CHAPTER VIII
SETI COUNSELS PHARAOH
Dream upon dream. Dreams of voices, dreams of faces, dreams of sunlightand of moonlight and of myself being borne forward, always forward;dreams of shouting crowds, and, above all, dreams of Merapi's eyeslooking down on me like two watching stars from heaven. Then at last theawakening, and with it throbs of pain and qualms of sickness.
At first I thought that I was dead and lying in a tomb. Then by degreesI saw that I was in no tomb but in a darkened room that was familiarto me, my own room in Seti's palace at Tanis. It must be so, forthere, near to the bed on which I lay, was my own chest filled with themanuscripts that I had brought from Memphis. I tried to lift my lefthand, but could not, and looking down saw that the arm was bandaged liketo that of a mummy, which made me think again that I must be dead, ifthe dead could suffer so much pain. I closed my eyes and thought orslept a while.
As I lay thus I heard voices. One of them seemed to be that of aphysician, who said, "Yes, he will live and ere long recover. The blowupon the head which has made him senseless for so many days was theworst of his wounds, but the bone was but bruised, not shattered ordriven in upon the brain. The flesh cuts on his arms are healing well,and the mail he wore protected his vitals from being pierced."
"I am glad, physician," answered a voice that I knew to be that ofUserti, "since without a doubt, had it not been for Ana, his Highnesswould have perished. It is strange that one whom I thought to be nothingbut a dreaming scribe should have shown himself so brave a warrior. ThePrince says that this Ana killed three of those dogs with his own hands,and wounded others."
"It was well done, your Highness," answered the physician, "but stillbetter was his forethought in providing a rear-guard and in despatchingthe charioteer to call it up. It seems to have been the Hebrew lady whoreally saved the life of his Highness, when, forgetting her sex, shestabbed the murderer who had him by the throat."
"That is the Prince's tale, or so I understand," she answered coldly."Yet it seems strange that a weak and worn-out girl could have pierced agiant through from back to breast."
"At least she warned him of the ambush, your Highness."
"So they say. Perhaps Ana here will soon tell us the truth about thesematters. Tend him well, physician, and you shall not lack for yourreward."
Then they went away, still talking, and I lay quiet, filled withthankfulness and wonder, for now everything came back to me.
A while later, as I lay with my eyes still shut, for even that low lightseemed to hurt them, I became aware of a woman's soft step stealinground my bed and of a fragrance such as comes from a woman's robes andhair. I looked and saw Merapi's star-like eyes gazing down on me just asI had seen them in my dreams.
"Greeting, Moon of Israel," I said. "Of a truth we meet again in strangecase."
"Oh!" she whispered, "are you awake at last? I thank God, Scribe Ana,who for three days thought that you must die."
"As, had it not been for you, Lady, surely I should have done--I andanother. Now it seems that all three of us will live."
"Would that but two lived, the Prince and you, Ana. Would that _I_ haddied," she answered, sighing heavily.
"Why?"
"Cannot you guess? Because I am outcast who has betrayed my people.Because their blood flows between me and them. For I killed thatman, and he was my own kinsman, for the sake of an Egyptian--I mean,Egyptians. Therefore the curse of Jahveh is on me, and as my kinsmandied doubtless I shall die in a day to come, and afterwards--what?"
"Afterwards peace and great reward, if there be justice in earth orheaven, O most noble among women."
"Would that I could think so! Hush, I hear steps. Drink this; I am thechief of your nurses, Scribe Ana, an honourable post, since to-day allEgypt loves and praises you."
"Surely it is you, lady Merapi, whom all Egypt should love and praise,"I answered.
Then the Prince Seti entered. I strove to salute him by lifting my lessinjured arm, but he caught my hand and pressed it tenderly.
"Hail to you, beloved of Menthu, god of war," he said, with his pleasantlaugh. "I thought I had hired a scribe, and lo! in this scribe I find asoldier who might be an army's boast."
At this moment he caught sight of Merapi, who had moved back into theshadow.
"Hail to you also, Moon of Israel," he said bowing. "If I name Ana herea warrior of the best, what name can both of us find for you to whom weowe our lives? Nay, look not down, but answer."
"Prince of Egypt," she replied confusedly, "I did but little. The plotcame to my ears through Jabez my uncle, and I fled away and, knowingthe short paths from childhood, was just in time. Had I stayed to thinkperchance I should not have dared."
