The prince commanded his scribes to write accurately of all that had happened from the time of leaving Memphis; hence the review of artisans, the visits to fields and factories, the conversations with nomarchs and officials. To present the report he appointed Tutmosis. "Thou wilt be heart and lips for me before the face of the pharaoh," said the prince to him, "and this is what thou must do there. "When the most worthy Herhor asks what, to my thinking, causes the poverty of Egypt and the treasury, tell the minister to turn to his assistant, Pentuer, and he will explain my views in the same way that he did his own in the temple of Hator. "When Herhor wishes to know my opinion of a treaty with Assyria, answer that my duty is to carry out the commands of my master." Tutmosis nodded in sign that he comprehended. "But," continued the heir, "when thou shalt stand in the presence of my father,--may he live through eternity!--and convince thyself that no one is listening, fall at his feet in my name, and say,-- "'Our lord, thy son and servant, the worthy Rameses, to whom thou hast given life and power, says the following,-- "'The cause of Egypt's suffering is the loss of fertile lands taken by the desert, and the loss of men who die from want and hard labor. But know, our lord, that the damage caused thy treasury by priests is no less than that wrought by death and the desert; for not only are the temples filled with gold and jewels, which would suffice to pay our debts entirely, but the holy fathers and the prophets have the best lands, the best slaves and laborers, and lands far greater in extent than those of the divine pharaoh. "'Thy son and slave, Rameses, says this to thee,--he who all the time of his journey had his eyes open like a fish, and his ears set forward like an ass which is watching.'" The prince stopped. Tutmosis repeated the words mentally. "If," continued the viceroy, "his holiness asks for my opinion of the Assyrians, fall on thy face and answer,-- "'Thy servant Rameses, if thou permit, makes bold to say that the Assyrians are strong and large men, and have perfect weapons; but it is evident that they have bad training. At the heels of Sargon marched the best Assyrian warriors, archers, axemen, spearmen, and still there were not six among them who could march in line warrior fashion. Besides they carry their spears crookedly, their swords are badly hung, they bear their axes like carpenters or butchers. Their clothing is heavy, their rude sandals gall their feet, and their shields, though strong, are of small use, for the men are awkward.'" "Thou speakest truth," said Tutmosis. "I have noticed that, and I have heard the same from Egyptian officers who declare that Assyrian troops, like those which we saw here, would offer less resistance than the hordes of Libya."