3: He would lie as a god with the young Queen.

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asked many things of him. ' Art thou not an Egyptian? '
And Anectanabus answered: ' The word thou saidst was kingly,
when thou didst name the Egyptians. For the Egyptians are
[4] wise, and read dreams, understand the birds of the air in their
flight, open up the hidden places, and tell the fate of those new-
born, babes. Of all these things, as a seer, I, too, have knowledge.'
And Olympia saw how he gazed upon her, and spoke, ' Master, of
[8] what dost thou bethink thee, who thus lookest on me ? ' And
Anectanabus answered, ' I call to my mind many answers of the
gods. One answer had been that I was to look upon a queen.'
And saying this, he drew forth from his breast a cleansing
[12] tablet of bronze and ivory, inwrought with gold and silver, and
on its face were three whirls. The first contained in itself the
Twelve Minds, and in the third, sun and moon were fashioned.
Next to them, was seen a chain of ivory, and from it he
[16] pulled forth seven wonder-bright stars, that told the hours
and birth-dooms of men, and seven carven stones, and two
stones for the saving men whole.

And Olympia beheld these things, and said : ' Master, if
[20] thou wouldst I should believe thee, tell me the year, the day
and hour of the king's birth.' And upon this, he said to the
queen, ' Wishest thou to hear nothing else from me ? ' Quoth the
queen, ' Tell me what shall fall out betwixt Philip and me, for
[24] men say that, when Philip shall come from the war, he will
thrust me forth, and take another mate.' And Anectanabus
answered : ' They prate of many things untruly ; but ere a long
time pass, it shall be as they say.' And the queen answered :
[28] ' I beg thee, master, unveil me all the truth.' Thereupon
Anectanabus : — ' One of the mightiest gods shall share thy bed
and uphold thee through all thy thrivings and downfalls, even
if they be overstrong.' Olympia replied : ' I beseech thee, say
[32] what shape this god shall put on ? ' Anectanabus replied :
'Neither young, nor old; his beard besprinkled with white
hairs. Wherefore, if this please thee, be ready for him, for
at night shalt thou see him, and in thy sleep shall he lie by
[36] thee.' The queen said : ' If I behold this, neither as a seer, nor
as godly, but, as the god himself, will I worship ' [thee]. And
at once Anectanabus said, ' Fare thee well, O queen.' After
this Anectanabus, leaving the palace, and walking straight forth

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