has my torch gone out, how often was I approaching an unseen precipice? I have passed many days in subterranean places, living on parched barley, licking the moisture from wet rocks, not knowing whether I should ever see this upper world again.

"But I gained experience. My vision grew sharp and I even came to love those underground regions. And today when I think of the childish recesses of the labyrinth I am ready for laughter. Edifices built by men are like mole-hills when compared with the immense structures reared by those silent and invisible earth spirits.

"But once I met a dreadful thing which brought me to change my position. West from the quarries of Sinai is a group of ravines and mountains among which subterranean thunders are heard frequently, the earth trembles, and flames are seen sometimes. I was made curious, so I went there for a longer visit. I sought, and, thanks to an inconsiderable opening, I discovered a whole chain of immense caves under the arches of which it would be possible to place the largest pyramid.

"When I wandered into those places I was met by a smell of putrefaction, a smell so strong that I wished to flee from it. But, conquering myself, I entered the cave whence it came, and beheld Imagine, lord, a man with legs and arms shorter by one half than ours, but thick, awkward, and with claws at their extremities. Add to this figure a broad tail, flattened at the side, indented like the comb of a cock, a very long neck, and on it a dog's head. Finally, dress this monster in armor covered on the back with carved spikes. Now imagine that figure standing on its feet with arms and breast resting against a cliff."

"That was something very ugly," put in Ramses; "I should have killed it immediately."

"It was not ugly," answered Samentu, shaking himself. "For think, lord, that monster was as tall as an obelisk."

Ramses made a movement of displeasure.

"Samentu," said he, "it seems to me that Thou didst visit thy caves in a dream."

"I swear to thee, holiness, by the life of my children!" exclaimed the priest, "that I speak truth. Yes; that monster in the skin of a reptile covered with a scaly armor, if lying on the ground, would with its tail be fifty paces long. In spite of fear and repulsion I returned a number of times to that cave and examined the creature most carefully."

"Then it was alive?"

"No, it was dead. Dead a very long time, but preserved like our mummies. The great dryness of the air preserved it, and perhaps some. salt of the earth unknown to me.

"That was my last discovery," continued Samentu. "I went no more into caves, for I meditated greatly. 'Osiris,' said I, 'creates lions, elephants, horses, and Set gives birth to serpents, bats, crocodiles; the monster which I met is surely a creation of Set, and since it exceeds everything known by us under the sun, Set is a mightier god than Osiris.'

"So I turned to Set, and on returning to Egypt fixed myself in his temple. When I told the priests of my discovery they explained to me that they knew a great many monsters of that sort."

Samentu drew breath, then continued,

"Shouldst Thou desire to visit our temple at any time, holiness, I will show thee wondrous and terrible beings in coffins: geese with lizards' heads and bats' wings. Lizards like swans, but larger than ostriches, crocodiles three times as long as those which live now in the Nile, frogs as bulky as mastiffs. Those are mummies, or skeletons found in caves and preserved in our coffins. People think that we adore them, but we merely save them from decay and examine their structure."

"I shall believe thee when I see them myself," replied the pharaoh. "But tell me, whence could such creatures come?"

"The world in which we live, holiness, has suffered great changes. In Egypt itself we find ruins of cities and temples hidden in the earth deeply. There was a time when that which is now Lower Egypt was an arm of the sea, and the Nile flowed through the whole width of our valley. Still earlier the sea was here, where this kingdom is now. Our ancestors inhabited the region which the western desert has taken. Still earlier tens of thousands of years ago the people were not as we are, they rather resembled monkeys, but they knew how to build huts, they had fire, and they used stones and clubs in fighting.

"There were no horses in those days, nor bulls; while elephants, rhinoceroses and lions were three or even four times as large as those beasts are in our time.

"But enormous elephants were not the first creatures. Before them lived immense reptiles: flying, swimming, and walking. Earlier than the reptiles in this world there were only snails and fish, and before them only plants, but plants such as exist not at present."

"And still earlier?" inquired Ramses.

"Still earlier the earth was empty and void, and the spirit of God moved over the waters."

"I have heard something of this," said Ramses, "but I shall not believe it till Thou show me mummies of monsters which, as Thou sayst, are in thy temple."

"With permission, holiness, I will finish what I have begun," said Samentu. "When I saw that immense body in the cave at Sinai fear seized me, and for two years or more I entered no cave of any kind. But when priests of Set explained to me the origin of such wonderful creatures my alarm vanished and curiosity rose up in place of it. I have no pleasanter amusement today than to wander in subterranean places and search for ways amid darkness. For this reason the labyrinth will not cause me more trouble than a walk through the pharaoh's garden."

"Samentu," said the sovereign, "I esteem thy marvelous daring and thy wisdom; Thou hast told me so many curious things that indeed I myself have conceived a wish to examine caves, and some time I will even go with thee to Sinai. Still I have fears as to thy conquest of the labyrinth, and in every event I will summon an assembly of Egyptians to empower me to use its treasures."

"That will do no harm," replied the priest. "But none the less will my labor be needed, since Mefres and Herhor will never consent to yield the treasure."

"And art Thou sure of success?" inquired Ramses persistently.

"Since Egypt is Egypt," said Samentu, "there has not been a man who had such means to win victory as I have. This encounter is for me not even a struggle, but an amusement. Darkness terrifies some men; I love darkness and can even see in the midst of it. Others are unable to guide themselves among the numerous chambers and corridors; I shall do that very easily. Besides, the secrets of opening hidden doors are unknown to other men, while I know them thoroughly.

"Had I nothing beyond what I have recounted I should discover the ways of the labyrinth in one month or in two, but I have besides a detailed plan of those passages and I know the expressions which will lead me from hall to hall. What then can hinder me?"

"Still doubt is concealed at the bottom of thy heart; Thou didst fear that officer who seemed to pursue thee."

The priest shrugged his shoulders.

"I fear nothing and no man," replied he with calmness, "but I am cautious. I provide against everything, and I am prepared even for this, that they may seize me."

"Dreadful tortures would await thee in that case!" whispered Ramses.

"No tortures. I shall open a door directly from the subterranean chamber of the labyrinth to the land of endless light."

"And wilt Thou not be sorry for me?"

"Why should I? I aim at a great object; I wish to occupy Herhor's place."

"I swear that Thou shalt have it."

"Unless I perish," added Samentu. "But if I go along precipices to mountain summits, and in that wandering my foot slips and I fall, what does it signify? Thou, lord, wilt care for the future of my children?"

"Go forward," said Ramses. "Thou art worthy to be my foremost assistant."



CHAPTER LVIII

AFTER leaving Abydos, Ramses XIII sailed up the Nile to the city of Tan-ta-ren (Dendera) and Keneh, which stood nearly opposite each other: one on the western, the other on the eastern bank of the river. At Tan- ta-ren were two famous places: the pond in which crocodiles were reared, and the temple of Hator, where there was a school at which were taught medicine, sacred hymns, the methods of celebrating divine ceremonies, finally astronomy.

The pharaoh visited both places. He was irritated when they directed him to burn incense before the sacred crocodiles, which he considered as foul and stupid reptiles. And when one of these in time of offering pushed out too far and seized the sovereign's garment with its teeth, Ramses struck it on the head with a bronze ladle so violently that the reptile closed its eyes for a time, and spread its legs, then withdrew and crept into the water, as if understanding that the youthful sovereign did not wish to be familiar even with divinities.

"But have I committed sacrilege?" inquired Ramses of the high priest.

The dignitary looked around stealthily to see if any one were listening, and answered,

"If I had known, holiness, that Thou wouldst make it an offering in that way, I should have given thee a club, not a censer. That crocodile is the most unendurable brute in the whole temple. Once it seized a child."

"And ate it?"

"The parents were satisfied!" said the priest.

