[The King determines to assault it immediately; he seizes all the boats at the quay, where the houses were comparatively unprotected, and landing his men in them at that point captures the city.]
[The King determines to assault it immediately; he seizes all the boats at the quay, where the houses were comparatively unprotected, and landing his men in them at that point captures the city.]
Then his Majesty raged against it [the city] like a leopard, he said:—"As I live, as I love Ra, as my father Amen who formed me praiseth me, these things have happened unto it by the command of Amen. These things are what men say: '[The North Country] with the nomes of the South they open to him [Tafnekht] from afar; they had not placed Amen in their hearts, they knew not what he had commanded. [Then] he [Amen] made him [Piankhy] in order to accomplish his mighty will, to cause the awe of him to be seen.' I will take it like a water flood; [this] hath [my father Amen] commanded me."
Then he caused his ships and his army to set out to attack the quay of Mennefer. They brought back to him every ferry-boat, every cabin-boat, every dahabiyeh, and the ships in all their number that were moored at the quay of Mennefer, the bows being moored in its houses [on account of the height of the water.[157]Not] the least of the soldiers of his Majesty mourned.[158]
His Majesty came to direct the ships in person in all their number. His Majesty commanded his soldiers: "Forward to it! Scale the walls, enter the houses upon the bank of the stream. If one of you enters upon the wall there will be no stand against him [for a moment], the levies [?] will not bar you. Moreover, it is feeble that we should shut up the South Country, moor at the North land, and sit still at 'the Balance of the two lands.'[159]
Then Mennefer was captured as by a flood of water; men were slain within it in great numbers, and were taken as prisoners to the place where his Majesty was.
[In Memphis Piankhy sacrifices. The neighboring garrisons flee; three Northern chiefs and all the nomarchs submit in person; the treasures of Memphis are confiscated.]
[In Memphis Piankhy sacrifices. The neighboring garrisons flee; three Northern chiefs and all the nomarchs submit in person; the treasures of Memphis are confiscated.]
When the [land lightened] and the second day came, his Majesty caused men to go to it to protect the temples of God for him, to guard the sanctuary of the gods from the profane,[160]to sacrifice to the royal circle of gods of Hetkaptah,[161]to purify Mennefer with natron and incense, to put the priests on the place of their feet.[162]His Majesty proceeded to the house of [Ptah]; his purification was performed in the Chamber of Early Morning,[163]and all the things prescribed for a king were accomplished. He entered the temple, great offerings were made to his father Ptahresanbef, of fat bulls, oxen, and fowl, and every good thing. His Majesty proceeded to his house.
Then all the villages that were in the region of Mennefer heard, namely, Hery the city, Penynaauaa, the tower of Byu, and the oasis of By; they opened their gates, they fled in flight; one knoweth not the place to which they went.
Came Auapeth with the chief of the Me, Akaneshu, with theerpaPediast, with all the nomarchs of the North land, bearing their tribute, to see the beauties of his Majesty.
Then were assigned the treasuries and the granaries of Mennefer, and made into the second offerings of Amen, of Ptah, of the circle of the gods in Hetkaptah.
[Piankhy crosses over to Babylon, and worships there.]
When the land lightened and the second day came,[164]his Majesty proceeded to the East, and made a purification to Tum in Kheraha,[165][and to] the circle of the gods in the house of the circle of the gods; namely, the cave in which the gods are, consisting of fat bulls, oxen, and fowls, that they might give Life, Prosperity, and Health to the King Piankhy, living forever.
[He proceeds along the Sacred Way to Heliopolis, visiting the holy places, and enters the sanctuary of Tum in Heliopolis, etc. King Usorkon submits.]
[He proceeds along the Sacred Way to Heliopolis, visiting the holy places, and enters the sanctuary of Tum in Heliopolis, etc. King Usorkon submits.]
His Majesty proceeded to Anu[166]on that mount of Kheraha, upon the road of the god Sep, to Kheraha. His Majesty proceeded to the camp which was on the west of the Atiu canal; he was purified in the midst of the Cool Pool, his face was washed in the stream of Nu, in which Ra washes his face. He proceeded to the sand-hill in Anu, he made a great sacrifice on the sand-hill in Anu, before the face of Ra at his rising, consisting of white bulls, milk, frankincense, incense, all woods sweet-smelling. He came, proceeding to the house of Ra; he entered the temple with rejoicings. The chief lector praised the god that warded off miscreants[167]from the King. The rites of the Chamber of Early Morning were performed, the cloak was put on, he was purified with incense and cold water, flowers for the Het Benben[168]were brought to him. He took the flowers, he ascended the staircase to the great window, to see Ra in the Het Benben. The King himself stood alone, he put the key into the bolt, he opened the double doors, and saw his father Ra in the Het Benben. He sanctified the Madet boat of Ra, the Sektet boat of Tum.[169]The doors were shut, clay was applied and sealed with the King's own seal; and the priests were charged, "I, I have examined the seal; let none other enter therein of all the kings who shall exist."
