When it had been answered he said in a voice loud enough for me to overhear, "Tell me, O Prince Peroa, was this cup ever that of the Great King which it so much resembles ?" "So I understand, O Idernes," answered Peroa.

"That is, until it became mine by gift from the lord Shabaka, who received it from the Great King." An expression of horror appeared upon the face of the Satrap and upon those of his nobles.
"Surely," he answered, "this Shabaka must hold the King's favours lightly if he passes them on thus to the first-comer.

At the least, let not the vessel which has been hallowed by the lips of the King of kings be dishonoured by the humblest of his servants.

I pray you, O Prince, that I may be given another cup." So a new goblet was brought to him, Peroa trying to pass the matter off as a jest by appealing to me to tell the story of the cup.

Then I said while all listened, "O Prince, the most high Satrap is mistaken.