The review in question was prepared for this day; and, in order that I
might witness it, the queen had graciously appointed the occasion for
my presentation to her. Although, in my account of that interview, I
spoke only of myself, yet there had been presented, just before I
entered the palace, several ambassadors, princes, and philosophers,
from various countries, including Arabia, Persia, Sheba, Javan,
Iberia, Abyssinia, and the isles of the sea. These had come to Egypt,
either to enter the schools of philosophy, to negotiate terms of
tribute or alliance, or to study the science of war, for which Egypt
has become eminent, even rivalling the mighty Philistine armies in
discipline, effect, and valor.
From the throne-room we passed out through a gateway, from which
descended steps to the parade, which was a vast square, capable of
holding one hundred thousand men; while the colonnades around it would
accommodate as many more spectators.
The queen did not descend the steps, but took her seat by a statue of
the god of war, upon a sort of throne beneath a canopy, supported by
six bearers, to shield her from the sun. But Remeses, leaving me by
the side of his royal mother, who was also surrounded by her guard,
and near whom stood the ambassadors and princes and philosophers,
received from an attendant a helmet of gold, which he put over his
silken bonnet, and from another a corselet of steel inlaid, mounted a
war-chariot in waiting, and, casting a glance around upon the field,
looked all at once the warrior-prince, which the heightened color of
his cheek and proud carriage of his head showed he felt himself to be.
Thus, whether a soldier at the head of the hosts of Egypt, a
counsellor by the throne of his mother, a courtier among the nobles, a
philosopher in the Academies, he is perfect in all things. As a son,
he sets an example of devotion and filial respect to the young men of
the kingdom; as a man, his private character is pure from every vice
or folly--a worthy heir to the throne of the dominant kingdom of the
earth. The sight which the square presented surpasses my ability to
convey to your mind a just conception of. The vast area was one third
occupied by a division of chariots. The chariot corps constitutes a
very large and effective portion of the Egyptian army. Each car
contained two soldiers--for, from the position I occupied, my eyes
could take in the whole splendid scene--besides the charioteer. The
car on which Remeses stood was drawn by two horses, but without any
charioteer, the reins being fastened to an upright spear. His chariot
was inlaid with silver and gold. The sides and back were open, and the
base or floor of the car curved upward in front, serving as a
safeguard to the charioteer when one was required; but it now
supported his quiver of silver and bow-case of gilded leather, richly
ornamented with figures of lions. The spear-case, which was of bronze,
and fastened by chains of gold, pointed over his shoulder. Close to it
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