"First of all," said the prince, "answer what I ask; for how think of temples and canals when the treasury is empty? The greatest misfortune has befallen Egypt: its rulers are threatened with indigence. We must examine this, first of all, and cure it; after that the rest will come easily."
"This, prince, Thou wilt learn only in temples, at the foot of the altar," said the high priest. "There alone can thy noble curiosity be pacified."
Ramses started up with impatience.
"Before thy eyes, worthy father, the temple hides the whole country, even the treasury of the pharaoh. I am, for that matter, a priestly pupil. I was reared in the shadow of a temple, I know the secret of the spectacles in which the malice of Set is represented, with the death and re-birth of Osiris, and what does that profit me? When my father asks how to replenish the treasury, I can give him no answer. Should I persuade him to pray longer and oftener than he does at the present?"
"Prince, Thou art blaspheming, Thou knowest not the high ceremonies of religion. If Thou knew them Thou couldst answer many questions which torment thee; and hadst Thou seen that which I have, Thou wouldst know that the highest interest of Egypt is to support priests and temples."
"Men in old age become children," thought Ramses; and he stopped the conversation.
Mefres had been very pious at all times, but he had then grown eccentric.
"I should end well," thought Ramses, "if I yielded to priests and assisted at puerile ceremonies. Perhaps Mefres would even command me to stand for whole hours at an altar, as he himself does, beyond doubt, while expecting a miracle."
In the month Pharmuthi (end of January and beginning of February) the prince took leave of Otoes, before starting for Hak, the next province. He thanked the nomarchs and lords for their splendid reception, but at heart he was sad, for he knew that he had not mastered the problem put forth by his father.
Escorted by the family and court of Otoes, the prince with his retinue crossed to the right bank of the river, where he was greeted by Ranuzer, the worthy nomarch, together with the lords and the priests of his province.