Before the Throne

24

HORUS HERALDED, “King Ramesses the First!”

A tall, elderly man entered, advancing in his shroud until he stopped before the throne.

Thoth, Recorder of the Divine Court, recited to those present, “He was already old when he began his rule. He started to build a many-pillared hall in the temple of Karnak, but expired before he could finish it.”

Osiris called upon Ramesses I to speak.

“When Horemheb died, he left no legitimate heir to the throne of Egypt,” commenced Ramesses I. “At that time, I was a lector-priest in the temple of Amun, known for my wisdom and correctness of opinion, as well as for my piety. Hence the God chose me to sit on the throne. The empire was never out of my thoughts, but the condition of the country did not allow me to embark on a lengthy war. So I ordered the proper care for the land and for the means of irrigation in order to boost the wealth of the nation. And I launched the construction of the hypostyle hall — yet I did not have enough time to see it completed.”

“Perhaps the selection of this king was not propitious,” cautioned Isis, “but at that moment, Egypt did not have the right man at hand. As for this man, he tried as hard as he possibly could, and he bears no blame for his situation.”

Osiris turned to him, “Go to your place among the Immortals.”