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The pharaoh stands above them all, as if he were standing on the highest pylon of the temple of Ptah, and sees not only Memphis, but the cities, Sochem, On, Cheran, Turra, Tetani, with their suburbs, and a portion of the western desert.
Almost at the same time messengers flew in from the cities of Sochem and Anu with news that people were breaking into the temples, and that in Cheran they had even broken in and desecrated the most holy places.
Ramses learned therefore, with no small astonishment, that in Aa and in the city of Sochem he had his own personal charioteer, torch-bearer, shield-bearer, dart-bearer, mace-bearer, some tens of litter-bearers, a number of cooks, cup-bearers, barbers, and many other servitors distinguished for attachment and faithfulness, though he had not even heard their names and did not know them.
Eight negroes brought a litter adorned above the baldachin with ostrich feathers; the prince took his place in it, and advanced to the capital of Sochem, where he dwelt in a government palace. The prince's stay in that province, which was only a few miles from Memphis, lasted a month. All this time he passed in receiving petitions, in accepting homage, in official receptions, and at feasts.
But Ramses, feigning not to see him, turned to one of the overseers, "Are ye earth-tillers from Sochem?" inquired he. The overseer fell at full length with his face to the earth. The prince shrugged his shoulders, and called out to the laborers, "Are ye from Sochem?" "We are earth workers from Sochem," answered they, in chorus. "Have ye received pay?"
But the insolence with which he burst in proves that the criminal is not a genuine Egyptian." "Who art thou?" asked Ramses. "I am Bakura, a laborer in the regiment of diggers in Sochem. We have no work now, so the nomarch Otoes commanded us." "He is a drunkard and a madman!" whispered the excited Sofra. "How dares he speak to thee, lord."
He commanded the laborers to go to their barracks, and, without greeting the nomarch or taking leave of him, he returned to the palace. "Wilt thou, too, tell me," said he to Tutmosis on the road, "that those men are laborers from Sochem?" "But they say that they are, they themselves give answer," replied the courtier.
Some brought news that a great mass of men armed with clubs and axes were moving toward Memphis from every direction. From somewhere else information came that people in the region of Peme, Sochem, and On, were fleeing to the fields and crying that the end of the world would come the day following. Another courier brought a letter from Hiram that he would arrive very soon.
Among the beauties of Egypt I hold only the fourth place." "What does that mean?" "In Memphis, or near there, dwells thy first; happily she is only a Jewess! In Sochem is the second." "I know nothing of that one," interrupted Ramses. "Oh, Thou dove! Then surely Thou knowest nothing of the third one in Ami." "Does she too belong to my household?"
But if it be thy wish, we can examine from near by every field, every village, and every street of the city of Sochem. Finally I have shown thee the officials; it is true, the very lowest were absent. But command and all will stand before thee to- morrow and fall on their faces. What am I to do more? Tell me, most worthy lord." "I believe that Thou art most faithful," answered Ramses.
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