The beloved of Hathor the The shrine of the Golden Hawk

THE BELOVED OF HATHOR
AND THE 5HRINE OF THE
GOLDEN HAWK. * BY
FLORENCE FARR AND
O. 5HAKESPEAR. * *

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THE BELOVED OF HATHOR
AND THE SHRINE OF THE
GOLDEN HAWK. * BY
FLORENCE FARR AND
0. 5HAKESPEAR. * ♦

ALL COPYRIGHTS AND ACTING RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR5

PR '

m6f

THE BELOVED OF HATHOR, AND
THE SHRINE OF THE GOLDEN HAWK.

BY FLORENCE FARR, AUTHOR OF THE DArsCING
FAUN, &c., AND O. 5HAKESPEAR, AUTHOR OF
RUPERT ARMSTRONG, LOVE ON A MORTAL
LEASE, &c. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

¥ The action takes place in the first play on the roof
of the Temple of Hathor, and in the second in a cave of
Mount Bakhua, the home of the Metal -working Fire
Magicians near Sinai. But the Authors wish the plays
to be represented, not scenically but decoratively, with
a simple white background or pale sienna hangings, so
arranged that the figures of the actors, moving across
the stage, may reproduce the effect of the ancient fres-
coes or illuminated papyri.

THE ARGUMENT OF THE BELOVED OF HATHOR.

¥ The scene is in the Temple of Hathor, at the time of
the expulsion of the Hyksos, about 1500 B.C. Aahmes,
the beloved of Hathor, has for many years been watched
over by her High Priestess, in order that through him
the great spiritual kingdom of Egypt might be restored.
His final choice is between this great destiny and the
mere splendour of material victory.

CHARACTERS IN THE BELOVED OF HATHOR.

¥ Ranoutet, the chief priestess of Hathor, and of royal

blood, aged thirty=five. She wears a long black wig

with a double fillet ; a large square of cloth of gold is

wound closely round her figure under the arms ; she

also wears a thin striped gauze overdress, an enamelled

and beaded collar, sandals, and armlets. 5he puts on a

vulture-crown during the war dance.

¥ Nouferou, the daughter of a man of noble rank and

of a wandering woman, who deserted him after the

birth of her child. Nouferou inherits the wild instincts

of her mother. She is seventeen years old. Her dress

is white and gold. The wig is short and surmounted

by a cone and lily.

'¥ Aahmes, a warrior chief of the Red Race, afterwards

becomes king. He is in the prime of life. He wears an

embroidered waistcloth over a thin cotton shirt, a cloth

helmet, and carries a spear.

¥ Ouny, a child attendant of the Temple of Hathor.

Dressed in white.

¥ The Chanters and Musicians do. not appear.

¥

THE ARGUMENT OF THE SHRINE OF THE

GOLDEN HAWK,
¥ The scene is in a cave on Mount Bakhua, near
5inai, about 4000 B.C. Qebuel, the Magician of Fire
and Metals, makes a talisman to Heru in the form of a
Golden Hawk, in the hope of overwhelming the power
of Zozer, King of Egypt, builder of the Step -pyramid at
5akkara. Zozer finds this out, and sends his daughter,
who is skilled in the sombre mysteries of Isis, to win
for Egypt the Golden Hawk, giver of exultation of
heart.

CHARACTERS IN THE SHRINE OF THE GOLDEN

HAWK.

¥ Gebuel, a magician who has earned a great reputa-
tion for power in the brotherhood. He wears a richly
decorated robe of red and gold, sandals, and a conical
headdress with hawks' eyes on either side of it. His
age is forty -five.

¥ The Priest of the Floods and Storms wears a
robe and symbolic headdress of blue and green.
¥ The Priest of the Harvests and Famines is also
dressed symbolically.

¥ Nectoris, daughter of Zozer, King of Egypt, is
dressed as a member of a religious order ; her under-

garment and wig are of the ancient Egyptian pattern,
but she is completely veiled in a thick gauze drapery.
She is twenty -six years old.

1^ The Ka has the same kind of dress. She is the
double or other self o: Nectoris. The Ka is frequently
represented on ancient frescoes as a smaller figure
walking behind the king or queen. It represents the
subtle body, and supports and strengthens the more
material body.

THE BELOVED OF HATHOR

¥ The play is to be acted against a plain white back-
cloth with pale brown hangings on either side, striped
to resemble the decoration of a papyrus roll.

¥ Ranoutet is lying on a couch with lions' heads. L.,
an altar with cauldron, crown, and incense spoon. A
long fan in comer. Ranoutet holds some lotuses in
Egyptian fashion.

¥ Ouny enters with a festival basket on her head
containing lotuses and conical loaves.

Ouny. Here are the offerings to the setting sun. (She
places offerings on altar and comes forward.) It
is the last many brave men will see.

Ranoutet. Has news arrived ? Has the great Aahmes
carried out his plan ? Has our mighty leader
drawn the foes of Egypt into his net ?

Ouny. Lady of wisdom, it is so. They have bidden
me tell you that victory comes with the dawn.
The Hyksos, hateful in our land, know nought of
our armed men, who lie in wait for them, by order
of great Aahmes, along the road which they will

follow to reach our city. With the dawn the
soldiers of Egypt will rise from their hiding places
and slay the Hyksos, and they shall be swept
from our land. This is the message of Aahmes to
you, O lady of wisdom.

(Ouny kneels and touches the earth with her
head. Ranoutet rises and blesses her.)

Ranoutet. Dear messenger from the greatest in Egypt,
may the gods protect you, and may the gods
protect Aahmes, now warrior, priest in future
years, the light of all our hearts.

Ouny. Qreat Aahmes is indeed a king of men. The
leaders of the people love him above all others.
He stands almost as near their hearts as you do,
lady.

Ranoutet. Ah, yes, he is blessed from his birth. The
foretelling of this victory has been long in our
ears ; when it comes to pass we of the temple will
receive him with great honour. He is the beloved
of Hathor, and her will has been his pleasure. If
he can withstand temptation in the supreme hour
of earthly triumph, she will receive him into the
great mysteries.

Ouny. Can Aahmes still be tempted — Aahmes, the
lover of Hathor ?

Ranoutet. The hour is at hand which is to try his

strengrth of purpose. The goddess will give us
the victory, that our sacred land may be purged of
the people of Asia, who have worked in her evil
and uncleanness ; but the soul of Aahmes stands
alone in the last trial, and can know no strength
but its own. No name but the name of Aahmes
can be invoked ; no power but the power of
Aahmes can prevail.

