rate with their faces to the ground._

HIGH PRIEST [_after a pause_] Rise! [_All rise to their knees. A pause_]
The divine images are again in their places. You have shown that you
repent. You have begged for pardon. You have testified your horror of
the terrible crime you were driven to commit. You await your
chastisement. The gods now permit that we proceed to the sacrifice, that
will bring about the overflowing of the Nile, and give for yet another
year, life to the land of Egypt. She who has chosen, the elect, the
savior, is she here?

YAOUMA [_rising to her feet, radiant_] I am here!

HIGH PRIEST. Let her go to clothe her in the sacred robe. Form the
procession to bear her to the threshold of the abode of the glorious and
the immortal.

YAOUMA. Come!

_A number of the women rise and go out right with Yaouma._

HIGH PRIEST. To-day, at the hour when Ammon-Ra came forth from the
underworld, I entered the sanctuary. Face to face with the god, I heard
his words, which now you shall hear from me. These are the commands of
the God. Rheou! [_Rheou stands up_] You have been to make submission to
the Pharaoh--Light of Ra--you have implored his mercy. You have sworn on
the body of your father, to serve him faithfully, and you have given
that body to him in pledge of your obedience. You have denounced to his
anger and justice those who conceived the impious plot to dethrone the
Lord of Egypt. You have declared that if you did permit the images of
the gods to be thrown down before you, it was because the spells of
Satni had clouded your reason. Ammon has proclaimed to me that you are
sincere! You are pardoned, on conditions which I shall presently impart.
[_Rheou bows and kneels down_] Satni! [_Satni stands up. He casts down
his eyes, he is steeped in sorrow and shame_] Satni, you have admitted
and proclaimed the power of the gods, whom you dared to deny. You have
bowed you down before them. Once, in the temple, you took the first
priestly vows; your life is therefore sacred. But you stand now
reproved. This very day you will quit Egypt. Withdraw from the Gods!
[_Satni, with eyes on the ground, withdraws, the people shrink aside to
let him pass, abusing him in whispers, shaking their fists, and some
even striking him. He goes to the terrace down left where he stands,
hiding his face on his arm_] Ammon has spoken other words. [_The people
turn from Satni_] All you who are here, you are guilty of the most
odious, th