High Priest. Being a butcher, you know only how to kill.
The Pharaoh. Liar!
High Priest. Who made you Pharaoh?
The Pharaoh. Beware lest one day I have you thrown to my lions!
High Priest. Beware lest one day I strike the crown of the two Egypts from your head, telling the people the god has set his face against you! [A pause] Come, we must work together. We complete each other. To govern men, we have both the reality of the evils you inflict on them, and the hope of the good I promise them. Believe me, we must work together. The day that one of us disappears, the fate of the other will be in jeopardy—I perceive they make sign to me. They think our prayers are long and fervent. The hour is come for you to receive the acclamation of your people, and follow them to the shrine of Isis—when Satni will not prevent the miracle, I pledge my word to that.
The cortége comes on and goes out with Pharaoh. Satni is led before the High Priest.
High Priest. You know me again!
Satni [troubled] Yes, you are the High Priest.
High Priest [with sweet gentleness] I, too, I know you again. Your father is a potter. You were brought up and taught by us. In the crowd of neophytes I singled you out by your gentleness, your great intelligence; and I saw you destined for the highest dignities. I esteemed you, I was fond of you. We took you from wretchedness. What you know, for the most part, you owe to us. This thing that you have done should anger me—I am only sad, my son. [A pause] You are troubled.