"As never before," replied Ramses.
"But I should like to sleep more."
Both bathed, put on their jackets and light mail, then mounted horses, which were tearing away from the equerries.
Soon the heir, with a small suite, left the city, and on the way passed slowly moving columns. The Nile had overflowed widely, and the prince wished to be present at the passage of fords and canals.
At sunrise the last army chariot was far outside the city, and the worthy nomarch of Pi-Bast said to his servants,
"I am going to sleep now, and woe to the man who rouses me before the hour of our feast in the evening! Even the divine sun rests when each day is past, while I have not lain down since the first day of Hator."
Before he had finished praising his own watchfulness, a police officer entered, and begged for a special hearing in a case of immense importance.
"Would that the earth had swallowed thee!" muttered the worthy nomarch.
But still he commanded to summon the officer, and inquired with ill- humor,
"Is it not possible to wait a few hours? The Nile will not run away, as it seems to me."