II: Of the Last Misery of Harmachis; Of the Calling Down of the Holy Isis by the Word of Fear; Of the Promise of Isis; Of the Coming of Atoua, and of the Words of Atoua explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Religion and Mysticism

  Harmachis summons Isis through the Word of Fear, and the goddess appears in a vision of the horned moon and fiery serpent, emphasizing the power of divine invocation and the consequences of sin.

• Fate and Destiny

  Isis declares that Egypt's subjugation and the rise of new religions are the inevitable fruit of Harmachis's sin, and that he is destined to destroy Cleopatra.

• Love and Betrayal

  Harmachis's betrayal of his divine calling for earthly love is the central sin, and Isis's love is portrayed as eternal yet estranged.

Characters to notice

• Harmachis

  In deepest misery after his father's death, he prays to Isis and receives a vision of judgment and promise.

• Atoua

  The old nurse arrives at dawn, discovers Amenemhat's corpse, and initially accuses Harmachis of murder before recognizing him.

• Amenemhat

  Lying dead in the chamber, having cursed Harmachis before dying.

Key passages

• “I crouched upon the floor gazing at the dead body of my father, who had lived to curse me, the utterly accursed, while the darkness crept and gathered round us, till at length the dead and I were alone in the black silence.”

  Harmachis sat on the floor staring at his father's corpse, which had cursed him before dying, as darkness enveloped them until only he and the dead remained in the silent blackness.

  Opening scene of utter desolation.

• “Then, in my last despair, I prayed aloud to Isis, to whom I had not dared to pray for many days.”

  In his final desperation, Harmachis cried out to Isis, whom he had avoided praying to for a long time.

  Harmachis breaks his silence to invoke the goddess.

• “And if thou canst not bear thy burden here, upon this upper earth, how then shalt thou bear the greater burden that shall be laid upon thee there, coming defiled and yet unpurified into my dim realm of Death, that is Life and Change unending?”

  Isis asks Harmachis how he expects to endure even heavier suffering in the afterlife if he cannot bear his current earthly pain.

  Isis's rebuke and warning about the afterlife.

• “Repent, my son; repent and do well while there is yet time, that at the dim end of ages thou mayest once more be gathered unto Me.”

  Isis urges Harmachis to repent and act righteously so that after countless ages he may be reunited with her.

  Promise of eventual redemption through repentance.

• “I hid my face in my robe, and even then, though my outstretched hand could touch the chill corpse of that father who had died cursing me, I felt hope come back into my heart, knowing that I was not altogether lost nor utterly rejected of Her whom I had forsaken, but whom I yet loved.”

  Despite touching his father's cold body, Harmachis felt hope return, realizing he was not completely abandoned by the goddess he had betrayed but still loved.

  Harmachis finds a glimmer of hope after the vision.

• “I never liked the looks of mummies; but I would I were one this hour!”

  Atoua says she never cared for mummies, but wishes she were dead now.

  Atoua's lament upon discovering Amenemhat's death.