CHAPTER LXII

In the beginning of the month Paofi (July, August) the pharaoh, Queen Nikotris, and the court returned from Thebes to the palace at Memphis.

Toward the end of the journey, which took place on the Nile this time also, Rameses fell into meditation often, and said once to Tutmosis,--

"I notice a strange thing. The people a.s.semble on both banks as numerously, and perhaps even more so than they did when we sailed up the river, but their shouts are far weaker, boats follow us in smaller numbers, and flowers are thrown from them stingily."

"Divine truth flows from thy lips, lord," replied Tutmosis. "Indeed the people look wearied, but great heat is the cause of that."

"Thou speakest wisely," said the pharaoh in praise, and his face brightened.

But Tutmosis did not believe his own words. He felt, and what was worse the whole retinue felt, that the ma.s.ses of men had grown somewhat cool in their love for the pharaoh. Whether this came from tales of the unfortunate illness of the sovereign, or from new intrigues, Tutmosis knew not; he felt certain, however, that the priests had had influence in producing that coolness.

"That is a stupid rabble," thought he, not restraining the contempt in his heart. "A short time ago they were drowning just to look at the face of his holiness, and to-day they are sparing their voices. Have they forgotten the seventh day for rest, or the land as property?"

Immediately after his arrival at the palace the pharaoh issued an order to a.s.semble delegates. At the same time he commanded officials devoted to him, and also the police, to begin an agitation against the priests and in favor of rest on the seventh day from labor.

Soon there was a buzzing in Lower Egypt as in a beehive. The common people claimed not only a day for repose, but payment for public labor. Artisans in inns and on the streets abused the priests for wishing to limit the sacred power of the pharaoh. The number of offenders increased, but criminals would not appear before any court.

Scribes grew timid, and no one dared strike a common man, knowing that he would avenge himself. No one brought offerings to a temple. Stones and mud were hurled more and more frequently at the G.o.ds guarding boundaries, and at times these G.o.ds were thrown down even. Fear fell on priests and nomarchs as well as their adherents. In vain did judges announce on the highroads and squares that, according to ancient laws, laborers, artisans, and even merchants were not to busy themselves with politics which withdrew them from bread-giving labor. The crowd, amid shouts and laughter, hurled rotten vegetables and date skins at heralds.

Meanwhile the most powerful gathered at the palace, and, prostrate before the pharaoh, begged for deliverance.

"We are," cried they, "as if the ground were opening under us, and as if the world were nearing its end! The elements are in confusion, men's minds are vexed, and if thou, lord, wilt not rescue us, our days are numbered."

"My treasury is empty, the army not numerous, the police have seen no salary this long time," replied the pharaoh. "If ye wish enduring peace and safety ye must find funds for me. But since my heart is troubled by your fear I will do what I can, and I hope to restore order."

In fact his holiness gave command to concentrate troops and dispose them at the most important points in the kingdom. At the same time he ordered Nitager to leave the eastern boundary to his a.s.sistant, and come himself with five chosen regiments to Memphis. This he did not so much to protect aristocrats from common people as to have at hand strong forces in case the high priests incited to rebellion Upper Egypt and the troops attached to temples.

On Paofi 10 there was a great movement in the palace and about it. The delegates who were to recognize the pharaoh's right to the treasures in the labyrinth had a.s.sembled, also a mult.i.tude of men who wished at least to look at the place of a solemnity rare in Egypt.

The procession of delegates began in the morning. In front went naked earth-tillers wearing white caps and girdles; each held in his hand a piece of coa.r.s.e cloth to cover his back in presence of the pharaoh.

Next advanced artisans dressed like the earth-tillers, from whom they differed in wearing finer cloth and narrow ap.r.o.ns covered with parti-colored embroidery. Third came merchants, some in wigs, all in long tunics and pelerines. Among them were some who had rich bracelets on their arms and legs, and rings on their fingers.

Next appeared officers in caps and wearing coats with girdles which were black and yellow, blue and white, blue and red. Two instead of coats had bronze breastplates. After a long interval appeared thirteen n.o.bles, wearing immense wigs and white robes which reached the pavement. After them advanced nomarchs in robes bordered with a purple stripe, and on their heads were coronets. The procession was closed by priests with shaven heads, and wearing panther skins over their shoulders.

The delegates entered the great hall of the pharaoh's palace where there were seven benches, one behind another, the highest for priests, the lowest for earth-tillers.

