RHEOU [_derisively_] I am the son of a high priest; I know the Gods--The Pharaoh forgets that were I to remind the people of my father's services, were I to arm all those who work for me, and let them loose against him-- MIERIS. Rheou! Rheou! RHEOU. Think you they would not obey me? I am son of that high priest, the Pharaoh's friend who wished to replace the Gods of Egypt, by one only God. The court cannot forgive me for that. Little they dream, that were I to declare my father had appeared to me, all those who know me, all the poor folk whose backs are blistered by the tax-gatherer's whip, all who are terrorized by schemes of foreign war--all, all would take my orders as inspired, divine. MIERIS. The fear of the Gods would hold them back. RHEOU. How long--I wonder! MIERIS. I hear them coming for the prayer. RHEOU. Yes. Let us pray--that they may have nothing to reproach me with before I choose my hour. MIERIS. What hour? RHEOU. Could I but realize the work my father dreamed of--and at the same stroke be avenged--avenged for all the humiliations-- MIERIS. Be silent--I hear-- _The singers and the dancers and all the women and servants come on gradually._ RHEOU [_going to the terrace_] The sun is not yet down upon the hill. But look--upon the Nile--see, Yaouma! 'tis the galley that bears your betrothed. YAOUMA. 'Tis there! 'Tis there!--See--it has stopped--they take the mallet, and drive in the stake. The boat's prow is aground. Now they have prayed--they disembark. Look, there is the strange scribe! RHEOU [_looking_] A stranger--he--I do not think it. YAOUMA. I thought, from his garments, perhaps-- _Pakh returns._ RHEOU. Did you not wait for your son? PAKH [_terrified_] Master, on the road that leads to the Nile, I beheld two dead scarabs-- RHEOU. None, then, save the High Priest, may pass till the road be purified. PAKH. I have warned the travellers they must go a long way round. RHEOU. Did you not recognize your son? PAKH. No, he will be among the last to land, perhaps. YAOUMA. But look--look! Behold that man--the stranger who comes this way alone--Pakh! where were they, Pakh--the scarabs? PAKH. Near to the fig tree. YAOUMA [_terrified_] He is about to pass them--Oh! He does not know--[_Relieved_] Ah! at last, they warn him. RHEOU. He stays. YAOUMA. Near to the fig tree, said you! But he is going on--He moves--he comes--He is past them--[_To Mieris_] Come, mistress, come! Oh Ammon! Ammon! _Hiding her face she leads Mieris quickly away._ RHEOU. 'Tis to our gates he comes--he is here. _Satni enters._ SATNI [_bowing before Rheou_] Rheou, I salute you! RHEOU. What do I behold! Satni--'tis you-- PAKH. My son! SATNI [_kneeling_] Father! PAKH. 'Twas you!--you, who came that way, despite the scarabs? SATNI. It was I.