The Washington times., 1919-03-30

w and spoke slowly, but in the voice
Of one who gives judgment that may not
be questioned, saying: Prince Seti, you
are my only son born of Queen Ast-Nefert,
royal sister, royal mother, who sleeps in
the bosom Of Osiris. 1t is true that you
are not my frst-born son, since the Count
Ramessu''-here he pointed to a stout,
mild-faced man of pleasing, rather foolish
appearance-"is your elder by two years.
But, as he knows well, his mother, who is
still with US, is a Syrian by birth and Of
no royal blood, and therefore he can never
sit upon the throne of Egypt. Is it not so,
my son Ramessu?"
1T is so, o Pharaoh" answered the
Count in a pleasant voice, nor do seek
ever to sit upon that throne, who am well
content with the offices and wealth that
Pharaoh has been pleased to confer upon
me, his frst-born."
Let the words Of the Count Ramessu
Be written down." said Pharaoh, "and
placed in the temple Of Ptah, of this city,
and in the temples of Ptah at Memphis,
and Of Anon at Thebes, that hereafter
they may never be questioned"
The scrIbes in attendance wrote down
the words and, at a sign from the Prince
Seti, l also wrote them down. When this
was finished Pharaoh went on.
Therefore, o Prince Seti, you are the
heir Of Egypt and perhaps, as those He
brew prophets said, will ere long be called
upon to sit in my place on its throne"
''May the King live forever!" exclaimed
Seti, "for well he knows that do not seek
his crown and dignities."
'T do know it well, my son; so well that
I wish you thought more Of that crown
and those dignities which, if the gods will,
must come to you. If they will it not next
In the order Of succession stands your
cousin, the Count Amenmeses, who is also
of royal blood both on his fathers and
his mothers side, and after him 1 know
not who, unless it be my daughter and
your half-sister, the royal Princess Userti,
Lady of Egypt"
Now Userti spoke, very earnestly, say
ing:
20 Pharaoh, surely my right in the sue
'cession, according to ancient precedent,
precedes that of my cousin, the Count
Amenmeses.'
Amenmeses was about to answer, but
Pharaoh lifted his hand and he was silent.
at is a matter for those learned in such
lore to discuss" Meneptah replied in a
somewhat hesitating voice. Il pray the
gods that it may never be needful that this
high question should be considered in the
Council. Nevertheless, let the words Of
the royal Princess be written down. Now,
Prince Seti," he went on, when this had
been done, you are still unmarried, and
If you have children they are not royal"
81 have none, o Pharaoh" said Seti.
'Ts it so?" answered Meneptah indiffer-
emily. "The Count Amenmeses has chill
dren I know, for have seen them, but by
his wife Unuri, who also is Of the royal
line, he has none"
Here heard Amenmeses mutter, being
my aunt that is not strange" a saying at
which Seti smiled.
my daughter, the Princess, is also un-
married. So it seems that the fountain Of
the royal blood is running dry
'Now it is coming" whispered Seti be-
low his breath so that only could hear.
Therefore" continued Pharaoh, "as you
know, Prince Seti, for the royal Princess
Of Egypt by my command went to speak
to you Of this matter last night, l make a
decree"-
Pardon, o Pharaoh interrupted the
Prince, my sister spoke to me of no de-
cree last night, save that 1 should attend
at the court here today"
Because 1 could not, Seti, seeing that
another was present with you whom you
refused to DISMISS" and she let her eyes
rest on me.
at matters not" said Pharaoh, "since
now will utter it with my own lips, which
perhaps is better. 1t is my will Prince,
that you forthwith wed the royal Princess
Userti, that children of the true blood of
the Ramessides may be born. Hear and
obey"
Now Userti shifted her eyes from me to
Seti, watching him closely l noted that
his lips turned white and his face grew
fixed and strange.
81 hear the command of Pharaoh" he
said in low voice, making obeisance, and
hesitated.
"Have you aught to add?" asked Meme
ptah sharply.
"only, o Pharaoh, that though this
would be a marriage decreed for reasons