There are
voices chanting. Men are working here - working as men worked how many
thousands of years ago. But these are calling upon the Mohammedan's
god as they slowly drag to the appointed places the mighty blocks of
stone. And it is to-day a Frenchman who oversees them.
"Help! Help! Allah give us help!
Help! Help! Allah give us help!"
The dust flies up about their naked feet. Triumph and work; work
succeeded by the triumph all can see. I like to hear the workmen's
voices within the hall of Seti. I like to see the dust stirred by
their tramping feet.
And then I like to go once more to the little temple, to enter through
its defaced gateway, to stand alone in its silence between the rows of
statues with their arms folded upon their quiet breasts, to gaze into
the tender darkness beyond - the darkness that looks consecrated - to
feel that peace is more wonderful than triumph, that the end of things
is peace.
Triumph and deathless peace, the bugle-call and silence - these are the
notes of Karnak.
VIII
LUXOR
Upon the wall of the great court of Amenhotep III. in the temple of
Luxor there is a delicious dancing procession in honor of Rameses II.
It is very funny and very happy; full of the joy of life - a sort of
radiant cake-walk of old Egyptian days.
