Now Pharaoh's ancient Steward loved me well,
And Nefrekepta too; and it befell,
One day he watched me and the second day
He spoke: 'Ahure, surely I can spell
A story that is written in four eyes.
Thou lovest Nefrekepta and likewise
He loveth thee.' And I cried out: 'O friend,
Speak unto Pharaoh quick, ere this day dies!
Pray that he give me to my cousin straight,
Nor seek to make us two live separate.'
And he said: 'I will speak; for so the law
Commandeth, by long ages consecrate;
The King's sons wed the daughters of the King.'
Then all my heart was like a water-spring
Leaping; and soon he went and soon returned
Sad, and reported of his counselling:
'I spake to Pharaoh, saying: "Lord, may life
Like Ra's be thine and glory in all strife!
Is it not meet that Nefrekepta take
By ancient rule Ahure to his wife?
Let Pharaoh wed with Pharaoh; so shall pure
Pharaoh be born:—the rule doth still endure."
And Pharaoh spoke not, but his brow grew dark
With trouble; and I said: "O King, for sure
Thou hast some grief; say what doth vex thy brow?"
And Pharaoh said: "None vexeth me but thou.
I have but two, and if those two be wed
All Pharaoh's fruit is hanging on one bough.
Nay, search and find me one great war-lord's son,
Another war-lord's daughter. With the one
And other let these children twain be wed.
So Pharaoh's line on many threads shall run."
Next day the hours passed and the feast was set
Before the King; and I was called ere yet
The Lords came. And I stood before the King
Not as of old, my heart being desolate.
And Pharaoh spake: 'Ahure, was it thou
Didst send that message that hath made my brow
Troubled, that with thy brother thou wouldst wed?'
And I said: 'Hath the King not made a vow,