"For some months," said he, "Ramses, O servant of the gods, Thou hast been inquiring why the income of his holiness is diminished. The wisdom of the gods has shown thee that not only the treasure has decreased but also the army, and that both those sources of royal power will decrease still further. And the end will be utter ruin for this country, unless heaven sends down a ruler who will stop the inundation of misery which for some hundreds of years is overwhelming Egypt.
"The treasury of the pharaohs was full when we had more land and people. We must win back from the desert the fertile lands which it has swallowed, and remove from the people those burdens which weaken and kill them."
The priests were alarmed again, lest Pentuer might mention scribes for the second time.
"Thou hast seen, prince, with thy own eyes and before witnesses, that in the epoch when people were well nourished, stalwart, and satisfied, the treasury of the pharaoh was full. But when people began to look wretched, when they were forced to plough with their wives and children, when lotus seed took the place of wheat and flesh, the treasury grew needy. If Thou wish therefore to bring the state to that power which it had before the wars of the nineteenth dynasty, if Thou desire that the pharaoh, his scribes, and his army should live in plenty, assure long peace to the land and prosperity to the people. Let grown persona eat flesh again and dress in embroidered garments, and let children, instead of groaning and dying under blows, play, or go to school.
"Remember, finally, that Egypt bears within its bosom a deadly serpent."
Those present listened with fear and curiosity.
"That serpent which is sucking at the blood of the people, the property of the nomarchs, and the power of the pharaoh is the Phoenician!"
"Away with the Phoenicians!" cried the priests. "Blot out all debts to them. Admit not their ships and merchants."
Silence was enforced by the high priest Mefres, who with tears in his eyes turned to Pentuer.
"I doubt not," said he, "that the holy Hator is speaking through thy lips to us. Not only because no man could be so wise and all-knowing as Thou art, but besides I have seen two flames, as horns, above thy forehead. I thank thee for the great words with which Thou hast dispelled our ignorance. I bless thee, and I pray the gods when I am summoned before them to make thee my advocate."