"Lord," replied he, "I mil tell thee everything, but I abjure thee by thy crown, by the shade of thy father, not to discover the secret to any one. This is the greatest secret of the Chaldean and Egyptian priests, and even of Phoenicia. On it depends the future of the world."
"Well, well, Hiram," answered the pharaoh with a smile.
"To thee, O pharaoh," continued the Phoenician, "the gods have given wisdom, nobility, and energy, therefore, Thou art on our side. Thou, alone, of earthly rulers mayst be initiated, for Thou art the only one who will be able to accomplish great objects. For this reason Thou wilt have power such as no man has ever reached before thee."
Ramses felt the sweetness of pride in his heart, but he mastered his feelings.
"Praise me not for what I have not done; but explain to me what profit will come from this canal to Phoenicia and to Egypt?"
Hiram straightened himself in the chair, and began in a lowered voice,
"Know, lord, that east, north, and south of Assyria and Babylon are not morasses inhabited by strange monsters, but immense states and countries. Those countries are so great that thy foot warriors, O holiness, renowned for marching, would have to move eastward two years without halt before they could reach the end of them."
Ramses raised his brows like one who permits some man to lie, but knows that he is lying.
"Southeast of Babylon, ac the great sea, dwell one hundred millions of people who have mighty kings, who have priests wiser than those of Egypt, who have ancient books, and skilled artisans. Those people know how to make woven stuffs, implements and vessels as beautiful as those of the Egyptians, and from time immemorial they have temples above ground and underground, which are grander, richer, and larger than the temples of Egypt."
"Speak on, speak on!" said the pharaoh. But it was impossible to learn from his face whether his curiosity was roused by the description, or he was indignant at the untruth of the Phoenician.