_Gebuel._ Hail in the holy place of thine Epiphany, solitary one! O thou who restest on the star in the centre of the Northern heavens! That star which alone is immovable. Thou art the celestial abode of our god, Star of the North! Divine Hawk, hovering in the blue night, dark as lapis lazuli! Immovable eye, in the midst of the wheel of the stars, send down a ray from thy splendid solitude upon this hawk—image of thee, thou solitary one, resting upon the empty air, immovable as thou art in the midst of heaven. Let the Priest of the Harvest and the Famine do homage before Heru! (_He prostrates himself._) Let the Priest of the Floods and the Storms do homage before Heru! (_He prostrates himself._) Hail, Hawk of Gold! I give thy symbol into thine own keeping. Hail to thee, resting over the Star of the North! (_Veils himself and enters the sanctuary. The priests rise and replace their symbols upon the altar._) _The Priest of Harvests._ So long as Heru in the form of the Golden Hawk is hidden within the shrine, victory is hidden between our hands. _The Priest of Waters._ The Golden Hawk is hidden within the shrine; and victory is hidden between our hands. (_Gebuel re-enters trembling. The priests support him._) _Gebuel._ I am stricken by his eyes; I am stricken by the eyes of Heru. (_They lead him to the seat._) _Gebuel_ (_staring in front of him_). The Star of the North shines beyond the open gates; but some strong hand holds me back. I have a strange knowledge of one coming—whose coming will bring darkness. (_Tries to stand._) I cannot stand. Close the doors quickly. Drop the bolt. (_This is done._) Bring me the sweet-smelling fire that I may breathe it and find strength. (_They burn incense. He gradually recovers._) Bring me the stones of wisdom, that I may understand this portent. (_They bring two stones._) Let the secret be read and the sign given. Speak! let me know the riddle. (_He holds the stones to his ears. He says to the priests_) Leave me, for the answer is adverse. There is a secret evil even at the doors of this holy place. Go cleanse yourselves with rites till I summon you again before me. (_The attendant priests go out._) O Heru, dost thou demand that a victim should be sacrificed? How have I unwittingly sinned against thee? Thou sayest, “One must be made desolate.” Someone is to be made desolate. (_Nectoris knocks outside._) _Gebuel._ Who is there? _Nectoris._ A wanderer. _Gebuel._ There is food and shelter for all a little to the westward of this place.