"Tell me," said the pharaoh, after thinking, "how can ye sages render homage to beasts which, moreover, when there are no witnesses, ye beat with sticks?"

The high priest looked around again, and seeing no one near by, he answered,

"Of course Thou canst not suspect, sovereign, that worshippers of one god believe in the divinity of beasts. What is done is done for the people."

In the temple of Hator the pharaoh passed quickly through the school of medicine, and listened without great interest to predictions given by astrologers concerning him. When the astrologer high priest showed him a tablet on which was engraved a map of heaven, he asked,

"How often do these predictions come true which ye read in the stars?"

"They come true sometimes."

"But if ye predict from trees, stones, or running water, do those predictions come true also?"

The high priest was troubled.

"Holiness, do not consider us untruthful. We predict the future for people because it concerns them, and we tell them, indeed, what they can understand of astronomy."

"And what do ye understand?"

"We understand," said the priest, "the structure of the heavenly dome and the movement of the stars."

"What good is that to any one?"

"We have rendered no small service to Egypt. We indicate the main directions according to which edifices are built and canals are dug. Without the aid of our science vessels sailing on the sea could not go far from laud. Finally we compose calendars and calculate future heavenly phenomena. For instance, the sun will be eclipsed within a short period."

Ramses was not listening; he had turned and gone out.

"How is it possible," thought the pharaoh, "to build a temple for such childish amusements, and besides to engrave the results on golden tablets? These holy men do not know what to snatch at from idleness."

After he had remained a short time in Tan-ta-ren, the sovereign crossed over to Keneh.

In that place were no celebrated temples, incensed crocodiles, or golden tablets with stars. But commerce and pottery flourished. From that city went two roads to ports on the Red Sea: Koseir and Berenice, also a road to the porphyry mountains, whence they brought statues and great sticks of timber.

Keneh was swarming with Phoenicians who received the sovereign with great enthusiasm, and presented him with valuables to the amount of ten talents.

In spite of this, the pharaoh remained barely one day there, since they informed him from Thebes that the revered body of Ramses XII was already in the palace of Luxor awaiting its burial.

At that epoch Thebes was an immense city occupying about twelve square kilometers of area. It possessed the greatest temple in Egypt: that of Amon, also a multitude of edifices, private and public. The main streets were broad, straight, and paved with stone slabs, the banks of the Nile had their boulevards, the houses were four or five stories high.

Since every temple and palace had a great gateway with pylons Thebes was called "the city of a hundred gates." It was a city on the one hand greatly given to commerce and trade, and on the other, the threshold, as it were, of eternity. On the western bank of the Nile, in the hills and among them, was an incalculable number of tombs of pharaohs, priests, and magnates.

Thebes was indebted for its splendor to two pharaohs: Amenophis III or Memnon, who found it a "city of mud and left it a city of stone," and Ramses II, who finished and perfected the edifices begun by Amenophis.

On the eastern bank of the Nile, in the southern part of the city, was an entire quarter of immense regal edifices: palaces, villas, temples, on the ruins of which the small town of Luxor stands at present. In that quarter the remains of Ramses XII were placed for the last ceremonies.

When Ramses XIII arrived all Thebes went forth to greet him, only old men and cripples remained in the houses, and thieves in the alleys. Here, for the first time, the people took the horses from the pharaoh's chariot and drew it themselves. Here for the first time the pharaoh heard shouts against the abuses of priests. This comforted him; also cries that every seventh day should be for rest. He desired to make that gift to toiling Egypt, but he knew not that his plans had become known, and that the people were waiting to see them accomplished.

His journey of five miles lasted a couple of hours amid dense crowds of people. The pharaoh's chariot was stopped very often in the midst of a throng, and did not move till the guard of his holiness had raised those who lay prostrate before it.

When at last he reached the palace gardens where he was to occupy one of the smaller villas, the pharaoh was so wearied that he did not occupy himself with affairs of state on his arrival. Next day, however, he burnt incense before the mummy of his father, which was in the main royal chamber, and informed Herhor that they might conduct the remains to the tomb prepared for them.

But this ceremony was not performed immediately.

They conveyed the late pharaoh to the temple of Ramses, where it remained a clay and a night. Then they bore the mummy with boundless magnificence to the temple of Amon-Ra.

The details of the funeral ceremony were the same as in Memphis, though incomparably grander.

The royal palaces on the right bank of the Nile were on the southern end of the city, while the temple of Amon-Ra was in the northern part of it. These were connected by a road unique in character. This was an avenue two kilometers long, very broad, lined not only with immense trees, but with two rows of sphinxes. Some of these with lions' bodies had human heads, others had rams' heads. There were several hundreds of these statues on the avenue, at both sides of which countless throngs of people had assembled from Thebes and the surrounding region. Along the middle of the avenue moved the funeral procession. Advancing to the music of various regiments were detachments of female wailers, choruses of singers, all the guilds of artisans and merchants, deputations from some tens of provinces with their gods and banners, deputations from more than ten nations which kept up relations with Egypt. And again walkers' music and priestly choruses.

This time the mummy of the pharaoh advanced in a golden boat also, but incomparably richer than that in Memphis. The car which bore it was drawn by eight pair of white bulls; this car, two stories high, was almost concealed under garlands, bouquets, ostrich plumes, and precious woven stuffs. It was surrounded by a dense cloud of smoke from censers, which produced the impression that Ramses XII was appearing to his people in clouds like a divinity.

From the pylons of all Theban temples came thunder-like outbursts and with them loud and rapid sounds from the clashing of bronze disks.

Though the avenue of sphinxes was free and wide, though the procession took place under the direction of Egyptian generals, and therefore with the greatest order, the procession spent three hours in passing those two kilometers between the palace and the edifices of Amon.

Only when the mummy of Ramses XII was borne into the temple did Ramses XIII drive forth from the palace in a golden chariot drawn by a pair of splendid horses. The people standing along the avenue, who during the time of the procession had held themselves quietly, burst out at sight of the beloved sovereign into a shout so immense that the thunders and sounds from the summits of all the temples were lost in it.

There was a moment when that mighty throng, borne away by excitement, would have rushed to the middle of the avenue and surrounded their sovereign. But Ramses, with one motion of his hand, restrained the living deluge and prevented the sacrilege.

In the course of some minutes the pharaoh passed over the road and halted before the immense pylons of the noblest temple in Egypt.

As Luxor was the quarter of palaces in the south, so Karnak was the quarter of divinities on the northern side of the city. The temple of Amon-Ra formed the main centre of Karnak.

This building alone occupied two hectares of space, and the gardens and ponds around it about twenty. Before the temple stood two pylons forty meters high. The forecourt, surrounded by a corridor resting on columns, occupied nearly one hectare, the hall of columns in which were assembled the privileged classes was half a hectare in extent. This was not the edifice yet, but the approach to it.

That hall, or hypostyle, was more than a hundred and fifty yards long and seventy-five yards in width, its ceiling rested on one hundred and thirty-four columns. Among these the twelve central ones were fifteen yards in circumference and from twenty to twenty-four meters high.

The statues disposed in the temple near the pylons, and at the sacred lakes accorded in size with all other parts of Karnak.

In the immense gate the worthy Herhor, the high priest of that temple, was waiting for Ramses. Surrounded by a whole staff of priests Herhor greeted the pharaoh almost haughtily, and while burning a censer before the sovereign he did not look at him. Then he conducted Ramses to the hypostyle and gave the order to admit deputations within the wall of the temple.

In the midst of the hypostyle stood the boat with the mummy of the departed sovereign, and on both sides of it, two thrones of equal height stood opposed to each other. On one of these Ramses took his place surrounded by nomarchs and generals, on the other sat Herhor surrounded by the priesthood. Then the high priest Mefres gave Herhor the miter of Amenhotep and the young pharaoh for the second time beheld on the head of the high priest the golden serpent, the symbol of regal authority.

