"Sometimes three and four days. But sometimes he springs up for a couple of hours, and drops suddenly, like a vulture pierced with an arrow. That happens very rarely."
The prince became gloomy, though he did not lose courage. The priest, drawing from under his mantle a little green flask, said,
"Here is an elixir. It should last thee a number of days. Whenever Thou art afraid, or feel drowsy, drink a drop. In that way Thou wilt be strengthened and endure."
"But thou, and the others?"
"My fate is in the hands of the One. As to the rest of the people, they are not heirs to the throne of Egypt."
"I do not wish this liquid!" cried the prince, pushing away the little bottle.
"Thou must take it!" said Pentuer. "Remember that the Egyptian people have fixed their hopes on thee. Remember that on thee is their blessing."
The black cloud had covered half the sky, and the hot wind blew with such force that the prince and priest had to go to the foot of the cliff.
"The Egyptian people? their blessing?" repeated Ramses.
All at once he called out,