The Story of Nefrekepta Part 3

A troop of damsels fair exceedingly, And one who led them. Beautiful was she, And not like other women; good beyond All he had seen or ever thought to see.

Her girdle was of gold and gold her hood, And all that touched her fragrant was and good, And maids behind her fifty walked and two; And, seeing, SETNE wist not where he stood,

But called the Slave that served him: 'Haste thee, go To where yon woman worships; I would know What need hath brought her and what name she bears.

Go swiftly.' And the servant bowed him low,

And found a handmaiden who walked aside: 'Damsel, thy mistress cometh in much pride; Say by what name men call her, and what need Brings her to Memphis.' And the maid replied:

'This is the child of the Chief Vision Seer Of Bast, Queen of the Far World and the Near; Her name is TA-BUVUe, and a vow To PTAH, your mighty G.o.d, hath brought her here.'

The slave returned and told to SETNE all The handmaid spoke; and SETNE said: 'Go, call This handmaid secretly behind the rest; Greet her from me and speak my name withal:

"SETNE KHAMUAS, son of RAMESES, Greets thee: he sends ten gold Arsinoes; And more, if any man hath done thee wrong, SETNE the judge will right thine injuries;

All this, if thou wilt speak with him an hour, And help him. To a great and secret tower Thou shalt go in, where none shall do thee hurt Nor know thy name; so great is SETNE'S power."'

The slave returned and all of SETNE'S word Told to the handmaid; and her wrath was stirred, And loud she railed, as though 'twere blasphemies His lips had spoke; and TA-BUVUe heard,

And called him: 'Strive not with this foolish one; But hither, tell to me what wrong is done.'

But quick the handmaid ran before, and cried: 'He bringeth words of shame from PHARAOH'S son:

Thus saying: "SETNE, son of RAMESES, Greets thee, and sends ten gold Arsinoes; And more, if any man hath done thee wrong, SETNE the judge will right thine injuries";

All this, if I will speak with him an hour And help him. To a great and secret tower I shall go in, where none shall do me hurt Nor know my name; so great is SETNE'S power!'

Then TA-BUVUe laughed: 'I think he spake This word to thee for TA-BUVUe'S sake.-- Go, speak to SETNE, saying: "Who am I That thou shouldst send my bondmaid gifts to take?

I am no common woman; I am one Born of great kings, who walk my ways alone, Priestess of Bast, the Queen of the Two Worlds, And seeking no man's gift and fearing none.

If me thou seekest, I will speak within Mine own house: knock and thou shalt enter in: In Per-Bast, by the Houses of the Dead, Past Kemi, where the desert doth begin.

There ask for TA-BUVUe. I go hence Now with my maids to make magnificence Before thee. And no man shall watch thy way Into my house, nor mark thy coming thence."'

The Slave returned, and SETNE'S heart did fail For very joy at hearing of the tale.

He called his servants: 'Make me a swift boat Ready, with rowers and a silken sail.'

And SETNE marvelled in his heart a s.p.a.ce, And in his mirror looked; and, lo, his face Seemed beautiful again, and all his limbs Light, like a young man when he runs a race.

So walked he to the boat and entered in, And bade them row as ne'er they rowed, to win Per-Bast, beyond the Houses of the Dead, Past Kemi, where the desert doth begin.

And there, behold, a tower exceeding tall Set in a pleasant place; and a great wall Was round it, and a garden to the north With many trees. And SETNE gave a call:

'Whose is this tower?' And heard an answer: 'Here Dwells TA-BUVUe, daughter of the Seer Of Bast, she who is named The Beautiful.'

And SETNE entered and no man was near.

And up the garden ways he went, and cast His eyes on all and marvelled as he pa.s.sed: And TA-BUVUe came and held his hand And spoke: 'Now by the Holiness of Bast,

This day is happiness. Come to mine high Chamber, we two alone amid the sky.'

So up the stair they went, to a cool room Of turquoise wrought and lapis lazuli.

Couches were there, decked with fair linen strand Like PHARAOH'S couch; and cups of gold did stand On a great dresser, and a cup of gold Was filled with wine and laid in SETNE'S hand.

And TA-BUVUe said: 'Take wine and meat.'

But he said: 'Love, how could I drink or eat?'

Then in a censer burning gums they brought And spices rare and unguent for his feet.

Lo, none was like her, none that bore the name Of woman! And his heart rose like a flame: 'O TA-BUVUe, let the end be now: Let us make perfect that for which we came!'

'Is not this house thine own and I thy bride?'

Said she: 'Yet one thing first shalt thou decide.

I am no common woman, but to Bast Pure, and full-filled of majesty and pride.

Thy present wife put from thee, that no soul Near me may stand; and write it in a scroll.

And all thy wealth of Priesthoods and of Powers, With me alone thou shalt divide the whole.'

Said SETNE: 'Call a scribe.' And at their call The scribe came; and he wrote a scroll withal And cast off SETNE'S wife; and SETNE'S wealth, With TA-BUVUe did he share it all.

And in that hour one spoke to SETNE: 'Lo, Thy children, waiting in the court below, Sit with the dogs and curling cats of Bast.'

And SETNE said: 'Bring them, and let them know.'

Then TA-BUVUe laid her raiment proud Off, and put on soft linen, like one vowed To bridal; and her body through the robe Shone, as the moon shines through a little cloud.

And back she turned to him and poured him wine, And said: 'These children must not strive with mine.

Make them to sign the scroll, too, and give up Their part in thee.' And SETNE made them sign.

The fine, fine, linen robed her like a mist Which robeth RA in pearl and amethyst; And SETNE marvelled gazing; and again She spoke, and SETNE'S hand she took and kissed:

'These children, knowing all to me thou art, Hate me.--Let them be mine to take apart And do my will upon them.' And he said: 'Do all the abomination of thy heart.'

She slew them then, and from her window fine Cast them. And far below he heard the whine Of dogs that tore and curling cats of Bast Which lapped their blood. And SETNE drank his wine.

He said: 'Those children that were slain had birth By me. O Woman, thou hast made much dearth About me. Give me that for which I came, Else have I nothing, nothing, on this earth.'

'Hast thou not me,' she said, 'in place of all?

Come, therefore!' And she led him through the hall To a fair couch, ebon and ivory; And down he lay, and spread swift arms withal

To clasp her; and within his arms outspread, Behold, she withered, withered; and her head It had no eyes, and downward all her jaw Dropped, like the jaws of the uncared-for dead.

And SETNE strove to rise, but cloud on cloud Held him: hot wind and hate and laughter loud, And one that wept for a world's glory gone, And dust, dust, dust: and SETNE shrieked aloud:

And saw: and, lo, all naked in the day In a waste place of bricks and shards he lay, And clutched a burning kiln. And near him pa.s.sed The way and much folk jeering on the way,

Soldiers and priests, beggars and men of pride.

And SETNE rolled him in the dust and cried: 'My children!' And a great lord rose in wrath: 'Thy children stand this hour at PHARAOH'S side,

Thou naked man! Thou Priest whom none shall bless!

And ask for thee. What? Is it drunkenness?'

And SETNE said: 'They live.' And said: 'O King, Throw me, I pray, some robe in this distress,