Ramses was obliged to confess in his soul that such a treaty would not be treason, but disregard toward him, the erpatr.
So then the priests treated him in this way, him who might be the pharaoh a year hence? That is why Pentuer criticized war, and Mefres supported him.
"When could that have happened, and where?" asked the prince.
"Very likely they concluded the treaty at night in the temple of Set at Memphis," answered Hiram. "And when? I know not exactly, but it seems to me that it took place when Thou wert setting out from Memphis."
"The wretches!" thought the viceroy. "That is how they respect my position! Some kind god made me doubt in the temple of Hator."
After a time of internal conflict he added,
"Impossible! I shall not believe till proof be given."
"Proof there will be," replied Hiram. "One of these days a great lord will come to Pi-Bast from Assyria, Sargon, the friend of King Assar. He will come under pretext of a pilgrimage to the temple of Astaroth, he will bring gifts to thee and to his holiness; then he will make a treaty. Ye will in fact put seals to that which the priests have determined to the ruin of Phoenicia, and perhaps to your own great misfortune."
"Never! What return could Assyria give Egypt?"
"That speech is worthy of a pharaoh. What return would Egypt get? Every treaty is good for a state if only something be gained through it. I am astonished specially by this," continued Hiram, "that Egypt should conclude a bad transaction: besides Phoenicia, Assyria will take almost all Asia, and to you will be left, in the form of a favor, the Israelites, the Philistines, and the peninsula of Sinai. In that case the tributes belonging to Egypt will be lost, and the pharaoh will never receive those hundred and five thousand talents."