Ouny. Lady of wisdom, terror pierces me like a spear.
Can it be that the goddess will take back her
great gift even after his hands are raised to
receive it ? Can the goddess turn from her
beloved ? and can Aahmes be an outcast from the
sanctuary ?

Ranoutet. These things are hidden in the heart of
fiathor — the heart of mercy and justice. To her
mercy we commend him ; to her justice we give
him up without fear. O Hathor, great diviner of
beauty, who rulest in those places where desire
fails, and the substance of human life fades and
passes into eternal truth ; O Hathor, guard thy
servant and do well to him.

Ouny. Will you not aid him, mighty priestess ?

Ranoutet. I will do all that is permitted. Bring me
the secret mirror and the Lybian wax, the holy
herbs and oil. I will burn incense from all the corners

of the world, and I will have lustral water and
the holy wands of power, the sacred Natron
essence of the gods, who alone can purify all
shameful things by their touch. With these I
will bless great Aahmes and all his works once
more. And I will send up an incantation in the
hour of battle, before which all the dreadful gods
of Asia shall be bound because their worshippers
have made our land unclean with going to and
fro.

Ouny goes, saluting and muttering the formula, 1 go in
peace ; may peace go with me 1

(Ranoutet puts on a crown bound with Urcari
snakes and faces the place of the sun. She pours
out a libation.)

Ranoutet. O Ra Toum, thou enterest the kingdom of
our Lady of the West beyond the holy mountain
Mannu amid flaming orisons. Thou fallest
into peace between the guardian serpents who are
on either side of thee. Thou art one with the
sun -disk in the West, and its powers have their
place behind thee. Thy way divides the heavens,
and the gods of the North and the South bow
before thee. I, too, bow before thee, O creator of
the gods ; before thee who art king over the souls
dwelling in the circle of thy path. The blessed

one receives thee into the deep shadows of her
embrace as thou enterest into the mountain of
the West.

(She bums incense. Ouny returns with a
magic mirror, wax, cymbals, and serpent wands.
Ranoutet takes beeswax and begins to model it
into shape.)

Voice outside. Will the great priestess Ranoutet
receive the warrior chief Aahmes ?

(Ranoutet hastily takes off the ceremonial
crown, and directs Ouny to cover the altar, and
goes out. She re-enters, after Ouny has done
what is necessary, followed by Aahmes carrying
Nouferou. Ranoutet helps him lay her on the
couch.)

Aahmes. Her heart is silent, she has seen men slain.

Ranoutet. 5he seems of noble birth ; how is it that
she went unattended ?

Aahmes. The gods alone can tell. She is the Lady
Nouferou. I found her helpless in the hands of
ruffians far from her home. Her father's palace
is an hour's journey hence. I cannot take her
there to -^ night, and I come to ask you to shelter
her.

Ranoutet. She is known to you ?

Aahmes. I have fought under her father's leadership ;

and she was still a child when I last feasted at

his palace. How she came to this adventure I

can in no way tell.

(Ranoutet restores Nouferou. Nouferou recovers

and holds out her hands to Aahmes, not seeing

Ranoutet.) *

Nouferou (to Aahmes, who kneels by her side). You

killed men for my sake. Oh, I am afraid I I see

their hideous faces like beasts of prey ! their claws

clutch at my heart I Oh, save me from this

horror I

(She throws herself into his arms.)
Ranoutet (with anxiety). Are the dead men still

lyinjf in the street ?
Aahmes. I had no eyes to see what the crowd did

with them.
Ranoutet (crosses to the door). I will send mourners

to give notice of the dead. Until they have been

purified no help can come to Lady Nouferou.

(Exit muttering) 1 go in peace ; may peace go

with me I
Nouferou. Where am I? Who is that stern-faced

priestess ?
Aahmes (rising). She is the great Priestess Ranoutet,

of the blood royal— the wisest of the devotees.

She is so near the hearts of the gods that they

will do all thinjfs at her behest, and Egypt has
never known famine, plague, or defeat since she
first served them ; and when the war is over and
the new dynasty established she will be
queen.

Nouferou (sadly). She will be queen and you will be
king. She can choose no other consort.

Aahmes. No man may dare desire such a fate unless the
gods decree it.

Nouferou ' walks across). Ah, no 1 I was forgetting.
Love is not love among the priests. 1 was for-
getting the fierce laws of the gods, who stand
between the lovers holding the sceptre of ritual,
and at each cry of nature sternly denying I

Aahmes. And yet they say that the divine love which
is given to the Children of Wisdom, that their
hearts may lie poised between the two infinities
of life and death, is greater than the earthly love,
for it is the servant of life and the lord of death.
(He sits on the end of the couch. ) But tell me
how you left your home and came unattended to
the city.

Nouferou. I was forbidden to leave the palace. My
father punishes— punishes like the gods — and
stands always denying me all joy in life. I was a
rebel and ran out alone, evading my old nurse. 1

longed to see the soldiers and hear the clash of
arms, and hear the war chant ; for i am told,
before a battle there is a wonderous dance no
woman may see, when those about to die deliver
up their souls to Mout, the Vulture -Mother and
Avenger.

Aahmes. Hush, these are mysteries of which none
may speak.

Nouferou. I burn for knowledge, for the freedom of a
bird upon the wing. I am weary of the speech of
the wise, who have not wisdom ; who would tell
me that Egyptian women must always be discreet
and secret. I hear crying in me the blood of my
mother, who was no Egyptian, but a wanderer.
It spoke in her, and she listened to its wooing as
to a lover; and she forsook my father, and,
leaving me with him, she came back no more.

Aahmes. Do you forget what fate awaited the
wanderer ?

Nouferou. A short life my mother had. I, too, would
live here for a little while, then go to join the
shining spirits outside the walls of heaven. I do
not desire old age and ugliness in Egypt, nor the
great wisdom of the gods in heaven. To be
always beautiful and young is enough.
(Aahmes rises, works round the back to R.j

Ranoutet (re-enters, muttering.) 1 come in peace ;

may peace come with me. (Comes forward.)
The rites for the slain are being carried out.
Rest now, Lady Nouferou, and let the little Ouny
fan you and call about you your own attendant
spirits ; for the spirits of the dead have passed to
their own place.

Nouferou. I am well ; I need no rest.

Ranoutet 'firmly). Rest, Lady Nouferou.

