About ten in the evening Hiram stood before his lord. He was dressed
in the dark robe of a Memphis huckster.
"Why dost thou steal in thus, worthiness?" inquired Rameses. "Is my
palace a prison, or a house of lepers?"
"Ah, our sovereign!" sighed the old Phoenician. "Since thou hast
become lord of Egypt the criminals are those who dare to see thee and
not give account of what thou art pleased to tell them."
"To whom must ye repeat my words?" inquired the pharaoh.
Hiram raised his eyes and hands to heaven.
"Holiness, thou knowest thy enemies," said he.
"Thou knowest, worthiness, why I have summoned thee. I wish to borrow
a few thousand talents."
Hiram made a hissing noise through his teeth, so that the pharaoh
permitted him to sit in his presence, which was the highest honor.
When he had disposed himself comfortably and rested, Hiram said,--
"Why shouldst thou borrow, holiness, when thou mayst have a rich
treasury?"
"I know, when I shall get Nineveh," interrupted Rameses. "That time is
distant and I need money this day."
"I speak not of war," answered Hiram; "I speak of an affair which
would bring large sums to the treasury immediately, and a permanent
yearly income."
"How?"
"Permit us, holiness, and assist us to dig a canal which would join
the Red Sea with the Mediterranean."
"Art thou jesting, old man?" cried the pharaoh, springing up from his
seat. "Who could do such a work, and who could wish to endanger Egypt?
The sea would inundate the country."
"What sea? Neither the Mediterranean nor the Red Sea would," answered
Hiram calmly. "I know that Egyptian priests who are engineers have
examined this work and have calculated that it would give immense
profit, it is the best work on earth. But they wish to do it
themselves, or rather they do not wish that the pharaoh should do it."
"Where are thy proofs?" asked Rameses.
"I have not the proofs, but I will send a priest, holiness, who will
explain the whole affair to thee, with plans and estimates."
"Who is this priest?"
Hiram thought a moment and then asked,--
"Have I thy promise, holiness, that no one will know of him except us?
He, lord, will render more service than I. He knows many secrets and
many iniquities of the priesthood."
"I promise," answered the pharaoh.
"This priest is Samentu. He is a great sage, but needs money, and he
is very ambitious. And since the high priests degrade him he--he--will
overturn the order of priests; for he knows many secrets--oh, many!"
Rameses meditated. He understood that that priest was a great traitor,
but he estimated the magnitude of the service which the man might
render.
"Well," said the pharaoh, "I will think of this Samentu. But now let
us suppose for the moment that it is possible to make such a canal;
what profit shall I have from it?"
Hiram raised his left hand, and counted on his fingers.
"First, holiness, Phoenicia will give thee five thousand talents of
unpaid tribute; second, Phoenicia will pay for the right of doing this
work; third, when the work begins we will pay one thousand talents of
yearly rent, and besides as many talents as Egypt furnishes us tens of
laborers; fourth, for every Egyptian engineer we will give to thee,
holiness, a talent a year; fifth, when the work is finished thou wilt
give us the canal for one hundred years, and we will pay for that one
thousand talents yearly. Are those small gains?" inquired Hiram.
"But now, to-day," asked Rameses, "would ye give me those five
thousand talents tribute?"
"If the treaty is made to-day we will give ten thousand, and we will
add three thousand as an advance of rent for a three years' period."
Rameses meditated. More than once Phoenicians had proposed the cutting
of this canal to the rulers of Egypt, but they had always met the
unbending resistance of the priesthood. The Egyptian sages explained
to the pharaoh that that canal would expose the country to inundations
from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. But Hiram asserted that such a
thing would not happen; the priests knew that it would not.
"Ye Phoenicians," said the pharaoh, after a long time, "promise to pay
one thousand talents yearly for one hundred years. Ye say that that
canal dug in the sand is the best affair in the world. I do not
understand this, and I confess, Hiram, that I am suspicious."
Hiram's eyes flashed.
"Lord," replied he, "I will tell thee everything, but I abjure thee by
thy crown, by the shade of thy father, not to discover the secret to
any one. This is the greatest secret of the Chaldean and Egyptian
priests, and even of Phoenicia. On it depends the future of the
world."
"Well, well, Hiram," answered the pharaoh with a smile.
"To thee, O pharaoh," continued the Phoenician, "the gods have given
wisdom, nobility, and energy, therefore, thou art on our side. Thou,
alone, of earthly rulers mayst be initiated, for thou art the only one
who will be able to accomplish great objects. For this reason thou
wilt have power such as no man has ever reached before thee."
Rameses felt the sweetness of pride in his heart, but he mastered his
feelings.
"Praise me not for what I have not done; but explain to me what profit
will come from this canal to Phoenicia and to Egypt?"
