But Pharaoh laid his hand upon her knee and said, "Continue, Prince and brother.

We have heard from you that which we already know too well--that I am childless.

Tell us what we do not know, the desire of your heart which lies hid beneath all these words." "Pharaoh, it is this--I am of your holy blood, sprung of the same divine father----" "But of a mother who was not divine," broke in Ahura; "of a mother taken from a race that has brought many a curse upon Khem, as any mirror will show you, Prince of Memphis." "Pharaoh," went on Abi without heeding her, "you grow weak; heaven desires you, the earth melts beneath you.

In the north and in the south many dangers threaten Egypt.

Should you die suddenly without an heir, barbarians will flow in from the north and from the south, and the great ones of the land will struggle for your place.