men to
yield temporarily to circumstances."

"What forces you to yield?" cried the prince. "Have we lost a great
battle, or have we no army?"

"The oarsmen on the boat in which Egypt is sailing through the river of
eternity are gods," replied Mefres, with solemnity; "but the steersman
is the Highest Lord of existence. The oarsmen stop frequently, or turn
the boat so as to avoid dangerous eddies which we do not even notice.
In such cases we need only patience and obedience, for which, later or
earlier, a liberal reward will meet us, surpassing all that mortal man
can imagine."

After this statement the priests took farewell. They were full of hope
that the prince, though angry because of the treaty, would not break
it, and would assure to Egypt the time of rest which she needed. After
their departure the prince called his adjutant. When alone with
Tutmosis, his long restrained auger and sorrow burst forth. He threw
himself on a couch; he writhed like a serpent, he struck his head with
his fists, and shed tears even.

The frightened Tutmosis waited till the access of rage had subsided;
then he gave Ramses wine and water, and fumed him with calming
perfumes; finally he sat near his lord and inquired the cause of this
unmanly outburst.

"Sit here," said the prince, without rising. "Knowest thou, I am today
convinced that our priests have concluded an infamous treaty with
Assyria; without war, without demands even from the other side! Canst
Thou imagine what we are losing?"

"Dagon told me that the Assyrians wished to take Phoenicia. But the
Phoenicians are now less alarmed, for King Assar has a war on the
northeastern boundaries. A very valiant and numerous people inhabit
that region; hence it is unknown what the end of this affair may be.
The Phoenicians will have peace for a couple of years in every case,
time in which to prepare defense and find allies."

The prince waved his hand impatiently.

"See," said he, interrupting Tutmosis, "even Phoenicia is arming her
own people, and perhaps all the neighbors who surround her; in every
case, we lose the unpaid tribute of Asia, which reaches hast Thou heard
the like? more than a hundred thousand talents."

"A hundred thousand talents," repeated the prince. "O gods! but such a
sum would fill the treasury of the pharaoh. And were we to attack
Assyria at the right season, in Nineveh alone, in the single palace of
Assar, we should find inexhaustible treasures. Think ho