Hiram straightened himself in the chair, and began in a lowered
voice,--
"Know, lord, that east, north, and south of Assyria and Babylon are
not morasses inhabited by strange monsters, but immense--immense
states and countries. Those countries are so great that thy foot
warriors, O holiness, renowned for marching, would have to move
eastward two years without halt before they could reach the end of
them."
Rameses raised his brows like one who permits some man to lie, but
knows that he is lying.
"Southeast of Babylon, at the great sea, dwell one hundred millions of
people who have mighty kings, who have priests wiser than those of
Egypt, who have ancient books, and skilled artisans. Those people know
how to make woven stuffs, implements and vessels as beautiful as those
of the Egyptians, and from time immemorial they have temples above
ground and underground, which are grander, richer, and larger than the
temples of Egypt."
"Speak on, speak on!" said the pharaoh. But it was impossible to learn
from his face whether his curiosity was roused by the description, or
he was indignant at the untruth of the Phoenician.
"In those countries," continued Hiram, "are pearls, precious stones,
gold, copper; in those countries grow the most curious grains,
flowers, and fruits; finally they have forests where a man might
wander whole months among trees thicker than the columns in the
temples of Egypt and taller than palms. The inhabitants of those
countries are mild and simple. And, holiness, if thou wouldst send
thither two regiments on ships, thou wouldst be able to win an area of
land larger than Egypt, richer than the treasures of the labyrinth. If
thou permit, I will send thee to-morrow specimens of the woven stuffs
of those regions, with bronzes and woods from them. I will send also
two grains of a wondrous balsam from those countries; if a man
swallows this balsam, it opens the gates of eternity before him, and
he experiences the happiness which falls to divinities only."
"I beg thee to send specimens of the stuffs, and the utensils. As to
the balsam, never mind! We shall enjoy eternity and the gods without
it sufficiently after death."
"But far, very far east of Assyria," added Hiram, "lie still greater
countries--countries which have two hundred millions of inhabitants."
"How easy millions come to you Phoenicians," laughed Rameses.
Hiram placed his hand on his heart.
"I swear," said he, "by the souls of my ancestors, and by my honor
that I am telling truth."
The pharaoh was moved; such a great oath arrested his attention.
"Speak on--speak!" said he.
"These last lands," continued the Phoenician, "are very wonderful.
They are inhabited by people with yellow skin and sloping eyes. Those
people have a sovereign who is called the Son of Heaven, and he
governs through sages, who are not priests, however, and have not such
power as priests have in Egypt. Still those people are like the
Egyptians. They honor dead ancestors and take great care of their
remains. They use writing which calls to mind the writing of Egyptian
priests. But they wear long robes of such stuffs as are unknown in
this country; they have sandals which are like little benches, and
they cover their heads with pointed boxes. The roofs of their houses
are pointed too at the top, and are turned up at the edges.
"Those uncommon people have a grain which is more plentiful than
Egyptian wheat, and they make of it a drink which is stronger than
wine. They have a plant the leaves of which give strength to the
members, gladness to the mind, and which enables them even to dispense
with sleep. They have paper which they adorn with many colored images,
and they have clay which after it is burned shines like glass, and is
as resonant as metal.
"To-morrow, if thou permit, holiness, I will send specimens of the
works of these people."
"Thou art narrating wonders, Hiram. But I do not see the connection
between those things and the canal which thou wishest to dig."
"I will tell in brief," replied the Phoenician. "When there is a canal
all the Phoenician and Egyptian fleets will sail on the Red Sea and
beyond it; in the course of a couple of months they will reach those
rich countries which by land are almost inaccessible.
"But dost thou not see, holiness," continued he, with gleaming eyes,
"the treasures which we shall find there? Gold, precious stones,
grain, woods? I swear to thee, lord," added he with enthusiasm, "that
gold will be cheaper than copper is now, wood will be cheaper than
straw, and a slave cheaper than a cow. Only let us, lord, dig the
canal, and hire fifty thousand of thy warriors."
Rameses, too, was excited.
"Fifty thousand warriors," repeated he. "But what will ye give me for
this?"
"I have said already, holiness. One thousand talents yearly for the
right to work, and five thousand for the workmen, to whom we will give
food and wages."
"But ye will kill them with work?"
"May the gods forbid! There is no profit when workmen perish. Thy
warriors, holiness, will not work more at the canal than to-day on
roads and at fortresses--but what glory for thee, lord! what income
for the treasury, what profit for Egypt! The poorest earth-tiller will
have a wooden cottage, some cattle, tools, and furniture, and as I
live, a slave. No pharaoh has ever raised the state to such a height
or carried out such a work.
"What will dead and useless pyramids be in comparison with a canal to
facilitate the passage of treasures to the whole world?"
"Yes," added the pharaoh, "and fifty thousand warriors on the eastern
boundary."
"Of course!" exclaimed Hiram. "In view of that force, which will cost
thee nothing, holiness, Assyria will not dare to stretch a hand toward
Phoenicia."
