United States or Afghanistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Abi Fressah grew impatient when Ben Maslia began to describe each room in detail, his hunger increased when, in glowing words, his friend painted the gorgeous dining-room, and his mouth watered at the information that the cellars were stocked with a thousand bottles of wine. "Blessings on thee and thy wine-cellar and thy house," murmured Abi Fressah, when he could get in a word.
He almost forgot his unpleasant afternoon in the prospect of the coming feast, but Ben Maslia came not. Abi Fressah soon felt angry. He could not restrain himself from banging a big brass gong to summon a servant. But although he banged several times, no servant answered the call. Abi Fressah nearly shed tears in his despair. Suddenly Ben Maslia appeared before him.
Abi Fressah was overwhelmed with surprise, but he was growing momentarily hungrier, and it was with difficulty he could restrain his impatience. "Yes, yes," he said, "I would fain gaze upon the outer door of thy dwelling." "Such an outer door," said Ben Maslia, "hast thou never seen. Its width...." and again he began to measure the street to indicate its dimensions.
Now Abi went mad in the extremity of his fear. "They are sorcerers," he shouted, "who would bewitch me. Take them and keep them safe, and let Kaku be beaten with rods till he comes to his right mind again. To-morrow, when I have slain Rames, I will hang this magician at my mast-head."
A voice cried "Halt!" and while the guards re-shaped themselves into a square about the person of the Queen, an embassy of officers, among whom were recognised the four lawful sons of Abi, advanced and demanded in the Prince's name that her Majesty should be given over to them, saying that she would be treated with all honour, and that those who accompanied her might go free.
But these things Abi Fressah scarcely noted. His gaze was promptly directed on the table. It was spread with the most sumptuous repast that ever he had seen. There were dishes upon dishes of tasty sweetmeats, huge platters of luscious fruits, many bottles of wine, and covered bowls from which arose the most appetizing aroma. Abi Fressah's mouth began to twitch and his eyes glowed.
Pharaoh, who was tired, made no reply, but the young Queen, staring back at him, answered: "We thank you for your greeting, but then, my uncle Abi, why did you not meet us outside the gates of Memphis where we expected to find its governor waiting to deliver up the keys of Pharaoh's city to the officers of Pharaoh?"
"Beautiful, indeed," said Rames, looking at them, "though there is but one who has the right to wear this crown, the divine Queen of the Upper and the Lower Land," and he sighed. "Nay, Lord," replied Asti, "for surely her husband might wear it also." "It would sit but ill on the fat head of Abi, from all I hear, Lady," he broke in, laughing bitterly.
"That slave," answered the learned man, "Merytra, whose ears you boxed just now " "How do you know that I boxed her ears?" asked Abi quickly. "Did the stars tell you that also? Well, I am tired of the sly hussy take her. Soon I think she will box yours." But when Kaku sought Merytra to tell her the glad tidings that she was his, he could not find her. Merytra had disappeared.
I need not ask if you are well," and he glanced enviously at the great-framed man who knelt before him. "Hail to your divine Majesty!" answered Abi in his deep voice. "Health and strength be with you, Holder of the Scourge of Osiris, Wearer of the Feathers of Amen, Mortal crowned with the glory of Ra."
Word Of The Day