"And what of the rest, Lady? What of the Hebrew who was choking me andof a certain sword thrust that loosed his hands for ever?"
"Of that, your Highness, I can recall nothing, or very little," then,doubtless remembering what she had just said to me, she made obeisanceand passed from the chamber.
"She can tell falsehoods as sweetly as she does all else," said Seti,when he had watched her go. "Oh! what a woman have we here, Ana. Perfectin beauty, perfect in courage, perfect in mind. Where are her faults, Iwonder? Let it be your part to search them out, since I find none."
"Ask them of Ki, O Prince. He is a very great magician, so great thatperhaps his art may even avail to discover what a woman seeks to hide.Also you may remember that he gave you certain warnings before wejourneyed to Goshen."
"Yes--he told me that my life would be in danger, as certainly it was.There he was right. He told me also that I should see a woman whom Ishould come to love. There he was wrong. I have seen no such woman. Oh!I know well what is passing in your mind. Because I hold the lady Merapito be beautiful and brave, you think that I love her. But it is not so.I love no woman, except, of course, her Highness. Ana, you judge me byyourself."
"Ki said 'come to love,' Prince. There is yet time."
"Not so, Ana. If one loves, one loves at once. Soon I shall be old andshe will be fat and ugly, and how can one love then? Get well quickly,Ana, for I wish you to help me with my report to Pharaoh. I shall tellhim that I think these Israelites are much oppressed and that he shouldmake them amends and let them go."
"What will Pharaoh say to that after they have just tried to kill hisheir?"
"I think Pharaoh will be angry, and so will the people of Egypt, who donot reason well. He will not see that, believing what they do, Labanand his band were right to try to kill me who, however unwittingly,desecrated the sanctuary of their god. Had they done otherwise theywould have been no good Hebrews, and for my part I cannot bear themmalice. Yet all Egypt is afire about this business and cries out thatthe Israelites should be destroyed."
"It seems to me, Prince, that whatever may be the case with Ki's secondprophecy, his third is in the way of fulfilment--namely that thisjourney to Goshen may cause you to risk your throne."
He shrugged his shoulders and answered:
"Not even for that, Ana, will I say to Pharaoh what is not in my mind.But let that matter be till you are stronger."
"What chanced at the end of the fight, Prince, and how came I here?"
"The guard killed most of the Hebrews who remained alive. Some few fledand escaped in the darkness, among them Laban their leader, although youhad wounded him, and six were taken alive. They await their trial. I wasbut little hurt and you, whom we thought dead, were but senseless, andsenseless or wandering you have remained till this hour. We carried youin a litter, and here you have been these three days."
"And the lady Merapi?"
"We set her in a chariot and brought her to the city, since had we lefther she would certainly have been murdered by her people. When Pharaohheard what she had done, as I did not think it well that she shoulddwell here, he gave her the small house in this garden that she mightbe guarded, and with it slave women to attend upon her. So there shedwells, having the freedom of the palace, and all the while has filledthe offic
e of your nurse."
At this moment I grew faint and shut my eyes. When I opened them again,the Prince had gone. Six more days went by before I was allowed to leavemy bed, and during this time I saw much of Merapi. She was very sad andlived in fear of being killed by the Hebrews. Also she was troubled inher heart because she thought she had betrayed her faith and people.
"At least you are rid of Laban," I said.
"Never shall I be rid of him while we both live," she answered. "Ibelong to him and he will not loose my bond, because his heart is set onme."
"And is your heart set on him?" I asked.
Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.
"A woman may not have a heart. Oh! Ana, I am unhappy," she answered, andwent away.
Also I saw others. The Princess came to visit me. She thanked me muchbecause I had fulfilled my promise to her and guarded the Prince.Moreover she brought me a gift of gold from Pharaoh, and other gifts offine raiment from herself. She questioned me closely about Merapi, ofwhom I could see she was already jealous, and was glad when she learnedthat she was affianced to a Hebrew. Old Bakenkhonsu came too, and askedme many things about the Prince, the Hebrews and Merapi, especiallyMerapi, of whose deeds, he said, all Egypt was talking, questions that Ianswered as best I could.
"Here we have that woman of whom Ki told us," he said, "she who shallbring so much joy and so much sorrow to the Prince of Egypt."
"Why so?" I asked. "He has not taken her into his house, nor do I thinkthat he means to do so."
