"O lord," groaned the treasurer, "why not act like thy eternally living ancestors. If the delegates had spoken openly we should now have a right to the treasure in the labyrinth."
"His worthiness speaks the truth," put in the chief scribe.
The pharaoh shook his head.
"Ye are mistaken. If all Egypt cried, 'give the funds in the labyrinth,' the priests would not give them."
"Then why disturb the priests by summoning delegates? This royal act has stirred them greatly, and given insolence to common men, who today are like a rising deluge."
"I have no fear of this deluge," said the pharaoh. "My regiments will be dams against it. The advantage of this delegation is evident, since it shows the weakness of my opponents: eighty-three for us, eight against us. It proves that if they can count on one corps I can rely on ten. Yield not to illusions; between me and the high priests war has begun already. They are the fortress which we have summoned to surrender. They have refused; we must storm the fortress."
"Live forever!" cried Tutmosis and Kalippos.
"Command us," said the chief scribe.
"This is my will," said Ramses. "Thou, O treasurer, wilt distribute one hundred talents among the police, the overseers of the laborers, and the mayors in the provinces of Seft, Neha-chent, Nehapechu, Sebt-Het, Aa, Ament, and Ka. In those same places you will give the innkeepers and the keepers of dramshops barley, wheat, and wine, whatever is at hand, so that common men may have meat and drink free of charge. Ye will do this immediately, so that there be supplies wherever needed till the 23d of Paofi."
The treasurer inclined to the pavement.