he priests,
in spite of their faults, been able to do this? Because they are the
lamp in which burns the light of wisdom.

"This lamp may be foul, even malodorous; still it preserves the divine
fire, without which darkness and savagery would prevail among people.

"Thou speakest, lord, of a struggle with the priesthood," continued
Pentuer. "How can that profit me? If Thou lose I shall be unhappy, for
Thou wilt not improve the lot of the worker. And if Thou win? May I not
live to that! for shouldst Thou break the lamp, who knows whether Thou
wouldst not put out the fire of wisdom which for thousands of years has
illuminated Egypt and mankind.

"These, lord, are the reasons why I will not take part in thy struggle
with the sacred order of priests. I feel that the struggle is
approaching, and I suffer because such a worm as I am unable to prevent
it. But I will not participate, for I should have to betray either
thee, or the God, the creator of wisdom."

While hearing these words the pharaoh walked up and down the chamber in
thought.

"Aa!" said he, without anger, "do as may please thee. Thou art not a
warrior, hence I cannot reproach thee with lack of valor. But Thou
canst not be my adviser, though I beg thee to form a council to
investigate the riots of working men, and, when I summon thee, declare
what thy wisdom enjoins."

Pentuer knelt down in taking farewell of his lord.

"In every case," added the pharaoh, "know this, that I have no desire
to quench the divine light. Let the priests guard wisdom in their
temples, but let them not make my army useless, let them not conclude
shameful treaties, and let them not steal," he said this excitedly,
"the treasures of the pharaohs.

"Can they think that I will stand at their gates, like a beggar, asking
that they deign to give me funds to restore the state which is ruined
by their stupid and villainous management? Ha, ha! Pentuer, I should
not ask the gods for that which is my power and my right Thou mayst
go."

The priest, withdrawing with his face toward the pharaoh, went out
backward with obeisance, and when in the doorway he fell with his face
on the pavement.

The pharaoh remained alone.

"Mortal men," thought he, "are like children. Herhor is wise: he knows
that Egypt in case of war would need half a million of warriors; he
knows that those troops need training, and still he has decreased the
number of the regiments.

"The chief treasurer also is wise, b