After all that count was an empty-headedcoxcomb;
there are better than he in Memphis.
I gazed at her and of a sudden passion took hold of
me. That is, how can I who must go at once to attend to matters inthe city that
cannot be postponed?
Do you believe in these prophecies of
his?
Because I would have it so, she answered, tossing
her head. Indeed, I wondered much how in afew short hours my mother had made so rich
a preparation. Wordsthat from another would signify little or nothing, on his lips
werefull of meaning. He was arrayed as ageneral, and wore no emblem of royalty save
a small golden uraeus uponhis helm. If you wouldkeep her at your side, Ramose, let
it be as your wife. Indeed, what I said was but to tryyou, so let it be
forgotten.
At last in poor, baldsyllables the common question
broke from my lips. What is known of this Nabonidus, Pharaoh? Thenhe appeared
surrounded by a mounted guard. Already by his threats he has earned much evil at the
hand of fate.
He comes of a great House that has grown wealthy by
trade.
Then he went, leaving me wondering where I had
heard those wordsbefore.
Myra, answered my mother, known as the daughter of
my son Ramose. Most beautiful she looked thus in her youngloveliness, yet most
splendid, like to a queen indeed. Nay, it was strained and anxiousand on his brow
appeared beads of sudden sweat.
Never beforedid I know how beautiful she was. Now
shewill have little left for which to wish.