"Yet he will, Ana, whether he means it or not. For his sake she betrayedher people, which among the Israelites is a deadly crime. Twice shesaved his life, once by warning him of the ambush, and again by stabbingwith her own hands one of her kinsmen who was murdering him. Is it notso? Tell me; you were there."
"It is so, but what then?"
"This: that whatever she may say, she loves him; unless indeed, it isyou whom she loves," and he looked at me shrewdly.
"When a woman has a prince, and such a prince to her hand, would shetrouble herself to set snares to catch a scribe?" I asked, with somebitterness.
"Oho!" he said, with one of his great laughs, "so things stand thus, dothey? Well, I thought it, but, friend Ana, be warned in time. Do not tryto conjure down the Moon to be your household lamp lest she should set,and the Sun, her lord, should grow wroth and burn you up. Well, sheloves him, and therefore soon or late she will make him love her, beingwhat she is."
"How, Bakenkhonsu?"
"With most men, Ana, it would be simple. A sigh, some half-hidden tearsat the right moment, and the thing is done, as I have known it done athousand times. But this prince being what he is, it may be otherwise.She may show him that her name is gone from him; that because of him sheis hated by her people, and rejected by her god, and thus stir his pity,which is Love's own sister. Or mayhap, being also, as I am told, wise,she will give him counsel as to all these matters of the Israelites, andthus creep into his heart under the guise of friendship, and then hersweetness and her beauty will do the rest in Nature's way. At least bythis road or by that, upstream or downstream, thither she will come."
"If so, what of it? It is the custom of the kings of Egypt to have morewives than one."
"This, Ana; Seti, I think, is a man who in truth will have but one, andthat one will be this Hebrew. Yes, a Hebrew woman will rule Egypt, andturn him to the worship of her god, for never will she worship ours.Indeed, when they see that she is lost to them, her people will use herthus. Or perchance her god himself will use her to fulfil his purpose,as already he may have used her."
"And afterwards, Bakenkhonsu?"
"Afterwards--who knows? I am not a magician, at least not one of anyaccount, ask it of Ki. But I am very, very old and I have watched theworld, and I tell you that these things will happen, unless----" and hepaused.
"Unless what?"
He dropped his voice.
"Unless Userti is bolder than I think, and kills her first or, betterstill, procures some Hebrew to kill her--say, that cast-off loverof hers. If you would be a friend to Pharaoh and to Egypt, you mightwhisper it in her ear, Ana."
"Never!" I answered angrily.
"I did not think you would, Ana, who also struggle in this net ofmoonbeams that is stronger and more real than any twisted out of palmor flax. Well, nor will I, who in my age love to watch such human sportand, being so near to them, fear to thwart the schemes of gods. Let thisscroll unroll itself as it will, and when it is open, read it, Ana, andremember what I said to you this day. It will be a pretty tale, writtenat the end with blood for ink. Oho! O-ho-ho!" and, laughing, he hobbledfrom the room, leaving me frightened.
Moreover the Prince visited me every day, and even before I left my bedbegan to dictate to me his report to Pharaoh, since he would employ noother scribe. The substance of it was what he had foreshadowed, namelythat the people of Israel, having suffered much for generations atthe hands of the Egyptians, should now be allowed to depart as theirprophets demanded, and go whither they would unharmed. Of the attackupon us in the pass he made light, saying it was the evil work of a fewzealots wrought on by fancied insult to their god, a deed for which thewhole people should not be called upon to suffer. The last words of thereport were:
"Remember, O Pharaoh, I pray thee, that Amon, god of the Egyptians,and Jahveh, the god of the Israelites, cannot rule together in the sameland. If both abide in Egypt there will be a war of the gods whereinmortals may be ground to dust. Therefore, I pray thee, let Israel go."
After I had risen and was recovered, I copied out this report in myfairest writing, refusing to tell any of its purport, although allasked, among them the Vizier Nehesi, who offered me a bribe to discloseits secret. This came to the ears of Seti, I know not how, and he wasmuch pleased with me about the matter, saying he rejoiced to find thatthere was one scribe in Egypt who could not be bought. Userti alsoquestioned me, and when I refused to answer, strange to say, was notangry, because, she declared, I only did my duty.
