Page:Anthology of Modern Slavonic Literature in Prose and Verse by Paul Selver.djvu/110

86 "Death is a thousand military paces from thee," replied the physician, sadly.

"Hear ye naught? Is there none who comes from thence?" spoke Horus.

Silence.

The moon was drawing nigh unto the palm-tree and was already touching its foremost leaves; the finely crunched sand was softly rustling in the water-clocks.

"Is it afar off?" whispered Horus.

"Eight hundred paces," replied the physician. "I know not, O Horus, whether it will be thine to touch all the edicts with the sacred ring, even though they bear them unto thee straightway."

"Give the edicts unto me," said Horus, hearkening whether any came running from the apartments of Rameses. "And thou, O priest," and he turned to the physician, "give word, how much of life is yet vouchsafed me, that I may be able to confirm at least the most precious of my behests."

"Six hundred paces," whispered the physician.

The edict concerning the lowering of rents for the people and of labour for the slaves, fell from the hands of Horus on to the ground.

"Five hundred"

The edict concerning peace with the Ethiopians slipped from the prince's knees.

"Is there none who comes?"