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Updated: June 27, 2025
"Because I could not, Seti, seeing that another was present with you whom you refused to dismiss," and she let her eyes rest on me. "It matters not," said Pharaoh, "since now I will utter it with my own lips which perhaps is better. It is my will, Prince, that you forthwith wed the royal Princess Userti, that children of the true blood of the Ramessides may be born. Hear and obey."
Fare you well, my Lord," and she rose from her seat, gathering up her robes with both hands. Then Seti grew angry. "Userti," he said, stamping upon the floor, "you should not use such words. You know well that I do not take you with me because there may be danger yonder among the Hebrews. Moreover, it is not Pharaoh's wish."
Seti laughed, as indeed did the cunning old man himself, and there with us Bakenkhonsu remained till the end, to our great joy, for he was the most pleasant of all companions and the most learned. As for his message, one of his servants took back the answer to Pharaoh and to Userti, with the news of his master's grievous sickness.
Write it down, Scribes, and you, O Officers, let it be proclaimed from Thebes to the sea, that on the third day from now at the hour of noon in the temple of Hathor in this city, the Prince, the Royal Heir, Seti Meneptah, Beloved of Ra, will wed the Royal Princess of Egypt, Lily of Love, Beloved of Hathor, Userti, Daughter of me, the god." "Life! Blood! Strength!" called all the Court.
Is this army to sit still while these slaves depart into the desert there to rouse our enemies of Syria against us and return with them to butcher us?" "At these words," continued Bakenkhonsu, "from all that multitude there went up a shout of 'No." "The people say No. What saith Pharaoh?" cried Userti.
Still, except by death how can I escape from the threefold chain of the will of Pharaoh, of Egypt, and of Userti? Oh!" he went on in a new voice, one that had in it both sorrow and passion, "this is a matter in which I would have chosen for myself who in all others must be a servant. And I may not choose!" "Is there perchance some other lady, Prince?" "None! By Hathor, none at least I think not.
"Now," said Bakenkhonsu, "Pharaoh sat with hanging head upon his throne and made no answer." "Pharaoh does not speak," went on Userti. "Then I ask, is this the decree of the Council of Pharaoh and of the people of Egypt? There is still a great army in Egypt, hundreds of chariots and thousands of footmen.
Now Userti spoke, very earnestly, saying: "O Pharaoh, surely my right in the succession, according to ancient precedent, precedes that of my cousin, the Count Amenmeses." Amenmeses was about to answer, but Pharaoh lifted his hand and he was silent. "It is matter for those learned in such lore to discuss," Meneptah replied in a somewhat hesitating voice.
Say to him also that while he refrains from working me harm upon the throne, as I know he has done up to the present, he may be sure that I will work him none in the station which he has chosen." Also I saw the Princess Userti who questioned me closely concerning her lord. I told her everything, keeping naught back. She listened and asked: "What of that Hebrew woman, Moon of Israel?
It was within a moon of this funeral that the great ones of Egypt came to Memphis to name the Prince as Pharaoh, and with them came her Highness, the Queen Userti. I was present at the ceremony, which to me was very strange.
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