Soon appeared in a litter his holiness, Rameses XIII., before whom the delegates fell on their faces. When the lord of both worlds had taken his seat on a lofty throne, he permitted his faithful subjects to rise and occupy their places. Now Herhor, Mefres, and the overseer of the labyrinth, the latter carrying a box, entered and took their seats on lower thrones. A brilliant suite of generals surrounded the pharaoh, behind whom stood two high officials with fans of peac.o.c.k feathers.

"Truth-believing Egyptians," said the ruler of both worlds, "it is known to you that my court, my army, and my officials are in such need that the impoverished treasury cannot overcome it. Of expenses concerning my sacred person I speak not, since my food and dress are like those of a warrior; any general or chief scribe has more servants and women than I have."

Among those a.s.sembled a murmur of a.s.sent was heard.

"Hitherto the custom has been," continued the pharaoh, "that when the treasury needs funds, greater taxes are imposed on working people. I, who know my people and their needs, not only do not wish to add burdens, but would gladly lessen those which they now bear."

"Our lord, may thou live through eternity!" said some from the lowest benches.

"Happily for Egypt," said the pharaoh, "our kingdom has treasures through which we may improve the army, pay officials, help the people, and even pay all debts which we owe either to the temples or Phnicians. These treasures, collected by my glorious ancestors, are lying in the vaults of the labyrinth. But they can be taken only if all you right believers recognize as one man that Egypt is in need, and I, your lord, have the right to dispose of the treasures of my ancestors."

"We recognize! We entreat thee to take what is needed!" was the answer from all benches.

"Worthy Herhor," said the ruler, turning to him, "has the sacred priestly order aught to say in this question?"

"Very little," answered the high priest rising. "According to ancient laws the treasure of the labyrinth may be touched only when the state has no other means; such is not the position at present, however, for should the government wipe away the Phnician debts, which have risen from dishonest usury, not only would they fill thy treasury, holiness, but men working to-day for Phnicians would have respite from grievous labor."

On the benches of the delegates approbation was heard now a second time.

"Thy advice is keen, O holy man," replied the pharaoh, "but full of danger. Were my treasurer, the worthy nomarchs, and the n.o.bles, to erase what the state owes to creditors, they might omit one day to pay Phnicians, the next day they might forget to pay sums due the temples and the pharaoh. Who will a.s.sure me, that common men, encouraged by examples from the great, would not think that they, too, have the right to forget their duties toward the sovereign?"

The blow was so weighty that the most worthy Herhor bent and was silent.

"And thou, chief overseer of the labyrinth, what hast thou to say?"

asked Rameses.

"I have a box here," replied the overseer, "with white and black pebbles. Every delegate will receive two and will put one of them into a pitcher; whoso wishes thee, holiness, to break the treasure in the labyrinth will put in a black pebble; whoso wishes that the property of the G.o.ds be untouched will put in a white one."

"Agree not, O lord, to that," whispered the treasurer to the sovereign. "Let each delegate tell openly what he has on his soul."

"Let us respect ancient customs," interrupted Mefres.

"Yes, let them put pebbles into the pitcher," decided the pharaoh. "My heart is pure and my plans are unbending."

Holy Mefres and Herhor exchanged glances. The overseer of the labyrinth and two generals went around the benches and gave a white pebble and a black one to each delegate. The poor men from the common crowd were confused much at seeing before them such great dignitaries.

Some fell on the floor, did not dare to take the pebbles, and understood with great difficulty that they were to put only one pebble into the pitcher, a black or a white one.

"I wish to agree with the G.o.ds and his holiness," whispered an old shepherd.

At last the officials succeeded in explaining, and the common men in understanding what was needed. The voting began. Each delegate went to the pitcher and dropped in his pebble in such fashion that others did not see its color.

Meanwhile the chief treasurer knelt behind the throne, and whispered,--

"All is lost! If they had voted openly we should have unanimity; but now may my hand wither if there will not be twenty white pebbles in the pitcher."

"Be at rest, faithful servant," replied Rameses with a smile. "I have more regiments at hand than there will be voices against us."

"But to what purpose? to what purpose?" sighed the treasurer; "without unanimity they will not open the labyrinth."

Rameses smiled all the time.

The procession of delegates had finished. The overseer of the labyrinth raised the pitcher and poured out its contents on a golden tray.

Of ninety-one pebbles eighty-three were black and only eight white.

The generals and officials lost courage, the high priests looked at the a.s.sembly in triumph, but soon alarm seized them, for the face of Rameses had a gladsome expression.

No one dared to declare openly that the plan of his holiness had been defeated.