At last the roll was finished and sealed, and the Prince with his ownhand, but without speaking, laid it on the knees of Pharaoh at a publicCourt, for this he would trust no one else to do. Amenmeses also broughtup his report, as did Nehesi the Vizier, and the Captain of the guardwhich saved us from death. Eight days later the Prince was summoned to agreat Council of State, as were all others of the royal House, togetherwith the high officers. I too received a summons, as one who had beenconcerned in these matters.
The Prince, accompanied by the Princess, drove to the palace inPharaoh's golden chariot, drawn by two milk-white horses of the blood ofthose famous steeds that had saved the life of the great Rameses in theSyrian war. All down the streets, that were filled with thousands of thepeople, they were received with shouts of welcome.
"See," said the old councillor Bakenkhonsu, who was my companion in asecond chariot, "Egypt is proud and glad. It thought that its Prince wasbut a dreamer of dreams. But now it has heard the tale of the ambush inthe pass and learned that he is a man of war, a warrior who can fightwith the best. Therefore it loves him and rejoices."
"Then, by the same rule, Bakenkhonsu, a butcher should be more greatthan the wisest of scribes."
"So he is, Ana, especially if the butcher be one of men. The writercreates, but the slayer kills, and in a world ruled of death he whokills has more honour than he who creates. Hearken, now they areshouting out your name. Is that because you are the author of certainwritings? I tell you, No. It is because you killed three men yonder inthe pass. If you would become famous and beloved, Ana, cease from thewriting of books and take to the cutting of throats."
"Yet the writer still lives when he is dead."
"Oho!" laughed Bakenkhonsu, "you are even more foolish than I thought.How is a man advantaged by what happens when he is dead? Why, to-daythat blind beggar whining on the temple steps means more to Egypt thanall the mummies of all the Pharaohs, unless they can be robbed. Takewhat life can give you, Ana, and do not trouble about the offer
ingswhich are laid in the tombs for time to crumble."
"That is a mean faith, Bakenkhonsu."
"Very mean, Ana, like all else that we can taste and handle. A meanfaith suited to mean hearts, among whom should be reckoned all save onein every thousand. Yet, if you would prosper, follow it, and when youare dead I will come and laugh upon your grave, and say, 'Here lies oneof whom I had hoped higher things, as I hope them of your master.'"
"And not in vain, Bakenkhonsu, whatever may happen to the servant."
"That we shall learn, and ere long, I think. I wonder who will ride athis side before the next Nile flood. By then, perchance, he will havechanged Pharaoh's golden chariot for an ox-cart, and you will goad theoxen and talk to him of the stars--or, mayhap of the moon. Well, youmight both be happier thus, and she of the moon is a jealous goddess wholoves worship. Oho-ho! Here are the palace steps. Help me to descend,Priest of the Lady of the Moon."
We entered the palace and were led through the great hall to a smallerchamber where Pharaoh, who did not wear his robes of state, awaited us,seated in a cedar chair. Glancing at him I saw that his face was sternand troubled; also it seemed to me that he had grown older. The Princeand Princess made obeisance to him, as did we lesser folk, but he tookno heed. When all were present and the doors had been shut, Pharaohsaid:
"I have read your report, Son Seti, concerning your visit to theIsraelites, and all that chanced to you; and also the reports of you,nephew Amenmeses, and of you, Officers, who accompanied the Prince ofEgypt. Before I speak of them, let the Scribe Ana, who was the chariotcompanion of his Highness when the Hebrews attacked him, stand forwardand tell me all that passed."
So I advanced, and with bowed head repeated that tale, only leavingout so far as was possible any mention of myself. When I had finished,Pharaoh said:
"He who speaks but half the truth is sometimes more mischievous than aliar. Did you then sit in the chariot, Scribe, doing nothing while thePrince battled for his life? Or did you run away? Speak, Seti, and saywhat part this man played for good or ill."
Then the Prince told of my share in the fight, with words that broughtthe blood to my brow. He told also how that it was I who, taking therisk of his wrath, had ordered the guard of twenty men to follow usunseen, had disguised two seasoned soldiers as chariot runners, and hadthought to send back the driver to summon help at the commencement ofthe fray; how I had been hurt also, and was but lately recovered. Whenhe had finished, Pharaoh said:
"That this story is true I know from others. Scribe, you have donewell. But for you to-day his Highness would lie upon the table of theembalmers, as indeed for his folly he deserves to do, and Egypt wouldmourn from Thebes to the mouths of Nile. Come hither."