(Nouferou lies on the couch, and Ouny fans
her with long feather fan.)

Aahmes (to himself). It were easy to die young, and
live among the golden nets of heaven — to die and
drift like the Hammametu dancing in the rays of
the sun — to have neither thought nor human
care, nor the stress of human life.

Ranoutet. Do you forget Egypt, Aahmes ? Would
you have the destiny of those formless souls,
whose little light flickers through the one short
life they know, and then the rest is darkness?
Is it in vain you have become part of your
country, dedicated to her tradition^ dedicated
for ever to her destiny? Egypt has claimed her
son, and Egypt is no foster-mother whose claim
can be put lightly aside. There is no choice for
her worshippers, for to fail in her service means
death to the soul.

Aahmes. Ah ! Ranoutet, I know the terror of the second
death, and my heart is Egypt's I My heart longs
for Egypt I As I have fought for Egypt in the
past, so I will live for Egypt in the future ! Is
not such service easy when she speaks to me
through you, the greatest priestess within the
memory of the most ancient scribes ? Give me
your blessing, for we have to do great work
- to-night.

Ranoutet, Let us go into the sanctuary together, for
Hathor has heard my invocation. She will re-
ceive you as her minister. After the battle fought
for Egypt comes the enlightenment. Then comes
the supreme vision. This flesh shall fall from
you. You shall be no more the warrior of Egypt,
but shall know yourself to be the Lord of Space
and Being ! Your soul shall tremble and re-
joice at her own image looming out of the dark-
ness of what you now call life 1 The tight of
the world shall be revealed to you amid the
clash of the worlds which shalt own you their
master, O lord of that which has no end and no
beginning!

A Priest chanting without.
Flame round my crown the fiery snakes
About me and around.

The chantress sinsfs, the sistnftn shakes,
In symphony of sound.
Fire from the gods a lightning makes,
Earth's thundrous depths resound.
Raaoutet. Accept the portent and receive the Yeoiret
crown.
(Aahmes kneels and is crowned by Ranoutet.)
To thee the earth, to thee the power.
The life and strength be given I
The scarab rests upon the flower !
The veil of the shrine is riven 1
The stars are falling, for the hour
Sounds when the earth meets heaven.
Ranoutet. You hear the sacred hymn. The moment
is propitious. Come to the shrine of the goddess.
To-night the battle for your soul must be fought
and won I

(Aabmes follows her out. In the meantime
Nouterou has been watching them intently. She
springs up and seizes the child, gazing intently
into its face as she speaks.)
I^outerou. Ouny, Ouny, do you love me?
Ouny. Yes.

Nouferou. Listen now, Ouny ; my little Ouny. Do
you love me very much ?

(She takes it in her arms.)

Ouny. Yes.

Nouferou (covers it with kisses). Now tell me how
much you love me.

Ouny. I think you a very pretty lady.

Nouferou (laughs and clasps the child). Quick ! now
tell me what is the ceremony the g^reat Priestess
Ranoutet performs to-night. Tell me, where
will it take place ?

Ouny. Here.

Nouferou. Tell me, will she make images of the
enemies of Aahmes, and so contrive by her magical
arts that Aahmes shall overcome the hateful
Hyksos ?

(Ouny nods.)

Nouferou. Will she make a mighty image of Aahmes
and small images of the Hyksos, and will she
place the foot of Aahmes on their heads, and will
she place nooses round their necks, and give the
cords into the hands of Aahmes, that he may hold
their lives in the hollow of his hands ?
(Ouny nods again.)

Nouferou. Fetch me some sacred wax, dear little
Ouny, and I will help in the ceremony. I am well
skilled in magic, and would gladly aid the mighty
priestess in these simple arts.

Ouny (rises and goes to the covered altar), All things

await the Lady Ranoutet. There is much wax,
and I will light the fire ; it will help you to do
the work more quickly.

(The child lights the cauldron from the lamp
which Ranoutet brings in with her. Ranoutet
returns wearily. It is dark. She sinks on couch
in profound thought, j

Nouferou. Lady, I have some simple skill in ma^c,
and if you work to-night in the sacred Libyan
wax, I pray you let me help you. I long to
try, and in some measure repay the noble warrior
chief.

Ranoutet (carelessly). Hush! I am thinking. Any-
thing you will. But I must rest in peace, to be
ready for work at the hour of battle. The soldiers
have performed the sacred dance : the final pre-
parations are going on : they are stealing silently
out of the town to reinforce the leading troops,
which even now surround the Hyksos. Aahmes
will lead the attack at dawn ; and dawn will be
the signal for the watchers of the night 1

Nouferou. Sleep, lady, and I will mould the waxen
images. One, half a cubit high for Aahmes ; and
two, one finger's breadth in height to represent
the Hyksos leaders.

Ranoutet. That is the right proportion. I thank you
for your service.

(Goes out with lamp, which Ouny gives her,
in opposite direction to main entrance.)

Nouferou (takes wax and gives a small portion of it to
Ouny). Qo, child, and make two little images of
the hideous tlyksos chiefs : copy them from the
walls in the great court of the Temple and bind
them with cords. Then sit at the foot of the stairs
and play your psaltery softly, and I will call you
when your mistress wakes.

Ouny. Thanks, noble lady ! 1 go in peace ; may peace
go with me 1 (Goes out. )

(Nouferou takes cauldron of fire; and wax.
She kneels by the altar and models the form of
a man ; as she does so she says : — )
O noble Aahmes, may Nou protect thy hair !
O noble Aahmes, may Ra protect thine eyes !

(Soft music begins.)
O noble Aahmes, may Anubis protect thy lips !
O noble Aahmes, may Isis protect thy neck !
O noble Aahmes, may Selket protect thy body !
O noble Aahmes, may Neith protect thine arms !
O noble Aahmes, may Nut protect thy legs !

0 noble Aahmes, may Ptah protect thy feet !

1 mould thee, Knoume moulds thee in beauty and
strength, and nourishes thee in the fields of the
blessed I Heart of Aahmes, thou art the dwelling

of the creator of Aahmes. What thou doest, he
will do ; what thou lovest, he will love 1

She places statue on altar, and slowly moves
round it, waving her arms. She stands before
the wax image and chants :)

Aahmes, Aahmes, follow me
Where the poppy fields are white.
Aahmes, Aahmes, sleep the sleep
Deep with dreams of love's delight.

Aahmes, Aahmes, follow me
Where there shines a hidden star.
Aahmes, Aahmes, turn thy feet
Where the golden dreamings are.

