ACT IV

SCENE:--_The interior of a temple._

_Columns, huge as towers and covered with hieroglyphics. On
the left the Sanctuary; in the foreground in a little nook,
invisible to the faithful, but visible to the audience is
installed the machinery for the miracle, a lever, and ropes.
Against the central pillar two thrones, one magnificent, that
of the Pharaoh; the other simple, that of the High Priest._

_The Pharaoh, the High Priest, an officer, an old man, and
six priests discovered. When the curtain rises all are
seated, the priests on little chairs between the two
thrones._

THE OFFICER [_prostrated before the Pharaoh_] Pharaoh! may Ammon-Ra
preserve thy life in health and strength!

THE PHARAOH. [_with fury_] My orders! My orders!

THE OFFICER. Lord of the two Egypts, friend of Ra, favorite of Mentu,
may Ammon--

THE PHARAOH. Enough! my orders!

THE OFFICER. I would have died--

THE PHARAOH. The wish shall be granted, be assured, and soon! My orders!
Dog, why did you not carry out my orders?

THE OFFICER. Satni--

THE PHARAOH. Satni! Yes, Satni, the impostor! Where is he?

THE OFFICER. Pharaoh--may Ammon, Soukou Ra, Horus--

THE PHARAOH. I will have you whipped till your blood run--Satni! Where
is Satni! I sent you to seize him! Where is he?

THE OFFICER. No one knows.

THE PHARAOH. Scoundrel! You are his accomplice!

THE OFFICER. O Ammon!

THE PHARAOH. Did you go to the house of his father, to Rheou?

THE OFFICER. We searched them in vain.

THE PHARAOH. He has taken flight, then?

THE OFFICER. I know not.

THE PHARAOH. You are a traitor! You shall die! Take him out! And you
others, hear the commands of the High Priest and begone.

HIGH PRIEST. Let each fulfil the mission he is charged with. Let the
young priests mix with the crowd, the moment it enters the Temple. Let
them excite the people's fervor, that as many prodigies as possible may
be won from the goddess. Now when you are gone the stones that screen
the sanctuary will roll away before the Pharaoh and the High Priest;
and, first by right, they shall behold the goddess face to face. Humbly
prostrated we shall speak to her the mysterious words that other men
have never heard. Bow down before the Pharaoh, may he live in health and
strength [_All kneel and remain with their faces on the ground during
what follows, save an old man whom the High Priest calls to his side by
a sign; and