Ramses grew pale from rage, and thought: "Shall I need to remove the ureus and thy head at the same time?"

But he was silent, knowing that in that greatest of Egyptian temples Herhor was lord, the equal of the gods, and a potentate perhaps greater than the pharaoh.

During this time when the people filled the court, behind the purple curtain dividing the rest of the temple from mortals were heard harps and low singing. Ramses looked at the hall. A whole forest of mighty columns covered from above to the bases with paintings, the mysterious lighting, the ceiling far up near the sky somewhere, produced on him an effect that was crushing.

"What does it signify," thought he, "to win a battle at the Soda Lakes? To build an edifice like this is an exploit! But those priests built it."

At that moment he felt the power of the priestly order. Could he, his army, or even the whole people overturn that temple? And if it would be difficult to deal with the edifice would it be easier to struggle with its builders? The voice of the high priest Mefres roused him from disagreeable meditations.

"Holiness," said the old man; "Thou most worthy confidant of the gods" (here he bowed to Herhor); "ye nomarchs, scribes, warriors, and common people, the most worthy high priest of this temple, Herhor, invites you to judge, according to ancient custom, the earthly acts of the late pharaoh, and to acknowledge or deny to him burial."

Anger rushed to the head of Ramses. "It was not enough that they insulted him in that place, but in addition they dare to discuss the deeds of his father, to decide as to his burial."

But he calmed himself; that was only a formality, as ancient, in fact, as the Egyptian dynasties. It related not to judgment, but to praise of the departed.

At a sign given by Herhor the high priests took their seats on stools. But neither the nomarchs nor the generals surrounding the throne of Ramses were seated; there were not even stools for them.

The pharaoh fixed in his memory that insult also; 'but he had so mastered himself now that it was impossible to learn whether he noticed the disregard shown those near him.

Meanwhile the holy Mefres dwelt on the life of the deceased pharaoh.

"Ramses XII," said he, "did not commit any of the forty-two sins, hence the court of the gods pronounces a gracious verdict regarding him. And since, moreover, the royal mummy, thanks to the exceptional care of the priests, is provided with every amulet, prayer, direction, and spell, there is no doubt that the late pharaoh is now in the dwelling of the gods, sitting at the side of Osiris, and is himself Osiris.

"During his earthly life the divine nature of Ramses XII was made manifest. He reigned more than thirty years. He gave the people profound peace and erected or finished many temples. Besides, he was himself a high priest and surpassed in piety the most pious. During his reign honor to the gods and elevation of the sacred priestly order held the chief position. Therefore he was beloved of the heavenly powers, and one of the Theban gods, Khonsu, at the prayer of the pharaoh, was pleased to go to the country of Buchten, and expel an evil spirit from the king's daughter."

Mefres drew breath and continued,

"When I have shown your worthinesses that Ramses XII was a god, will ye inquire with what object that higher being came down to the Egyptian land and spent some tens of years here?

"He did so to reform the world, which, through decay of faith, is much corrupted. For who is occupied in devotion today, who thinks of obeying the will of the gods in our time?

"In the distant north we see the great Assyrian people who believe only in the power of the sword, and who, instead of giving themselves to devotion and wisdom, are subjecting other nations. Nearer to us are Phoenicians, whose god is gold, and whose worship is mere fraud and usury. There are others also: the Hittites on the East, the Libyans on the west, the Ethiopians on the south, and the Greeks of the Mediterranean, those are barbarians and robbers. Instead of toiling they rob, instead of working wisdom they drink, play dice, or sleep like tired animals.

"In the world there is only one really wise and pious people, the Egyptians; but see what is happening among us. Because of the influx of infidel foreigners, religion has fallen here also. Nobles and officials at their wine cups revile eternal life and the gods, while the people throw mud at sacred statues and make no offerings to temples.

"Excess has taken the place of devotion, riot the place of wisdom. Each man wants to wear immense wigs, and anoint himself with rare perfumes; he would have tunics and aprons woven with gold, wear chains and bracelets set with jewels. A barley cake suffices him no longer: he wants wheaten bread with milk and honey; he washes his feet in beer and quenches his thirst with wine from foreign countries.

"Because of this all nobles are in debt, the people are beaten and overloaded with labor; here and there rebellions break out. What do I say! here and there? During a certain time through the length and the breadth of Egypt, thanks to secret disturbances, we hear the shout: 'Give us rest after every six days of labor! Do not beat us without judgment! Give each man of us a plot of land as his property!'

"This is a declaration of ruin for Egypt, against which we must find rescue. The rescue is only in religion, which teaches that the people should labor. Holy men, as persons knowing the will of the gods, should indicate the labor, and it is the duty of the pharaoh and his officials to see that this labor is carried out actually.

"Religion teaches all this; according to these principles Ramses XII, who was equal to the gods, governed Egypt. We high priests, knowing his devotion, will cut out the following inscription on his tomb and on the temples:

"The bull Horus, the mighty Apes who united the crowns of the kingdom, the golden falcon wielding the saber, the conqueror of nine nations, the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, the ruler of two worlds, the son of the sun, Amen-Mer-Ramses, beloved of Amon-Ra, the lord and ruler of the Theban region, the son of Amon-Ra received as son by Horus, and begotten by Hormach, King of Egypt, ruler of Phoenicia, lord of nine nations." [Authentic tomb inscription. ]

When this proposal was confirmed by a shout of those assembled, dancers ran out from behind the curtain and performed a sacred dance before the sarcophagus, and the priests burned incense. Then they took the mummy from the boat and bore it to the sanctuary of Amon into which Ramses XIII had not the right to enter.

The service ended soon after and the assembly left the temple.

While returning to the palace of Luxor the young pharaoh was so sunk in thought that he hardly saw the immense throng of people and did not hear the shouts which rose from it.

"I cannot deceive my own heart," thought Ramses. "The high priests insult me; this has not happened to any pharaoh till my time; more, they point out to me the way in which I can gain their favor. They wish to manage the state, and I am to see that their commands are accomplished.

"But it will be otherwise: I shall command and ye must accomplish. Either my royal foot will be planted on your necks or I shall perish."

For two days the revered mummy of Ramses XII remained in the temple of Amon, in a place so sacred that even high priests might not enter, save only Herhor and Mefres. Before the deceased only one lamp was burning, the flame of which, nourished in a miraculous manner, was never extinguished. Over the deceased hung the symbol of the spirit, a man- headed falcon. Whether it was a machine, or really a living being, was known to no one. This is certain, that priests who had the courage to look behind the curtain stealthily saw that this being kept one place in the air unsupported while its lips and eyes continued moving.

The continuation of the funeral began, and the golden boat carried the deceased to the other side of the river. But first it passed through the main street of Thebes surrounded by an immense retinue of priests, wailers, warriors, and people, amid incense, music, wailing and chanting. This was perhaps the most beautiful street in all Egypt. It was broad, smooth, lined with trees. Its houses, four and even five stories high, were covered from roof to foundation with mosaic or with bas-reliefs in colors. It looked as if those buildings had been hung with immense colored tapestry or hidden by colossal pictures representing the work and occupations of merchants, artisans, mariners, also distant lands and their people. In one word that was not a street, but a colossal gallery of pictures, barbarous as to the drawing, but brilliant in colors.

The funeral procession advanced about two kilometers from the north to the south, keeping more or less the centre of the city, then it turned westward toward the river.

In the middle of the river opposite this point was a large island connected by a bridge of boats with the city. To avoid accidents the generals in command reformed the procession; they put four people in a rank, ordered them to move very slowly and forbade them to keep step. With this object the different bands of music at the head of the multitude each played different music.

After a couple of hours the procession passed the first bridge, next the island, then the second bridge, and was on the western bank of the river.

