Before the Throne

64

OSIRIS DIRECTED HIS GAZE toward the Immortals.

“Thus has the life of Egypt passed before you in all its joys and sorrows,” he intoned, “from the time that Menes brought forth her unity, until she regained her independence at the hand of Sadat. Perhaps, then, some of you have reflections that you would wish to mention now?”

King Akhenaten sought leave to speak.

“I appeal to you to hold to the worship of the One God,” he called out, “for the sake of truth, immortality, and liberation from the idolatry of earthly things.”

“Be zealous for the unity of the land and the people,” admonished Menes, “for disaster only comes when this unity is ruptured.”

“Egypt must believe in labor,” declared Khufu, “for with it I erected the Great Pyramid, and by it all things are built.”

“And she must believe in science,” implored Imhotep, the vizier of King Djoser, “for that is the force behind her immortality.”

“And in wisdom and literature,” seconded the Sage Ptahhotep, “to savor the vitality of life and to imbibe its nectar.”

“And she must believe in the people and in revolution,” preached Abnum, “to propel her destiny toward completion.”

“And believe in might,” said Thutmose III, “that cannot be achieved before she has grappled with her neighbors in battle.”

“And that government be of the people and for the people,” exhorted Saad Zaghloul.

“And that relations between people be based on absolute social justice,” demanded Gamal Abdel-Nasser.

“And that her goal be civilization and peace, as well,” added Anwar Sadat.

“May the Divinity be implored,” Isis sighed hopefully, “to invest the folk of Egypt with the wisdom and the power to remain for all time a lighthouse of right guidance, and of beauty.”

All opened their palms in supplication, absorbed in prayer.