Ramses passed along hastily, not looking around, though some of the wounded men shouted feebly in his honor.
Not far from that place he met the first crowd of prisoners. They fell on their faces before him and begged for compassion.
"Proclaim pardon to the conquered and the obedient," said he to his staff.
A number of horsemen rushed off in various directions. Soon a trumpet was heard, and after it a piercing voice,
"By the order of his worthiness the prince in command, prisoners and wounded are not to be slain!"
In answer came wild shouts, evidently from prisoners.
"At command of the prince," a second voice cried in singing tones in another direction, "prisoners and wounded are not to be slain!"
Meanwhile on the southern heights the battle ceased and two of the largest Libyan divisions laid down their arms before the Greek regiments.
The valiant Patrokles, in consequence of the heat, as he said himself of ardent drink, as thought others barely held himself in the saddle. He rubbed his tearful eyes, and turned to the prisoners.
"Mangy dogs!" cried he, "who raise sinful hands on the army of his holiness (may the worms devour you)! Ye will perish like lice under the nail of a pious Egyptian, if ye do not tell this minute where your leader is, may leprosy eat off his nose and drink his blear eyes out!"