The project was so brilliant and promised such profit that Rameses
XIII. felt dazed by it. But he mastered himself.
"Hiram," said he, "thou art making splendid promises. So splendid that
I fear lest thou art concealing behind them some less favorable
outcome. Therefore I must think over this matter deeply and take
counsel with the priests."
"They will never consent of themselves!" exclaimed the Phoenician.
"Though--may the gods forgive me the blasphemy--I am certain that if
to-day the highest power were in the hands of the priests they would
summon us in a couple of months to make the canal for them."
Rameses looked with cold contempt at Hiram.
"Old man," said he, "leave me to care for the obedience of the
priests, and do thou present proofs that what thou hast said is true.
I should be a very poor sovereign were I unable to remove obstacles
springing up between my will and the interests of Egypt."
"Thou art indeed a great sovereign, our lord," whispered Hiram,
bending to the floor.
It was then late at night. The Phoenician took farewell of the pharaoh
and left the palace with Tutmosis. The following day he sent through
Dagon a box with specimens of wealth from the unknown countries.
The pharaoh found in it statues of gods, woven stuffs, rings from
India, small morsels of opium, and in a second division handfuls of
rice, leaves of tea, two porcelain cups ornamented with pictures, and
a number of drawings made on paper with China ink and colors. He
examined them with the greatest attention and confessed that those
articles were new to him: the rice, the paper, the pictures of people
with pointed hats and sloping eyes.
He had no doubt now that a new region existed which differed in every
way from Egypt: in mountains, trees, houses, bridges, ships.
"And that country has existed for ages undoubtedly," thought he; "our
priests know of it, they know of its wealth, but say nothing.
Evidently they are traitors who wish to limit the power of the pharaoh
and impoverish him so as to push him down from the height of the
throne afterward.
"But O ye my ancestors and my heirs," said he in spirit, "I call you
to witness that I will put a limit to these iniquities; I will elevate
wisdom, but I will stamp out deceit, and I will give Egypt hours of
rest from labor."
Thinking thus, he raised his eyes and beheld Dagon waiting for an
answer.
"Thy box is very curious," said he to the banker, "but--this is not
what I asked of thee."
The Phoenician approached him on tiptoe and, kneeling before him,
whispered,--
"Deign holiness, to sign a treaty with the worthy Hiram, then Tyre
and Sidon will place all their treasures at thy feet."
Rameses frowned. He was displeased by the insolence of the Phoenicians
who dared to lay down conditions to him; so he answered coldly,--
"I will reflect and give Hiram my answer. Thou mayst withdraw, Dagon."
After the Phoenician had gone, Rameses meditated again; a reaction
began in him,--
"Those hucksters," said he in his heart, "consider me as one of
themselves,--nay more, they dare to hold up to me a bag of gold from
afar so as to extort a treaty! I know not that any of the pharaohs
admitted them to such confidence! I must change. The men who fall on
their faces before the envoys of Assar may not say to me, 'Sign and
thou wilt get!' Stupid Phoenician rats, who steal into the pharaoh's
palace and look on it as their own den a moment later!"
The longer he thought over it the more precisely he recalled the
bearing of Hiram and Dagon, the greater the anger that seized him,--
"How dare they--how dare they lay conditions down to me? Hei,
Tutmosis!" cried he.
His favorite stood before him immediately.
"What dost thou command, my lord?"
"Send some one of the younger officers to Dagon to inform him that he
has ceased to be my banker. He is too stupid for such a lofty
position."
"But to whom dost thou predestine the honor, holiness?"
"I know not at the moment. It will be necessary to find some one among
Egyptian or Greek merchants. In the last resort we will turn to the
priests."
Information of this resolve went through all the palaces, and before
an hour it had reached Memphis. Throughout the whole city people said
that the Phoenicians were in disfavor with the pharaoh. Towards
evening the Egyptians had begun to break into the shops of the hated
foreigners.
The priests drew a breath of relief. Herhor even made a visit to holy
Mefres and said to him,--
"My heart felt that our lord would turn from those unbelievers who
are drinking the blood of the people. I think that it is proper for us
to show him gratitude."
"And perhaps open the doors to our treasures?" asked Mefres, rudely.
"Hasten not, worthiness, I have divined this young man--woe to us if
ever we let him get the upper hand."
"But if he has broken with the Phoenicians?"
"He will gain by that; for he will not pay his debts to them."
"In my opinion," said Herhor, after some thought, "now is the moment
in which we can regain the favor of this youthful pharaoh. He is hasty
in anger, but he knows how to be grateful. I have experienced that--"
"Every word is an error," interrupted the stubborn Mefres. "First of
all, this prince is not the pharaoh yet, for he has not been crowned
in a temple. Second, he will never be a real pharaoh, since through
contempt he will never be ordained a high priest. And finally, we do
not need his favor, while he needs the favor of the gods, whom he
insults at every step he makes."
