ing wild geese, ducks, doves, storks, pelicans,
and ibises.

"Behold, lord," said Otoes, "a picture of our country, Quench, Egypt.
Osiris fell in love with this strip of laud in the midst of deserts; he
covered it with plants and living creatures, so as to have from them
profit. Then the kindly god took a human form and became the first
pharaoh. When he felt that his body was withering, he left it and
entered into his son, and later on into his son's son.

"Thus Osiris lives among us, since the beginning of ages, as pharaoh,
and he gains profit from Egypt and its wealth which he himself created.
The lord has extended like a mighty tree. All the pharaohs are his
roots, the nomarchs and priests his larger branches, the nobles the
smaller branches. The visible god sits on the throne of the earth and
receives the income which belongs to him from Egypt; the invisible god
receives offerings in the temples, and declares his will through the
lips of the priesthood."

"Thou utterest truth," said the viceroy. "Thus is it written."

"Since Osiris the pharaoh," continued the nomarch, "cannot himself be
occupied in the management of the country, he has appointed us
nomarchs, who come of his blood, to watch over his property."

"That is true," said Ramses. "Sometimes even the sun god becomes
incarnate in a nomarch and begins a new dynasty. Thus rose the
dynasties of Memphis, Elephantina, Thebes, and Ksoi."

"Thou hast said it," continued Otoes. "But now I will answer that which
Thou hast asked of me.

"Thou hast asked what I do in this province? I guard the property of
Osiris, the pharaoh, and my own part in it. Look at those flocks; Thou
seest various animals. Some give milk, others flesh, others wool and
skins. The people of Egypt give wheat, wine, woolen stuffs, vessels,
houses. My affair is to take from each what he should give, and lay it
down at the feet of the pharaoh."

"In watching over the numerous herds I could not succeed alone; so I
have chosen watchful dogs and wise shepherds. Some of my servants milk
animals, shear them, remove their skins; others watch them so that
thieves may not steal or the plunderer injure. So with the province. I
could not collect all the taxes and guard men from evil; hence I have
officials who do what is proper, and render account of their action."

"All this is true," interrupted the prince. "I know and understand what
Thou sayest. But I cannot comprehend why the income of his holine