The disaffection seems to be of great extent. But the Rameside army
assembled on the ground might check an open insurrection. Furthermore,
thou hast seen the salutary effect of thy visit to Tape when she forgot
her duty to her sovereign. Thy presence in the Delta would undoubtedly
expedite the suppression of the rebellion likewise."
"O, aye," Meneptah declared. "I must go to Tanis. It seems that I
must hasten hither and thither over Egypt pursuing sedition like a
scent-hunting jackal. Mayhap if I were divided like Osiris[1] and a
bit of me scattered in each nome, I might preserve peace. But it goes
sore against me to drag the army with me. Hast thou any simpler plan
to offer, holy Father?"
The old priest shifted a little before he answered.
"The mysteries of the faith are in possession of Mesu," he began at
last. "The writing saith he hath exerted great influence over the
bond-people--in truth he hath entered a peaceful land and stirred it
up--and time is but needed to bring the unrest to open warfare. Thou,
O Meneptah, and thou, O Rameses, and thou, O Har-hat, each being of the
brotherhood--ye know that we hold the faith by scant tenure in the
respect of the people. Ye know the perversity of humanity.
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