Mefres, who had been panting from anger, stopped and began anew,--
"He spent a month in the temple of Hator, he listened to the highest
wisdom, and immediately afterward betook himself to the Phoenicians.
What do I say? He visited the idol house of Astarte and took thence a
priestess--an offence against all religions. After that he reviled my
piety, in public; conspired with such frivolous minds as his own, and
with the aid of Phoenicians stole state secrets. And when he ascended
the throne--I speak incorrectly, when he had barely stood on the first
step of the throne, he tried to make the priests odious; he disturbed
the earth-tillers and the warriors, and renewed vows with his friends
the Phoenicians.
"Dost thou, worthy Herhor, forget all this? And if thou remember, dost
thou not understand the dangers which threaten us from this milksop?
Still he has under his hand the rudder of the ship of state, which he
pushes in among rocks and eddies. Who will assure me that this madman,
who yesterday summoned to his presence the Phoenicians, but quarrelled
with them to-day, will not do something to-morrow which will expose
Egypt to destruction?"
"And therefore, what?" inquired Herhor, looking into his eyes quickly.
"This--we have no reason to show him gratitude, which would really be
weakness. But since he wants money at once, we will not give him
money."
"But--but then what?" inquired Herhor.
"Afterward he will govern the state and increase the army without
money," answered the irritated Mefres.
"But if his famished army wants to rob temples?"
"Ha! ha! ha!" burst out Mefres, but suddenly he grew serious and
bowing said in an ironical tone,--
"That pertains to thee, worthiness. A man who for so many years has
directed the state should prepare for such dangers."
"Let us suppose," said Herhor, slowly, "that I can find means against
dangers to the state. But canst thou, worthiness, who art the senior
high priest, provide against insults to the priestly order and the
temples?"
They looked each other in the eyes for a moment.
"Dost thou inquire whether I can? Whether I can? I need make no
effort. The gods have placed in my hands a thunderbolt which will
destroy every author of sacrilege."
"Pst!" whispered Herhor. "Let that take place."
"With the consent or without the consent of the supreme council of
priests," added Mefres. "When a boat is overturned there is no time to
discuss with the oarsmen."
They parted in a gloomy state of mind. That same day in the evening
the Pharaoh summoned them.
They came at the appointed time, each high priest separately. Each
made a profound obeisance to his lord, and each stood in a separate
corner without looking at the other.
"Have they quarrelled?" thought Rameses? "No harm in that!"
A moment later the holy Sem and the prophet Pentuer came in. Then
Rameses sat on an elevation, indicated to the priests stools in front
of him, and said,--
"Holy fathers! I have not summoned you thus far to counsel because
all my orders related to military questions exclusively."
"Thou hadst the right, holiness, not to call us," put in Herhor.
"I have done what I was able in such a short time to strengthen the
defensive power of the state. I have formed two new schools for
officers and I have restored five regiments."
"Thou hadst the right, lord," answered Mefres.
"Of other military reforms I do not speak, since those questions do
not concern you, holy people."
"Thou art right," said Mefres and Herhor together.
"But there is another question," continued the pharaoh, satisfied with
the assent of the two dignitaries from whom he had expected
opposition. "The funeral day of my divine father is approaching, but
the treasury does not possess sufficient funds."
Mefres rose from his stool.
"Osiris-Mer-Amen-Rameses," said he, "was a just lord who for many
years assured peace to his people, and praise to the gods. Permit,
holiness, that the funeral of this pious pharaoh be performed at the
expense of the temples."
Rameses XIII. was astonished and was moved by the homage rendered his
father. He was silent for a while as if unable to find an answer; at
last he replied,--
"I am very thankful to you for the honor shown my father, who is equal
to the gods. I permit the funeral, and once more I thank you greatly."
He stopped, rested his head on his hand and meditated, as if
struggling with himself. Suddenly he raised his head; his face was
animated, his eyes were gleaming.
"I am moved," said he, "by this proof of your good-will. If the memory
of my father is so dear to you ye cannot have ill-will toward me."
"Thou hast no doubt, I think, holiness, touching our good-will?" said
the high priest Sem.
"Thou art speaking truth," continued the pharaoh. "I suspected you
unjustly of prejudice toward me. I wish to correct my suspicion; I
will be sincere with you."
"May the gods bless thee, holiness," said Herhor.
"I will be sincere. My divine father, because of age, illness, and
perhaps priestly occupations, could not devote so much time to affairs
of state as I can. I am young, in health, free, hence I wish to rule,
myself, and will rule. As a leader must direct his army on his own
responsibility and according to his own plan, so shall I direct the
state. This is my express will and I shall not draw back from it.
"But I understand that even were I the most experienced I could not
succeed without faithful servants and wise counsellors. Therefore I
shall ask your advice sometimes on various questions."
"To this end we constitute the supreme council near thy throne,"
remarked Herhor.
