y read my heart. I wish Egypt to be
happy. And as I am striving to that end alone no wise and good god can
hinder me."

"May thy words, holiness, be verified," whispered the high priest.

"Dost Thou wish to tell me anything more?" asked Ramses, noticing that
his substitute in religion was delaying his departure.

"Yes, lord. It is my duty to remind thee that every pharaoh after
reaching power and burying his predecessor must think of two buildings:
a tomb for himself and a temple for the gods."

"Just so! I have thought more than once of this, but not having money I
do not issue orders. For Thou must understand," added he with
animation, "that if I build it will be something great, something which
will command Egypt not to forget me quickly."

"Then dost Thou wish to have a pyramid?"

"No. I could not, of course, build a greater pyramid than that of
Cheops, nor a greater temple than that of Amon in Thebes. My kingdom is
too weak to accomplish great works. I must make something entirely new,
therefore, for I tell thee that our buildings weary me. They are all
alike, just as men are, and differ from one another only in
proportions, as a man is bigger than a child."

"Then what?" asked the high priest, opening his eyes widely.

"I have spoken with the Greek Dion, who is the most famous architect
among us, and he praised my plan. For my own tomb I wish to build a
round tower with internal stairs, like that in Babylon. I shall build a
temple, not to Osiris or Isis, but to the One God in whom all believe:
the Egyptians, the Chaldeans, the Phoenicians, and the Jews. I wish
that temple to be like the palace of King Assar, the model of which
Sargon brought to my father."

"Those are great plans," said the high priest, shaking his head, "but
it is impossible to execute them. The Babylonian towers are not lasting
because of their form, they overturn easily, while our edifices must
endure for ages. A temple to the One God we may not raise, for he needs
no food, drink, or raiment. The whole world is his dwelling-place.
Where, then, is the temple which could hold him? Where is the priest
who would dare to make offerings before him?"

"Well, let us build a residence for Amon-Ra," said the pharaoh.

"Yes, if it is not like the palace of King Assar, for that is an
Assyrian building, and it is not proper for us Egyptians to imitate
barbarians."

"I do not understand thee," interrupted Ramses, with irritation.

"Listen to