"Of that I doubt not," said Mentezufis. "But what dost Thou consider the profit of the state? Where are we to look for indications?"
"Why is the supreme council in existence?" asked Ramses, with feigned auger this time. "Ye say this council is made up of all the great sages. In that case let them take on themselves responsibility for a treaty which I should look on as a shame and as destruction."
"Whence dost Thou know, worthiness, that thy godlike father would not act in just such a manner?"
"Why ask me, then, of this matter? What investigation is this? Who gives you the right to pry into my heart?"
Ramses feigned to be so mightily indignant that the priests were satisfied.
"Thou speakest, prince," said Mefres, "as becomes a good Egyptian. Such a treaty would pain us, too; but danger to the state forces men to yield temporarily to circumstances."
"What forces you to yield?" cried the prince. "Have we lost a great battle, or have we no army?"
"The oarsmen on the boat in which Egypt is sailing through the river of eternity are gods," replied Mefres, with solemnity; "but the steersman is the Highest Lord of existence. The oarsmen stop frequently, or turn the boat so as to avoid dangerous eddies which we do not even notice. In such cases we need only patience and obedience, for which, later or earlier, a liberal reward will meet us, surpassing all that mortal man can imagine."
After this statement the priests took farewell. They were full of hope that the prince, though angry because of the treaty, would not break it, and would assure to Egypt the time of rest which she needed. After their departure the prince called his adjutant. When alone with Tutmosis, his long restrained auger and sorrow burst forth. He threw himself on a couch; he writhed like a serpent, he struck his head with his fists, and shed tears even.
The frightened Tutmosis waited till the access of rage had subsided; then he gave Ramses wine and water, and fumed him with calming perfumes; finally he sat near his lord and inquired the cause of this unmanly outburst.