If we might call the eastern part of Thebes the city of gods and kings, the western quarter was that of tombs and mortuary temples.

The procession advanced from the Nile toward the Libyan hills by the middle road. South of this road, on an eminence, stood a temple, commemorating the victories of Ramses III, the walls of which are covered with pictures of conquered nations: Hittites, Amorites, Philistines, Ethiopians, Arabs, Libyans. A little lower down rose two colossal statues of Amenhotep II, the height of which, notwithstanding their sitting posture, was twenty meters. One of these statues was distinguished by the miraculous property that when struck by the rays of the rising sun it gave out sounds like those of a harp whenever chords snap in it.

Still nearer the road, but always on the left, stood the Ramesseum, a beautiful though not very large temple which was built by Ramses II. The entrance to this edifice was guarded by statues with the royal insignia in their hands. In the forecourt towered the statue of Ramses II to the height of sixteen meters.

The road rose gradually, and a very steep eminence became more and more visible; this was as full of holes as a sponge: those holes were the tombs of Egyptian officials. At the entrance to them, among steep cliffs stood the very strange temple of Queen Hatasu. This temple was four hundred and fifty yards long. From the forecourt, surrounded by a wall, there was an entrance by steps to the second court surrounded by columns; under this was a subterranean temple. From the court of columns the passage rose by steps again to a temple cut out in the cliff under which was another subterranean temple. In this way the temple was of two stories, each of which was divided into an upper and a lower part. The stairs were immense, without railing, but furnished with two rows of sphinxes; the entrance to each stairway was guarded by two sitting statues.

At the temple of Hatasu began the gloomy ravine which led from the tombs of high dignitaries to those of the pharaohs. Between these two quarters was the tomb of the high priest Retemenof, the corridors and chambers of which occupied about one hectare of subterranean area.

The road to the ravine was so steep that men had to help the draught bulls, and push the funeral boat forward. The procession moved, as it were, along a cornice cut into the cliff side; at last they halted on a broad platform some hundreds of feet above the ravine counting from the lower bed of it.

Here was the door leading to the underground tomb which during his thirty years' reign the pharaoh had made for himself. This tomb was a whole palace with chambers for the pharaoh, for his family and servants, with a dining-room, bed-chamber and bath, with chapels consecrated to various gods, and finally with a well at the bottom of which was a small chamber where the mummy of the sovereign would rest for the ages.

By the light of brilliant torches the walls of all the rooms appeared covered with prayers, and also with pictures which represented every occupation and amusement of the departed: hunting, the building of temples, the cutting of canals, triumphal entries, solemnities in honor of the gods, battles of troops with their enemies, the labors of people.

And those were not sufficient: the chambers were not only fitted with furniture, vessels, chariots, weapons, flowers, meat, bread, and wine, but they were furnished also with a multitude of statues. There were various portraits of Ramses XII, his priests, ministers, women, warriors, and slaves; for the sovereign could not dispense in the other world any more than in this with costly vessels, exquisite food and faithful servants.

When the funeral car halted at the entrance the priests drew forth from its sarcophagus the mummy of the pharaoh, and placed it on the earth resting against the cliff with its shoulder. Then Ramses XIII burned incense before the remains of his father, while Queen Niort's embraced the mummy by the neck, and said with weeping,

"I am thy sister, Niort's, thy wife; do not desert me, Thou great one! Dost Thou desire really, my good father, that I should go? But if I go Thou wilt be alone, and will any one be with thee?"

Now the high priest Herhor burned incense before the mummy, and Mefres poured out wine, saying,

"To thy second self we offer this, O Osiris-Mer-Amen-Ramses, sovereign of Upper and Lower Egypt, whose voice in the presence of the great god is truthful."

Then the wailers and the chorus of priests were heard:

Chorus I. "Complain, complain, weep, weep, weep, without ceasing, as loudly as ever ye are able."

Wailers. "O worthy traveler, who turnest thy steps to the land of eternity, how quickly they are tearing thee from us."

Chorus II. "How beautiful is that which is happening to him! Since Khonsu of Thebes was loved by him greatly, the god has permitted the sovereign to reach that west, the world of the generations of his servants."

Wailers. "O Thou who hast been attended by so many servitors, Thou art now in the laud ruled by loneliness. Thou who hadst splendid robes and didst love spotless linen art lying now in the garments of yesterday!"

Chorus I. "In peace, in peace, to the West, O our lord, go Thou in peace. We shall see thee again when the day of eternity conies, for Thou art going to the land which brings all men together." [Authentic]

The final ceremony began.

They brought a bull and an antelope which it was the duty of Ramses XIII to slay, but they were slain by his substitute before the gods, Sem, the high priest. The inferior priests dressed the beasts quickly, after which Herhor and Mefres, taking the hind legs, placed them in turn at the mouth of the mummy. But the mummy had no wish to eat, for it was not brought to life yet, and its lips were closed.

To remove that obstacle Mefres washed it with holy water and incensed it with perfumes and alum, saying,

"Here stands thy father; here stands Osiris-Mer-Amen-Ramses. I am thy son; I am Horns; I come to purify thee and make thee alive. I put thy bones again in order; I join that which was severed, for I am Horus, the avenger of my father. Thou wilt sit on the throne of Ra who proceeds from Nut, who gives birth to Re every morning, who gives birth to Mer-Amen-Ramses daily, just as Re."

Thus speaking, the high priest touched with amulets the mouth, the breasts, the hands, and the feet of the mummy.

Now the choruses were heard again,

Chorus I. "Henceforth Osiris-Mer-Amen-Ramses will eat and drink all things which the gods eat and drink. He will sit in their place, like them; he is healthy and powerful."

Chorus II. "He has power in every limb; it is hateful to him to be hungry and unable to eat, thirsty and unable to drink."

Chorus I. "O gods, give to Osiris-Mer-Amen-Ramses thousands of thousands of pitchers of wine, thousands of garments, thousands of loaves and of bullocks!"

Chorus II. "O ye who are living on the earth, when ye pass this way, if life be dear to you and death be repulsive, if ye desire that your dignities pass to your descendants, repeat this prayer for the heaven- dweller who is placed here."

Mefres. "O ye great ones, ye prophets, ye princes, scribes, and pharaohs, O ye other people who are to come a million years after me, if any of you put his name on the place of my name the god will punish him by destroying his person on earth!" [Authentic]

After this curse the priests lighted the torches, took the royal mummy, placed it again in its casket, and the casket in the stone sarcophagus which had the human form in its general outlines. Then, in spite of the shrieks, the despair, and the resistance of wailers, they bore that immense weight toward the tomb chamber.

After they had passed by the light of torches through a number of corridors and chambers they halted in that one where the well was. They lowered the sarcophagus in that opening, went down themselves, and put away the sarcophagus in a lower subterranean space, then walled up the passage to this space quickly and in such a manner that the most trained eye could not have discovered it; then they went up and closed the entrance to the well with equal effectiveness.

The priests did all this without witnesses; and they did the work so accurately that the mummy of Ramses XII remains to this day in its secret abode, as safe from thieves as from modern curiosity. During twenty-nine centuries many tombs of pharaohs have been ravaged, but that one is inviolate.

While some priests were hiding the remains of the pious pharaoh, others illuminated the underground chambers and invited the living to a feast in that dwelling.

Ramses XIII, Queen Niort's, and Sem, with some civil and military dignitaries entered the dining-hall. In the middle of the chamber stood a table covered with food, wine, and flowers, and at the wall sat a statue of the late sovereign carved out of porphyry. He seemed to gaze at those present, smile pensively, and beg them to eat in his presence.

The feast began with a sacred dance, which was accompanied by a hymn sung by one of the highest priestesses.

