youth would not make himself ridiculous by night pilgrimages to
the Phoenician priestess; if he should be seen in the garden of
Astaroth, or if people should think that the erpatr was inclining his
ear to the faith of Phoenicia. Not much is needed in Lower Egypt to
reject the ancient gods. What a mixture there is of nations here!"

Some days later the worthy Sargon informed the viceroy officially of
his position as ambassador, declared the wish to salute him, and begged
for an Egyptian escort which might conduct him with all safety and
honor to the feet of the pharaoh.

The prince deferred his answer two days, and appointed an audience to
Sargon at the expiration of two other days. The Assyrian, accustomed to
eastern delay in journeys and business, was offended in no way, and
wasted no time. He drank from morning till evening, played dice with
Hiram and other rich men from Asia. In free moments he slipped away,
like Ramses, to Kama.

As an elderly and a practical man, he offered the priestess rich
presents at every visit. His feelings he explained as follows:

"O Kama, why sit in Pi-Bast and grow thin here? While young, the
service of Astaroth may please thee; but when old, a wretched fate will
present itself. They will take thy costly robes from thee, and put a
younger woman in the temple; Thou wilt earn, then, a handful of roasted
barley by telling fortunes, or by nursing women in childbirth. Had the
gods in punishment created me a woman, I should choose to be the mother
and not the nurse attending her."

"Hence I say," continued Sargon, "leave the temple and join my
household. I will give thee ten talents in gold; I will give forty
cows, and of wheat a hundred measures. The priests will fear
chastisement from the gods, so as to gain from me a better bargain. But
I shall not yield a drachma; I may add, at most, a few sheep to let
them celebrate a solemn service. The heavenly Astaroth will appear
then, and will free thee from vows if I add a gold chain or a goblet."

While listening to these statements Kama bit her lips to restrain
laughter; and he continued,

"If Thou go with me to Nineveh, Thou wilt be a great lady. Thou shalt
have a palace; I will give thee also horses, a litter, slaves, and
servants. In one month Thou wilt pour out on thy person more perfume
than Thou offerest here in one year to thy goddess. And who knows,"
concluded he, "Thou mayst please King Assar; if so, he would take thee
to his pala