I came with trembling steps, and knelt before his Majesty. Around hisneck hung a beauteous chain of wrought gold. He took it, and cast itover my head, saying:
"Because you have shown yourself both brave and wise, with this gold Igive you the title of Councillor and King's Companion, and the rightto inscribe the same upon your funeral stele. Let it be noted. Retire,Scribe Ana, Councillor and King's Companion."
So I withdrew confused, and as I passed Seti, he whispered in my ear:
"I pray you, my lord, do not cease to be Prince's Companion, because youhave become that of the King."
Then Pharaoh ordered that the Captain of the guard should be advancedin rank, and that gifts should be given to each of the soldiers, andprovision be made for the children of those who had been killed, withdouble allowance to the families of the two men whom I had disguised asrunners.
This done, once more Pharaoh spoke, slowly and with much meaning, havingfirst ordered that all attendants and guards should leave the chamber. Iwas about to go also, but old Bakenkhonsu caught me by the robe, sayingthat in my new rank of Councillor I had the right to remain.
"Prince Seti," he said, "after all that I have heard, I find this reportof yours strange reading. Moreover, the tenor of it is different indeedto that of those of the Count Amenmeses and the officers. You counsel meto let these Israelites go where they will, because of certain hardshipsthat they have suffered in the past, which hardships, however, have leftthem many and rich. That counsel I am not minded to take. Rather am Iminded to send an army to the land of Goshen with orders to despatchthis people, who conspired to murder the Prince of Egypt, through theGateway of the West, there to worship their god in heaven or in hell.Aye, to slay them all from the greybeard down to the suckling at thebreast."
"I hear Pharaoh," said Seti, quietly.
"Such is my will," went on Meneptah, "and those who accompanied you uponyour business, and all my councillors think as I do, for truly Egyptcannot bear so hideous a treason. Yet, according to our law and customit is needful, before such great acts of war and policy are undertaken,that he who stands next to the throne, and is destined to fill it,should give consent thereto. Do you consent, Prince of Egypt?"
"I do not consent, Pharaoh. I think it would be a wicked deed that tensof thousands should be massacred for the reason that a few fools waylaida man who chanced to be of royal blood, because by inadvertence, he haddesecrated their sanctuary."
Now I saw that this answer made Pharaoh wroth, for never before had hiswill been crossed in such a fashion. Still he controlled himself, andasked:
"Do you then consent, Prince, to a gentler sentence, namely that theHebrew people should be broken up; that the more dangerous of themshould be sent to labour in the desert mines and quarries, and the restdistributed throughout Egypt, there to live as slaves?"
"I do not consent, Pharaoh. My poor counsel is written in yonder rolland cannot be changed."
Meneptah's eyes flashed, but again he controlled himself, and asked:
"If you should come to fill this place of mine, Prince Seti, tell us,here assembled, what policy will you pursue towards these Hebrews?"
"That policy, O Pharaoh, which I have counselled in the roll. If everI fill the throne, I shall let them go whither they will, taking theirgoods with them."
Now all those present stared at him and murmured. But Pharaoh rose,shaking with wrath. Seizing his robe where it was fastened at thebreast, he rent it, and cried in a terrible voice:
"Hear him, ye gods of Egypt! Hear this son of mine who defies me to myface and would set your necks beneath the heel of a stranger god. PrinceSeti, in the presence of these royal ones, and these my councillors,I----"
He said no more, for the Princess Userti, who till now had remainedsilent, ran to him, and throwing her arms about him, began to whisper inhis ear. He hearkened to her, then sat himself down, and spoke again:
"The Princess brings it to my mind that this is a great matter, one notto be dealt with hastily. It may happen that when the Prince has takencounsel with her, and with his own heart, and perchance has sought thewisdom of the gods, he will change the words which have passed his lips.I command you, Prince, to wait upon me here at this same hour on thethird day from this. Meanwhile, I command all present, upon pain ofdeath, to say nothing of what has passed within these walls."
"I hear Pharaoh," said the Prince, bowing.
Meneptah rose to show that the Council was discharged, when the VizierNehesi approached him, and asked:
"What of the Hebrew prisoners, O Pharaoh, those murderers who werecaptured in the pass?"
"Their guilt is proved. Let them be beaten with rods till they die, andif they have wives or children, let them be seized and sold as slaves."
"Pharaoh's will be done!" said the Vizier.
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