The heir frowned, and strode impatiently along the raised platform where his viceregal chair was standing. But the disciplined officers and the nobles grew silent, knowing that they could not trifle with the assistant of the war minister.
Meanwhile, in the court the immense and heavily armed Assyrian warriors stood in three ranks, opposite the half naked and slender warriors of Egypt. The two sides looked at each other like a band of tigers at a herd of rhinoceroses. In the hearts of each ancient hatred was smoldering. But command towered above hatred.
At that moment the elephants entered, the Egyptian and Assyrian trumpets roared, the troops of both armies raised their weapons, the people fell on their faces, while the Assyrian dignitaries, Sargon and Istubar, were descending from their litters.
In the hall Prince Ramses sat on an elevated chair beneath a baldachin, while at the entrance door appeared the herald.
"Most worthy lord," said he, turning to the heir, "the ambassador of the great King Assar, the renowned Sargon, and his associate, the pious prophet Istubar, desire to salute thee and render thee honor as viceroy and heir to the pharaoh, may he live through eternity!"
"Ask those dignitaries to enter and comfort my heart by the sight of their persons," answered the viceroy.
Sargon entered the hall with a clattering and clinking. He was dressed in a long green robe, thickly embroidered with gold. At his side, in a snow-white mantle, walked the devout Istubar, and behind them stately Assyrian lords carried gifts for the viceroy.
Sargon approached the elevation, and said in the Assyrian language, which an interpreter repeated in Egyptian immediately,
"I, Sargon, a leader, a satrap, and a relative of the most mighty King Assar, come to salute thee, O viceroy of the most mighty pharaoh, and in sign of eternal friendship I offer gifts to thee."
The heir rested his palms on his knees, and sat as motionless as the statues of his ancestors.