_The Pharaoh slew but a short time ago three messengers with a blow of
his sceptre._]
She went to the main pylon, before which watched, stretched at length,
fifty ram-headed sphinxes, arranged in two lines like monsters
ready to crush between their granite jaws the imprudent ones who should
attempt to force a passage. The sentinels stopped her, struck her
roughly with the shafts of their javelins, and then asked her what she
wished.
"I want to see the Pharaoh," replied the old woman, rubbing her back.
"That's right,--very nice! Waken for this witch the Pharaoh, favourite
of Phre, beloved of Ammon Ra, the destroyer of nations!" said the
soldiers, laughing loudly.