CHAPTER VIII
SETI COUNSELS PHARAOH
Dream upon dream. Dreams of voices, dreams of faces, dreams of
sunlight and of moonlight and of myself being borne forward, always
forward; dreams of shouting crowds, and, above all, dreams of Merapi's
eyes looking down on me like two watching stars from heaven. Then at
last the awakening, and with it throbs of pain and qualms of sickness.
At first I thought that I was dead and lying in a tomb. Then by
degrees I saw that I was in no tomb but in a darkened room that was
familiar to me, my own room in Seti's palace at Tanis. It must be so,
for there, near to the bed on which I lay, was my own chest filled
with the manuscripts that I had brought from Memphis. I tried to lift
my left hand, but could not, and looking down saw that the arm was
bandaged like to that of a mummy, which made me think again that I
must be dead, if the dead could suffer so much pain. I closed my eyes
and thought or slept a while.
As I lay thus I heard voices. One of them seemed to be that of a
physician, who said, "Yes, he will live and ere long recover. The blow
upon the head which has made him senseless for so many days was the
worst of his wounds, but the bone was but bruised, not shattered or
driven in upon the brain. The flesh cuts on his arms are healing well,
and the mail he wore protected his vitals from being pierced."
"I am glad, physician," answered a voice that I knew to be that of
Userti, "since without a doubt, had it not been for Ana, his Highness
would have perished. It is strange that one whom I thought to be
nothing but a dreaming scribe should have shown himself so brave a
warrior. The Prince says that this Ana killed three of those dogs with
his own hands, and wounded others."
"It was well done, your Highness," answered the physician, "but still
better was his forethought in providing a rear-guard and in
despatching the charioteer to call it up. It seems to have been the
Hebrew lady who really saved the life of his Highness, when,
forgetting her sex, she stabbed the murderer who had him by the
throat."
"That is the Prince's tale, or so I understand," she answered coldly.
"Yet it seems strange that a weak and worn-out girl could have pierced
a giant through from back to breast."
"At least she warned him of the ambush, your Highness."
"So they say. Perhaps Ana here will soon tell us the truth about these
matters. Tend him well, physician, and you shall not lack for your
reward."
Then they went away, still talking, and I lay quiet, filled with
thankfulness and wonder, for now everything came back to me.
A while later, as I lay with my eyes still shut, for even that low
light seemed to hurt them, I became aware of a woman's soft step
stealing round my bed and of a fragrance such as comes from a woman's
robes and hair. I looked and saw Merapi's star-like eyes gazing down
on me just as I had seen them in my dreams.
"Greeting, Moon of Israel," I said. "Of a truth we meet again in
strange case."
"Oh!" she whispered, "are you awake at last? I thank God, Scribe Ana,
who for three days thought that you must die."
"As, had it not been for you, Lady, surely I should have done--I and
another. Now it seems that all three of us will live."
"Would that but two lived, the Prince and you, Ana. Would that /I/ had
died," she answered, sighing heavily.
"Why?"
"Cannot you guess? Because I am outcast who has betrayed my people.
Because their blood flows between me and them. For I killed that man,
and he was my own kinsman, for the sake of an Egyptian--I mean,
Egyptians. Therefore the curse of Jahveh is on me, and as my kinsman
died doubtless I shall die in a day to come, and afterwards--what?"
"Afterwards peace and great reward, if there be justice in earth or
heaven, O most noble among women."
"Would that I could think so! Hush, I hear steps. Drink this; I am the
chief of your nurses, Scribe Ana, an honourable post, since to-day all
Egypt loves and praises you."
"Surely it is you, lady Merapi, whom all Egypt should love and
praise," I answered.
Then the Prince Seti entered. I strove to salute him by lifting my
less injured arm, but he caught my hand and pressed it tenderly.
"Hail to you, beloved of Menthu, god of war," he said, with his
pleasant laugh. "I thought I had hired a scribe, and lo! in this
scribe I find a soldier who might be an army's boast."
At this moment he caught sight of Merapi, who had moved back into the
shadow.
"Hail to you also, Moon of Israel," he said bowing. "If I name Ana
here a warrior of the best, what name can both of us find for you to
whom we owe our lives? Nay, look not down, but answer."
"Prince of Egypt," she replied confusedly, "I did but little. The plot
came to my ears through Jabez my uncle, and I fled away and, knowing
the short paths from childhood, was just in time. Had I stayed to
think perchance I should not have dared."
