Page:Anthology of Modern Slavonic Literature in Prose and Verse by Paul Selver.djvu/106

82 "i will not yield Egypt unto the Ethiopians" spoke the prince, "But I will conclude peace, for I am grieved by the blood of my people: write forthwith an edict, and hold in readiness the mounted envoys that, as soon as the first fires blaze in my honour, they may speed hence in the direction of the noonday sun, and bear goodwill unto the Ethiopians. And write also a second edict, that from this hour even unto the end of time, no prisoner shall have his tongue torn from his mouth upon the field of battle. Thus have I spoken."

The captain fell upon his face, and thereupon he withdrew to write the decrees; the prince, however, urged the courtier to gaze afresh upon his wound, for it sorely distressed him.

"Thy foot has swelled somewhat, O Horus," spoke the courtier. "What would have happened, if instead of a bee, a spider had stung thee!"

The imperial chamberlain now entered into the hall, and bowing down before the prince, he said:

"The mighty Rameses, perceiving that his vision is growing dim, has dispatched me unto thee with the command: Go unto Horus, and fulfil his desire blindly. Even though he command thee to release the captives from their chains and to bestow the whole earth upon the people, do thou it, when thou observest the sacred ring upon his finger, for through the lips of rulers speaketh immortal Osiris."