through you. But since the duty has fallen on me,
who in presence of you am but dust and a pupil, permit me to accomplish
it under your worthy inspection and guidance."

A murmur of satisfaction was heard among the learned priests at this
manner. Pentuer turned to the viceroy.

"For some months, O servant of the gods, Ramses, as a traveler lost in
the desert seeks a road, so Thou art seeking an answer to the question:
Why has the income of the holy pharaoh diminished, and why is it
decreasing? Thou hast asked the nomarchs, and though they explained
according to their power, Thou wert not satisfied, though the highest
human wisdom belongs to those dignitaries. Thou didst turn to the chief
scribes, but in spite of their efforts these men were like birds in a
net, unable to free themselves without assistance, for the reason of
man, though trained in the school of scribes, is not in a position to
take in the immensity of these questions. At last, wearied by barren
explanations, Thou didst examine the lands of the provinces, their
people, the works of their hands, but didst arrive at nothing. For
there are things of which people are silent as stones, but concerning
which even stones will give answer if light from the gods only falls on
them.

"When in this manner all these earthly powers and wisdoms disappointed
thee, Thou didst turn to the gods. Barefoot, thy head sprinkled with
ashes, Thou didst come in the guise of a penitent to this great
sanctuary, where by means of suffering and prayer Thou hast purified
thy body and strengthened thy spirit. The gods but especially the
mighty Hator listened to thy prayers, and through my unworthy lips give
an answer, and mayst Thou write it down in thy heart profoundly."

"Whence does he know," thought the prince, meanwhile, "that I asked the
scribes and nomarchs? Aha! Mefres and Mentezufis told him. For that
matter, they know everything."

"Listen," continued Pentuer, "and I will discover to thee, with
permission of these dignitaries, what Egypt was four hundred years ago
in the reign of the most glorious and pious nineteenth Theban dynasty,
and what it is at present.

"When the first pharaoh of that dynasty, Ramen-Pehuti-Ramessu, assumed
power over the country, the income of the treasury in wheat, cattle,
beer, skins, vessels, and various articles rose to a hundred and thirty
thousand talents. If a people had existed who could exchange gold for
all these goods, the pharaoh wo