Then they cast themselves on their bellies before his Majesty, saying, "Unto eternity, Horus[170]loving Anu shall not be destroyed." Returning thence, he entered the house of Tum, and followed the image of his father Tum Khepera, chief of Anu.
Came the King Usorkon to see the beauties of his Majesty.
[Piankhy goes to the vicinity of Athribis and receives the homage of all the Northern princes and nobles. Pediast of Athribis invites him to his city.]
[Piankhy goes to the vicinity of Athribis and receives the homage of all the Northern princes and nobles. Pediast of Athribis invites him to his city.]
EGYPTIAN FUNERAL FEAST.Photogravure from a Painting by Edwin Long, R. A."It was not uncommon to keep the mummies in the house, ... and Damascenius relates that they sometimes introduced them at the table, as though they could enjoy their society.... Many months often elapsed between the ceremony of embalming and the actual burial.... It was during this interval that feasts were held in honor of the dead, to which the friends and relations were invited. On these occasions they dined together and enjoyed the same festivities as when invited to a repast, the guests being in like manner anointed and bedecked with flowers and presented with other tokens of welcome usual at an Egyptian party, and it was principally at this [Greek: nekrodeipnon] that I suppose the introduction of the mummy to have taken place.""Manners and Customs of Ancient Egyptians."—Wilkinson.EGYPTIAN FUNERAL FEAST.
Photogravure from a Painting by Edwin Long, R. A.
"It was not uncommon to keep the mummies in the house, ... and Damascenius relates that they sometimes introduced them at the table, as though they could enjoy their society.... Many months often elapsed between the ceremony of embalming and the actual burial.... It was during this interval that feasts were held in honor of the dead, to which the friends and relations were invited. On these occasions they dined together and enjoyed the same festivities as when invited to a repast, the guests being in like manner anointed and bedecked with flowers and presented with other tokens of welcome usual at an Egyptian party, and it was principally at this [Greek: nekrodeipnon] that I suppose the introduction of the mummy to have taken place."
"Manners and Customs of Ancient Egyptians."—Wilkinson.
When the land lightened on the second day,[171]his Majesty went to the quay, and the best of his ships crossed over to the quay of Kakem.[172]The camp of his Majesty was pitched on the south of Kaheni, on the east of Kakem. These kings andnomarchs of the North land, all the chiefs who wore the feather, every vizier, all the chiefs, every royal acquaintance[173]in the West and in the East, and in the islands in the midst, came to see the beauties of his Majesty. TheerpaPediast threw himself on his belly before his Majesty, and said: "Come to Kakem, that thou mayest see the god Khentkhety; that thou mayestkhu[?] the goddess Khuyt; that thou mayest offer sacrifices to Horus in his house, consisting of fat bulls, oxen, fowls; that thou mayest enter my house, open my treasury, and load thyself with the things of my father. I will give thee gold unto the limits of thy desire, malachite heaped before thy face, horses many of the best of the stable, the leaders of the stall."
[Piankhy goes to Athribis and worships the local god. Pediast sets the example of giving up his goods without concealment.]
Proceeded his Majesty to the house of Horus Khentkhety, and caused to be offered fat bulls, oxen, ducks, fowl to his father Horus Khentkhety, lord of Kemur. Proceeded his Majesty to the house of theerpaPediast; he presented him with silver, gold, lapis lazuli, malachite, a great collection of every kind of thing, and stuffs, and royal linen in every count,[174]couches covered with fine linen, frankincense, and unguents in jars, stallions and mares of the leaders of his stable. He [Pediast] cleared himself by the life of God[175]before the face of these kings and great chiefs of the North land:—"Each one of them that hides his horses, that conceals his goods, let him die the death of his father. Thus may it be done to me, whether ye acquit thy humble servant in all things that ye knew of concerning me, or whether ye say I have hidden from his Majesty anything of my father, gold, jewelry, with minerals and ornaments of all kinds, bracelets for the arms, collars for the neck, pendants [?] inlaid with minerals, amulets for every limb, chaplets for the head, rings for the ears, all the apparel of a king, every vessel of royal purification in gold, and every sort of mineral; all these things I have offeredbefore the king, stuffs and clothes in thousands of all the best of my looms. I know by what thou wilt be appeased. Go to the stable, choose thou what thou wilt of all the horses that thou desirest." Then his Majesty did so.
