The Yoke: A Romance of the Days when the Lord Redeemed the Children of Israel from the Bondage of Egypt
John Stuart Mill · en
Since there were no children in their house, Senci and the murket
spoiled Anubis, and in the eyes of his devoted master the ape had
earned his soft life. Shortly after the departure of Kenkenes Mentu
discovered the ape burying something in the sand of the courtyard
flower-beds. In spite of the favorite's vigorous protests Mentu
overturned the tiny heap of earth and discovered therein the
lapis-lazuli signet. There was but one explanation of the ape's
possession of the gem. He had torn the scarab from about the neck of
Unas when he flew in his face, the moment the light went out. After
his nature, he kept the jewel because it was bright.
All these things--the discovery of the signet in the tomb, the safety
of Kenkenes when all the other first-born had died, and the testimony
of the miracles to the power of Israel's God--made the good murket
think deeply. Indeed, all Egypt thought deeply after the Exodus of
Israel, and to such extremes was this sober thinking carried that
through very fear many added the name of the Hebrews' God to the
Pantheon. Mentu did not go so far, because he saw the inconsistency in
such procedure, but he shook his head and pondered and was not wholly
satisfied with many things in the Osirian creed.
Of the love of Hotep and Masanath something yet remains to be told. It
was common to examine the entire family of a traitor as to their
complicity in his misdeeds, and the option lay with the Pharaoh whether
or not they should bear some of his punishment. Har-hat was dead, the
army destroyed at his hands. When the news of the disaster reached
Tanis Meneptah's anger and grief knew no bounds.
After Rameses had been interred at Thebes beside his fathers, and the
court had returned to Memphis, the king summoned Masanath, the sole
representative of the family of Har-hat, to give reason why she should
not be accused of complicity in the treason of her father.
Meneptah had taken counsel with none on this step. Perhaps he had an
inkling that it would be unpopular; perhaps he thought he was but
fulfilling the law. Hotep was at On comforting his family, who mourned
over Bettis, and most of the other ministers were scattered over Egypt
lamenting their own dead, and few expected the ungallant act of the
king.
But one day, when all the court had reassembled, Masanath came into the
great council chamber. Alone and dressed in mourning, she seemed so
little and defenseless that Meneptah stirred uncomfortably in his
throne. Slowly she approached the dais and fell on her knees before
the king. The great gathering of courtiers held its breath, wondering
and pitying.