"Wouldst thou, then, O sovereign, venture to rear in our land Assyrian edifices and imitate a people which Egypt contemns and despises?"
In spite of Sem's explanation, even now Ramses judged that the Assyrian palaces surpassed those of Egypt in beauty. But he so hated the Assyrians that his heart began to hesitate.
"In that case," said he, "I will defer the building of my tomb and the temple. But do ye sages who are kindly disposed toward me, think over plans of edifices which would give my name to the remotest generations."
"A superhuman pride fills the soul of this young man!" thought the high priest, and he took farewell of the pharaoh in sadness.
CHAPTER LX
MEANWHILE Pentuer made ready to revisit Lower Egypt and find on the one hand thirteen delegates from among land-tillers and artisans for the pharaoh, and on the other to encourage the working population to demand the relief which the new sovereign had promised, for according to his conviction the greatest question for Egypt was to abolish the injustice and the abuses to which the toiling people were subject.
Still, Pentuer was a priest, and not only did he not desire the fall of his order, but he did not even wish to break the bonds which connected him with it. Hence to emphasize his loyalty he went to take farewell of Herhor.
The once mighty dignitary received him with a smile.
"A rare guest a rare guest!" exclaimed he. "Since Thou hadst the desire to become the counselor of his holiness Thou dost not show thyself before me. True, Thou art not the only one! But whatever happens, I shall not forget thy services, wert Thou even to avoid me still more than at present."
"Worthiness, I am not a counselor of our lord, nor do I avoid thee to whose favor I am indebted for what I am today."