"I shall use," continued Rameses with animation, "your services
immediately, even from this moment."
"Command, lord," said Herhor.
"I wish to improve the condition of the Egyptian people. But since in
such affairs over-hasty action may only bring injury, I give them at
first a small thing: After six days' labor the seventh for rest."
"Such was it during the reigns of the eighteenth dynasty. That law is
as old as Egypt itself," said Pentuer.
"Rest every seventh day will give fifty days to each laborer during a
year, or it will take from his lord fifty drachma. On a million of
laborers the state will lose ten thousand talents yearly," said
Mefres. "We have calculated that in the temples."
"That is true," answered Pentuer, quickly, "but the losses will be
during the first year only, for when the people increase in strength
by rest they will recover all and more in the following years."
"That is true," answered Mefres, "but in every case it is necessary to
have ten thousand talents for that first year. I think even that
twenty thousand talents would not be amiss."
"Thou art right, worthy Mefres," said the pharaoh. "In view of the
changes which I wish to introduce in my state twenty thousand, and
even, thirty thousand talents would not be too great a sum;
therefore," added he quickly, "I shall ask assistance of you holy
men."
"We are ready to support every measure of thy holiness with prayers
and processions," said Mefres.
"Very good; pray and encourage the people to pray. But besides that
give the state thirty thousand talents," answered the pharaoh.
The high priests were silent; Rameses waited a while, then turned to
Herhor,--
"Thou art silent, worthiness."
"Thou hast said thyself, O sovereign, that the treasury has no means,
even to bury Osiris-Mer-Amen-Rameses. I cannot even divine, therefore,
where we could get thirty thousand talents."
"But the treasury of the labyrinth."
"That is a treasury of the gods, to be touched only at a moment when
the state is in supreme need," replied Mefres.
Rameses XIII. boiled up with anger.
"If earth-tillers do not need this sum, I do," said he, striking his
fist on the arm of the chair.
"Holiness," replied Mefres, "thou canst in the course of a year
receive more than thirty thousand talents, and Egypt twice as much."
"How?"
"Very simply. Give command, sovereign, to expel the Phoenicians from
Egypt."
It seemed that the pharaoh would rush at the insolent high priest; he
grew pale, his lips quivered, his eyes stared. But he restrained
himself in one moment, and said, in a tone of wonderful calmness,--
"Well, sufficient. If ye are able to give only such counsels I shall
get on without them. The Phoenicians have our signatures that we will
pay them our debts faithfully. Has this occurred to thee, Mefres?"
"Pardon, holiness, but at that moment other thoughts occupied me. Thy
ancestors, not on papyrus, but on bronze and stone carved out the
statement that the gifts made by them to the gods and the temples
belonged and would belong forever to the gods and the temples."
"And to you priests," added the pharaoh, sneeringly.
"As much to us," replied the haughty high priest, "as the state
belongs to thee, sovereign. We guard and increase those treasures; but
we have not the right to spend them."
The pharaoh left the hall panting with anger, and went to his own
cabinet. His position was presented to him with terrible distinctness.
Of the hatred of the priests toward him he had no doubt any longer.
Those were the same dignitaries who, giddy with pride, had the past
year refused him the corps of Memphis, and who had made him viceroy
only when it seemed to them that he had performed an act of penitence
by withdrawing from the palace--the very same who watched every
movement of his, made reports regarding him, but did not tell him, the
heir to the throne, even of the treaty with Assar,--the very same
dignitaries who had employed deceit against him in the temple of
Hator, and who at the Soda Lakes slaughtered prisoners to whom he had
promised freedom.
The pharaoh recalled the obeisances of Herhor, the looks of Mefres,
and the tones of voice which both used. Beneath the show of good-will,
their pride and their contempt for him appeared each moment. He asks
for money, they promise prayers. Nay! they dare to tell him that he is
not sole ruler in the land of Egypt.
The young sovereign laughed in spite of himself, for he called to mind
the hired herdsmen who told the owner of the flock that he had no
right to do what he liked with it. Besides the ridiculous aspect there
was in the case a point which was terrible. The treasury contained
perhaps a thousand talents which, according to the recent rate of
outlay would last from seven to ten days. And then what? How would the
officials, the servants, and above all how would the army, exist, not
only without pay, but without sustenance?
The high priests knew this position of the pharaoh--if they did not
hasten to assist him they wished to ruin him, and to ruin him in the
course of a few days, even before the funeral of his father.
Rameses recalled a certain event of his childhood.
He was at a school of the priests when, on the festival of the goddess
Mut, after various amusements they introduced the most famous buffoon
in Egypt. This artist represented an unfortunate hero: when he
commanded he was not obeyed, his anger was answered with laughter, and
when, to punish those who made sport of him, he seized an axe, the axe
broke in his hands. At last they let out a lion at him and when the
defenceless hero began to flee it turned out that not a lion was
chasing him, but a pig in a lion's skin.
