This figure was beautifully
fashioned to the living likeness of Pharaoh, and crowned with the double
crown of Egypt.
"What is it?" asked Merytra, shrinking back. "An _ushapti_ to be placed
in his tomb?"
"No, woman, a magic Ka fashioned with many a spell out of yonder ancient
roll, that can bring _him_ to the tomb if it be rightly used, as you
shall use it."
"I!" she exclaimed, starting. "How?"
"Thus: You, as one of Pharaoh's favourite ladies, have charge of the
chamber where he sleeps. Now you must make shift to enter there alone
and lay this figure in his bed, that the breath of Pharaoh may enter
into it. Then take it from the bed and say these words, 'Figure, figure,
I command thee by the power within thee and in the name of the Lord
if Ill, that as thy limbs waste, so shall the limbs of him in whose
likeness thou art fashioned waste also.' Having spoken thus, hold the
legs of the image over the flame of a lamp until it be half melted, and
convey the rest of it away to your own sleeping-place and hide it there.
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