My mother sprang from her chair, staring at
him.
It was a greatlist that caused the mind to reel. I
am Ramose, your son, I said, and was silent, for words choked inmy throat. Nor did
we labourin vain, for although we made no show during those years we grew rich. It
was as though it had been gripped by a cold hand.
Wage wars and win them, as your noble
Grecianforefathers would have done. But you are not angry,Ramose, and you have
promised to protect me from those men. This war is finished and your service is
over.
She turned pale and let fall the
necklace.
One day Belus asked me,Why do you not marry Myra,
Ramose? Why did I do all these things and why did Belus help in the
work?
My heartor rather the stars tell me another tale.
Let us to the deciphering of this oldpoem that tells us of dead days and beautiful
forgotten folk. At this a sudden change took place in me and a pain shot through
myheart. Have you not a mother who knows the ways of courts and can help you? It was
a greatlist that caused the mind to reel. Take what thegods give you and be
thankful.
And do you desire to give her to some such
stranger?
To remedy it, having wealth at my command, Ibought
lands near to the city, and farmed them.
He has told me all, saying you thought I ought to
know, now whenI am no more a little girl. So at last we came to Pelusium where to
reach Sais the army must crossthe mouths of the Nile.
She took it, and said presently,Ramose, I am
wretched. But as such heresies must be hidden, Iasked him what the calf was
like.
Do we not read of marriage inbooks and was not
Metep once married? What befell myson for whom I had such high hopes?