The pupils and the teachers laughed at those adventures till the tears
came; but the little prince sat gloomily; he was sorry for the man who
was eager for great things but fell covered with ridicule.
That scene and the feelings which he experienced then were revived in
the memory of the pharaoh. "They want to make me like that buffoon,"
thought he. Despair seized him, for he felt that his power would end
when the last talent was issued, and with his power his life also.
But here came a certain revulsion. He halted in the middle of the room
and thought,--
"What can happen to me? Nothing save death. I will go to my glorious
ancestors, to Rameses the Great-- But then, I could not tell them that
I died without defending myself. After the misfortunes of this earthly
life eternal shame would meet me. How was it to end? He, the conqueror
at the Soda Lakes, to yield before a handful of deceivers against whom
one Asiatic regiment would not have much trouble? For the reason,
then, that Mefres and Herhor wish to rule Egypt and the pharaoh, his
troops must suffer hunger, and a million men are not to receive rest
from labor? But did not his ancestors rear these temples. Did they not
fill them with spoils? And who won the battles? The priests, or the
warriors? Who, then, had a right to the treasures,--the priests, or
the pharaoh and his army?"
Rameses shrugged his shoulders and summoned Tutmosis. Though it was
late at night the favorite came to him straightway.
"Dost thou know," asked the pharaoh, "that the priests have refused me
a loan, though the treasury is empty?"
Tutmosis straightened himself, and asked,--
"Wilt thou command to take them to prison?"
"Wouldst thou?"
"There is not an officer in Egypt who would hesitate to carry out an
order from our lord and leader."
"In that case," said the pharaoh, deliberately, "there is no need to
imprison any one. I have too much power on my side and too much
contempt for the priesthood. A man does not put into a box bound with
iron the carrion which he meets on the highway; he merely passes
around it."
"But a hyena is confined in a cage," whispered Tutmosis.
"It is too early yet. I must be gracious to those men, at least till
my father is buried or they might commit some indignity on his revered
mummy, and destroy his spirit. But go to-morrow to Hiram and tell him
to send me that priest of whom we have spoken."
"That will be done. But I must remind thee, holiness, that to-day
people attacked Phoenician houses in Memphis."
"Oho! That was not needed."
"It seems to me, too," continued Tutmosis, "that since thou hast
commanded Pentuer to investigate the condition of earth-tillers and
laborers the priests are exciting the nomarchs and nobles. They say
that it is thy wish to ruin the nobility for the sake of the people."
"But do the nobles believe that?"
"There are some who believe, but there are others who say directly
that it is an intrigue of the priests against the pharaoh."
"But if I wish indeed to improve the condition of earth-tillers?"
"Thou wilt do, lord, that which pleases thee," answered Tutmosis.
"Oh, I understand my position!" exclaimed Rameses. "Be at rest, and
tell the nobility that not only will they lose nothing in carrying out
my orders, but their own condition will be improved notably. The
wealth of Egypt must be taken at last from the hands of the unworthy
and given to faithful servants."
The pharaoh dismissed his adjutant and went to rest satisfied. His
temporary despair seemed to him laughable.
About noon of the following day it was announced that a deputation of
Phoenician merchants had come to his holiness.
"Do they wish to complain of the attack on their houses?" inquired
the pharaoh.
"No," replied the adjutant, "they wish to offer thee homage."
In fact a number of Phoenicians, under the leadership of Rabsun,
declared that, according to ancient custom they had made bold to lay
an insignificant gift at the feet of the sovereign who gave life to
them and security to their property.
Then they placed on the tables gold plates, chains, and goblets filled
with jewels.
After that, Rabsun placed on the steps of the throne a tray with the
papyrus by which the Phoenicians bound themselves to give all things
necessary for the army to the amount of two thousand talents.
That was a considerable gift, since all that the Phoenicians had
brought represented a sum of three thousand talents.
The pharaoh answered the faithful merchants very graciously, and
promised protection. He dismissed them in happiness.
Rameses XIII. drew a breath of relief: bankruptcy of the treasury, and
therefore the need of using violent measures against the priests was
deferred ten days longer.
In the evening, again, under the guardianship of Tutmosis, the worthy
Hiram stood in the cabinet of his holiness. This time he did not
complain of weariness, but he fell on his face and cursed the stupid
Dagon.
"I have learned," said he, "that that mangy fellow dared to remind
thee, holiness, of our talk concerning the canal to the Red Sea. May
he perish! May the leprosy devour him! May his children become
swineherds and his grandchildren Hebrews. But do thou, sovereign, only
command, and whatever wealth Phoenicia has she will lay at thy feet
without bond or treaty. Are we Assyrians--or priests," added he in a
whisper, "that one word of such a mighty potentate should not suffice
us?"
"But if I should require a really large sum?"
"Such as--?"
