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Updated: May 28, 2025
He had passed a number of tens of chambers and corridors when he halted on a sudden. It seemed to him that on the pavement of the hall to which he was going he saw a small streak of light. In one moment such dreadful fear seized the man that he put out his torch. But the streak of light on the pavement had vanished. Samentu strained his hearing, but he heard only the throbbing of his own temples.
"Of course, at the right time, I will even show thee a plan, holiness. That way," continued Samentu, "passes in zigzags four times through the whole labyrinth; it begins on the upper story and ends in the lowest place underground, and has a number of other twists. That is why it is so long." "And how couldst Thou go from one hall to another when there is such a multitude of doors in them?"
"O lord," said he, turning to Ramses, "wilt Thou never free thyself from those traitors?" The pharaoh summoned a confidential council again. He called in Hiram, also the priest who had brought the ring from Samentu. Pentuer did not wish to take part in the council, but the worthy queen went herself to it.
"And did they believe him?" "Beroes, it seems, showed them wonders. He was even borne above the earth. Beyond doubt that is wonderful; but I cannot understand why we should lose Phoenicia because Beroes can fly above the earth." "Then Thou dost not believe in miracles?" "It depends upon what they are," replied Samentu.
"Here in Abydos, in the grave of Osiris, I found the whole plan of the road to the treasure," said Samentu. "But how didst Thou learn that it was here?" "Inscriptions in my temple of Set explained that to me." "When didst Thou find the plan?" "When the mummy of thy eternally living father, O holiness, was in the temple of Osiris.
"That will do no harm," replied the priest. "But none the less will my labor be needed, since Mefres and Herhor will never consent to yield the treasure." "And art Thou sure of success?" inquired Ramses persistently. "Since Egypt is Egypt," said Samentu, "there has not been a man who had such means to win victory as I have. This encounter is for me not even a struggle, but an amusement.
"He is a poor soldier who draws back before flames or frightful pictures, or who loses time listening to mysterious voices." "Thou speakest well, chief," cried Samentu. "If ye go ahead valiantly, terrors will vanish, voices cease, and flames burn no longer. Now my last word, lord," said the priest, turning to Ramses. "If I perish." "Do not speak thus," interrupted the pharaoh quickly.
But, lord," continued Samentu kneeling down, "I implore thee for one thing: when Thou shalt conquer, avenge me, and above all, pardon not Mefres and Herhor. Thou knowest not what enemies they are. If they win, Thou wilt perish, not only thou, but the dynasty." "But does not magnanimity become a victor?" inquired the pharaoh gloomily. "No magnanimity! No favor!" cried Samentu.
He would try to gain their secrets from all the temples and this would increase his power immensely; he would secure to Egypt preeminence above Assyria. The young pharaoh jeered at the gods, that would facilitate to Samentu the establishment of the worship of one god, Osiris, for example; and the union of Phoenicians, Jews, Greeks, and Libyans in one state with Egypt.
When Samentu took farewell, the pharaoh permitted him to kiss his feet, and gave him a heavy gold chain and a bracelet ornamented with sapphires. Not every dignitary received such favor after long years of service. The visit and Samentu's promises filled the pharaoh's heart with new hope. What if he should succeed in getting the treasure of the labyrinth!
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