_Ranoutet._ Hush, hush! even now the battle begins! (_Enter Ouny._) Give me the magic mirror. (_She looks in it._) Aahmes is in his chariot leading the attack. Help me, Ouny. (_Nouferou sits on the couch with her head bowed._) _Ranoutet_ (_to Ouny_). Lay the Hyksos’ chiefs under Aahmes’ feet, and when the sistrum is shaken and the lute is plucked by the chanters and musicians in the temple court, the Lady Nouferou will help you wave the holy wands around him, so that the immortal serpents, guardians of our land, may weave the web of protection round him and round our troops. (_Ouny arranges the images as in Egyptian triumphs described above by Nouferou. Ranoutet holds out serpent wands to Nouferou, who refuses with a gesture._) _Ranoutet_ (_pleadingly_). To-night the goddess strives with the destroyer for Aahmes’ soul! Think! even now the Threefold Terror may devour him! _Nouferou._ If Aahmes dies now he is mine—mine on the golden borders of heaven; if he lives he is yours and Hathor’s. _Ranoutet._ If Aahmes dies in sin, faithless to Hathor, his soul must die the second death! There will be no light life for him on the horizons with you for playfellow. _Nouferou._ I will not believe it! _Ranoutet._ That is the law of Hathor. Her servant must be faithful, or he dies body and soul, and his name is trodden out by the Sebau in the deepest cavern of Duat. _Nouferou._ Woe! woe! Desolation, oh desolation! Has Hathor no mercy? _Ranoutet._ Have you had mercy in your jealous rage? To the battle! to the battle! Do as I do, and lift up your heart in prayer that Egypt may conquer, and that Aahmes may conquer in his mortal combat! (_pause_). And listen to my voice, if Aahmes dies your life shall be the forfeit! (_Seizes her throat._) The traitress has short trial in time of war! _Nouferou._ Mercy! mercy! _Ranoutet_ (_contemptuously_). Mercy! see that your actions are fit for justice. (_The music in the temple court is heard._) Quick, to the serpent dance! (_Holding out the serpent wands._) Here, take the wands of power and weave the magic cord. _The priests chant outside._ Yeioret! (_Nouferou and Ouny perform a dance._) _Ranoutet._ Now call the spirits of the earth and sky! _The priests chant._ Yakhu pout! Yakhu taw! (_Nouferou and Ouny dance._) _Ranoutet._ Now clash the cymbals (_presents them ceremonially_), and I will call on the vultures of death—swift servants of the mother of our arms! _The priests chant._ Maut! Maut! (_Nouferou and Ouny dance and clash cymbals. Drums, sistrums, and cries of victory rising to a great clamour without._)