"For example, thirty thousand talents."
"Immediately?"
"No, in the course of a year."
"Thou wilt have it, holiness," answered Hiram, without hesitation.
The pharaoh was astonished at this liberality.
"But must I give you a pledge?"
"Only for form's sake," replied the Phoenician. "Give us, holiness,
the quarries in pledge, so as not to rouse the suspicions of priests.
Were it not for them, thou wouldst have all Phoenicia without pledge
or paper."
"But the canal? Am I to sign a treaty at once?" asked Rameses.
"Not at all. Thou wilt make, O holiness, a treaty when it pleases
thee."
It seemed to the pharaoh that he was uplifted in the air. At that
moment it seemed to him that he had tasted for the first time the
sweetness of regal power, and tasted it, thanks to the Phoenicians.
"Hiram," said he, controlling himself no longer, "I give thee
permission this day to dig a canal which shall join the Red Sea with
the Mediterranean."
The old man fell at the feet of the pharaoh.
"Thou art the greatest sovereign ever seen on earth," said he.
"For the time thou art not permitted to speak of this to any one,
because the enemies of my glory are watching. But that thou shouldst
feel certain, I give thee this from my own finger."
He took from his finger a ring adorned with a magic stone on which was
engraved the name Horus, and put it on the finger of the Phoenician.
"The property of all Phoenicia is at thy command," said Hiram, moved
profoundly. "Thou wilt accomplish a work which will herald thy name
till the sun quenches."
The pharaoh pressed Hiram's iron-gray head and commanded him to sit
down before him.
"And so we are allies," said he, after a while, "and I hope that from
this will rise prosperity for Egypt and Phoenicia."
"For the whole world," added Hiram.
"But tell me, prince, whence hast thou such confidence in me?"
"I know thy noble character, holiness. If thou, sovereign, wert not a
pharaoh, in a few years thou wouldst become the most renowned of
Phoenician merchants and the chief of our council."
"Let us suppose that," replied Rameses. "But I, to keep my promises,
must first bend the priests. That is a struggle the issue of which is
uncertain."
Hiram smiled.
"Lord," said he, "if we were so insignificant as to abandon thee
to-day when thy treasury is empty, and thy enemies are insolent, thou
wouldst lose the battle. For a man deprived of means loses daring
easily; from an impoverished king his armies turn away as well as his
dignitaries and his subjects. But if thou, sovereign, have our gold
and our agents, with thy army and thy generals thou wilt have as much
trouble with the priests as an elephant with a scorpion. Thou wilt
barely set thy foot on them and they will be crushed beneath it. But
this is not my affair. The high priest Samentu is waiting in the
garden, he whom thou hast summoned. I withdraw; it is his hour. But I
refuse not the money. Command me to the extent of thirty thousand
talents."
He fell on his face again and then withdrew, promising that Samentu
would present himself straightway.
In half an hour the high priest appeared. As became one who honored
Set he did not shave his red beard and shaggy hair; he had a severe
face, but eyes full of intellect. He bowed without excessive humility
and met the soul-piercing gaze of the pharaoh with calmness.
"Be seated," said the pharaoh.
The high priest sat on the floor.
"Thou pleasest me," said Rameses. "Thou hast the bearing and the face
of a Hyksos, and they are the most valiant troops in my army." Then he
inquired, on a sudden--
"Art thou the man who informed Hiram of the treaty of our priests with
Assyria?"
"I am," replied Samentu, without dropping his eyes.
"Didst thou share in that iniquity?"
"I did not. I overheard the conditions. In the temples, as in thy
palaces, holiness, the walls are honeycombed with passages through
which it is possible to hear on the summit of pylons what is said in
the cellars."
"And from subterranean places it is possible to converse with persons
in upper chambers?" asked the pharaoh.
"And imitate voices from the gods," added the priest seriously.
The pharaoh smiled. Then the supposition was correct that it was not
the spirit of his father, but priests who spoke to him and to his
mother.
"Why didst thou confide to Phoenicians a great secret of the state?"
inquired Rameses.
"Because I wished to prevent a shameful treaty which was as harmful to
us as to Phoenicia."
"Thou mightst have forewarned some Egyptian dignitary."
"Whom?" inquired the priest. "Men who were powerless before Herhor; or
who would complain of me to him and expose me to death and tortures? I
confided it to Hiram, for he meets dignitaries of ours whom I never
see."
"But why did Herhor and Mefres conclude such a treaty?" inquired
Rameses.
"In my opinion, they are men of weak heads whom Beroes, the great
Chaldean priest, frightened. He told them that for ten years evil
fates would threaten Egypt; that if we began war with Assyria during
that time we should be defeated."
"And did they believe him?"
"Beroes, it seems, showed them wonders. He was even borne above the
earth. Beyond doubt that is wonderful; but I cannot understand why we
should lose Phoenicia because Beroes can fly above the earth."
