w near her beauty!' Then I went to see, and lo!
before the Temple of Hathor a great multitude was gathered, and there
on the pylon brow stood the Hathor's self shining with changeful beauty
like the Dawn. And as of old she sang sweet songs, and, to each man who
heard, her voice was the voice of his own beloved, living and lost to
him, or dead and lost. Now every man has such a grave in his heart as
that whence Hathor seems to rise in changeful beauty. Month by month she
sings thus, one day in every month, and many a man has sought to win her
and her favour, but in the doorways are they who meet him and press him
back; and if he still struggles on, there comes a clang of swords and he
falls dead, but no wound is found on him. And, Wanderer, this is truth,
for I myself have striven and have been pressed back by that which
guards her. But I alone of men who have looked on her and heard her,
strove not a second time, and so saved myself alive."

"Thou alone of men lovest life more than the World's Desire!" said the
Queen. "Thou hast ever sickened for the love of this strange Witch, but
thy life thou lovest even better than her beauty, and thou dost not dare
attempt again the adventure of her embrace. Know, Eperitus, that this
sorrow is come upon the land, that all men love yonder witch and rave of
her, and to each she wears a different face and sings in another voice.
When she stands upon the pylon tower, then thou wilt see the madness
with which she has smitten them. For they will weep and pray and tear
their hair. Then they will rush through the temple courts and up to the
temple doors, and be thrust back again by that which guards her. But
some will yet strive madly on, and thou wilt hear the clash of arms
and they will fall dead before thee. Accursed is the land, I tell thee,
Wanderer; because of that Phantom it is accursed. For it is she who
brings these woes on Khem; from her, not from our slaves and their mad
conjurers, come plagues, I say, and all evil things. And till a man be
found who may pass her guard, and come face to face with the witch and
slay her, plagues and woes and evil things shall be the daily bread of
Khem. Perchance, Wanderer, thou art such a man," and she looked on him
strangely. "Yet if so, this is my counsel, that thou go not up against
her, lest thou also be bewitched, and a great man be lost to us."

Now the Wanderer turned the matter over in his heart and made answer:

"Perchance, Lady, my st