If Pharaoh were to go away without attending them, he would anger all the people of the North which he has not visited since he was crowned." "Then let them be angered; Pharaoh can do as he wills." "Yes, Queen, at least, that is the saying.

But do you think that Pharaoh wishes to bring about a civil war and risk his crown and yours?
Listen: Abi is very strong, and under his command he has a greater army than Pharaoh can muster in these times of peace, for in addition to his trained troops, all the thousands of the Bedouin tribes of the desert look on him as lord, and at his word will fall on the wealth of Egypt like famished vultures on a fatted ox.

Moreover, here you have but a guard of five hundred men, whereas Abi's regiments, summoned to do you honour, and his ships of war block the river and the southern road.

How then will you leave Memphis without his good leave; how will you even send messengers to summon aid which could not reach you under fifty days ?" Now when she saw the greatness of the danger, Tua grew quite calm and answered: "You have done wrong, Asti; if you foresaw all these things of which I never thought, you should have warned Pharaoh and his Council." "Queen, I did warn them, and Mermes warned them also, but they would not listen, saying that they were but the idle dreams of one who strives to peep into the future and sees false pictures there.

More, Pharaoh sent for me himself, and whilst thanking me and Mermes my husband, told me that he had inquired into the matter and found no cause to distrust Abi or those under his command.