“Glory to the city of Abydos, that preserved thy fair head, Osiris.
“Glory to thee, city of Memphis, where we did find the right hand of the great god,—the hand of war and protection.
“And to thee also, O city of Sais, that didst harbour the left hand of the radiant god,—the hand of justice.
“And be thou blessed, city of Thebes, where the heart of On-Nefer-Hophra did repose.”
Thus did the goddess make the round of the entire temple, coming back to the altar, and more and more passionate and loud did the singing of the chorus become. A sacred exaltation was taking possession of the priests and those praying. All the parts of the body of Osiris had Isis found, save one,—the sacred Phallus, impregnating the maternal womb, creating new life eternal. Now was approaching the grandest act in the mystery of Osiris and Isis....
“Is it thou, Eliab?” the queen asked the youth, who had quietly entered the door.
In the darkness near the couch he noiselessly sank at her feet and pressed to his lips the hem of her raiment. And the queen felt him weeping with rapture, shame, and desire. Lowering her hand upon his curly, tousled head, the queen uttered:
“Tell me, Eliab, all that thou knowest of the king and this girl of the vineyard.”
“How thou dost love him, O queen!” said Eliab with a bitter moan.