They promised gifts and offerings, stately temples and wide
lands, if only their desire might be fulfilled.
"Let me no more be made a mock among men," cried the beautiful queen,
beating her forehead upon the stone feet of the god. "Let me bear a
child to fill the seat of my lord the King, and then if thou wilt, take
my life in payment."
But the god made no answer, and wearied out at length they rose and
departed. At the door of the sanctuary they found the high-priest
awaiting them, a wizened, aged man.
"The god gave no sign, O High-priest," said Pharaoh sadly; "no voice
spoke to us."
The old priest looked at the weeping queen, and a light of pity crept
into his eyes.
"To me, watching without," he said, "a voice seemed to speak, though
what it said I may not reveal. Go to your palace now, O Pharaoh, and O
Queen Ahura, and take your rest side by side. I think that in your sleep
a sign will come to you, for Amen is pitiful, and loves his children
who love him. According to that sign so speak to the Prince Abi, speak
without fear or doubt, since for good or ill it shall be fulfilled.
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