Part 25 (1/2)
”Surely,” he answered, ”this Shabaka htly if he passes them on thus to the first-comer At the least, let not the vessel which has been hallowed by the lips of the King of kings be dishonoured by the huiven another cup”
So a new goblet was brought to hi to pass theto me to tell the story of the cup Then I said while all listened,
”O Prince, the ive e for a certain fa to pass it on to you, et the matter
A while later, however, his eye fell upon Aain he asked a question of the hawk-eyed captain, then said,
”Think me not discourteous, O Prince, if I seem to look upon yonder lovely lady which in our country, where women do not appear in public, we should think it an insult to do But on her fair breast I see certain pearls like to sohout the world, which for many years have been worn by those who sit upon the throne of the East I would ask if they are the same, or others?”
”I do not know, O Idernes,” answered Peroa; ”I only know that the lord Shabaka brought them from the East Inquire of hian Idernes, but I cut hiain I won those pearls in a bet froold This I think you knew before, since yourto steal them, which under the rods he said he did by command, O Satrap”
To this bold speech Idernes yptians murmured approval
After this the feast went on without further incident for a while, the Easterns always drinking th the tables were cleared and all of the meaner sort departed from the hall, save the butlers and the personal servants such as Bes, who stood behind the seats of theirof a storm, and in the midst of it Idernes spoke, somewhat thickly
”I did not coovernment at Sais to eat your h matters with you”
”It is so, O Satrap,” answered Peroa ”And nohat may be your will?
Would you retire to discuss them with me andthat I have naught to say which may not be heard by all?”
”As it pleases you Speak on, O Satrap”
”I have been su under what seenets--the ancient White Seal that for generations unknown has been worn by the forefathers of the King of kings Where is this Signet?”
”Here,” said the Prince, opening his robe ”Look on it, Satrap, and let your lords look, but let none of you dare to touch it”
Idernes looked long and earnestly, and so did some of his people, especially the lord with the hawk eyes Then they stared at each other bewildered and whispered together
”It seems to be the very Seal--the White Seal itself!” exclaith ”Tellthat dwells in the East hither into Egypt?”
”The lord Shabaka brought it to , O Satrap”
”Shabaka for the third tiht the cup; he brought the fanet of signets What is there then that he did not bring? Perchance he has the person of the King of kings hi!”
”Not that, O Satrap, only the cos which are prepared ready to deliver to you under the White Seal that you acknowledge”
”And what yptian?”
”This, O Satrap: That you and all the arht with you retire to Sais and thence out of Egypt as quickly as you may, or pay for disobedience with your lives”
Now Idernes and his captains gasped