But the girl, who was sharp of tongue--for all of this I heard in after years--said to him that "he did well to bow the knee, for this child was indeed Pharaoh, the greatest of Pharaohs, and his name was the _Osiris_ and his throne was _Death_." Auletes was much troubled at these words, and trembled, for, being a wicked man, he greatly feared entering into Amenti.

So he caused the girl to be slain because of the evil omen of her saying; crying that he would send her to worship that Pharaoh whom she had named.

And the other women he sent away, and played no more upon the flute till he was once again drunk on the morrow.

But the Alexandrians made a song on the matter, which is still sung about the streets.

And this is the beginning of it-- Ptolemy the Piper played Over dead and dying; Piped and played he well.
Sure that flute of his was made Of the dank reed sighing O'er the streams of Hell.
There beneath the shadows grey, With the sisters three, Shall he pipe for many a day.
May the Frog his butler be! And his wine the water of that countrie-- Ptolemy the Piper! After this the years passed on, nor did I, being very little, know anything of the great things that came to pass in Egypt; nor is it my purpose to set them out here.