"And what of the rest, Lady? What of the Hebrew who was choking me and
of a certain sword thrust that loosed his hands for ever?"
"Of that, your Highness, I can recall nothing, or very little," then,
doubtless remembering what she had just said to me, she made obeisance
and passed from the chamber.
"She can tell falsehoods as sweetly as she does all else," said Seti,
when he had watched her go. "Oh! what a woman have we here, Ana.
Perfect in beauty, perfect in courage, perfect in mind. Where are her
faults, I wonder? Let it be your part to search them out, since I find
none."
"Ask them of Ki, O Prince. He is a very great magician, so great that
perhaps his art may even avail to discover what a woman seeks to hide.
Also you may remember that he gave you certain warnings before we
journeyed to Goshen."
"Yes--he told me that my life would be in danger, as certainly it was.
There he was right. He told me also that I should see a woman whom I
should come to love. There he was wrong. I have seen no such woman.
Oh! I know well what is passing in your mind. Because I hold the lady
Merapi to be beautiful and brave, you think that I love her. But it is
not so. I love no woman, except, of course, her Highness. Ana, you
judge me by yourself."
"Ki said 'come to love,' Prince. There is yet time."
"Not so, Ana. If one loves, one loves at once. Soon I shall be old and
she will be fat and ugly, and how can one love then? Get well quickly,
Ana, for I wish you to help me with my report to Pharaoh. I shall tell
him that I think these Israelites are much oppressed and that he
should make them amends and let them go."
"What will Pharaoh say to that after they have just tried to kill his
heir?"
"I think Pharaoh will be angry, and so will the people of Egypt, who
do not reason well. He will not see that, believing what they do,
Laban and his band were right to try to kill me who, however
unwittingly, desecrated the sanctuary of their god. Had they done
otherwise they would have been no good Hebrews, and for my part I
cannot bear them malice. Yet all Egypt is afire about this business
and cries out that the Israelites should be destroyed."
"It seems to me, Prince, that whatever may be the case with Ki's
second prophecy, his third is in the way of fulfilment--namely that
this journey to Goshen may cause you to risk your throne."
He shrugged his shoulders and answered:
"Not even for that, Ana, will I say to Pharaoh what is not in my mind.
But let that matter be till you are stronger."
"What chanced at the end of the fight, Prince, and how came I here?"
"The guard killed most of the Hebrews who remained alive. Some few
fled and escaped in the darkness, among them Laban their leader,
although you had wounded him, and six were taken alive. They await
their trial. I was but little hurt and you, whom we thought dead, were
but senseless, and senseless or wandering you have remained till this
hour. We carried you in a litter, and here you have been these three
days."
"And the lady Merapi?"
"We set her in a chariot and brought her to the city, since had we
left her she would certainly have been murdered by her people. When
Pharaoh heard what she had done, as I did not think it well that she
should dwell here, he gave her the small house in this garden that she
might be guarded, and with it slave women to attend upon her. So there
she dwells, having the freedom of the palace, and all the while has
filled the office of your nurse."
At this moment I grew faint and shut my eyes. When I opened them
again, the Prince had gone. Six more days went by before I was allowed
to leave my bed, and during this time I saw much of Merapi. She was
very sad and lived in fear of being killed by the Hebrews. Also she
was troubled in her heart because she thought she had betrayed her
faith and people.
"At least you are rid of Laban," I said.
"Never shall I be rid of him while we both live," she answered. "I
belong to him and he will not loose my bond, because his heart is set
on me."
"And is your heart set on him?" I asked.
Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.
"A woman may not have a heart. Oh! Ana, I am unhappy," she answered,
and went away.
Also I saw others. The Princess came to visit me. She thanked me much
because I had fulfilled my promise to her and guarded the Prince.
Moreover she brought me a gift of gold from Pharaoh, and other gifts
of fine raiment from herself. She questioned me closely about Merapi,
of whom I could see she was already jealous, and was glad when she
learned that she was affianced to a Hebrew. Old Bakenkhonsu came too,
and asked me many things about the Prince, the Hebrews and Merapi,
especially Merapi, of whose deeds, he said, all Egypt was talking,
questions that I answered as best I could.
"Here we have that woman of whom Ki told us," he said, "she who shall
bring so much joy and so much sorrow to the Prince of Egypt."
"Why so?" I asked. "He has not taken her into his house, nor do I
think that he means to do so."
