Bid him beware of one about his throne, and of that evil magician with whom she made a pact last night.'" Now Pharaoh looked at Asti and said: "O dreamer of dreams, interpret your own dream.

Who is she about my throne of whom I should beware, and who is the magician with whom she made a pact ?" "The divine Queen did not tell me, Pharaoh," answered Asti stubbornly, "but my own skill tells me.

She is Merytra, your favourite, and the magician is Kaku, whom she visited last night." "What!" exclaimed Pharaoh, laughing.

"That long-legged old astrologer with the painted cap who ran so fast when his master was taken?
Why! he is nothing but a spy who has been in my pay for years; a charlatan who pretends to knowledge that he may win the secrets of his Prince.

And Merytra, too, Merytra, who in bygone times warned me of this Abi's foolish plot.