hall die
before thee!' Then was Snefru wroth, caused this messenger of evil to be
scourged, and sent for a second interpreter. He answered: 'O king, live
for ever, thy life shall be longer than the life of thy kinsmen and
the men of thy house!' Then the king smiled and gave presents unto
this interpreter, for though the interpretations were one, yet he had
understood to clothe his message in a web of fair and pleasant words.
Apprehendest thou? then hearken to my voice, and refrain from harsh
words, remembering that to the ear of a ruler the manner of a man's
speech is weightier than its matter."

"Oh my father, how often hast thou thus admonished me! how often have
I been convinced of the evil consequences of my rough words and angry
gestures! but I cannot change my nature, I cannot..."

"Say rather: I will not; for he that is indeed a man, dare never again
commit those sins of which he has once repented. But I have admonished
sufficiently. Tell me now how thou didst calm the wrath of Amasis."

"Thou knowest my father. When he saw that he had wounded me in the
depths of my soul by his awful words, he repented him of his anger. He
felt he had been too hard, and desired to make amends at any price."

"He hath a kindly heart, but his mind is blinded, and his senses taken
captive," cried the priest. "What might not Amasis do for Egypt, would
he but hearken to our counsel, and to the commandments of the gods!"

"But hear me, my father! in his emotion he granted me the life of
Phanes!"

"Thine eyes flash, Psamtik! that pleaseth me not. The Athenian must
die, for he has offended the gods; but though he that condemns must let
justice have her way, he should have no pleasure in the death of the
condemned; rather should he mourn. Now speak; didst thou obtain aught
further?"

"The king declared unto me to what house Nitetis belongs."

"And further naught?"

"No, my father; but art thou not eager to learn?... "

"Curiosity is a woman's vice; moreover, I have long known all that thou
canst tell me."

"But didst thou not charge me but yesterday to ask my father this
question?"

"I did do so to prove thee, and know whether thou wert resigned to the
Divine will, and wert walking in those ways wherein alone thou canst
become worthy of initiation into the highest grade of knowledge. Thou
hast told us faithfully all that thou hast heard, and thereby proved
that thou canst obey--the first virtue of a priest."

"Thou knewes