"Enjoy days of happiness, for life lasts but one instant. Enjoy happiness, for when ye enter the tomb ye will rest there the whole length of each day during ages."

After the priestess came a prophet, and to the accompaniment of harps he chanted,

"The world is endless change and endless renewal. That arrangement of fate is wise; the decision of Osiris deserves admiration; for as a body which belongs to past time decays and perishes, other bodies rise behind it.

"The pharaohs, those gods who were before us, rest in their pyramids; their mummies and their second selves remain, though the palaces which they built are no longer on their sites, and no longer in existence.

"Despair not, but give thyself to thy desires and thy happiness, and wear not thy heart out till for thee the day comes when Thou wilt implore, while Osiris, the god whose heart beats no longer, will not hear thy petitions.

"The mourning of a world will not restore happiness to a man who is lying in the tomb; use, then, thy days of happiness and in delight be no laggard. There is no man, indeed, who can take his goods to the other world with him; there is none who can go to that world and come back to this one." [Authentic]

The feast ended; the worthy assembly incensed the statue of the deceased once again and made ready to return to Thebes. In the mortuary temple only priests remained to make regular offerings to the deceased and a guard watching the tomb against sacrilegious attempts of robbers.

Thenceforth Ramses XII was alone in that mysterious chamber. Through a small secret opening in the rock a gloomy light barely broke in to him; instead of the rustle of ostrich plumes was the rustle of enormous bat wings; instead of music was heard, during night hours, complaining howls of hyenas, and at times the mighty voice of a lion, which greeted from the desert the pharaoh in his resting-place.



CHAPTER LIX

After the funeral of the pharaoh, Egypt returned to its usual life, and Ramses XIII to affairs of state. The new ruler in the month Epifi visited the cities of the Nile above Thebes. Hence he went to Sni, a city greatly devoted to trade and commerce. In Sni was the temple of Keph, or the "Soul of the World." He visited Edfu, whose temple had pylons a hundred and fifty feet high, and which possessed an immense library of papyruses, and on the walls of which were written and depicted, as it were, an encyclopedia of the geography, astronomy, and theology of that period. He visited the quarries in Chennu, in Nubia, or Kom-Ombo; he made offerings to Horus, the god of light, and to Sebek, the spirit of darkness. He was on the island Ab, which among dark cliffs seemed an emerald, produced the best dates, and was called the Capital of Elephants, Elephantina, for on that island the ivory trade was concentrated. He visited finally the city of Sunnu, situated at the first cataract of the Nile, and visited the immense quarries, granite and sienite, where rocks were split off with wooden wedges on which the quarrymen poured water which swelled them, and thus obelisks one hundred and thirty feet high were detached from the face of the quarry.

Wherever the new lord of Egypt appeared his subjects greeted him wildly. Even criminals, toiling in the quarries men whose bodies were covered with never-healing wounds experienced happiness since the pharaoh commanded to release them for the space of three days from their labor.

Ramses XIII might feel proud and well satisfied, for no pharaoh in time of triumph was received as he on his peaceful journey. So, nomarchs, scribes, and high priests, seeing this boundless attachment of the people, bent before the pharaoh and whispered,

"The people are like a herd of bulls, and we like prudent ants. Hence we will honor our new lord so that he may enjoy health and protect us from ruin."

In this way the opposition of dignitaries, very strong some mouths earlier, had grown silent and yielded to boundless obedience. The whole aristocracy, all the priests, fell on their faces before Ramses XIII; Mefres and Herhor alone were unshaken.

Hence when the pharaoh returned from Sunnu to Thebes the chief treasurer brought unfavorable news the first day to him.

"All the temples," said he, "refuse credit, and beg most obediently that thou, holiness, command to pay in the course of two years all sums which they have lent the treasury."

"I understand," said the pharaoh; "this is the work of holy Mefres. How much do we owe them?"

"About fifty thousand talents."

"We have to pay fifty thousand talents in two years," repeated the pharaoh. "Well, what more?"

"The taxes come in very slowly. During three months we have received barely one-fourth of what is due us."

"What has happened?"

The treasurer was anxious.

"I have heard," said he, "that some people have explained to earth- tillers that during thy reign they are not to pay taxes."

"Oh! ho!" cried Ramses, laughing. "Those 'some people' seem to me very like the worthy Herhor. Well, what is this; does he want to kill me with hunger? How can we meet current expenses?"

"At Hiram's command the Phoenicians lend us," answered the treasurer. "We have received from them eight thousand talents already."

"But do ye give them notes?"

"Notes and mortgages," sighed the treasurer. "They say that this is a simple formality. Still they settle on thy lands, and take what they can from the people."

Delighted with the reception given him by the people and the obedience of magnates, the pharaoh was not even angry at Herhor and Mefres. The time of auger had passed, the moment of action had come, and Ramses formed his plan that very day. He summoned for the morrow those in whom he had most reliance: the high priest Sem, the prophet Pentuer, his favorite Tutmosis, and the Phoenician Hiram. When they had assembled he said,

"Ye know, of course, the temples request me to return to them the funds borrowed by my father. Every debt is sacred, that which belongs to the gods I should like to pay first of all. But my treasury is empty, since even the taxes come in only fitfully.

"For this reason I look on the state as in danger, and I am forced to turn for funds to treasures preserved in the labyrinth."

The two priests moved uneasily.

"I know," continued the pharaoh, "that according to our sacred laws my decree is not sufficient to open to us the vaults of the labyrinth. But the priests there have explained what is needful. I must summon representatives of all orders in Egypt, thirteen men from each order, and obtain a confirmation of my will from them."

The pharaoh smiled at this point, and finished,

"Today I have called you to help me to summon that assembly of the orders, and this is my command to you:

"Thou, worthy Sem, wilt select for me thirteen priests and thirteen nomarchs. Thou, pious Pentuer, will bring to me from various provinces thirteen land-tillers and thirteen artisans. Tutmosis will bring thirteen officers and thirteen nobles; and Prince Hiram will occupy himself in bringing thirteen merchants. I wish that this assembly should meet at the very earliest in my palace in Memphis and, without losing time in vain talk, recognize that the labyrinth is to furnish means to my treasury."

"I make bold to remind thee, holiness," said Sem, "that at that assembly the worthy Herhor and the worthy Mefres must be present, and that, according to law, and even duty, they are to oppose touching the treasure in the labyrinth."

"Of course I agree to that," replied the pharaoh promptly. "They will give their reasons, I mine; the assembly will judge whether a state can exist without money, and whether it is wise to waste treasure in darkness while the state is threatened with indigence."

"A few sapphires of those which are in the labyrinth would suffice to pay all debts to Phoenicians," said Hiram. "I will go at once among the merchants and find not thirteen but thirteen thousand who will vote at thy command, O holiness."

Then the prince fell on his face and took farewell of the sovereign. When Hiram went out, the high priest said,

"I know not whether it was well to have a foreigner at this consultation."

"I needed him here; for not only has he great influence over our merchants, but, what is more important, he is obtaining money for us at present. I wish to convince the man that I remember what is due to him, and have means to pay it."

Silence followed, which Pentuer made use of, and said,

"If Thou permit, O holiness, I will go at once to occupy myself with assembling land-tillers and artisans. They will all vote with our lord, but from the multitude we must select the wisest."

He took leave of the pharaoh and went out.

"But thou, Tutmosis," inquired Ramses.

"My lord," said the favorite, "I am so certain of thy nobility and army that I make bold to turn to thee with a request for myself."

"Thou wishest money?"

"Not at all. I wish to marry."

"Thou!" exclaimed the pharaoh. "What woman has earned from the gods such a happiness?"

"She is the beautiful Hebron, the daughter of Antefa, the most worthy nomarch of Thebes," replied Tutmosis, laughing. "If Thou wilt be pleased to speak on my behalf to that revered family I had thought to say that my love for thee would be increased, but I will not say so, for I should tell untruth."

