"One word more," said he, mildly. "Is Egypt so weak that she cannot even mention the Assyrian tribute?"
He panted.
"If Egypt is so wretched," continued he, "then what assurance is there that Assyria will not attack us?"
"We may assure ourselves by a treaty," answered the priest.
The heir waved his hand.
"There are no treaties for the weak!" said he. "Silver tablets inscribed with agreements will not guard boundaries unless spears and swords stand behind them."
"But who has told thee, worthiness, that they will not stand on our land?"
"Thou thyself. One hundred and twenty thousand men must yield before three hundred thousand. Were Assyrians to come here, Egypt would be turned into a desert."
Mentezufis eyes flashed.
"If they were to invade us," cried he, "their bones would never touch their own country! We should arm all the nobles, all the regiments of laborers, even convicts in the quarries. We should take the treasures from all temples. And Assyria would meet five hundred thousand Egyptian warriors."