about ten in the morning
The river had fallen to half its height , laying bare new strips of land day by day . From Thebes many barges with wheat were sailing down toward the sea ; in Lower Egypt clover and beans had been harvested . Orange and pomegranate trees were covered with blossoms ; in the fields earth-tillers had sown lupines , flax , barley , and had planted various beans , cucumbers , and other garden products . Escorted to the landing of Memphis by priests , the highest dignitaries of the state , the guards of his holiness the pharaoh , the heir entered a gilded barge about ten in the morning . Under the bridge , on which were costly tents , twenty soldiers worked the oars , at the mast and at both ends of the boat the best naval engineers had taken their places . Some looked after the sails , others commanded the rowers , while still others steered the vessel . Rameses had invited to his boat the most worthy high priest Mefres and the holy father Mentezufis , who were to be with him on the journey and in governing .