"I
would that I might show thee kindness. Though how may a man of no account
make return to a great Prince?"
"By the beard of my father, it is easily done, if thy kindness is a real
thing, and not that which makes me poorer the more I have of it--as
though one should be given a herd of horses which must not be sold but
still must be fed."
"I have given thee truth. Is not truth cheaper than falsehood?"
"It is the most expensive thing in Egypt; so that I despair of buying
thee. Yet I would buy thee to remain here--here at my court; here by my
hand which will give thee the labour thou lovest, and will defend thee if
defence be needed. Thou hast not greed, thou hast no thirst for honour,
yet thou hast wisdom beyond thy years. Kaid has never besought men, but
he beseeches thee. Once there was in Egypt, Joseph, a wise youth, who
served a Pharaoh, and was his chief counsellor, and it was well with the
land. Thy name is a good name; well-being may follow thee. The ages have
gone, and the rest of the world has changed, but Egypt is the same Egypt,
the Nile rises and falls, and the old lean years and fat years come and
go.
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