Ho! Sachons! give orders to the captain of the guard to accompany our noble guests with a hundred men." "But why?
a single guide, perhaps one of the Greek officers, would be amply sufficient." "No, my young friends, it is better so.

Foreigners can never be too prudent in Egypt.

Do not forget this, and especially be careful not to ridicule the sacred animals.

And now farewell, my young heroes, till we meet again this evening over a merry wine-cup." The Persians then quitted the palace, accompanied by their interpreter, a Greek, but who had been brought up in Egypt, and spoke both languages with equal facility.
[Psamtik I.is said to have formed a new caste, viz.: the caste of Interpreters, out of those Greeks who had been born and bred up in Egypt.Herod.II.154.Herodotus himself was probably conducted by such a "Dragoman."] Those streets of Sais which lay near the palace wore a pleasant aspect.
The houses, many of which were five stories high, were generally covered with pictures or hieroglyphics; galleries with balustrades of carved and gaily-painted wood-work, supported by columns also brightly painted, ran round the walls surrounding the courts.

In many cases the proprietor's name and rank was to be read on the door, which was, however, well closed and locked.