But he calmed himself; that was only a formality, as ancient, in fact, as the Egyptian dynasties. It related not to judgment, but to praise of the departed.
At a sign given by Herhor the high priests took their seats on stools.
But neither the nomarchs nor the generals surrounding the throne of
Ramses were seated; there were not even stools for them.
The pharaoh fixed in his memory that insult also; 'but he had so mastered himself now that it was impossible to learn whether he noticed the disregard shown those near him.
Meanwhile the holy Mefres dwelt on the life of the deceased pharaoh.
"Ramses XII," said he, "did not commit any of the forty-two sins, hence the court of the gods pronounces a gracious verdict regarding him. And since, moreover, the royal mummy, thanks to the exceptional care of the priests, is provided with every amulet, prayer, direction, and spell, there is no doubt that the late pharaoh is now in the dwelling of the gods, sitting at the side of Osiris, and is himself Osiris.
"During his earthly life the divine nature of Ramses XII was made manifest. He reigned more than thirty years. He gave the people profound peace and erected or finished many temples. Besides, he was himself a high priest and surpassed in piety the most pious. During his reign honor to the gods and elevation of the sacred priestly order held the chief position. Therefore he was beloved of the heavenly powers, and one of the Theban gods, Khonsu, at the prayer of the pharaoh, was pleased to go to the country of Buchten, and expel an evil spirit from the king's daughter."
Mefres drew breath and continued,
"When I have shown your worthinesses that Ramses XII was a god, will ye inquire with what object that higher being came down to the Egyptian land and spent some tens of years here?
"He did so to reform the world, which, through decay of faith, is much corrupted. For who is occupied in devotion today, who thinks of obeying the will of the gods in our time?
"In the distant north we see the great Assyrian people who believe only in the power of the sword, and who, instead of giving themselves to devotion and wisdom, are subjecting other nations. Nearer to us are Phoenicians, whose god is gold, and whose worship is mere fraud and usury. There are others also: the Hittites on the East, the Libyans on the west, the Ethiopians on the south, and the Greeks of the Mediterranean, those are barbarians and robbers. Instead of toiling they rob, instead of working wisdom they drink, play dice, or sleep like tired animals.