"Then thou dost not believe in miracles?"
"It depends upon what they are," replied Samentu. "It seems that
Beroes does perform unusual things; but our priests merely deceive
people as well as rulers."
"Thou hast a hatred for the priestly order?"
"Well, they cannot endure me, and what is worse they insult me under
pretext that I am a minister of Set. Meanwhile, what do I care for
gods whose hands and feet must be moved by strings. Or priests who
pretend to be abstemious and devout, but have ten wives, spend some
tens of talents yearly, steal the offerings placed on altars, and are
little wiser than pupils of a higher school."
"But dost thou take presents from Phoenicians?"
"From whom should I take them? The Phoenicians are the only men who
really honor Set; they fear lest he might wreck their ships. With us
the poor alone revere him. Were I restricted to their offerings I
should die of hunger, and my children also."
The pharaoh thought that this priest was not a bad man, though he had
betrayed a temple secret. And moreover, he seemed wise and he spoke
truth.
"Hast thou heard anything," inquired Rameses again, "of a canal which
is to join the Red Sea with the Mediterranean?"
"I know of that affair. Our engineers have been developing the project
for some centuries."
"But why has it not been carried out ere this time?"
"Because the priests are afraid that strangers would come who might
undermine our religion, and with it the priestly income."
"Is there truth in what Hiram says of people living in the distant
East?"
"Perfect truth. We know of them for a long time, and no ten years pass
that we do not receive from those countries products, precious stones,
or pictures."
The pharaoh meditated again, and asked suddenly,--
"Wilt thou serve me faithfully if I make thee my counsellor?"
"I will serve thee, holiness, with life and death. But were I to
become thy counsellor, the priests, who hate me, would be indignant."
"Dost thou not think it possible to overthrow them?"
"It is possible and very easy."
"What would thy plan be, if I had to free myself of them?"
"To obtain possession of the treasures in the labyrinth."
"Couldst thou go to it?"
"I have many indications; the rest I can discover, for I know where to
search for them."
"What further?" inquired the pharaoh.
[Illustration: Statue of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen]
"It would be necessary to bring an action against Herhor and Mefres
for treason, and for secret relations with Assyria."
"But the proofs?"
"We should find them with the help of the Phoenicians."
"Would no danger come of that to Egypt?"
"None. Four hundred years ago the pharaoh, Amenhôtep IV. overturned
the power of priests by establishing the faith in one god, Re
Harmachis. It is understandable that in those conditions he took
treasures from the temples of the other gods. And at that time neither
the people, nor the army, nor the nobility took part with the
priesthood. What would the case be to-day when the old faith is
greatly weakened?"
"Who assisted Amenhôtep?" inquired Rameses.
"A simple priest, Ey."
"But who, on the death of Amenhôtep, became his heir?" asked Rameses,
looking quickly into the eyes of the priest.
Samentu answered, calmly,--
"Events show that Amenhôtep was incompetent, more occupied in honoring
Re than in governing Egypt."
"Indeed, thou art a real sage!" said Rameses.
"At thy service, holiness."
"I appoint thee my counsellor," said the pharaoh. "In that case thou
mayst visit me in secret, and thou wilt dwell with me."
"Pardon, lord, but until the members of the supreme council are in
prison for negotiating with enemies of Egypt, my presence in the
palace would bring more harm than profit. So I will serve thee,
holiness, and advise, but in secret."
"And wilt thou find the way to the treasure in the labyrinth?"
"I hope, lord, that before thou returnest from Thebes, I shall succeed
in this matter. But when we transfer the treasure to thy palace, when
the court condemns Herhor and Mefres whom thou mayst pardon afterward,
with permission, I will appear openly and cease to be the priest of
Set, who only frightens people and turns them from me."
"And dost thou think that everything will go well?"
"I pledge my life on it!" cried the priest. "The people love thee,
holiness, so it is easy to influence them against traitorous
dignitaries. The army obeys thee as no army has obeyed a pharaoh since
Rameses the Great. Who will oppose, then? In addition, holiness, thou
hast the Phoenicians behind thee, and money, the greatest power on
earth."
When Samentu took farewell, the pharaoh permitted him to kiss his
feet, and gave him a heavy gold chain and a bracelet ornamented with
sapphires. Not every dignitary received such favor after long years of
service. The visit and Samentu's promises filled the pharaoh's heart
with new hope.
What if he should succeed in getting the treasure of the labyrinth!
For a small part of it he might free the nobles from Phoenician debts,
improve the lot of the laborers and redeem the mortgaged property of
the court.
And with what edifices might the state be enriched!
Hence the treasure of this labyrinth might remove all the pharaoh's
troubles. For what was the result of a great loan from the
Phoenicians? It would be necessary to pay a loan some time, and,
sooner or later, mortgage the rest of the pharaoh's property. That was
merely to defer ruin, not avoid it.