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flowers。 And he bowed the knee； and mocked the head of the innocent
child。 But the girl； who was sharp of tonguefor all of this I heard
in after yearssaid to him that 〃he did well to bow the knee； for
this child was indeed Pharaoh； the greatest of Pharaohs； and his name
was the /Osiris/ and his throne was /Death/。〃
Aulêtes was much troubled at these words； and trembled； for； being a
wicked man； he greatly feared entering into Amenti。 So he caused the
girl to be slain because of the evil omen of her saying； crying that
he would send her to worship that Pharaoh whom she had named。 And the
other women he sent away； and played no more upon the flute till he
was once again drunk on the morrow。 But the Alexandrians made a song
on the matter； which is still sung about the streets。 And this is the
beginning of it
Ptolemy the Piper played
Over dead and dying；
Piped and played he well。
Sure that flute of his was made
Of the dank reed sighing
O'er the streams of Hell。
There beneath the shadows grey；
With the sisters three；
Shall he pipe for many a day。
May the Frog his butler be！
And his wine the water of that countrie
Ptolemy the Piper！
After this the years passed on； nor did I； being very little； know
anything of the great things that came to pass in Egypt； nor is it my
purpose to set them out here。 For I； Harmachis； having little time
left to me； will only speak of those things with which I have been
concerned。
And as the time went on； my father and the teachers instructed me in
the ancient learning of our people； and in such matters appertaining
to the Gods as it is meet that children should know。 So I grew strong
and comely； for my hair was black as the hair of the divine Nout； and
my eyes were blue as the blue lotus； and my skin was like the
alabaster within the sanctuaries。 For now that these glories have
passed from me I may speak of them without shame。 I was strong also。
There was no youth of my years in Abouthis who could stand against me
to wrestle with me； nor could any throw so far with the sling or
spear。 And I much yearned to hunt the lion； but he whom I called my
father forbade me； telling me that my life was of too great worth to
be so lightly hazarded。 But when I bowed before him and prayed he
would make his meaning clear to me； the old man frowned and answered
that the Gods made all things clear in their own season。 For my part；
however； I went away in wroth； for there was a youth in Abouthis who
with others had slain a lion which fell upon his father's herds； and；
being envious of my strength and beauty； he set it about that I was
cowardly at heart； in that when I went out to hunt I only slew jackals
and gazelles。 Now； this was when I had reached my seventeenth year and
was a man grown。
It chanced； therefore； that as I went sore at heart from the presence
of the High Priest； I met this youth； who called to me and mocked me；
bidding me know the country people had told him that a great lion was
down among the rushes by the banks of the canal which runs past the
Temple； lying at a distance of thirty stadia from Abouthis。 And； still
mocking me； he asked me if I would come and help him slay this lion；
or would I go and sit among the old women and bid them comb my side
lock？ This bitter word so angered me that I was near to falling on
him； but in place therefore； forgetting my father's saying； I answered
that if he would come alone； I would go with him and seek this lion；
and he should learn if I were indeed a coward。 And at first he would
not； for； as men know； it is our custom to hunt the lion in companies；
so it was my hour to mock。 Then he went and fetched his bow and arrows
and a sharp knife。 And I brought forth my heavy spear； which had a
shaft of thorn…wood； and at its end a pomegranate in silver； to hold
the hand from slipping； and； in silence； we went； side by side； to
where the lion lay。 When we came to the place； it was near sundown；
and there； upon the mud of the canal…bank； we found the lion's slot；
which ran into a thick clump of reeds。
〃Now； thou boaster；〃 I said； 〃wilt thou lead the way into yonder
reeds； or shall I？〃 And I made as though I would lead the way。
〃Nay； nay；〃 he answered； 〃be not so mad！ The brute will spring upon
thee and rend thee。 See！ I will shoot among the reeds。 Perchance； if
he sleeps； it will arouse him。〃 And he drew his bow at a venture。
How it chanced I know not； but the arrow struck the sleeping lion；
and； like a flash of light from the belly of a cloud； he bounded from
the shelter of the reeds； and stood before us with bristling mane and
yellow eyes； the arrow quivering in his flank。 He roared aloud in
fury； and the earth shook。
〃Shoot with the bow；〃 I cried； 〃shoot swiftly ere he spring！〃
But courage had left the breast of the boaster； his jaw dropped down
and his fingers unloosed their hold so that the bow fell from them；
then； with a loud cry he turned and fled behind me； leaving the lion
in my path。 But while I stood waiting my doom； for though I was sore
afraid I would not fly； the lion crouched himself； and turning not
aside； with one great bound swept over me； touching me not。 He lit；
and again he bounded full upon the boaster's back； striking him such a
blow with his great paw that his head was crushed as an egg thrown
against a stone。 He fell down dead； and the lion stood and roared over
him。 Then I was mad with horror； and； scarce knowing what I did； I
grasped my spear and with a shout I charged。 As I charged the lion
lifted himself up above me。 He smote at me with his paw； but with all
my strength I drove the broad spear into his throat； and； shrinking
from the agony of the steel； his blow fell short and did no more than
rip my skin。 Back he fell； the great spear far in his throat； then
rising； he roared in pain and leapt twice the height of a man straight
into the air； smiting at the spear with his forepaws。 Twice he leapt
thus； horrible to see； and twice he fell upon his back。 Then his
strength spent itself with his rushing blood； and； groaning like a
bull； he died； while I； being but a lad； stood and trembled with fear
now that all cause of fear had passed。
But as I stood and gazed at the body of him who had taunted me； and at
the carcass of the lion； a woman came running towards me； even the
same old wife； Atoua； who； though I knew it not as yet； had offered up
her flesh and blood that I might be saved alive。 For she had been
gathering simples； in which she had great skill； by the water's edge；
not knowing that there was a lion near （and； indeed； the lions； for
the most part； are not found in the tilled land； but rather in the
desert and the Libyan mountains）； and had seen from a distance that
which I have set down。 Now； when she was come； she knew me for
Harmachis； and； bending herself； she made obeisance to me； and saluted
me； calling me Royal； and worthy of