"Yet he will, Ana, whether he means it or not. For his sake she
betrayed her people, which among the Israelites is a deadly crime.
Twice she saved his life, once by warning him of the ambush, and again
by stabbing with her own hands one of her kinsmen who was murdering
him. Is it not so? Tell me; you were there."
"It is so, but what then?"
"This: that whatever she may say, she loves him; unless indeed, it is
you whom she loves," and he looked at me shrewdly.
"When a woman has a prince, and such a prince to her hand, would she
trouble herself to set snares to catch a scribe?" I asked, with some
bitterness.
"Oho!" he said, with one of his great laughs, "so things stand thus,
do they? Well, I thought it, but, friend Ana, be warned in time. Do
not try to conjure down the Moon to be your household lamp lest she
should set, and the Sun, her lord, should grow wroth and burn you up.
Well, she loves him, and therefore soon or late she will make him love
her, being what she is."
"How, Bakenkhonsu?"
"With most men, Ana, it would be simple. A sigh, some half-hidden
tears at the right moment, and the thing is done, as I have known it
done a thousand times. But this prince being what he is, it may be
otherwise. She may show him that her name is gone from him; that
because of him she is hated by her people, and rejected by her god,
and thus stir his pity, which is Love's own sister. Or mayhap, being
also, as I am told, wise, she will give him counsel as to all these
matters of the Israelites, and thus creep into his heart under the
guise of friendship, and then her sweetness and her beauty will do the
rest in Nature's way. At least by this road or by that, upstream or
downstream, thither she will come."
"If so, what of it? It is the custom of the kings of Egypt to have
more wives than one."
"This, Ana; Seti, I think, is a man who in truth will have but one,
and that one will be this Hebrew. Yes, a Hebrew woman will rule Egypt,
and turn him to the worship of her god, for never will she worship
ours. Indeed, when they see that she is lost to them, her people will
use her thus. Or perchance her god himself will use her to fulfil his
purpose, as already he may have used her."
"And afterwards, Bakenkhonsu?"
"Afterwards--who knows? I am not a magician, at least not one of any
account, ask it of Ki. But I am very, very old and I have watched the
world, and I tell you that these things will happen, unless----" and
he paused.
"Unless what?"
He dropped his voice.
"Unless Userti is bolder than I think, and kills her first or, better
still, procures some Hebrew to kill her--say, that cast-off lover of
hers. If you would be a friend to Pharaoh and to Egypt, you might
whisper it in her ear, Ana."
"Never!" I answered angrily.
"I did not think you would, Ana, who also struggle in this net of
moonbeams that is stronger and more real than any twisted out of palm
or flax. Well, nor will I, who in my age love to watch such human
sport and, being so near to them, fear to thwart the schemes of gods.
Let this scroll unroll itself as it will, and when it is open, read
it, Ana, and remember what I said to you this day. It will be a pretty
tale, written at the end with blood for ink. Oho! O-ho-ho!" and,
laughing, he hobbled from the room, leaving me frightened.
Moreover the Prince visited me every day, and even before I left my
bed began to dictate to me his report to Pharaoh, since he would
employ no other scribe. The substance of it was what he had
foreshadowed, namely that the people of Israel, having suffered much
for generations at the hands of the Egyptians, should now be allowed
to depart as their prophets demanded, and go whither they would
unharmed. Of the attack upon us in the pass he made light, saying it
was the evil work of a few zealots wrought on by fancied insult to
their god, a deed for which the whole people should not be called upon
to suffer. The last words of the report were:
"Remember, O Pharaoh, I pray thee, that Amon, god of the Egyptians,
and Jahveh, the god of the Israelites, cannot rule together in the
same land. If both abide in Egypt there will be a war of the gods
wherein mortals may be ground to dust. Therefore, I pray thee, let
Israel go."
After I had risen and was recovered, I copied out this report in my
fairest writing, refusing to tell any of its purport, although all
asked, among them the Vizier Nehesi, who offered me a bribe to
disclose its secret. This came to the ears of Seti, I know not how,
and he was much pleased with me about the matter, saying he rejoiced
to find that there was one scribe in Egypt who could not be bought.
Userti also questioned me, and when I refused to answer, strange to
say, was not angry, because, she declared, I only did my duty.
