Moreover, the lives of the six hunters are yours, and with them the men themselves." "May the King live for ever!" I exclaimed, feeling that I must say something.
"I hope so," he answered cruelly, "but, Egyptian, you shall not, who have broken the laws of the land." "In what way, O King ?" I asked.
"By shooting at the lions before the King had time to draw his bow, and by telling the King that he lied to his face, for both of which things the punishment is death." Now my heart swelled till I thought it would burst with rage.

Then of a sudden, a certain spirit entered into me and I rose to my feet and said, "O King, you have declared that I must die and as this is so, I will kneel to you no more who soon shall sup at the table of Osiris, and there be far greater than any king, going before him with clean hands.
Is it not your law that he who is condemned to die has first the right to set out his case for the honour of his name ?" "It is," said the King, I think because he was curious to hear what I had to say.

"Speak on." "O King, although my blood is as high as your own, of that I say nothing, for at the wish of your satrap I came to the East from Egypt as a hunter, to show you how we of Egypt kill lions and other beasts.

For three months I have waited in the royal city seeking admission to the presence of the King, and in vain.

At length I was bidden to this hunt when I was about to depart to my own land, and being taunted by your servants, entered the reeds with my slave, and there slew a lion.