"What is this?" asked Ramses of the nomarch, for this indifference of the throng touched the prince disagreeably.
"Here dwells Hiram," answered the nomarch, "a prince of Tyre, a man of great charity. Every day he distributes bountiful alms, therefore poor people rush to him."
Ramses turned on his horse, looked, and said,
"I see there laborers of the pharaoh. So they too go for alms to the rich Phoenician?"
The nomarch was silent. Happily they approached the official palace, and the prince forgot Hiram.
Feasts in honor of the viceroy continued a number of days in succession, but they did not please him. Gladness was lacking and disagreeable incidents happened.
One day a favorite of the prince was dancing before him; she burst into tears. Ramses seized her in his arms, and asked what her trouble was.
At first she hesitated, but emboldened by the kindness of her lord, she answered, shedding tears in still greater abundance,
"We are thy women, O ruler, we come from great families, and respect is due to us."
"Thou speakest truth," said Ramses.