At last the roll was finished and sealed, and the Prince with his own
hand, but without speaking, laid it on the knees of Pharaoh at a
public Court, for this he would trust no one else to do. Amenmeses
also brought up his report, as did Nehesi the Vizier, and the Captain
of the guard which saved us from death. Eight days later the Prince
was summoned to a great Council of State, as were all others of the
royal House, together with the high officers. I too received a
summons, as one who had been concerned in these matters.
The Prince, accompanied by the Princess, drove to the palace in
Pharaoh's golden chariot, drawn by two milk-white horses of the blood
of those famous steeds that had saved the life of the great Rameses in
the Syrian war. All down the streets, that were filled with thousands
of the people, they were received with shouts of welcome.
"See," said the old councillor Bakenkhonsu, who was my companion in a
second chariot, "Egypt is proud and glad. It thought that its Prince
was but a dreamer of dreams. But now it has heard the tale of the
ambush in the pass and learned that he is a man of war, a warrior who
can fight with the best. Therefore it loves him and rejoices."
"Then, by the same rule, Bakenkhonsu, a butcher should be more great
than the wisest of scribes."
"So he is, Ana, especially if the butcher be one of men. The writer
creates, but the slayer kills, and in a world ruled of death he who
kills has more honour than he who creates. Hearken, now they are
shouting out your name. Is that because you are the author of certain
writings? I tell you, No. It is because you killed three men yonder in
the pass. If you would become famous and beloved, Ana, cease from the
writing of books and take to the cutting of throats."
"Yet the writer still lives when he is dead."
"Oho!" laughed Bakenkhonsu, "you are even more foolish than I thought.
How is a man advantaged by what happens when he is dead? Why, to-day
that blind beggar whining on the temple steps means more to Egypt than
all the mummies of all the Pharaohs, unless they can be robbed. Take
what life can give you, Ana, and do not trouble about the offerings
which are laid in the tombs for time to crumble."
"That is a mean faith, Bakenkhonsu."
"Very mean, Ana, like all else that we can taste and handle. A mean
faith suited to mean hearts, among whom should be reckoned all save
one in every thousand. Yet, if you would prosper, follow it, and when
you are dead I will come and laugh upon your grave, and say, 'Here
lies one of whom I had hoped higher things, as I hope them of your
master.'"
"And not in vain, Bakenkhonsu, whatever may happen to the servant."
"That we shall learn, and ere long, I think. I wonder who will ride at
his side before the next Nile flood. By then, perchance, he will have
changed Pharaoh's golden chariot for an ox-cart, and you will goad the
oxen and talk to him of the stars--or, mayhap of the moon. Well, you
might both be happier thus, and she of the moon is a jealous goddess
who loves worship. Oho-ho! Here are the palace steps. Help me to
descend, Priest of the Lady of the Moon."
We entered the palace and were led through the great hall to a smaller
chamber where Pharaoh, who did not wear his robes of state, awaited
us, seated in a cedar chair. Glancing at him I saw that his face was
stern and troubled; also it seemed to me that he had grown older. The
Prince and Princess made obeisance to him, as did we lesser folk, but
he took no heed. When all were present and the doors had been shut,
Pharaoh said:
"I have read your report, Son Seti, concerning your visit to the
Israelites, and all that chanced to you; and also the reports of you,
nephew Amenmeses, and of you, Officers, who accompanied the Prince of
Egypt. Before I speak of them, let the Scribe Ana, who was the chariot
companion of his Highness when the Hebrews attacked him, stand forward
and tell me all that passed."
So I advanced, and with bowed head repeated that tale, only leaving
out so far as was possible any mention of myself. When I had finished,
Pharaoh said:
"He who speaks but half the truth is sometimes more mischievous than a
liar. Did you then sit in the chariot, Scribe, doing nothing while the
Prince battled for his life? Or did you run away? Speak, Seti, and say
what part this man played for good or ill."
Then the Prince told of my share in the fight, with words that brought
the blood to my brow. He told also how that it was I who, taking the
risk of his wrath, had ordered the guard of twenty men to follow us
unseen, had disguised two seasoned soldiers as chariot runners, and
had thought to send back the driver to summon help at the commencement
of the fray; how I had been hurt also, and was but lately recovered.
When he had finished, Pharaoh said:
"That this story is true I know from others. Scribe, you have done
well. But for you to-day his Highness would lie upon the table of the
embalmers, as indeed for his folly he deserves to do, and Egypt would
mourn from Thebes to the mouths of Nile. Come hither."
