"In those countries," continued Hiram, "are pearls, precious stones, gold, copper; in those countries grow the most curious grains, flowers, and fruits; finally they have forests where a man might wander whole months among trees thicker than the columns in the temples of Egypt and taller than palms. The inhabitants of those countries are mild and simple. And, holiness, if Thou wouldst send thither two regiments on ships, Thou wouldst be able to win an area of land larger than Egypt, richer than the treasures of the labyrinth. If Thou permit, I will send thee to-morrow specimens of the woven stuffs of those regions, with bronzes and woods from them. I will send also two grains of a wondrous balsam from those countries; if a man swallows this balsam, it opens the gates of eternity before him, and he experiences the happiness which falls to divinities only."
"I beg thee to send specimens of the stuffs, and the utensils. As to the balsam, never mind! We shall enjoy eternity and the gods without it sufficiently after death."
"But far, very far east of Assyria," added Hiram, "lie still greater countries, countries which have two hundred millions of inhabitants."
"How easy millions come to you Phoenicians," laughed Ramses.
Hiram placed his baud on his heart.
"I swear," said he, "by the souls of my ancestors, and by my honor that
I am telling truth."
The pharaoh was moved; such a great oath arrested his attention.
"Speak on speak!" said he.
"These last lands," continued the Phoenician, "are very wonderful. They are inhabited by people with yellow skin and sloping eyes. Those people have a sovereign who is called the Son of Heaven, and he governs through sages, who are not priests, however, and have not such power as priests have in Egypt. Still those people are like the Egyptians. They honor dead ancestors and take great care of their remains. They use writing which calls to mind the writing of Egyptian priests. But they wear long robes of such stuffs as are unknown in this country; they have sandals which are like little benches, and they cover their heads with pointed boxes. The roofs of their houses are pointed too at the top, and are turned up at the edges.
"Those uncommon people have a grain which is more plentiful than Egyptian wheat, and they make of it a drink which is stronger than wine. They have a plant the leaves of which give strength to the members, gladness to the mind, and which enables them even to dispense with sleep. They have paper which they adorn with many colored images, and they have clay which after it is burned shines like glass, and is as resonant as metal.