Aahmes, Aahmes, follow rae
To the magic fields of sleep.
Aahmes, Aahmes, pluck the flower
That it work a spell more deep.

Dances round the altar, then says :)

Aahmes, Aahmes, I am love.
Calling loudly in thy heart.
Aahmes, Aahmes, I am love ;
Never more shall I depart.

Ouny {running in). I must awake the noble Ranoutet.
Great Aahmes is below.

Nouferou. Hush ! I will awaken her. Go you and
bid him enter.

(Ouny goes out. Nouferou puts out the fires.
It gets very darlc. Aatimes enters, and slie meets
him.)

Nouferou. The Priestess Ranoutet bid me watch that
none disturbed her body, while she, in sleep,
sought counsel of the great Ancestral One, the
ancient power that watches over Egypt.

Aahmes. No matter — I came drawn by some desire —
I would speak to you, I know not why.

Nouferou {puts out brazier). Come rest a little, you
cannot start till dawn. Your senses wander for
want of sleep. Sit here. {Business. She pre-
sently wallcs round him, humming the air of the
incantation softly, and moving her arms as in the
dance.)

Sleep, Aahmes, sleep and dream. {He sleeps.)
Dream, Aahmes, dream and love. {He gazes at her.)

{She Icneels on the end of the couch.)
Love, Aahmes, love and live.

{He holds out his arms.)
Live, Aahmes, live and dream.

{She flings herself into his arms.)

Aabmes (embracing her). Nouferou I

(Men -at "arms cbantiag : tbe sound of marching

troops.)

Gather the men-at-arms I the battle breaks,

The weary waiting days are over.

Let each man rush to battle as a lover.

The dawn with clarion note awakes.

Crowned with her radiance on our earth we stand.

Tried warriors of a sacred land.

Which trampling thunder shakes.

(Ranoutet enters; goes towards tbe altar; sees

Aabmes and Nouferou on tbe coucb.J
Ranoutet (In a loud voice). Aahmes t the dawn I the

dawn !
Aabmes. What is the dawn to me ? My life is here.
Ranoutet. Egypt is crying to her son I
Aabmes. Egypt is here.

(Ranoutet wrings ber hands.)
Nouferou. I am the dawn, and I am Egypt \ Beyond

the circle of my arms lies the night. I am the

dawn, and I am Egypt ! When I speak with my

beloved the voices of all the world are hushed,

and he hears me only.
Ranoutet. O Hathor, look upon this image which I

hold in the flames, that the spell may fall from

him in whose semblance it is made, and he may

be undefiled before thee.

The cbant continues,)
Drums batter, cymbals clash, our hearts and feet
Responding to one splendid measure.
Wrapt with the glory of our mighty pleasure I
Standards on high our enemies to greet I
Answering the dawn's light with our eyes aglow,
Serene and proud and passionate we go.
Treading the pasture sweet.

Ranoutet. The banners are unfurled, standards are
raised on high.

Aahmes. Who is it that cries in the night ?

Nouterou. Listen to my voice, O my beloved !

Ranoutet, O Hathor, let the spells woven by this
woman dissolve before thee, thou flaming eye of
Heru. Let them fall from thy servant, that he
may stand upright and cast them away as the
soul casts away mortality.
(She reverses the dance. The chant continues :)
No man of us can be disheartened now ;
Death have we challenged by this trial ;
Before the hosts of death we dare denial.
5wift mother of our arms, do thou,
Who gavest us our land and the bright sun,
Give us the perfecting of work begun ;
Only to thee we bow.

Ranoutet. The troops are in array I

Aahmes. What am I dreaming ?

Raaoutet. The glamour of the witch-girl is upon you;
your eyes are sealed by her kiss. She has
breathed the spirit of her dream into you.

Nouferou. I am the dawn, and I am Egypt. Sleep on,
beloved, for our dreams are a reality and the
world a shadow.

(The chant continues.)
O heart's blood of remembrance ! Long ago
This land upheld our ancient fathers,
And for this land, your land, our land now gathers
One fellowship against the foe.
The spears flash I Be they as your mothers' eyes.
The trump sounds ! Hearken to your fathers' cries !
March you to battle sol*

Aahmes (starting away while Nouferou clings to him).
Your eyes are demon's eyes I Your arms are
chains about my neck ! I am lost !
(He shakes her off.)

Ranoutet. The spirit of Temptation has awakened in
this girl. Through her Hathor has tried your
strength of purpose, and it has failed you. Go
now to the battle, and pray to the mercy of
Hathor that she may use your arm to strike the
Hyksos, so that you fail not in this also.

* N.B.— This po«in U largely quoted from "The Coming of War." by
Uoael Joha50B.

Aabmes (cries) I am lost I I am lost ! (As he goes
voices outside) Aahmes I mighty Aahmes !

Ranoutet (prays) May Aahmes go forth like the panther
of the South ! May Aahmes go forth under the
aegis of Hathor in the radiance of her light I May
Aahmes not forget Egypt, Egypt the mother of
the mighty I May Aahmes remember her in her
need, that she may requite him !

Nouferou. Woe, woe unto Egypt for the pain she has
wrought I
She has warred against love, and love shall

abandon her I
Wisdom is very powerful, but she cannot con-
quer love I
Wisdom is immortal, but love will destroy her
works I

Ranoutet. Silence I before the sacrilege of your speech
reaches to heaven and awakes the wrath of
Hathor, which, shaking the four pillars of the
world, would crush you into dust. Love must
serve and wisdom rule ; but you would put love
above all I Your love would have put out the
light that shines from the glory of Egypt, and
serve the cause of Egypt's foes I You would have
shamed Aahmes to all time that love might rule
his soul one little hour I

Nouferou. I would see Aahmes dead — dead and dis-
honoured before I'd give him up to you, Ranoutet I

Ranoutet. Hush, hush I even now the battle begins !
(Enter Ouny.) Qive me the magic mirror. (She
looks in it.) Aahmes is in his chariot leading the
attack. Help me, Ouny.
(Nouferou sits on the opuch with ber bead bowed.)

Ranoutet (to Ouny). Lay the Hyksos' chiefs under
Aahmes' feet, and when the sistrum is shaken
and the lute is plucked by the chanters and
musicians in the temple court, the Lady Nouferou
will help you wave the holy wands around him,
so that the immortal serpents, guardians of our
land, may weave the web of protection round him
and round our troops.

