our Gods and a man.

RHEOU. Between the glory of sacrifice--

SATNI. Between falsehood and me, Yaouma--

YAOUMA. The God has called me to save my brothers!

SATNI. You are going to death!

YAOUMA. To life--the real life--the life with the Gods. [_Going to the
terrace_].

SATNI. They lie!

YAOUMA. Peace!

SATNI. In spite of you, I will save you. [_Yaouma goes up the stairway
leading to the terrace. Satni stands on a bench and shouts to the
crowd_] Hear me, my brothers, I know of better Gods, of Gods who ask for
no victims--

THE PEOPLE. They are false Gods!

SATNI. They are better Gods--

STEWARD. Rheou! Rheou! bid him cease!

RHEOU. No--let him speak.

SATNI. I come to save you from error, to overthrow the idols, to teach
you eternal truths--

_An immense shout of acclamation drowns the rest of Satni's
words, as Yaouma, who has appeared on the terrace above,
stands with her arms raised to the setting sun. Mieris
kneels and crosses her hands in prayer._

CURTAIN

ACT II

SCENE: _Same as Act I._

_Rheou discovered alone. After a few moments the Steward
enters through the gates._

RHEOU. What have you seen?

STEWARD. The preparations for the festival continue.

RHEOU. At the Temple?

STEWARD. At the Temple.

RHEOU. For the Feast of Prodigies?

STEWARD. For the Feast of Prodigies.

RHEOU. And the priests believe they can celebrate it to-morrow?

STEWARD. I have seen no reason to doubt of it.

RHEOU. Without Yaouma?

STEWARD. I do not know.

RHEOU. You are mistaken perhaps. Did you go down as far as the Nile?

STEWARD. Yes, master.

RHEOU. Well?

STEWARD. They have finished the decoration of the sacred barge.

RHEOU. I do not understand it.

STEWARD. Nor I, for I know that a certain number of the soldiers have
refused to renew the attempt of yesterday--

RHEOU. They have refused?

STEWARD. Yes.

RHEOU. What did they say?

STEWARD. That they were afraid.

RHEOU. Of what--of whom?

STEWARD. Of Satni.

RHEOU. Of Satni?

STEWARD. Yes. They say it was he who caused the miracle of yesterday.

RHEOU. What--what do they say? Their words--tell me?

STEWARD. That it was he--

RHEOU. He, Satni?--

STEWARD. Yes.

RHEOU. Who caused the miracle of yesterday?

STEWARD. Yes.

RHEOU. The miracle that prevented them from carrying out the order of
the High Priest?

STEWARD. Yes.

RHEOU. The order to come here and seize Yaouma?