execute Israel one by one as it raises up a leader against thee? Nay;
and wilt thou play the barbarian and put two and a half million at once
to the sword?"

The trio looked uncomfortable, none more so than the Pharaoh. The
prince went on mercilessly.

"Are the Hebrews warriors? Wouldst thou go against a host of
trowel-wielding slaves with an army that levels lances only against
free-born men? And yet, wilt thou wait till all Israel shall crowd
into thy presence and defy thee before thou actest? And again, wilt
thou descend on them with arms now when they may with Justice cry 'What
have we done to thee?' Thou art beset, my father."

The Pharaoh opened his lips as if to answer, but the level eye of the
prince silenced him.

"Thou hast not fathomed the Hebrew's capabilities, my father," Rameses
continued. "In him is a wealth, a power, a magnificence that thy
fathers and mine built up for thee, and the time is ripe for the
garnering of thy profit. What monarch of the sister nations hath two
and a half millions of hereditary slaves--not tributary folk nor
prisoners of war--but slaves that are his as his cattle and his flocks
are his? What monarch before thee had them? None anywhere, at any
time. Thou art rich in bond-people beyond any monarch since the gods
reigned."

The chagrin died on the Pharaoh's face and he wore an expectant look.
The prince continued in even tones.