(Ouny arranges the images as la Egyptian
triumphs described above by Nouferou. Ranoutet
holds out serpent wands to Nouferou, who refuses
with a gesture.)

Ranoutet (pleadingly). To-night the goddess strives
with the destroyer for Aahmes' soul I Think I
even now the Threefold Terror may devour him !

Nouferou. If Aahmes dies now he is mine — mine on
the golden borders of heaven ; if he lives he is
yours and Hathor's.

Ranoutet. If Aahmes dies in sin, faithless to Hathor,

his soul must die the second death ! There will
be no light life for him on the horizons with you
for playfellow.

Nouferou. I will not believe it !

Ranoutet. That is the law of Hathor. Her servant
must be faithful, or he dies body and soul, and
his name is trodden out by the 5ebau in the
deepest cavern of Duat.

Nouferou. Woe ! woe I Desolation, oh desolation 1
Has Hathor no mercy ?

Ranoutet. Have you had mercy in your jealous rage ?
To the battle ! to the battle ! Do as I do, and lift
up your heart in prayer that Egypt may conquer,
and that Aahmes may conquer in his mortal
combat! (pause). And listen to my voice, if Aahmes
dies your life shall be the forfeit! (Seizes her
throat.) The traitress has short trial in time of
war!

Nouferou. Mercy! mercy!

Ranoutet (contemptuously). Mercy I %, see that your
actions are fit for justice. (The music in the
temple court is heard.) Quick, to the serpent
dance ! (Holding out the serpent wands.) Here,
take the wands of power and weave the magic
cord.

The priests chant outside. Yeioret !

(Nouferou and Ouny perform a dance.)

Ranoutet. Now call the spirit5 of the earth and sky I

The priests cbant. Yakhu pout ! Yakhu taw !
(Nouferou and Ouny dance.)

Ranoutet. Now clash the cymbals (presents them
ceremonially), and I will call on the vultures of
death — swift servants of the mother of our arms I

The priests chant. Maut I Maut I

(Nouferou and Ouny dance and clash cymbals.
Drums, slstrums, and cries of victory rising to
a great clamour without.)

Nouferou (seizes the image of Aahmes and shrieks).
Then let Aahmes die 1

(She shatters it on the ground and rushes out,
Ouny hastens to replace it.)

Ranoutet (sternly). Qo, bring the meaning of this
clamour. (Ouny goes.)

Ranoutet (gathering together the pieces of the image).
This deed brings judgment, for it shows that the
hour is come when the Truth that is eternal and
the Truth that is of time will divide the ways of
Aahmes. As the semblance of Aahmes is broken,
so shall the soul of Aahmes be broken, and the
victory be to the flesh alone. O Lady Hathor I
thou hast given this deed as a sign and an omen.
Nouferou has shattered the semblance of Aahmes,
and has broken up the waters of his soul I They

no longer reflect the divine image; but the trou-
bled fantasies of love and human life. Verily Thy
judgments are keen and sudden as the lightnings
in heaven, and the thunders of Thy punishments
make the earth shake in fear I The ways wherein
Thou comest and goest are tremendous, and ho
foot but Thine may tread them I

Ouay (returning). Through the crowd I saw the
father of Nouferou driving in his chariot with
white horses, and he stopped before the gates of
the temple and asked for her, and she came out
from between the gates doing obeisance to him.
She is white and tall, and the crowd rejoiced to
see her ; but her father had no smile for her, and
took her into his chariot and made his way
through the people, the horses plunging and
scattering them ; and I saw her no more.

Ranoutet. That is well ; let him look to her.
(Shouts of AahmesI outside.)

Ouny, The people shout because great Aahmes is in
the midst of them. Their voice is like the hoarse
note of the marsh -birds. He comes that you
should bless the victory.
(Enter Aalimes. Kneels at Ranoutefs feet.)

Aalimes. O Priestess of Hathor, smite me across the
mouth that I may be dumb, for 1 am not worthy

to speak in the temple ! Take away my ears
from me, that I may no longer hear the voice of
Hathor ; that terrible voice which carries judg-
ment : for I have failed in the great trial.
Ranoutet. This plant of failure, Aahmes, which you
have sown, bears a flower which to the outward
seeming is of splendid colour and a sweet smell,
and its name is Power. Put it upon your heart,
and be strong to rule our people ; but know that
such a blossom is arid, and holds no promise of
immortal fruit. Have power and the ruling of
the kingdom, but have sorrow also, and eternal
grief; because the doors of Hathor's sanctuary
open to you no more.

SLOW CURTAIN.

THE SHRINE OF THE
GOLDEN HAWK. * *

♦ The Priest of the Waters Is seated. Eater the
Priest of the Harvests.

The Priest of Harvests. Our Master finishes his work
to-night.

The Priest of Waters. At last ! Each day his spirit
becomes more charged with lonely suspicion. I
doubt sometimes if this act of faith will bear good
fruit for us.

The Priest of Harvests. Do not fear. Qebuel, being a
great magician and our master, has promised us
the victory. Even the Majesty of Egypt, whose
name shakes our land, is to be overcome.

The Priest of Waters. Qebuel shall overcome Zozer,
the enemy of our arts.

The Priest of Harvests. Hark ! did you not hear the

distant thunder ? Which of us has dared name
the king of Egypt for these many years ?

The Priest of Waters. Pah 1 He, whom I have
named, is the enemy of our arts. When I cursed

^

the land of Egypt with a great flood, he opened
watercourses, and the evil became a good, and
the desert was no longer waste.

The Priest of Harvests. The curse of famine, which I
laid upon the land of Egypt, was unavailing. I
cursed the land when he, whom you have named,
was using the strength of his people to build the
pyramid of six heights and four sides as a tower
of magic; ^for it is raised above that chamber
which lies empty, hidden deep in the earth, wait-
ing for the divine secret which is to manifest in
its depths and make full its vacancy.

The Priest of Waters. Curse the king over Egypt, for
he has wrought so that our power falls from us.

The Priest of Harvests. Curse the king over Egypt,
for he has annulled the ancient law to which all
- the works of men have been obedient I He has
made bread from the substance of heaven ; where-
with he fed his people when it was my will that
they should starve.

The Priest of Waters. To-night great Gebuel will
bless the talisman of Heru, for the power of Heru
is supreme : and if his godhead is on our side, not
even the Egyptian himself can work against our
will.