I came with trembling steps, and knelt before his Majesty. Around his
neck hung a beauteous chain of wrought gold. He took it, and cast it
over my head, saying:
"Because you have shown yourself both brave and wise, with this gold I
give you the title of Councillor and King's Companion, and the right
to inscribe the same upon your funeral stele. Let it be noted. Retire,
Scribe Ana, Councillor and King's Companion."
So I withdrew confused, and as I passed Seti, he whispered in my ear:
"I pray you, my lord, do not cease to be Prince's Companion, because
you have become that of the King."
Then Pharaoh ordered that the Captain of the guard should be advanced
in rank, and that gifts should be given to each of the soldiers, and
provision be made for the children of those who had been killed, with
double allowance to the families of the two men whom I had disguised
as runners.
This done, once more Pharaoh spoke, slowly and with much meaning,
having first ordered that all attendants and guards should leave the
chamber. I was about to go also, but old Bakenkhonsu caught me by the
robe, saying that in my new rank of Councillor I had the right to
remain.
"Prince Seti," he said, "after all that I have heard, I find this
report of yours strange reading. Moreover, the tenor of it is
different indeed to that of those of the Count Amenmeses and the
officers. You counsel me to let these Israelites go where they will,
because of certain hardships that they have suffered in the past,
which hardships, however, have left them many and rich. That counsel I
am not minded to take. Rather am I minded to send an army to the land
of Goshen with orders to despatch this people, who conspired to murder
the Prince of Egypt, through the Gateway of the West, there to worship
their god in heaven or in hell. Aye, to slay them all from the
greybeard down to the suckling at the breast."
"I hear Pharaoh," said Seti, quietly.
"Such is my will," went on Meneptah, "and those who accompanied you
upon your business, and all my councillors think as I do, for truly
Egypt cannot bear so hideous a treason. Yet, according to our law and
custom it is needful, before such great acts of war and policy are
undertaken, that he who stands next to the throne, and is destined to
fill it, should give consent thereto. Do you consent, Prince of
Egypt?"
"I do not consent, Pharaoh. I think it would be a wicked deed that
tens of thousands should be massacred for the reason that a few fools
waylaid a man who chanced to be of royal blood, because by
inadvertence, he had desecrated their sanctuary."
Now I saw that this answer made Pharaoh wroth, for never before had
his will been crossed in such a fashion. Still he controlled himself,
and asked:
"Do you then consent, Prince, to a gentler sentence, namely that the
Hebrew people should be broken up; that the more dangerous of them
should be sent to labour in the desert mines and quarries, and the
rest distributed throughout Egypt, there to live as slaves?"
"I do not consent, Pharaoh. My poor counsel is written in yonder roll
and cannot be changed."
Meneptah's eyes flashed, but again he controlled himself, and asked:
"If you should come to fill this place of mine, Prince Seti, tell us,
here assembled, what policy will you pursue towards these Hebrews?"
"That policy, O Pharaoh, which I have counselled in the roll. If ever
I fill the throne, I shall let them go whither they will, taking their
goods with them."
Now all those present stared at him and murmured. But Pharaoh rose,
shaking with wrath. Seizing his robe where it was fastened at the
breast, he rent it, and cried in a terrible voice:
"Hear him, ye gods of Egypt! Hear this son of mine who defies me to my
face and would set your necks beneath the heel of a stranger god.
Prince Seti, in the presence of these royal ones, and these my
councillors, I----"
He said no more, for the Princess Userti, who till now had remained
silent, ran to him, and throwing her arms about him, began to whisper
in his ear. He hearkened to her, then sat himself down, and spoke
again:
"The Princess brings it to my mind that this is a great matter, one
not to be dealt with hastily. It may happen that when the Prince has
taken counsel with her, and with his own heart, and perchance has
sought the wisdom of the gods, he will change the words which have
passed his lips. I command you, Prince, to wait upon me here at this
same hour on the third day from this. Meanwhile, I command all
present, upon pain of death, to say nothing of what has passed within
these walls."
"I hear Pharaoh," said the Prince, bowing.
Meneptah rose to show that the Council was discharged, when the Vizier
Nehesi approached him, and asked:
"What of the Hebrew prisoners, O Pharaoh, those murderers who were
captured in the pass?"
"Their guilt is proved. Let them be beaten with rods till they die,
and if they have wives or children, let them be seized and sold as
slaves."
"Pharaoh's will be done!" said the Vizier.
