"Our sages and great men," said she to Ramses, "would forgive me. But the common people would call the vengeance of the gods on my head, and thou, lord, knowest that the gods have long hands."
"May they not lose these hands in thrusting them under my roof," said
Ramses.
But he did not insist greatly, as his attention was much occupied at that juncture.
The Assyrian ambassadors, Sargon and Istubar, had gone to Memphis to put their names to the treaty. At the same time the pharaoh had summoned Ramses to give a report of his journey.
The prince commanded his scribes to write accurately of all that had happened from the time of leaving Memphis; hence the review of artisans, the visits to fields and factories, the conversations with nomarchs and officials. To present the report he appointed Tutmosis.
"Thou wilt be heart and lips for me before the face of the pharaoh," said the prince to him, "and this is what Thou must do there.
"When the most worthy Herhor asks what, to my thinking, causes the poverty of Egypt and the treasury, tell the minister to turn to his assistant, Pentuer, and he will explain my views in the same way that he did his own in the temple of Hator.
"When Herhor wishes to know my opinion of a treaty with Assyria, answer that my duty is to carry out the commands of my master."
Tutmosis nodded in sign that he comprehended.
"But," continued the heir, "when Thou shalt stand in the presence of my father, may he live through eternity! and convince thyself that no one is listening, fall at his feet in my name, and say,