The Priest of Harvests. The fire of Heru will take the

form of the Qolden Hawk; and his wings shall

stretch out, and he shall hover over the secret

place which Qebuel, blessed be he, has made of

precious stones and rare metals. And our ancient

glory shall be given to us once more.
The Priest of Waters. So long as the Golden Hawk is

with us, victory Is with us.
The Priest of Harvests. Only the taking from us of the

Golden Hawk can take victory from us.
Qebuel (without j. Ruler of the rivers and the floods,

prepare for the coming of the Hawk of the

North!
The Priest of Waters. Here I obey, great Qebuel.
Qebuel. Ruler of the Harvests and the Famines,

prepare for the coming of the Hawk of the

North!
The Priest of Harvests. Here I obey, great Gebuel.
' Qebuel enters, carrying the enamelled pectoral

of the Qolden Hawk.)
Qebuel. Let the ruler of the floods and of the storms

stand on my right hand.
(The Priest of Waters brings libation vase to

his right.)
Qebuel. Let the ruler of the harvest and the famines

stand on my left hand.

The Priest of Harvests brings com and a cone

of bread to his left.)

Qebuel. Take the perfected talisman of the Golden
Hawk between your hands while I invoke Heru,
who rests upon the central pillar of the world I
Heru, whose four servers uphold the shining
adamantine heavens ! Heru, who has sent forth
his retinue to the uttermost limits of the earth,
and remains solitary in the midst whilst they
wind the magic cord on the circle of the wheel.
Heru, the axletree of flame, the source of the
fire of life !

fTbe priests each bold one side of the pectoral
while Qebuel rests his hands on their shoulders
and prays.)

Qebuel. O Ancient, before all time ! Supreme RuUr
over the work of That Mighty Countenance
which speaks the Word of Life I Pour thy
golden fire into this Qolden Hawk now coming
into being. I have made thee in the image of the
mountain hawk which thou hast chosen to be thy
symbol because of his fearless eye, which alone
can affront the eye of heaven. Thou hast com-
manded, and I have made thy visible image in
unchanging gold. May thy chosen ones rejoice
in its presence, feeling the spirit of peace resting
upon them. (Removes his hands from the
shoulders of the priests.) Lift the bolt of the doors
of the sanctuary.

(Priests go out. Oebuel holds the pectoral on
high. Priests return.)

Priests. It i5 done, mighty one.

(Oebuel stands before the door. The priests
kneel on either side of him.)

Oebuel. Hail in the holy place of thine Epiphany,
solitary one I O thou who restest on the star in
the centre of the Northern heavens I That star
which alone is immovable. Thou art the
celestial abode of our STod, Star of the North !
Divine Hawk, hovering in the blue night, dark as
lapis lazuli I Immovable eye, in the midst of the
wheel of the stars, send down a ray from thy
splendid solitude upon this hawk — image of thee,
thou solitary one, resting upon the empty air.
Immovable as thou art in the midst of heaven.
Let the Priests of the Harvest and the Famine do
homage before Heru ! (He prostrates himself.) Let
the F^est of the Floods and the Storms do
homage before Heru I (He prostrates himself.)
Hail, Hawk of Qold ! I give thy symbol into thine
own keeping. Hail to thee, resting over the Star
of the North I

(Veils himself and enters the sanctuary. The
priests rise and replace their symbols upon the
altar.)

Priest of the Harvests. So long as Heru in the form
of the Golden Hawk is hidden within the shrine,
victory is hidden between our hands.

Priest of the Waters. The Qolden Hawk is hidden
within the shrine ; and victory is hidden between
our hands.

(Oebuei re-enters trembling. The priests sup-
port him.)

Gebuel. I am stricken by his eyes ; I am stricken by
the eyes of Heru.

(They lead him to the seat.)

Qebuel (staring In front of him) . The Star of the North
shines beyond the open gates ; but some strong
hand holds me back. I have a strange knowledge
of one coming — whose coming will bring dark-
ness. (Tries to stand.) 1 cannot stand. Close
the doors quickly. Drop the bolt. (This Is done.)
Bring me the sweet-smelling fire that I may
breathe it and find strength. (They bum Incense.
He gradually recovers.) Bring me the stones of
wisdom, that 1 may understand this portent.
(They bring two stones.) Let the secret be read
and the sign given. Speak 1 let me know the
riddle. (He holds the stones to his ears. He says
to the priests) Leave me, for the answer is ad-
verse. There is a secret evil even at the doors of

this holy place. Go cleanse yourselves with rites
till I summon you again before me. (The attendant
priests go out.) O Hem, dost thou demand that a
victim should t>e sacrificed ? How have I un-
wittingly sinned against thee ? Thou sayest,
" One must be made desolate." Someone is to be
made desolate.

(Nectoris knocks outside.)

Gebuel. Who is there?

Nectoris. A wanderer.

Qebuel. There is food and shelter for all a little to the
westward of this place.

Nectoris. I ask no food for the body. I come to feed
the soul on wisdom. (Gebuel opens the door.)
Hail to you, guardian of the mysteries.
(She salutes him In the Egyptian manner).

Qebuel. What wisdom do you seek ?

Nectoris. The wisdom of the Golden Hawk.

Qebuel. Who told you of this place ?

Nectoris. In my dreams f went into the forest where
the bronze and gold serpents coil like flames amid
the leaves, and they made me wise \^ith great
sayings, and the spirits of power passed into my
spirit ; for the forest was the forest of knowledge.
But when I held the image of the Hawk exalted
on the standard of the crossed pole before the

serpents, they paled and grew dim in the pretence
of a strength greater than theirs ; and as I looked
the wood became silent and empty, and the
creatures of the wisdom, which is of time, faded
away.

Qebuel. The serpent is wisdom from the beginning of
time, but the Qolden Hawk is poised in the
immensities between that which has been and
the revelation of the last secret.

Nectoris. Even so. I saw before me the Hawk brood-
ing with spread wings in space beyond the
worlds, in the midst of the network of the stars ;
and as its wings moved they fanned the golden
denseness of the air, and sparks arose and came
and went like luminous winged creatures.

Qebuel. They are the flames of life.

Nectoris. I saw three towers rising from the head of
the bird like a great crown, and from them sprang
the souls of the heroes.

Qebuel. Even so. This is one of the greater
mysteries.

Nectoris, From the wings and the heart sprang the
souls of the workers, who make beautiful all they
touch.

Qebuel. The heart is the kindling will of the golden
one.

