Page:Thotharomance00nichgoog.djvu/189

184 last, then, I become the ruler of the earth, and the races of men shall for evermore be such as my will has planned."

For a time he seemed lost in an ecstatic vision, as if the present had faded from his sight.

Then he said, "This moment is worth all the toil and waiting."

He raised his voice, which every moment became more vigorous, and, speaking to the assembly, said—

"Rejoice, my sons, with me."

He looked at the faces of Thoth's companions, and suddenly his face darkened.

"Why look ye so amazed, weaklings? Feeble and childish ye seem compared with your fathers." He turned to Thoth. "Thou seemest indeed my son. Surely it is not possible that my strict commands as to life and death have not been obeyed? Speak," he