[Diodorus (I. 49.) tells, that in the tomb of Osymandyas (palace of Rameses II. at Thebes) there lay a circle of gold, one ell thick and 365 ells in circumference, containing a complete astronomical calendar.  The circle of the zodiac from Dendera, which is now in Paris,—­an astronomical ceiling painting, which was believed at the time of its discovery to be of great age, is not nearly so ancient as was supposed, dating only from the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty.  Letronne was the first to estimate it correctly.  See Lepsius, Chron. p.63. and Lauth, ‘les zodiaques de Dendera’.  Munich 1865.]

And lastly, to my dear brother-in-law Bartja I commit the most precious jewel in my possession—­this amulet of blue stone.  My sister Tachot hung it round my neck as I kissed her on the last night before we parted; she told me it could bring to its wearer the sweet bliss of love.  And then, Bartja, she wept!  I do not know of whom she was thinking in that moment, but I hope I am acting according to her wishes in giving you her precious jewel.  Take it as a gift from Tachot, and sometimes call to mind our games in the Sais gardens.”

Thus far she had been speaking Greek, but now, addressing the attendants who remained standing in an attitude of deep reverence, she began in broken Persian:  “Accept my thanks also.  In Babylon you shall receive a thousand gold staters.”  Then turning to Boges, she added:  “Let this sum be distributed among the attendants at latest by the day after to-morrow.  Take me to my carriage, Croesus.”

The old king hastened to do her bidding, and as he was leading her thither she pressed his arm and whispered gently, “Are you pleased with me, my father?”

“I tell you, girl,” the old man answered, “that no one but the king’s mother can ever be your equal at this court, for a true and queenly pride reigns on your brow, and you have the power of using small means to effect great ends.  Believe me, the smallest gift, chosen and bestowed as you can choose and bestow, gives more pleasure to a noble mind than heaps of treasure merely cast down at his feet.  The Persians are accustomed to present and receive costly gifts.  They understand already how to enrich their friends, but you can teach them to impart a joy with every gift.  How beautiful you are to-day!  Are your cushions to your mind, or would you like a higher seat?  But what is that?  There are clouds of dust in the direction of the city.  Cambyses is surely coming to meet you!  Courage, my daughter.  Above all try to meet his gaze and respond to it.  Very few can bear the lightning glance of those eyes, but, if you can return it freely and fearlessly, you have conquered.  Fear nothing, my child, and may Aphrodite adorn you with her most glorious beauty!  My friends, we must start, I think the king himself is coming.”  Nitetis sat erect in her splendid, gilded carriage; her hands were pressed on her throbbing heart.  The clouds of dust came nearer and nearer, her eye caught the flash of weapons like lightning across a stormy sky.  The clouds parted, she could see single figures for a moment, but soon lost them as the road wound behind some thickets and shrubs.  Suddenly the troop of horsemen appeared in full gallop only a hundred paces before her, and distinctly visible.