Nectoris, From the feet of the bird came the workers
of less skill and cunning, and these make the
foundations of the works of beauty, and drift
onwards, without the inspiration and the kindling
fire.

Qebuel. Where did you learn to discern these
mysteries, my daughter ?

Nectoris. Since my childhood I have lived among
strangers in a place of dreams. I have wandered
from land to land searching for wisdom. I have
but the sombre knowledge born of time, which is
shattered before the final ecstacy. Now my foot-
steps have brought me to you, O great magician.

Qebuel (kindly). You are welcome.

Nectoris. I have been guided by some star that smiled
on my nativity, which was darkened until this
day in obedience to a wisdom higher than its own.

Gebuel. Why did you seek for me ?

Nectoris. Your spirit springs from the triple 'crown.
You alone can fill my soul, hungering for satisfac-
tion in that wisdom which is beyond, hidden
behind the veil. (Gebuel sighs, feeling conscious
of his own difficulties. He is genuine in his
interest in Nectoris.) Will you not let me follow
you one step beyond the threshold of the golden
- sanctuary ?

Qebuel. O child of the serpent wisdom, do you not
know that no mortal may look upon the face of
Heru and live ? Only after the purifications of
long silences, long fasts, and constant uplifting of
the heart, may one born of the human race purge
himself of the perishable substance of the life we
know, and exchange it for the imperishable
essence of the shining ones. Only after such rites
have been performed may you hope to pass
through the closed doors of the sanctuary.

Nectorls (with passion). Let me but look upon the door.

Qebuel. The door is there — your first duty is to keep
vigil. But beware of the brightness hidden in
the heart of the shrine. To look upon it is to be
blind ; to be enfolded by its heat is to pass
through fires too potent for any human soul.

Nectorls. I will keep vigil.

Qebuel. You are rash! being young, and do not know
that there is a wisdom before which the sun pales
and the stars are put out.

Nectorls, Let me begin the vigil that it may be the
sooner ended I

Qebuel. To watch from this day until your span of
earthly life is ended would not be long enough.
Be warned, let the shut door remain closed.

Nectorls. Father of Wisdom, put me to the test. I
will endure all hardships.

Gebuel. No hardship is before those who worship Hem.
I ask nothing but obedience to my warning. Keep
vigil before the door of the sanctuary ; the bolts
are easy, the secret of secrets is within, but re-
member the light of flame brings desolation. You
are warned.

Nectoris (as If in a dream). " The light shines forth
and leaves you desolate."

Gebuel (suddenly becoming suspicious). The words that
were spoken to me out of the stones I Desolate —
one to be made desolate I Where have you heard
those words ?

Nectoris. They passed through the air as you were
speaking.

Qebuel. The warning is given for the second time I
To you the unseen spirits are not dumb. How
have you this power ?

Nectoris. Great Master, 1 am but a little child in the
presence of your wisdom. I come not to show
that I have knowledge, but to gain it by your aid.
I have heard the voices of the unseen ones since I
was a child, and taken no thought of it.
{Gebuel claps bis hands. The priests enter.)

Qebuel. Set guards about the door, and see that none
go in or out this day.

{The priests salute and go out.)

Qebuel (sardonically). The secret of all knowledge is
within the shrine. The vigil must be long. You
will be alone for many hours, and none will enter
in to disturb you. Have courage I

Nectoris. Your look upon me is heavy and cold as
stone. O Master, do you deny me the wisdom of
the Oolden Hawk, for which I ask in all humility ?

Gebuel. Again I say the secret is within the shrine.
Keep vigil I

Nectoris. I am afraid I Your face has become like a
mask of stone. The human face is hidden behind
it. I am afraid I

Gebuel. The secret is within the shrine. Keep vigil
till I come again. (He goes.)

Nectoris (shrieks). This terror kills me ! (She throws
off her veil.) Spirit of Zozer my father, I call on
you for help 1 My flesh fails — I cannot move,
Father in thy magic shrine, save me ! Father in
thy magic shrine, reign over me ! Father in thy
magic shrine, pour thy will into me, for I am
powerless alone ! Spirit of Zozer my father, help
thy child !

(She sinks on the floor. The Ka glides In and
covers herself with the veil.)

The Ka. Look upon me. I am with you. You have
begun well, and are worthy of your inheritance.

Do not fail now. Have you forgotten your father's
v/ords ?

Nectoris. Sister of my soul ! they are in my heart for
ever.

The Ka. Speak them,

Nectoris. He said, a Golden Hawk has been fashioned
by the magicians of Mount Bakhua, and will be
hidden by them in a sanctuary. Its capture would
bring joy and great knowledge to Egypt. If you,
a woman wise with the serpent wisdom, should
gain that sanctuary and bring back the amulet, I
will give the throne of Egypt to you and to your
daughters for ever ; that honour may be paid to
the woman of splendid courage. And no man
shall reign over Egypt, in his own right, from
that day.

The Ka. So he swore to you. You know what is
within this shrine ; enter and take the Golden One
for your p«ople.

Nectoris. The face of the Guardian was terrible when
he left me, as though he knew I were tempting
the gods to my ruin. Can a mortal look on that
hidden brightness and live ?

The Ka. You are not mortal. The pure essence of the
gods, whereof your spirit is made, is but veiled
with a gossamer of substance. Have not we, O

my sister soul, passed together through the flames
which cleanse us from mortality ? Have I not
stripped you naked of that mortal flesh, which
gives terror to the whirl of time and to the
immensity of the abyss, when your mortal heart
died in you, and your spirit dared greatly in those
spaces beyond knowledge ?

Nectoris. I will cast out trembling from my heart in
this hour, and take the strong soul which no
passion can shake; that I may enter into the
shrine and win the Golden One for my people and
the throne of Egypt for myself and my daughters.

The Ka. Egypt is great and skilled in august
mysteries; and to reign over her and to follow
her wisdom is to become equal with the gods;
and when the last mysteries are won, even greater
than they. Kneel with me, that we may together
call the powers forth from their hidingplace, for
the great Heru is not without us. We shall find
him in ourselves.

(They kneel.) O thou whose wings cover the earth !
cover the body of thy servant, that she may find
the living flame within herself, and enter without
fear before thee ! O Hawk of the North, whose
secret places are paved with fire which consumeth
time and the substance thereof ! bless the feet of

thy servant that she may pass unscathed to thy
throne. O Heru, whose eye pierces the earth and
the heavens, bless the eyes of thy servant that
she may look upon thee and live. O Heru, on
whose brow lies the weight of wisdom, bless the
brow of thy servant, that she may bind upon It
the triple crown of glory ; and that she may win
the wisdom of the Qolden Hawk, and gfve it to
her people.

