In fact a number of Phoenicians, under the leadership of Rabsun, declared that, according to ancient custom they had made bold to lay an insignificant gift at the feet of the sovereign who gave life to them and security to their property.
Then they placed on the tables gold plates, chains, and goblets filled with jewels.
After that, Rabsun placed on the steps of the throne a tray with the papyrus by which the Phoenicians bound themselves to give all things necessary for the army to the amount of two thousand talents.
That was a considerable gift, since all that the Phoenicians had brought represented a sum of three thousand talents.
The pharaoh answered the faithful merchants very graciously, and promised protection. He dismissed them in happiness.
Ramses XIII drew a breath of relief: bankruptcy of the treasury, and therefore the need of using violent measures against the priests was deferred ten days longer.
In the evening, again, under the guardianship of Tutmosis, the worthy
Hiram stood in the cabinet of his holiness. This time he did not
complain of weariness, but he fell on his face and cursed the stupid
Dagon.
"I have learned," said he, "that that mangy fellow dared to remind thee, holiness, of our talk concerning the canal to the Red Sea. May he perish! May the leprosy devour him! May his children become swineherds and his grandchildren Hebrews. But do thou, sovereign, only command, and whatever wealth Phoenicia has she will lay at thy feet without bond or treaty. Are we Assyrians or priests," added he in a whisper, "that one word of such a mighty potentate should not suffice us?"
"But if I should require a really large sum?"
"Such as?"