[The princes of Lower Egypt return to their cities to fetch further tribute. A revolt at Mesed is promptly suppressed and the city given as a reward to Pediast.]
[The princes of Lower Egypt return to their cities to fetch further tribute. A revolt at Mesed is promptly suppressed and the city given as a reward to Pediast.]
Said these kings and nomarchs before his Majesty, "Let us go to our cities, let us open our treasuries, let us select according to the desire of thy heart, let us bring to thee the best of our stables, the chief of our horses." Then his Majesty did even so.List of their names:—
The King Usorkon in Per Bast and the territory of Ranefer;The King Auapeth in Tentremu and Taanta [?];The nomarch Zedamenafankh in Mendes and the Granary of Ra;His son and heir, the captain of the host in Hermopolis Parva, Ankhhor;The nomarch Akanesh in Thebneter, in Perhebyt, and in Smabehed;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Pathenf in Per-Sepd and in the Granary of Anbuhez;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Pamai in Busiris;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Nesnakedy in Heseb-ka;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Nekhthornashenut in Pergerer;[176]The chief of the Me, Pentuart;The chief of the Me, Pentabekhent;The priest of Horus, lord of Letopolis, Pedihorsmataui;The nomarch Hurobasa in the house of Sekhemt mistress of Sa, and the house of Sekhemt mistress of Rohesaut;The nomarch Zedkhiau in Khentnefer;The nomarch Pabas in Kheraha and the house of Hapi.
The King Usorkon in Per Bast and the territory of Ranefer;The King Auapeth in Tentremu and Taanta [?];The nomarch Zedamenafankh in Mendes and the Granary of Ra;His son and heir, the captain of the host in Hermopolis Parva, Ankhhor;The nomarch Akanesh in Thebneter, in Perhebyt, and in Smabehed;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Pathenf in Per-Sepd and in the Granary of Anbuhez;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Pamai in Busiris;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Nesnakedy in Heseb-ka;The nomarch and chief of the Me, Nekhthornashenut in Pergerer;[176]The chief of the Me, Pentuart;The chief of the Me, Pentabekhent;The priest of Horus, lord of Letopolis, Pedihorsmataui;The nomarch Hurobasa in the house of Sekhemt mistress of Sa, and the house of Sekhemt mistress of Rohesaut;The nomarch Zedkhiau in Khentnefer;The nomarch Pabas in Kheraha and the house of Hapi.
With all their good tribute [consisting of] gold, silver, [lapis lazuli], ma[lachite], [couches] covered with fine linen, frankincense in jars, [and all things that pertain to a man great] in wealth, rich in horses....
[After] these things came one to say to his Majesty: ["Whereas the nomarch and captain of the] host [ ... hath thrown down] the wall [of ... and] set fire to his treasury, [and fled away] upon the river, he hath fortified Mesed[177]with soldiers, and hath...."
Then his Majesty caused his warriors to go to see what took place therein, as an ally of theerpaPediast. One came to report to his Majesty saying, "We have slain all the people that we found there." His Majesty gave it as a present to theerpaPediast.
[Lastly, Tafnekht begs for mercy: ambassadors receive his presents and submission to the King, and he is pardoned.]
Then the chief of the Me, Tafnekht, heard it;[178]he caused a messenger to go to the place where his Majesty was, begging his mercy, saying:—"Be gracious! I have not seen thy face in the days of shame; I cannot stand before thy flame; I am terrified at thy awe. Behold, thou art Nubti in the Land of the South, Mentu, the mighty bull.[179]In all these matters to which thou hast given thy attention thou hast not found thy humble servant until I reached the island of the sea. I am afraid of thy mighty spirit according to that saying, 'The flame is my enemy.' Doth not the heart of thy Majesty cool with these things that thou hast done unto me? Verily I am in misery. I am not smitten according to the account of the wickedness. Having weighed with the balance, having reckoned by the ounce,[180]thou multipliest it unto me thrice; having carried away the seed, thou sweepest up [the remnant] at the same time. Do not cut down the grove to its root. As thyKaendureth, thy terror is in my body, thy fear in my bones; I have not sat in the room of carousal,[181]the harp hath not been brought to me. Behold, I eat the bread of hunger, I drink water in thirst, since the day that thou learnedst my name. Pain is in my bones, my head is unshaven, my clothes in rags, in order that Neith may be made gracious unto me. Long is the course that thou hast brought to me; turn thyface unto me now. A year hath cleansed myKaand purified thy servant from his wickedness. Let my goods be taken to the Treasury, consisting of gold with every sort of mineral, and the best of the horses accoutred with everything. Let a messenger come to me in haste, that he may drive fear from my heart. Let me go out to the temple in his sight, let me clear myself with an oath by God."
