HIGH PRIEST. Let each fulfil the mission he is charged with. Let the young priests mix with the crowd, the moment it enters the Temple. Let them excite the people's fervor, that as many prodigies as possible may be won from the goddess. Now when you are gone the stones that screen the sanctuary will roll away before the Pharaoh and the High Priest; and, first by right, they shall behold the goddess face to face. Humbly prostrated we shall speak to her the mysterious words that other men have never heard. Bow down before the Pharaoh, may he live in health and strength [_All kneel and remain with their faces on the ground during what follows, save an old man whom the High Priest calls to his side by a sign; and to whom he says in low tones_] Let the man Satni be taken from the crypt where he is imprisoned [_The old man bows_] When I give the signal let them bring him here. While the Pharaoh goes in procession through the town let them do what I have told you [_The old man bows_] [_To the others_] Rise! [_To the Pharaoh_] Son of Ammon-Ra, bow down before him who represents the god. [_The Pharaoh rises and after a slight hesitation bows down before the High Priest_] Withdraw, we would pray. [_Motionless the High Priest and the Pharaoh wait till the last of the assistants are gone_]. THE PHARAOH [_giving up his hieratic pose, angrily_] I would all the flies of Egypt might eat thy tongue. HIGH PRIEST [_without feeling_] The flies of Egypt are too many and my tongue is too small, for your wish to be realized, Pharaoh. THE PHARAOH. This is the result of my weakness! HIGH PRIEST [_with flattering unction_] The Pharaoh, Son of Ammon-Ra--Lord of the two Egypts--Friend of Ra-- THE PHARAOH. Enough! Enough! We are alone. There are none whom your words may deceive. And your mock-reverence fools not me. You would not let me put Satni to death, your subtleties confused my mind, I gave in to you, and now Satni escapes us. HIGH PRIEST. You should not let anger master you for that. THE PHARAOH. Satni has foretold to thousands of ears that there will be no miracle. HIGH PRIEST. The miracle will be. THE PHARAOH. Who knows that? HIGH PRIEST. I. THE PHARAOH. Satni has declared he will enter the temple-- HIGH PRIEST. 'Tis possible. THE PHARAOH. He has declared he knows the secret recess, whence one of your priests makes the head of the image move. HIGH PRIEST. Most like he speaks the truth. THE PHARAOH. He declares the miracle will not take place. If the people suffer this disappointment, tell me what chance can there be for the war of conquest I would wage in Ethiopia? HIGH PRIEST. Why wage a war of conquest in Ethiopia? THE PHARAOH. I need gold. I need women. I need slaves. There will be a share of the spoil for your temple. HIGH PRIEST. I like not bloodshed.