Ramses embraced Sarah, and seated her on the bench at his side.
"When an earth-tiller," said he, smiling, "is unable to bring in all his crops from the field before the overflow, his wife helps him. She helps him to milk cows too, she takes out food to the field for him, she washes the man on his return from labor. Hence the belief has come that woman can lighten man's troubles."
"Dost Thou not believe this, lord?"
"The cares of a prince," answered Ramses, "cannot be lightened by a woman, even by one as wise and powerful as my mother."
"In God's name, what are thy troubles? Tell me," insisted Sarah, drawing up to the shoulder of Prince Ramses. "According to our traditions, Adam left Paradise for Eve; and he was surely the greatest king in the most beautiful kingdom."
The prince became thoughtful.
"Our sages also teach," said he, "that man has often abandoned dignities for woman, but it has not been heard that any man ever achieved something great through a woman; unless he was a leader to whom a pharaoh gave his daughter, with a great dowry and high office. But a woman cannot help a man to reach a higher place or even help him out of troubles."
"This may be because she does not love as I do," whispered Sarah.
"Thy love for me is wonderful, I know that. Never hast Thou asked for gifts, or favored those who do not hesitate to seek success even under the beds of princes' favorites. Thou art milder than a lamb, and as calm as a night on the Nile. Thy kisses are like perfume from the land of Punt, and thy embrace as sweet as the sleep of a wearied laborer. I have no measure for thy beauty, or words for thy attractions. Thou art a marvel among women; women's lips are rich in trouble and their love is very costly. But with all thy perfection how canst Thou ease my troubles? Canst Thou cause his holiness to order a great expedition to the East and name me to command it? Canst Thou give me the army corps in Memphis, for which I asked, or wilt thou, in the pharaoh's name, make me governor of Lower Egypt? Or canst Thou bring all subjects of his holiness to think and feel as I, his most devoted subject?" Sarah dropped her hands on her knees, and whispered sadly, "True, I cannot do those things I can do nothing."
"Thou canst do much. Thou canst cheer me," replied Ramses, smiling. "I know that Thou hast learned to dance and sing. Take off those long robes, therefore, which become priestesses guarding fire, and array thyself in transparent muslin, as Phoenician dancers do. And so dance and fondle me as they."