DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12664#0184
the vocal memnon.
173
preparations for our journey, than from any we
might encounter in the desert. I must confess^
however, that I was rather amused when I re-
viewed my body-guard, and, with the gravest air
in the world, knocked out the primings from their
guns, and primed them anew with the best of Eng-
lish powder. When I got through I was on the
point of discharging them altogether, but it would
have broken the poor fellows' hearts to disappoint
them of their three piasters (about fifteen cents)
per diem, dearly earned by a walk all day in the
desert, and a chance of being shot at.
In the afternoon before the day fixed for my de-
parture, I rode by the celebrated Memnons, the
Damy and Shamy of the Arabs. Perhaps it was
because it was the last time, but I had never be-
fore looked upon them with so much interest.
Among the mightier monuments of Thebes, her
temples and her tombs, I had passed these ancient
statues with a comparatively careless eye, scarce-
ly bestowing a thought even upon the vocal Mem-
non. Now I was in a different mood, and looked
upon its still towering form with a feeling of mel-
ancholy interest. I stood before it and gazed up
at its worn face, its scars and bruises, and my
heart warmed to it. It told of exposure, for un-
known ages, to the rude assaults of the elements,
and the ruder assaults of man. I climbed upon
the pedestal—upon the still hardy legs of the Mem-
non. I pored over a thousand inscriptions in
Greek and Latin. A thousand names of strangers
from distant lands, who had come like me to do
p2
173
preparations for our journey, than from any we
might encounter in the desert. I must confess^
however, that I was rather amused when I re-
viewed my body-guard, and, with the gravest air
in the world, knocked out the primings from their
guns, and primed them anew with the best of Eng-
lish powder. When I got through I was on the
point of discharging them altogether, but it would
have broken the poor fellows' hearts to disappoint
them of their three piasters (about fifteen cents)
per diem, dearly earned by a walk all day in the
desert, and a chance of being shot at.
In the afternoon before the day fixed for my de-
parture, I rode by the celebrated Memnons, the
Damy and Shamy of the Arabs. Perhaps it was
because it was the last time, but I had never be-
fore looked upon them with so much interest.
Among the mightier monuments of Thebes, her
temples and her tombs, I had passed these ancient
statues with a comparatively careless eye, scarce-
ly bestowing a thought even upon the vocal Mem-
non. Now I was in a different mood, and looked
upon its still towering form with a feeling of mel-
ancholy interest. I stood before it and gazed up
at its worn face, its scars and bruises, and my
heart warmed to it. It told of exposure, for un-
known ages, to the rude assaults of the elements,
and the ruder assaults of man. I climbed upon
the pedestal—upon the still hardy legs of the Mem-
non. I pored over a thousand inscriptions in
Greek and Latin. A thousand names of strangers
from distant lands, who had come like me to do
p2