The Pharaoh And The Priest Part 80

Hiram and the priestess sprang from their seats.

"Thou wert forewarned by some good spirit that we were speaking of thee, that is clear," said the Phnician, bowing.

"Are ye preparing some surprise for me?" inquired the heir.

"Perhaps. Who can tell?" answered Kama, with a challenging expression.

"May those who in future wish to surprise me not expose their own necks to the axe or the halter; if they do, they will surprise themselves more than me."

The smile grew cold on Kama's half-open lips; Hiram, now pale, answered humbly,--

"How have we earned the anger of our lord and guardian?"

"I would know the truth," said Rameses, sitting down and looking threateningly at Hiram. "I would know who arranged an attack on the a.s.syrian amba.s.sador, and a.s.sociated in that villainy a man resembling me as much as my two hands resemble each other?"

"Seest, Kama," said the frightened Hiram, "I told thee that intimacy with that ruffian would bring great misfortune-- And here it is! We have not waited long to see it."

The priestess fell at the prince's feet.

"I will tell all," cried she, groaning; "only cast from thy heart, lord, anger against Phnicians. Slay me, imprison me, but be not angry at Phnicians."

"Who attacked Sargon?"

"Lykon, the Greek, who sings in our temples," said the priestess, still kneeling.

"Aha! it was he, then, who was singing outside thy house, and he resembles me greatly?"

Hiram bent his head and placed his hand on his heart.

"We, lord, have paid that man bountifully because he is so like thee.

We thought that his figure might serve thee should the need come."

"And it has," interrupted the prince. "Where is he? I wish to see this perfect singer, this living picture of myself."

Hiram held his hands apart.

"The scoundrel has fled, but we will find him," replied he, "unless he turns into a fly or an earthworm."

"But thou wilt forgive me, lord?" whispered the priestess, leaning on the knees of the prince.

"Much is forgiven women," said Rameses.

"And ye will not take vengeance on me?" asked she of Hiram, with fear.

"Phnicia," replied the old man, deliberately and with emphasis, "forgives the greatest offence to that person who possesses the favor of our lord Rameses,--may he live through eternity! As to Lykon,"

added he, turning to the heir, "thou wilt have him, dead or living."

Hiram made a profound obeisance and went from the chamber, leaving the prince with the priestess.

The blood rushed to Rameses' head; he embraced the kneeling Kama, and asked,--

"Hast thou heard the words of the worthy Hiram? Phnicia forgives thee the greatest offence! That man is faithful to me indeed. And if he has said that, what answer wilt thou find?"

Kama kissed his hands, whispering,--

"Thou hast won me--I am thy slave. But leave me in peace to-day, respect the house which belongs to Astaroth."

"Then thou wilt remove to my palace?" asked the prince.

"O G.o.ds, what hast thou said? Since the sun first rose and set, no priestess of As-- But this is difficult! Phnicia, lord, gives thee a proof of attachment and honor such as no son of hers has received at any time."

"Then?--" interrupted the prince.

"But not to-day, and not here," implored Kama.

CHAPTER x.x.xVIII

Learning from Hiram that the Phnicians had given him the priestess, Rameses wished to have her in his house at the earliest, not because he could not live without her, but because she had become for him a novelty.

Kama delayed her coming; she implored the prince to leave her in peace till the inflow of pilgrims diminished, and above all till the most noted among them should go from Pi-Bast. Were she to become his favorite during their presence, the income of the temple might decrease and danger threaten the priestess.

"Our sages and great men," said she to Rameses, "would forgive me. But the common people would call the vengeance of the G.o.ds on my head, and thou, lord, knowest that the G.o.ds have long hands."

"May they not lose those hands in thrusting them under my roof," said Rameses.

But he did not insist greatly, as his attention was much occupied at that juncture.

The a.s.syrian amba.s.sadors, Sargon and Istubar, had gone to Memphis to put their names to the treaty. At the same time the pharaoh had summoned Rameses to give a report of his journey.

The prince commanded his scribes to write accurately of all that had happened from the time of leaving Memphis; hence the review of artisans, the visits to fields and factories, the conversations with nomarchs and officials. To present the report he appointed Tutmosis.

"Thou wilt be heart and lips for me before the face of the pharaoh,"

said the prince to him, "and this is what thou must do there.

"When the most worthy Herhor asks what, to my thinking, causes the poverty of Egypt and the treasury, tell the minister to turn to his a.s.sistant, Pentuer, and he will explain my views in the same way that he did his own in the temple of Hator.

"When Herhor wishes to know my opinion of a treaty with a.s.syria, answer that my duty is to carry out the commands of my master."

Tutmosis nodded in sign that he comprehended.

"But," continued the heir, "when thou shalt stand in the presence of my father,--may he live through eternity!--and convince thyself that no one is listening, fall at his feet in my name, and say,--

"'Our lord, thy son and servant, the worthy Rameses, to whom thou hast given life and power, says the following,--

"'The cause of Egypt's suffering is the loss of fertile lands taken by the desert, and the loss of men who die from want and hard labor. But know, our lord, that the damage caused thy treasury by priests is no less than that wrought by death and the desert; for not only are the temples filled with gold and jewels, which would suffice to pay our debts entirely, but the holy fathers and the prophets have the best lands, the best slaves and laborers, and lands far greater in extent than those of the divine pharaoh.