"Because," replied he, sighing, "not all priests are sages, not all have noble hearts."
"That is it!" exclaimed the pharaoh.
"And now tell me, Thou who art a son of earth tillers, and knowest that among priests there are fools and rioters, tell me, why Thou art unwilling to serve me in a struggle against the priesthood? Thou knowest that I cannot improve the lot of the working man unless first I teach the priests obedience to my orders."
Pentuer wrung his hands.
"O lord," replied he, "a struggle with the priesthood is godless and dangerous. More than one pharaoh began it, and was unable to finish."
"Because he was not supported by sages like thee!" burst out Ramses. "And, indeed, I shall never understand why wise and honest priests bind themselves to a band of rogues, such as the majority of this class are."
Pentuer shook his head and began slowly, "During thirty thousand years the sacred order of priests has nursed Egypt and made the country the wonder of the world, which it is at present. And how have the priests, in spite of their faults, been able to do this? Because they are the lamp in which burns the light of wisdom.
"This lamp may be foul, even malodorous; still it preserves the divine fire, without which darkness and savagery would prevail among people.
"Thou speakest, lord, of a struggle with the priesthood," continued Pentuer. "How can that profit me? If Thou lose I shall be unhappy, for Thou wilt not improve the lot of the worker. And if Thou win? May I not live to that! for shouldst Thou break the lamp, who knows whether Thou wouldst not put out the fire of wisdom which for thousands of years has illuminated Egypt and mankind.
"These, lord, are the reasons why I will not take part in thy struggle with the sacred order of priests. I feel that the struggle is approaching, and I suffer because such a worm as I am unable to prevent it. But I will not participate, for I should have to betray either thee, or the God, the creator of wisdom."