_Ranoutet._ Dear messenger from the greatest in Egypt, may the gods protect you, and may the gods protect Aahmes, now warrior, priest in future years, the light of all our hearts. _Ouny._ Great Aahmes is indeed a king of men. The leaders of the people love him above all others. He stands almost as near their hearts as you do, lady. _Ranoutet._ Ah, yes, he is blessed from his birth. The foretelling of this victory has been long in our ears; when it comes to pass we of the temple will receive him with great honour. He is the beloved of Hathor, and her will has been his pleasure. If he can withstand temptation in the supreme hour of earthly triumph, she will receive him into the great mysteries. _Ouny._ Can Aahmes still be tempted—Aahmes, the lover of Hathor? _Ranoutet._ The hour is at hand which is to try his strength of purpose. The goddess will give us the victory, that our sacred land may be purged of the people of Asia, who have worked in her evil and uncleanness; but the soul of Aahmes stands alone in the last trial, and can know no strength but its own. No name but the name of Aahmes can be invoked; no power but the power of Aahmes can prevail. _Ouny._ Lady of wisdom, terror pierces me like a spear. Can it be that the goddess will take back her great gift even after his hands are raised to receive it? Can the goddess turn from her beloved? and can Aahmes be an outcast from the sanctuary? _Ranoutet._ These things are hidden in the heart of Hathor—the heart of mercy and justice. To her mercy we commend him; to her justice we give him up without fear. O Hathor, great diviner of beauty, who rulest in those places where desire fails, and the substance of human life fades and passes into eternal truth; O Hathor, guard thy servant and do well to him. _Ouny._ Will you not aid him, mighty priestess? _Ranoutet._ I will do all that is permitted. Bring me the secret mirror and the Lybian wax, the holy herbs and oil. I will burn incense from all the corners of the world, and I will have lustral water and the holy wands of power, the sacred Natron essence of the gods, who alone can purify all shameful things by their touch. With these I will bless great Aahmes and all his works once more. And I will send up an incantation in the hour of battle, before which all the dreadful gods of Asia shall be bound because their worshippers have made our land unclean with going to and fro. _Ouny goes, saluting and muttering the formula_, I go in peace; may peace go with me! (_Ranoutet puts on a crown bound with Urcari snakes and faces the place of the sun. She pours out a libation._)