"Well, well," said the pharaoh, slapping him on the shoulder, "do not persuade me of that which I know. I will go to Antefa to-morrow and it seems to me that in the course of a few days I shall arrange a wedding. But now Thou mayst go to thy Hebron."

Left with Sem alone, his holiness said,

"Thy face is gloomy. Dost Thou doubt that we may find thirteen priests to carry out my orders?"

"I am certain," replied Sem, "that almost all the priests and nomarchs will do what may be needed for the happiness of Egypt and thy satisfaction, holiness. But be pleased not to forgot that when it is a question of the treasure of the labyrinth the final decision will be given to Amon."

"Is that the statue of Amon in Thebes?"

"It is."

The pharaoh waved his hand contemptuously,

"Amon is Herhor and Mefres. That they will not agree I know; but I have no intention of sacrificing Egypt to the stubbornness of two persons."

"Thou art mistaken, holiness," answered Sem with dignity. "It is true that very often statues of gods do what high priests wish, but not always. In our temples mysterious and uncommon things happen sometimes. At moments the statues of the gods say and do what they themselves wish."

"In that case I am at rest," interrupted the pharaoh. "The gods know the condition of the state, and they read my heart. I wish Egypt to be happy. And as I am striving to that end alone no wise and good god can hinder me."

"May thy words, holiness, be verified," whispered the high priest.

"Dost Thou wish to tell me anything more?" asked Ramses, noticing that his substitute in religion was delaying his departure.

"Yes, lord. It is my duty to remind thee that every pharaoh after reaching power and burying his predecessor must think of two buildings: a tomb for himself and a temple for the gods."

"Just so! I have thought more than once of this, but not having money I do not issue orders. For Thou must understand," added he with animation, "that if I build it will be something great, something which will command Egypt not to forget me quickly."

"Then dost Thou wish to have a pyramid?"

"No. I could not, of course, build a greater pyramid than that of Cheops, nor a greater temple than that of Amon in Thebes. My kingdom is too weak to accomplish great works. I must make something entirely new, therefore, for I tell thee that our buildings weary me. They are all alike, just as men are, and differ from one another only in proportions, as a man is bigger than a child."

"Then what?" asked the high priest, opening his eyes widely.

"I have spoken with the Greek Dion, who is the most famous architect among us, and he praised my plan. For my own tomb I wish to build a round tower with internal stairs, like that in Babylon. I shall build a temple, not to Osiris or Isis, but to the One God in whom all believe: the Egyptians, the Chaldeans, the Phoenicians, and the Jews. I wish that temple to be like the palace of King Assar, the model of which Sargon brought to my father."

"Those are great plans," said the high priest, shaking his head, "but it is impossible to execute them. The Babylonian towers are not lasting because of their form, they overturn easily, while our edifices must endure for ages. A temple to the One God we may not raise, for he needs no food, drink, or raiment. The whole world is his dwelling-place. Where, then, is the temple which could hold him? Where is the priest who would dare to make offerings before him?"

"Well, let us build a residence for Amon-Ra," said the pharaoh.

"Yes, if it is not like the palace of King Assar, for that is an Assyrian building, and it is not proper for us Egyptians to imitate barbarians."

"I do not understand thee," interrupted Ramses, with irritation.

"Listen to me, lord," answered Sem. "Look at snails, each one of them has a different shell: one is winding, but blunt; another is winding, but pointed; a third is like a box. In the same way precisely each' people build edifices according to their blood and disposition. Be pleased also to remember that Egyptian edifices differ as much from those of Assyria as the Egyptian people differ from Assyrians. Among us the fundamental form of every building is a pointless pyramid, the most enduring form, as Egypt is the most enduring among kingdoms. With Assyrians the fundamental form is a cube, which is injured easily and is subject to destruction.

"The proud and frivolous Assyrian puts his cubes one upon another, and rears a many-storied structure under which foundations yield. The obedient and prudent Egyptian puts his truncated pyramids one behind the other. In that way nothing hangs in the air, but every part of the structure is resting on the ground. From this it comes that our buildings are broad and endure forever, while those of the Assyrians are tall and weak, like their state, which at first rises quickly, but in a couple of generations there is nothing left of it but ruins.

"The Assyrian is a noisy self-praiser, so in his buildings everything is put on the outside: columns, sculpture, pictures. While the modest Egyptian hides the most beautiful columns and carving inside the temples like a sage who conceals in his heart lofty thoughts, desires, and feelings he does not ornament his shoulders and breast with them. Among us everything beautiful is hidden; among them, everything is made to show. The Assyrian, if he could, would cut open his stomach to exhibit to the world what peculiar foods he is digesting."

"Speak speak on!" said Ramses.

"Not much remains for me to say," continued Sem. "I only wish, lord, to turn thy attention to the general form of our edifices, and those of the Assyrians. When I was in Nineveh a few years ago, I observed the Assyrian buildings towering above the earth haughtily; it seemed to me that they were raging horses which had broken from the bit and reared on their haunches, but would soon fall and perhaps break their legs in addition.

"Now try, holiness, to look from a lofty point on some Egyptian temple. What does it recall to thee? This a man prostrate on the earth and praying. The two pylons are his arms. The hall 'of columns,' or 'the heavenly chamber,' is his head, the chamber of 'divine apparition' and 'the tables of offering' are his breasts, and the secret retreat of the god is the heart of the pious Egyptian. Our temple teaches us what we should be. 'Have a hand as strong as a pylon,' it says to us, 'and arms as powerful as walls. Have in thy head reason as broad and rich as the forecourt of the temple, a soul as pure as the chamber of "apparition" and of "offering," and in thy heart have God, O Egyptian!' But the Assyrian buildings say to that people: 'Tower above nations, O Assyrian; rear thy head beyond every other! Thou wilt do nothing great here on earth, but at least Thou wilt leave many ruins.'

"Wouldst thou, then, O sovereign, venture to rear in our land Assyrian edifices and imitate a people which Egypt contemns and despises?"

In spite of Sem's explanation, even now Ramses judged that the Assyrian palaces surpassed those of Egypt in beauty. But he so hated the Assyrians that his heart began to hesitate.

"In that case," said he, "I will defer the building of my tomb and the temple. But do ye sages who are kindly disposed toward me, think over plans of edifices which would give my name to the remotest generations."

"A superhuman pride fills the soul of this young man!" thought the high priest, and he took farewell of the pharaoh in sadness.



CHAPTER LX

MEANWHILE Pentuer made ready to revisit Lower Egypt and find on the one hand thirteen delegates from among land-tillers and artisans for the pharaoh, and on the other to encourage the working population to demand the relief which the new sovereign had promised, for according to his conviction the greatest question for Egypt was to abolish the injustice and the abuses to which the toiling people were subject.

Still, Pentuer was a priest, and not only did he not desire the fall of his order, but he did not even wish to break the bonds which connected him with it. Hence to emphasize his loyalty he went to take farewell of Herhor.

The once mighty dignitary received him with a smile.

"A rare guest a rare guest!" exclaimed he. "Since Thou hadst the desire to become the counselor of his holiness Thou dost not show thyself before me. True, Thou art not the only one! But whatever happens, I shall not forget thy services, wert Thou even to avoid me still more than at present."

"Worthiness, I am not a counselor of our lord, nor do I avoid thee to whose favor I am indebted for what I am today."

"I know, I know!" answered Herhor. "Thou hast refused the high dignity so as not to work to the destruction of the temples. I know, I know! though perhaps it is to be regretted that Thou hast not become the adviser of that giddy milksop, who, as it were, governs us. To a certainty Thou wouldst not have suffered him to surround himself with those traitors who are ruining him."

