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the Shrine of Amen…Ra； in the Shrine of Horemku； in the Shrine of
Ptah； till at length I reached the Shrine of the King's Chamber。
Here they made their offering to me； as the Divine Pharaoh； and left
me very wearybut a King。
＇Here the first and smallest of the papyrus rolls comes to an end。＇
BOOK II
THE FALL OF HARMACHIS
CHAPTER I
OF THE FAREWELL OF AMENEMHAT TO HARMACHIS； OF THE COMING
OF HARMACHIS TO ALEXANDRIA； OF THE EXHORTATION OF SEPA； OF
THE PASSING OF CLEOPATRA ROBED AS ISIS； AND OF THE OVERTHROW
OF THE GLADIATOR BY HARMACHIS
Now the long days of preparation had passed； and the time was at hand。
I was initiated； and I was crowned； so that although the common folk
knew me not； or knew me only as Priest of Isis； there were in Egypt
thousands who at heart bowed down to me as Pharaoh。 The hour was at
hand； and my soul went forth to meet it。 For I longed to overthrow the
foreigner； to set Egypt free； to mount the throne that was my
heritage； and cleanse the temples of my Gods。 I was fain for the
struggle； and I never doubted of its end。 I looked into the mirror；
and saw triumph written on my brows。 The future stretched a path of
glory from my feetay； glittering with glory like Sihor in the sun。 I
communed with my Mother Isis； I sat within my chamber and took counsel
with my heart； I planned new temples； I revolved great laws that I
would put forth for my people's weal； and in my ears rang the shouts
of exultation which should greet victorious Pharaoh on his throne。
But still I tarried a little while at Abouthis； and； having been
commanded to do so； let my hair； that had been shorn； grow again long
and black as the raven's wing； instructing myself meanwhile in all
manly exercises and feats of arms。 Also； for a purpose which shall be
seen； I perfected myself in the magic art of the Egyptians； and in the
reading of the stars； in which things； indeed； I already have great
skill。
Now； this was the plan that had been built up。 My uncle Sepa had； for
a while； left the Temple of Annu； giving out that his health had
failed him。 Thence he had moved down to a house in Alexandria； to
gather strength； as he said； from the breath of the sea； and also to
learn for himself the wonders of the great Museum and the glory of
Cleopatra's Court。 There it was planned that I should join him； for
there； at Alexandria； the egg of the plot was hatching。 Accordingly；
when at last the summons came； all things being prepared； I made ready
for the journey； and passed into my father's chamber to receive his
blessing before I went。 There sat the old man； as once before he sat
when he had rebuked me because I went out to slay the lion； his long
white beard resting on the table of stone and sacred writings in his
hand。 When I came in he rose from his seat and would have knelt before
me； crying 〃Hail； Pharaoh！〃 but I caught him by the hand。
〃It is not meet； my father；〃 I said。
〃It is meet；〃 he answered； 〃it is meet that I should bow before my
King； but be it as thou wilt。 And so thou goest； Harmachis； my
blessings go with thee； O my son！ And may Those whom I serve grant to
me that my old eyes may； indeed； behold thee on the throne！ I have
searched long； striving； Harmachis； to read the future that shall be；
but I can learn naught by all my wisdom。 It is hid from me； and at
times my heart fails。 But hear this； there is danger in thy path； and
it comes in the form of Woman。 I have known it long； and therefore
thou hast been called to the worship of the heavenly Isis； who bids
her votaries put away the thought of woman till such time as she shall
think well to slacken the rule。 Oh； my son； I would that thou wert not
so strong and fairstronger and fairer； indeed； than any man in
Egypt； as a King should befor in that strength and beauty may lie a
cause of stumbling。 Beware； then； of those witches of Alexandria；
lest； like a worm； some one of them creep into my heart and eat its
secret out。〃
〃Have no fear； my father；〃 I answered； frowning； 〃my thought is set on
other things than red lips and smiling eyes。〃
〃It is good；〃 he answered； 〃so may it befall。 And now farewell。 When
next we meet； may it be in that happy hour when； with all the priests
of the Upper Land； I move down from Abouthis to do my homage to
Pharaoh on his throne。〃
So I embraced him； and went。 Alas！ I little thought how we should meet
again。
Thus it came about that once more I passed down the Nile travelling as
a man of no estate。 And to such as were curious about me it was given
out that I was the adopted son of the High Priest of Abouthis； having
been brought up to the priesthood； and that I had at the last refused
the service of the Gods； and chosen to go to Alexandria； to seek my
fortune。 For； be it remembered； I was still held to be the grandson of
the old wife； Atoua； by all those who did not know the truth。
On the tenth night； sailing with the wind； we reached the mighty city
of Alexandria； the city of a thousand lights。 Above them all towered
the white Pharos； that wonder of the world； from the crown of which a
light like the light of the sun blazed out across the waters of the
harbour to guide mariners on their way across the sea。 The vessel
having been cautiously made fast to the quay； for it was night； I
disembarked and stood wondering at the vast mass of houses； and
confused by the clamour of many tongues。 For here all peoples seemed
to be gathered together； each speaking after the fashion of his own
land。 And as I stood a young man came and touched me on the shoulder；
asking me if I was from Abouthis and named Harmachis。 I said 〃Yea。〃
Then； bending over me； he whispered the secret pass…word into my ear；
and； beckoning to two slaves； bade them bring my baggage from the
ship。 This they did； fighting their way through the crowd of porters
who were clamouring for hire。 Then I followed him down the quay； which
was bordered with drinking…places； where all sorts of men were
gathered； tippling wine and watching the dancing of women； some of
whom were but scantily arrayed； and some not arrayed at all。
And so we went through the lamp…lit houses till at last we reached the
shore of the great harbour； and turned to the right along a wide way
paved with granite and bordered by strong houses； having cloisters in
front of them； the like of which I had never seen。 Turning once more
to the right we came to a quieter portion of the city； where； except
for parties of strolling revellers； the streets were still。 Presently
my guide halted at a house built of white stone。 We passed in； and；
crossing a small courtyard； entered a chamber where there was a light。
And here； at last； I found my uncle Sepa； most glad to see me safe。
When I had washed and eaten； he told me that all things went well； and
that as yet there was no thought of evil at the Court。 Further； he
said； it having come to the ears o