Page 7 - 1923 VES Meteor

TIIE lh:TEOR 51
They began taJl..-ing again.
Pharoa.h was a tyrant. llad he not sent many innocent to their death, had he uot caused their own privations, had he not cruelly executed those sla>es that had protested against their wrong.g ~ So thonght Bnsiris.
But thi!' ;;arne Ph:uoah had issued the proclamation of Teheran ; this same Pharaoh had shown clemency again and again. So argued Rameses.
"Perhaps it is but a mask, dear Rameses," replied the cynical Bnsiris. "His good works m·e but a. preparation for the greater bad to follow. He has deceived you-see, he is cleYer. But-we will be 1·id of him soon. And you, Rameses, you will help."
Rameses was bewildered. He, Rameses, help? Never!
Busiris laughed. "You will help. The rest will; you will."
Pharaoh sat in the throne-room, the magnificent court of the Pharaohs of Egypt. The sunlight slipped through the great circular window abo>e the throne, falling here and there on the great columns which reached lazily to the great high vaulted dome. The attendants and lords stretched from throne to door; the high councilor, 1\Iurad, stood upon the dais ncar the mighty ruler of Egypt.
"1\Iurad," whispered Pharuoh, ''have you considered my plan concerning the betterment of my slaves?"
"Yes, Sire."
"You 1.-n.ow that I wish tbe sla>es at Cheops, above all, to benefit by it. Now what is the outcome of your con- sideration 1"
"Your majesty has done enough for his subjects. He has passed aU limits of his predecessors. And uow I fear for your majesty.
"These alone are your reasons against it, then?"