Pentuer, not wishing to speak of such ticklish subjects, told Herhor why he was going to Lower Egypt.

"Very well," answered Herhor, "let Ramses XIII call an assembly of all the orders. He has a right to call it."

"But," he added suddenly, "I am sorry that Thou art involved in such labor. Great changes have taken place in thee. Thou rememberest thy words to my adjutant during those maneuvers in Pi-Bailos? I will remind thee: Thou didst tell him that it was necessary to limit the abuses and license of the pharaohs. But today Thou art supporting the childish pretensions of the greatest profligate ever known to Egypt."

"Ramses XIII," said Pentuer, interrupting, "wishes to improve the lot of common people. I should be stupid and mean, therefore, were I, the son of earth-tillers, not to serve him in this question."

"But Thou dost not ask whether that would not injure us, the priesthood."

Pentuer was astonished.

"But Thou thyself givest great relief to common men belonging to the temple," said he. "I have, besides, thy permission."

"What? Which?" inquired Herhor.

"Recall, worthiness, that night when we greeted Beroes. Mefres declared at that time that Egypt had fallen because the priestly order was lowered, while I asserted that the misery of the people was the cause of the suffering of the State, to which thou, so far as I remember, didst answer: Let Mefres occupy himself with bettering the priesthood, Pentuer in improving the lot of common people, while I will avoid destructive war between Egypt and Assyria."

"Well, dost Thou see," interrupted the high priest, "it is thy duty to act with us, not with Ramses."

"Does he wish war with Assyria," replied Pentuer, energetically, "or does he hinder priests from acquiring wisdom? He wishes to give the people every seventh day for rest, and later to give each family of earth-workers a small bit of land for subsistence. Do not tell me, worthiness, that the pharaoh wishes evil, for it has been verified on temple ground that a free man who has his own patch of earth labors incomparably better than one without freedom."

"I am not opposed to relieving common people," said Herhor, "but I am convinced that Ramses will do nothing for them."

"Surely not if you refuse him money."

"Even were we to give him a pyramid of gold and silver, and another of precious stones, he would do nothing that is a mad stripling whom the Assyrian ambassador, Sargon, never mentioned otherwise than as a frivolous youngster."

"The pharaoh has great capabilities."

"But he has no knowledge, and no skill," replied Herhor. "He barely visited the high school a little and left it at the earliest. Hence, today, in affairs of state he is like a blind person; he is like a child which puts out pieces boldly on a board, but has no idea how to play at draughts."

"Still he governs."

"Oh, Pentuer, what is his government?" interrupted the high priest, with laughter. "He has opened new military schools, he has increased the number of regiments, he is arming the whole people, he has promised holidays to working men. But how will he carry out his projects? Thou keepest far from him, hence knowest nothing; but I assure thee that he, when issuing orders, never stops to ask: Who will carry out this? What are the means? What will follow? It seems to thee that he governs. It is I who govern, I govern all the time, I, whom he dismissed. I am the cause that today fewer taxes come to the treasury, but I also prevent the rebellion of laborers; because of me they do not leave work on the canals, dams, and roadways. To sum up, I have twice restrained Assyria from declaring war on us, war which that madman was calling out by his military dispositions.

"Ramses govern! He merely rouses disorder. Thou hadst trial of his management in Lower Egypt: he drank, frolicked, brought in woman after woman, and pretended to occupy himself with administration of the province, but he understood nothing, absolutely nothing. What is worst of all, he became intimate with Phoenicians, with bankrupt nobles, and traitors of various kinds, who are urging him to ruin."

"But the victory of the Soda Lakes?" inquired Pentuer.

"I recognize energy in him, and a knowledge of military art," added Herhor. "That is the one thing that he knows. But say thyself would he have won the battle at the Soda Lakes were it not for aid from thee and others of the priestly order? I know that ye informed him of every movement of the Libyan band. And now think, could Ramses, even with help from you, win a battle against Nitager, for example? Nitager is a master, Ramses is a mere apprentice."

"Then what will be the end of this hatred between him and you?" inquired Pentuer.

"Hatred!" repeated Herhor. "Could I hate a frivolous fellow, who, moreover, is surrounded, like a deer in a ravine by hunters! But I must confess that his rule is so full of danger that if Ramses had a brother, or if Nitager were younger, we should set aside the present pharaoh."

"And thou, worthiness, would become his heir!" burst out Pentuer.

Herhor was by no means offended.

"Pentuer Thou hast grown marvelously dull since thy entry into politics on thy own account," replied he, shrugging his shoulders. "Of course, if the country were without a pharaoh, it would be my duty to become one by virtue of my office of high priest of Amon, and chief of the supreme council. But what is the office to me? Have I not had more power for a number of years than the pharaoh? Or do I not today, though I am a minister of war in disgrace, carry out in this state whatever I think needful?

"Those same high priests, treasurers, judges, nomarchs, and even generals who avoid me at present, must carry out every secret order of the council furnished with my seal. Is there a man in Egypt who would dare refuse obedience to those orders? Wouldst thou, for instance, dare oppose them?"

Pentuer hung his head.

If in spite of the death of Ramses XII the supreme privy council of priests had maintained itself, Ramses XIII must either yield or fight a life-and-death battle.

The pharaoh had on his side all the people, all the army, many priests, and the majority of the civil dignitaries. The council could reckon on hardly two thousand adherents, on its treasures and on its incomparably wise organization. The forces were utterly unequal, but the issue of the battle was very doubtful.

"Then ye have determined to destroy the pharaoh?" asked Pentuer.

"Not at all. We only wish to save the state." "In that case what should Ramses XIII do?" "What he will do I know not. But I know what his father did," answered Herhor. "Ramses XII began to govern in the same impetuous and tyrannical fashion, but when money failed him, and his most zealous adherents began to despise him, he turned to the gods. He surrounded himself with priests, he learned from them, nay, he even married a daughter of the high priest Amenhotep. And, after a few years, he went so far that he became himself not only a pious, but a very learned high priest."

"But if the pharaoh will not follow that example?" "Then we shall dispense with him," said Herhor. "Listen to me Pentuer," continued he, after a while. "I know not only the acts, but even the thoughts of that pharaoh of thine, who, moreover, has not been solemnly crowned yet, hence for us he is nothing. I know that he wants to make the priests his servants, and himself sole lord of Egypt.

"But such a plan is stupid, it is even treasonable. Not the pharaohs, as Thou knowest well, but the gods and the priests created Egypt. It is not the pharaohs who mark the rise and fall of the Nile and regulate its overflows; it is not the pharaohs who teach the people to sow, to gather fruits and rear cattle. It is not the pharaohs who cure diseases and watch over the safety of the state against foreign enemies.

"What would happen, tell me that, were our order to yield Egypt to the mercy of the pharaohs? The wisest pharaohs have behind them the experience of a few years at the longest, but the priestly order has investigated and taught during tens of thousands of years. The mightiest ruler has two eyes and two hands, while we possess thousands of eyes and thousands of hands in all provinces at home, and in all foreign countries.

"Can the activity of a pharaoh equal ours; and when opinions differ who should yield, we or the pharaoh?"

"Well, what am I to do now?" inquired Pentuer.

"Do what that stripling commands if Thou betray not holy secrets. And leave the rest to time. I wish most sincerely that the youth called Ramses XIII might come to his senses, and I suppose that he would were it not that he has attached himself to disgusting traitors over whom the hands of the gods are now suspended."

Pentuer took farewell of the high priest. He was filled with dark forebodings, but he did not fail in spirit, since he knew that whatever he might gain in improving the condition of the common man would remain, even were the pharaoh to bend before the power of the priestly order.

"In the worst case," thought he, "we must do what we can, and what pertains to us. When conditions improve, what is sown today will give fruit hereafter."

But still he determined to renounce agitation among the people. He was even ready to calm the impatient, so as not to increase trouble for the pharaoh.

