ABSTRACT
Two sharp knocks at the door suddenly awaken him; a herald is there, to take him to the palace by Pharaoh's command. No invitation could be less welcome, for his indisposition, instead of passing off as he hoped, had increased during the night. His head feels heavy and burning, his tongue dry and bitter; he aches all over, and strange starts shake him from time to time. But no matter: when Pharaoh speaks, all must obey. Re rises, rouges his cheeks and lips to conceal their pallor, puts on the long, curled wig, which has never felt so heavy before, and the white linen robe, and painfully enters his chariot. The Egyptian palaces are not built for eternity like the temples. They are light constructions of wood, brick, or undressed freestone, but rarely blended with granite except for the decoration of the great doorways. They recall the villa of Nakhtminou on a large scale: isolated pavilions for the harem, storehouses for the provisions, barracks and quarters for the royal guard and for the personages attached to the household; large courts planted with trees, gardens with kiosks and pools, where the
women can amuse themselves. A strong crenellated wall gives the dwelling the appearance of a fortress or of an entrenched camp, and at times, in case of riots or conspiracies, the 'royal god has owed his safety to the solidity of his doors and the height of his walls. Without dismounting, Psarou crosses a yard, where the Shairetana'" are on duty with a few Egyptian archers; and after making himself known to their officer, he enters the court of honour, followed by his band of collectors and rural officials.
