Look out upon nature, develop the faculty which you declare to be wanting, in you, and the beauty of creation will teach you without my assistance that you are praying to a false god." "I do not pray," said Nebsecht, "for the law which moves the world is as little affected by prayers as the current of the sands in your hour-glass.

Who tells you that I do not seek to come upon the track of the first beginning of things?
I proved to you just now that I know more about the origin of Scarabei than you do.

I have killed many an animal, not only to study its organism, but also to investigate how it has built up its form.

But precisely in this work my organ for beauty has become blunt rather than keen.

I tell you that the beginning of things is not more attractive to contemplate than their death and decomposition." Pentaur looked at the physician enquiringly.
"I also for once," continued Nebsecht, "will speak in figures.