A couple of weeks later Pentuer entered the boundaries of Lower Egypt, looking about on the way for the wisest of common men and artisans from whom it would be possible to select delegates to the assembly summoned by the pharaoh.

Everywhere on the way he found signs of the greatest excitement. Earth- tillers, as well as artisans, were trying to have the seventh day for rest and receive pay for all public works, as was the case in former ages. And it was only through remonstrances from priests of various temples, that a general uprising was averted, or at least that work was continued.

At the same time Pentuer was struck by certain new phenomena which he had not observed a month earlier! first of all the people had divided into two parties. Some were partisans of the pharaoh and enemies of the priests; others were active against Phoenicians. Some proved that the priests ought to give the treasures of the labyrinth to the pharaoh; others whispered that the pharaoh afforded foreigners too much protection.

But strangest of all was a report of unknown origin that

Ramses XIII showed signs of insanity, like his elder brother, who for this cause had been excluded from succession. Priests, scribes, even common men discussed this report of insanity.

"Who told thee such a lie?" inquired Pentuer of an engineer.

"It is no lie," replied the engineer, "it is sad reality. In the Theban palaces they saw the pharaoh running naked through the gardens. One night he climbed a tree under the window of his mother's chamber, and spoke to her."

Pentuer assured the man that no longer than two weeks before he had seen Ramses in the best of health. He observed at once, however, that the engineer did not believe him.

"This is Herhor's work!" thought he. "Priests alone could have news from Thebes so promptly."

For the moment he lost desire to busy himself in finding delegates, but he regained energy at the thought that what the people received today they would not lose to-morrow, unless something uncommon should happen.

Beyond Memphis to the north of the pyramids and the sphinx, on the boundary of the desert, was a small temple of the goddess Nut. An old priest Menes lived in that temple. This sage had more knowledge of the stars than any man in Egypt; he was an engineer in addition.

When a great public edifice was to be built or a new canal made, Menes went to the place and gave directions. Apart from such tasks he lived in solitude and poverty in his temple; at night he investigated the stars, in the daytime he worked over curious instruments.

For some years Pentuer had not been in that place; hence he was struck by neglect in it, and poverty. The brick wall was falling, in the garden the trees were withering, in the yard a lean goat moved around and a few hens were scratching.

There was no one near the temple. Only after Pentuer had called out did an old man come down from a pylon. His feet were bare, on his head was a soiled cap like that of a laborer, around his waist was a ragged girdle, and on his shoulder a panther skin from which the hair had fallen. Still, his bearing was dignified, and his face full of wisdom. He looked quickly at the guest and said,

"Either I am mistaken, or Thou art Pentuer?"

"I am he," answered the newly arrived, and he embraced the old man with heartiness.

"Ho! ho!" exclaimed Menes, for it was he; "I see that Thou hast changed for official reasons. Thou hast a smoother face, whiter hands, and a gold chain on thy neck. Mother Nut of the heavenly ocean would have to wait long for such ornaments."

Pentuer wished to remove the chain, but Menes stopped him with a smile.

"Do not. If Thou knew what jewels we have in the heavens Thou wouldst not hasten with an offering of gold. Well, hast Thou come to stay with us?"

Pentuer shook his head.

"No," replied he, "I have come only to bow down before thee, divine teacher."

"And again to court?" laughed the old man. "Oh ye, ye courtiers! If ye knew what ye lose by deserting wisdom for palaces ye would be the saddest of mankind."

"Art Thou alone, O my teacher?"

"As a palm in a desert, especially today when my deaf and dumb servant has gone with a basket to Memphis to beg something for the mother of Ra and her chaplain."

"And is it not disagreeable here?"

"For me! "'exclaimed Menes. "Since I saw thee last I have snatched from the gods some secrets which I would not give for the two crowns of Egypt."

"Are they secrets between thee and me?" inquired Pentuer.

"How, secrets? A year ago I completed all measures and calculations touching the size of the earth."

"What does that mean?"

Menes looked around and lowered his voice,

"Of course it is known to thee that the earth is not flat like a table, but is an immense ball on the surface of which seas, countries, and cities are situated?"

"That is known," said Pentuer.

"Not to all," answered Menes. "And it was not known to any one how great that globe might be."

"But dost Thou know?" inquired Pentuer, almost frightened.

"I know. Our infantry marches about thirteen Egyptian miles [Three geographical miles] daily. The globe of the earth is so great that our armies would require five whole years to march around it."

"O gods!" exclaimed Pentuer. "Does it not frighten thee, father, to think of such subjects?"

Menes shrugged his shoulders.

"To measure size, what is there terrible in that? To measure the size of a pyramid, or the earth is the same kind of problem. I did a more difficult thing. I measured the distance of our temple from the palace of the pharaoh without crossing the river."

"Terror!" exclaimed Pentuer.

"What terror? I have discovered a thing which beyond doubt ye will all fear. But tell this to no one: in the month Paoni (June, July) there will be an eclipse of the sun; night will come in the daytime. And may I die a hunger death, if I have failed even three minutes in the reckoning."

Pentuer touched the amulet which he wore on his breast, and uttered a prayer.

"I have read," said he, "in sacred books that more than once to the suffering of people it became night at midday. But what is that? I do not understand."

"Dost Thou see the pyramid?" asked Menes on a sudden, pointing toward the desert.

"I see it."

"Now put thy hand before thy eyes. Dost Thou see the pyramid? Thou dost not. Well, the eclipse of the sun is the same kind of thing; the moon passes between the sun and us, hides the father of light and makes night in the daytime."

"And will that happen here?" inquired Pentuer.

"In the mouth Paoni. I have written about this to the pharaoh, thinking that in return he would make some offering to the temple. But on reading the letter he laughed at me, and commanded my messenger to take the news to Herhor."

"Well, what did Herhor do?"

"Herhor gave us thirty measures of barley. He is the only man in Egypt who reveres science, but the young pharaoh is frivolous."

"Do not be severe on him, father," interrupted Pentuer. "Ramses XIII wishes to improve the lot of laborers and artisans, and give them every seventh day to rest; he forbids to beat them without trial, and perhaps he will find land for them."

"But I tell thee that he is light-minded," said the irritated Menes. "Two months ago I sent him a great plan for lessening the toil of laborers, and he laughed at me. He is conceited and ignorant!"

"Thou art prejudiced, father. But tell me thy plan and perhaps I may assist in applying it."

"Plan?" repeated the old man. "It is not a plan, it is a great fact."

He rose from the bench and went then with Pentuer to a pond in the garden, at which was an arbor concealed altogether by plant growth. In this structure was a large wheel in perpendicular position with a number of buckets on the outer rim of it. Menes went into the centre and began to move his feet; the wheel turned and the buckets took water from the pond and poured it into a trough which stood somewhat higher.

"A curious instrument!" said Pentuer.

"But dost Thou divine what it may do for the people of Egypt?"

"No."

"Then imagine this wheel to be five or ten times greater than it is, and that instead of a man a pair of bullocks are moving it."

"Something something appears to me," said Pentuer, "but still I do not understand clearly."

"It is very simple," said Menes. "By means of this wheel oxen and horses might raise water from the Nile and pour it into higher channels. In that way half a million of men might have rest instead of working at buckets. Now Thou seest that wisdom does more for the welfare of mankind than pharaohs."

Pentuer shook his head.

"How much timber would be needed for that change! How many oxen, how much pasture. It seems to me, father, that thy wheel would not take the place of the seventh day for rest."

"I see that office has not benefited thee," replied Menes, shrugging his shoulders. "But though Thou hast lost that alertness which I admired in thee, I will show still another thing. Perhaps when Thou hast returned to wisdom, and I am dead, Thou wilt work at improving and spreading my inventions."