He had no doubt now that a new region existed which differed in every way from Egypt: in mountains, trees, houses, bridges, ships.
"And that country has existed for ages undoubtedly," thought he; "our priests know of it, they know of its wealth, but say nothing. Evidently they are traitors who wish to limit the power of the pharaoh and impoverish him so as to push him down from the height of the throne afterward.
"But O ye my ancestors and my heirs," said he in spirit, "I call you to witness that I will put a limit to these iniquities; I will elevate wisdom, but I will stamp out deceit, and I will give Egypt hours of rest from labor."
Thinking thus, he raised his eyes and beheld Dagon waiting for an answer.
"Thy box is very curious," said he to the banker, "but this is not what
I asked of thee."
The Phoenician approached him on tiptoe and, kneeling before him, whispered,
"Deign holiness, to sign a treaty with the worthy Hiram, then Tyre and
Sidon will place all their treasures at thy feet."
Ramses frowned. He was displeased by the insolence of the Phoenicians who dared to lay down conditions to him; so he answered coldly,
"I will reflect and give Hiram my answer. Thou mayst withdraw, Dagon."
After the Phoenician had gone, Ramses meditated again; a reaction began in him,