His Majesty caused to go the Chief Lector Pediamennestaui, and the captain of the host Puarma. He [Tafnekht] presented him [Piankhy] with silver, gold, stuffs, every valuable mineral. He went out to the temple, he praised God, he cleared himself with an oath by God, saying: "I will not transgress the command of the King. I will not reject the words of his Majesty; I will not sin against a nomarch without thy knowledge; I will act according to the words of the King; I will not transgress what he hath commanded." Then his Majesty was satisfied therewith.
[Crocodilopolis and Aphroditopolis having submitted, the whole country is at the feet of the conqueror, who loads his ships with the tribute and departs homeward.]
[Crocodilopolis and Aphroditopolis having submitted, the whole country is at the feet of the conqueror, who loads his ships with the tribute and departs homeward.]
One came to say to his Majesty: "The temple of Sebek, they have opened its fort, Metnu hath cast itself upon its belly, there is not a nome that is shut against his Majesty in the nomes of the South, North, West, or East. The islands in the midst are upon their bellies with fear of him, and are causing their goods to be brought to the place where his Majesty is, like the serfs of the palace."
When the land lightened, very early[182]came these two rulers of the South and two rulers of the North, wearing uræi,[183]to smell the ground to the mighty spirit of his Majesty. Behold, moreover, these kings and nomarchs of the North land came to see the beauties of his Majesty; their feet were as the feet of women,[184]they entered not to the King's house, for that they were impure and eaters of fishes, which is an abomination to the King's house. Behold, the King Nemart, he entered to the King's palace, for that he was pure, he ate not fishes. They stood upon their feet, but the one of them entered the palace.
Then the ships were loaded with silver, gold, bronze, stuffs, all things of the North land, all products of Kharu, all woods of the Divine Land.
His Majesty went up-stream, his heart enlarged, all about him were rejoicing; West and East, they rose high, rejoicing around his Majesty, singing and rejoicing; they said:—"O mighty King! O mighty King! Piankhy! O mighty King! Thou hast come, thou hast ruled the North land. Thou makest bulls into women. Happy is the heart of the mother that bore a male child, that was impregnated with thee amongst the mountains. Praises be given unto her! the cow that hath borne a bull! Thou shalt be to eternity, thy victory remaineth, O Ruler, loving Thebes."
Translation of F. Ll. Griffith.
[It is interesting to compare the inscription of Piankhy with an example of the historical texts of the Old Kingdom. Only two are known of any considerable length, and the following is one of them. The biographical inscription of Una, administrator of Upper Egypt, takes one back to 3000 B.C., when almost the only great monuments in Egypt were the pyramids, to the number of which each successive king added.The inscription was found on a slab in the great cemetery of Abydos, and is now in the Gîzeh Museum. The style is somewhat arid, but attracts by its primitive and simple character.]
[It is interesting to compare the inscription of Piankhy with an example of the historical texts of the Old Kingdom. Only two are known of any considerable length, and the following is one of them. The biographical inscription of Una, administrator of Upper Egypt, takes one back to 3000 B.C., when almost the only great monuments in Egypt were the pyramids, to the number of which each successive king added.
The inscription was found on a slab in the great cemetery of Abydos, and is now in the Gîzeh Museum. The style is somewhat arid, but attracts by its primitive and simple character.]
[Una's youth under King Teta, founder of the VIth Dynasty.]
[Una saith] I was tying the girdle,[185]under the majesty of Teta. My grade was that of superintendent of stores, and I acted as overseer of the garden of Pharaoh.
[Una appointed pyramid priest and then judge by Pepy I. He assists at trials in the royal harîm.]
[I was] chief of thedebat[?] city . . . under the majesty of Pepy: his Majesty put me into the position of royal friend and superintendent of the priests of his pyramid city.[186]
Behold I was ... and his Majesty appointed me judge, and his heart was satisfied with me more than with any of his servants: I heard cases alone with the chief justice and vizier in every secret proceeding [of the palace?] ... in the name of the King, of the royalharîmand of the six great houses,[187]because the King's heart was satisfied with me more than with any of his officers, of his nobles, or of his servants.
[Royal present of a sarcophagus, etc., from the limestone quarries of Turra.]
