Part 3 (2/2)

But he said: 'Love, how could I drink or eat?'

Then in a censer burning gums they brought And spices rare and unguent for his feet.

Lo, none was like her, none that bore the name Of woman! And his heart rose like a flame: 'O TA-BUVUe, let the end be now: Let us make perfect that for which we came!'

'Is not this house thine own and I thy bride?'

Said she: 'Yet one thing first shalt thou decide.

I am no common woman, but to Bast Pure, and full-filled of majesty and pride.

Thy present wife put from thee, that no soul Near me may stand; and write it in a scroll.

And all thy wealth of Priesthoods and of Powers, With me alone thou shalt divide the whole.'

Said SETNE: 'Call a scribe.' And at their call The scribe came; and he wrote a scroll withal And cast off SETNE'S wife; and SETNE'S wealth, With TA-BUVUe did he share it all.

And in that hour one spoke to SETNE: 'Lo, Thy children, waiting in the court below, Sit with the dogs and curling cats of Bast.'

And SETNE said: 'Bring them, and let them know.'

Then TA-BUVUe laid her raiment proud Off, and put on soft linen, like one vowed To bridal; and her body through the robe Shone, as the moon s.h.i.+nes through a little cloud.

And back she turned to him and poured him wine, And said: 'These children must not strive with mine.

Make them to sign the scroll, too, and give up Their part in thee.' And SETNE made them sign.

The fine, fine, linen robed her like a mist Which robeth RA in pearl and amethyst; And SETNE marvelled gazing; and again She spoke, and SETNE'S hand she took and kissed:

'These children, knowing all to me thou art, Hate me.--Let them be mine to take apart And do my will upon them.' And he said: 'Do all the abomination of thy heart.'

She slew them then, and from her window fine Cast them. And far below he heard the whine Of dogs that tore and curling cats of Bast Which lapped their blood. And SETNE drank his wine.

He said: 'Those children that were slain had birth By me. O Woman, thou hast made much dearth About me. Give me that for which I came, Else have I nothing, nothing, on this earth.'

'Hast thou not me,' she said, 'in place of all?

Come, therefore!' And she led him through the hall To a fair couch, ebon and ivory; And down he lay, and spread swift arms withal

To clasp her; and within his arms outspread, Behold, she withered, withered; and her head It had no eyes, and downward all her jaw Dropped, like the jaws of the uncared-for dead.

And SETNE strove to rise, but cloud on cloud Held him: hot wind and hate and laughter loud, And one that wept for a world's glory gone, And dust, dust, dust: and SETNE shrieked aloud:

And saw: and, lo, all naked in the day In a waste place of bricks and shards he lay, And clutched a burning kiln. And near him pa.s.sed The way and much folk jeering on the way,

Soldiers and priests, beggars and men of pride.

And SETNE rolled him in the dust and cried: 'My children!' And a great lord rose in wrath: 'Thy children stand this hour at PHARAOH'S side,

Thou naked man! Thou Priest whom none shall bless!

And ask for thee. What? Is it drunkenness?'

And SETNE said: 'They live.' And said: 'O King, Throw me, I pray, some robe in this distress,

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