of Punt, and thy embrace as sweet as the sleep of a wearied laborer. I
have no measure for thy beauty, or words for thy attractions. Thou art
a marvel among women; women's lips are rich in trouble and their love
is very costly. But with all thy perfection how canst Thou ease my
troubles? Canst Thou cause his holiness to order a great expedition to
the East and name me to command it? Canst Thou give me the army corps
in Memphis, for which I asked, or wilt thou, in the pharaoh's name,
make me governor of Lower Egypt? Or canst Thou bring all subjects of
his holiness to think and feel as I, his most devoted subject?" Sarah
dropped her hands on her knees, and whispered sadly, "True, I cannot do
those things I can do nothing."

"Thou canst do much. Thou canst cheer me," replied Ramses, smiling. "I
know that Thou hast learned to dance and sing. Take off those long
robes, therefore, which become priestesses guarding fire, and array
thyself in transparent muslin, as Phoenician dancers do. And so dance
and fondle me as they."

Sarah seized his hands and cried with flaming eyes,

"Hast Thou to do with outcasts such as these? Tell me let me know my
wretchedness; send me then to my father, send me to our valley in the
desert. Oh, that I had never seen thee in it!"

"Well, well, calm thyself," said the prince, toying with her hair. "I
must of course see dancers, if not at feasts, at royal festivals, or
during services in temples. But all of them together do not concern me
as much as Thou alone; moreover, who among them could equal thee? Thy
body is like a statue of Isis, cut out of ivory, and each of those
dancers has some defect. Some are too thick; others have thin legs or
ugly hands; still others have false hair. Who of them is like thee? If
Thou wert an Egyptian, all our temples would strive to possess thee as
the leader of their chorus. What do I say? Wert Thou to appear now in
Memphis in transparent robes, the priests would be glad if Thou wouldst
take part in processions."

"It is not permitted us daughters of Judah to wear immodest garments."

"Nor to dance or sing? Why didst Thou learn, then?"

"Our women dance, and our virgins sing by themselves for the glory of
the Lord, but not for the purpose of sowing fiery seeds of desire in
men's hearts. But we sing. Wait, my lord, I will sing to thee."

She rose from the bench and went toward the house. Soon she returned
followed by a young girl with black, frightened eyes, w