"Eunana?" repeated the sovereign. "Yes, I remember him. He caused us trouble with his beetles, but got fifty blows of a stick through Herhor. And Thou sayst that he complains of the priests? Bring him hither."
The pharaoh told Samentu to go into the second division of the tent.
The unfortunate officer soon showed himself. He fell with his face to the earth, and then kneeling, and sighing, continued,
"I pray every day at his rising and setting to Re Harmachis, and to Amon, and Re, and Ptah, and to other gods and goddesses, for thy health, O sovereign of Egypt! That Thou live! That Thou have success, and that I might see even the splendor of thy heel." [Authentic]
"What does he wish?" asked the pharaoh of Tutmosis, observing etiquette for the first time.
"His holiness is pleased to inquire what thy wish is?" repeated
Tutmosis.
The deceitful Eunana, remaining on his knees, turned toward the favorite, and said,
"Thou art the ear and eye of the land; Thou givest delight and life, hence I will answer thee as at the judgment of Osiris: I have served in the priests' regiment of the divine Isis ten years; I have fought six years on the eastern boundary. Men of my age are commanders of thousands, but I am only a centurion. I receive blows of sticks at command of the god-fearing priests. And why is such injustice done me? In the day-time I think of books, and at night I read them, since the fool who leaves books as quickly as a gazelle takes to flight is of low mind; he is like the ass which receives lashes, like the deaf man who does not hear, and with whom one must speak with his fingers. In spite of my love for science I am not puffed up with my own knowledge, but I take counsel with all, for from each man it is possible to learn something, and I surround with my esteem worthy sages."
The pharaoh moved impatiently, but listened on, knowing that an Egyptian considered garrulousness as his duty and the highest honor to superiors.
"This is what I am," said Eunana. "In a strange house I look not at women. I give my attendants to eat what is proper, but when my turn comes I dispute not about the division. I have a face which is satisfied at all times, and in presence of superiors I act respectfully. I never sit in the presence of an older man standing; I am not forward, and without invitation I go not into other men's houses. I am silent touching that which my eyes see, for I know that we are deaf to men who use many words.