(Nectoris rises and enters the shrine. The Ka
looks after her.)

The Ka. The bolts are lifted and the doors turn in
their sockets. She kneels, and fear wraps her
round as a grey garment. O sister, let the light
of Heru pierce you. She rises, and her fear is rent
upon her as lightning rends the flesh. She is
clothed in the cold fires of the Northern Star.
She flings her arms to the air, and a wild joy is
in her heart. The spirit and the flesh wrestle for
victory, for she has yet some part in what is
mortal. She cannot breathe — she speaks at last !

Nectoris (within). Let my feet move now in triumph
to the music of the worlds beyond space, where
thy mighty heart beats out the rhythm, making
the worlds to fall and rise in their order, and
the stars to follow in their courses I I am

drunk with conquest, and I shake the siitrum
and dance with my naked feet unscathed
upon thy golden floor I And the measures I
dance are to me as the movement of a great
army which has scaled the awful walls of tby
majesty, and taken the fortress of thy wisdom !

The Ka. She moves in the dance as one who sees a
splendour which is beyond the ^ye of man. Her
limbs shine in the nimbus of the Hawk of Qlory.
She is more golden than the talisman upon her
breast. She is here ! (Dances.) She is around
me I (Dances.) Her substance is not mortal !
(Dances.) She is around me ; the flames sweep
over me, and the shadows of time pass away!
(Dances.) Nectoris, my sister soul, the victory
is won I (Dances, and passes into the shrine.)

Qebuel (enters and loolcs round). Yet another vigil
broken ! Heru has chosen his victim. He has
called her into the shrine that he may slay her.
One more mortal light put out by the light of
the gods!

(Nectoris appears at the door of the shrine,
radiant, looking younger and full of exultation.
The amulet is on her breast.)

Qebuel. You are not slain before the face of Heru ?

Nectoris. I am not slain I

Qebuel. How have you, being unveiled, looked upon
his face ?

Nectoris. I look unharmed upon the face of the god
because his eyes are my eyes, and his power is
my power, his spirit is my spl/it. I am an
Egyptian and mistress of the mysteries. I have
become one with Heru, for I have eaten of his
substance and I have drunk of his spirit, and I am
henceforth ruler of the holy places. Whoso is
made one with the gods makes their holy places
desolate, and himself becomes their sanctuary;
and his being is greater than theirs, being made
of their own substance. For he has devoured
their mystical rites and symbols, he has swallowed
their shining forms, he has eaten the power and
wisdom of every god, and the period of his life is
eternity !

Qebuel. Let the presence of Heru seal your blasphe-
mous lips !

Nectoris. Yes, you are in the presence of the Flame
of Life. I, a woman of Egypt, have been chosen
to pierce this mystery, and have entered into the
shrine of the Golden One, and his fires have not
burned, neither has his eye wounded me. The
wise sister of my spirit enfolded me in safety, and
gathered about me the shining garment of Heru.

Enter in, O magtician, and look upon the place
of flame. Enter into the empty shrine which has
yielded its treasure to me. The Golden Hawk is
on my breast as a sign. Heru has put his finger
upon me and marked me for his own, and I am
Egypt. I go to my own country that I may sit
on the throne and give wisdom and exultation of
heart to my people.

Oebuel. Desolation has fallen upon me ! I am myself
the victim of Heru. Verily it is true, "In his
shining 1 have seen darkness, and the light of
mine eyes has been put out. " You are stronger
than I ; the amulet of the god lies upon your
heart and does not strike you dead. You have
won it ; let your triumph be enough. Give me
back my Golden Hawk, which I have made of the
imperishable substance of the earth !

Nectoris. I carry the Golden Hawk to my father, wise
and beautiful Zozer, builder of the pyramid of six
heights and four sides, that he may place it in
the secret sanctuary under the bolt of granite
that will answer to the touch of his finger, but
takes the strength of a hundred men to lift.

Oebuel. Daughter of Zozer, wise and beautiful, let the
spirit of your victory remain with you, and give
me back my image of the god; that I, who am

less than you, may see and worship with mine
eyes, which may only look upon the god in his
semblance.

Pectoris. You can follow Heru into Egypt, O magician,
and so long the secret lord of this place I Your
day is darkened. Come with your god into
Egypt, and serve him in that new land which is
thirsty for him ; you shall see the dawn again
when his light rises in a great country, and you
shall teach his wisdom.

Qebuel. And if I follow you, will it be to forsake this
shrine which I have made of precious stones and
metals, each stone with its own secret ? — in chry-
soprase the secret of vision, in amethyst the inner
fire of the soul, in chrysolyte the secret of seer>
ship, in lapis lazuli the hidden wisdom, and in
cornelian the secret of ritual.

Necton's. Bring the dwellingplace of lieru with you,
for it is sacred ; and you are the master of these
things. And my people shall hold you in high
honour, and your works shall live after you,
wrought in amethyst and in cornelian, in chry-
soprase and in chrysolyte, and in lapis lazuli.
Bring the shrine of Heru, for his spirit goes before.
And put chains on the necks of your priests, and
bend their wills to the will of the great one who

rules in Esrypt, that there may be no more floods
or famines in the land.

Qebuel. O wearer of the Qolden Hawk! Daughter of
Zozer of whom prophecy has spoken ! Daughter of
Zozer, builder of the pyramid of which the six
heights are the steps of wisdom, I follow you, and
my priests shall follow you ; we are the victims
upon his altar. Is not the dwelling of Heru my
dwelling ? and shall not the shrine of Heru be the
eternal resting-place of my spirit? I follow you,
O great among women, for you are the will of
Heru made manifest.

Chorus of Priests. Immovable in heaven, we adore
th«e. Heru, Hawk of Gold, we adore thee.

CURTAIN.

NOTE.— It is Interesting to point out tliat tiie final ecstasy of Nectoria
is quoted thouglit for thought from the earliest Egyptian texts which have
yet been discovered. Just as the Modem World has come to think of Heaven
as a state rather than as a place, so we learn from these texts that the
wise men of the Ancient World had gone a step farther, and knew the gods
to be states and not persons.

^Ml

m:

PR Smery, Florence (Farr)

6009 The beloved of Hathor and

}^UiBA The shrine of the Golden

Hawk

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