"We have," replied the dignitary, "at this moment twenty thousand talents of value in the granaries, stables, storehouses, and chests, while taxes are coming in daily."
"But insurrections are breaking out daily," added the pharaoh. "What is our general income and outgo?"
"On the army we expend yearly twenty thousand talents; on the court two to three thousand talents monthly."
"Well, what further? And public works?"
"At present they are carried on without expense," said the treasurer, dropping his head.
"And the income?"
"We have as much as we expend," whispered the official.
"Then we have forty or fifty thousand talents yearly. And where is the rest?"
"Mortgaged to the Phoenicians, to certain bankers, to merchants, and to the temples."
"Well, but there is besides the inviolable treasure of the pharaohs in gold, platinum, and jewels; how much is that worth?"