"He is that famous pilgrim who has come from Babylon, the worthy
Sargon."
"But he is an old grandfather!"
"His years are surely more than thine and mine together; but he is a stately person."
"Could such a barbarian be stately!" said the indignant viceroy. "I am certain that he bears about the smell of tallow."
Both were silent: the prince from anger, Tutmosis from fear because he had dared to praise a man whom Ramses hated.
Meanwhile spectacle followed spectacle on the arena. In turn appeared acrobats, serpent-charmers, dancers, buffoons, and jesters, who called forth shouts from the audience.
But Ramses was gloomy. In his soul sprang up, moment after moment, passions which had been dormant, hatred for Assyrians and jealousy of Kama.
"How can that woman," thought he, "fondle up to an old man who has a complexion like tanned leather, wild black eyes, and the beard of a he- goat?"
But once the prince turned a more attentive look on the arena.
A number of naked Chaldeans entered. The oldest fixed in the earth three short spears, points upward; then, with motions of his hands, he put the youngest man to sleep. After that others took the sleeping man and placed him on the spears in such fashion that one of the spears supported his head, another his loins, and the third his feet.