Pharaoh knew it, for his chin sank upon his breast and his face that had been red with rage turned white.

Userti hid her eyes with her hand as though to shut out some evil vision, and even Seti seemed ill at ease as though that awful curse had found a home within his heart.
At a motion of Pharaoh's hand the Vizier Nehesi struck the ground thrice with his wand of office and pointed to the door, thus giving the accustomed sign that the Court was finished, whereon all the people turned and went away with bent heads speaking no words one to another.
Presently the great hall was emptied save for the officers and guards and those who attended upon Pharaoh.

When everyone had gone Seti the Prince rose and bowed before the throne.
"O Pharaoh," he said, "be pleased to hearken.

We have heard very evil words spoken by these Hebrew men, words that threaten your divine life, O Pharaoh, and call down a curse upon the Upper and the Lower Land.
Pharaoh, these people of Israel hold that they suffer wrong and are oppressed.

Now give me, your son, a writing under your hand and seal, by virtue of which I shall have power to go down to the Land of Goshen and inquire of this matter, and afterwards make report of the truth to you.
Then, if it seems to you that the People of Israel are unjustly dealt by, you may lighten their burden and bring the curse of their prophets to nothing.