[Command was given] by the Majesty of my lord to bring for me a sarcophagus of white stone from Ra-au, and his Majesty caused the divine treasurer to cross over [the river] with a band [of soldiers and artificers] under him to bring for me this sarcophagus from Ra-au.[188]He returned with it in the great transport ship of the Residence, together with its lid, and a false door with the lintel, jambs, and foundation block: never was this or the like done to any servant. But I was successful in the heart of his Majesty, I was rooted in the heart of his Majesty; and the heart of his Majesty was satisfied with me.
[Appointment as principal judge in the trial of the queen.]
Now when I was judge, his Majesty made me a sole friend and superintendent of the garden of Pharaoh, and I instructed [?] four[?] of the superintendents of Pharaoh's gardens who were there. I acted according to his Majesty's desire in performing the choosing of the guard [?][189]and making the way of the king and marshaling the nobles [at the court]; I acted altogether so that his Majesty praised me for it more than anything.
When an accusation was brought in the royalharîmagainst the chief royal wife Aamtesi as a secret affair, his Majesty caused me to enter to it and hear the case alone, without there being any chief justice and vizier, or any officer there but me only, on account of my success and rooting in the heart of his Majesty and of his heart being satisfied with me. I drew up [the report] in writing, alone with one judge. Behold, my officewas that of superintendent of Pharaoh's garden: never before did one of my grade hear a secret process of the royalharîm; but his Majesty caused me to hear it, because of my success in the heart of his Majesty above any officer and any noble and any servant of his.
[Una commander-in-chief of all the native and foreign forces in an expedition against the Eastern Bedawin.]
When his Majesty chastised the Aamu-Herusha[190]and his Majesty made an army of many tens of thousands out of the whole of the Upper Country, from Abu[191]in the south to Aphroditopolis [?] in the north, and out of the Lower Country, from the whole of the two sides,[192]out of Sezer and Khen-sezeru,[193]negroes from Arertet,[194]negroes from Meza, negroes from Aam, negroes from Wawat, negroes from Kaau, and foreigners from the land of Temeh[195]; his Majesty sent me at the head of this host. Behold, even theha-princes, even the royal chancellors, even the royal friends of the court, even the nomarchs and governors of fortresses of the Upper Country and the Lower Country, the royal friends superintending the frontier, the superintendents of priests of the Upper and Lower Countries, and the superintendents of domain lands, in command of the contingents from the Upper and Lower Countries, and from the fortresses [?] and cities that they ruled, and of the negroes of these tribes—I it was who planned their procedure, although my grade was that of superintendent of the garden of Pharaoh, on account of the preciseness of my disposition: in such a way that no one of them encroached on any of his fellows, that no one of them took bread or sandals from the wayfarer, that no one of them stole dough from any village, and that no one of them took a goat from any people. I directed them to the Island of the North, the Gate ofI-hetep, theUart[?] of Horus Lord[196]of Truth. And behold, although I was of this grade ... I reviewed the number of these troops which had never been reviewed by any servant.
This host returned in peace: it had harried the land of the Herusha;this host returned in peace: it had trampled on the land of the Herusha;this host returned in peace: it had overthrown its inclosures,this host returned in peace: it had cut down its figs and vines,this host returned in peace: it had set fire to all its [camps?];this host returned in peace: it had slain the troops in it in many tens of thousands;this host returned in peace: it had [carried off people] from it, very numerous, as prisoners alive:
This host returned in peace: it had harried the land of the Herusha;this host returned in peace: it had trampled on the land of the Herusha;this host returned in peace: it had overthrown its inclosures,this host returned in peace: it had cut down its figs and vines,this host returned in peace: it had set fire to all its [camps?];this host returned in peace: it had slain the troops in it in many tens of thousands;this host returned in peace: it had [carried off people] from it, very numerous, as prisoners alive:
and his Majesty praised me for it more than anything.
His Majesty sent me to direct [this] host five times, and to smite the land of the Herusha at each of the revolts with these troops, and I acted so that his Majesty praised me for it more than anything. And when it was reported that there were warriors of this tribe in the "Wild-Goat's Nose," I crossed over in boats with these troops, and landed on the coast[197]of Thest, on the north of the land of the Herusha: and behold, when this host had marched by land, I came and smote them all down, and slew every warrior of them.
[Una made governor of the whole of Upper Egypt by the next king, Merenra Mehti-em-saf.]
I was carrier of the chair and sandals at the court, and the king Merenra my lord, who lives [for ever], appointed meha-prince, governor of the Upper Country, from Abu in the south to Aphroditopolis [?] in the north, because of my success in the heart of his Majesty, and my rooting in the heart of his Majesty, and because the heart of his Majesty was satisfied [with me]. And while I was carrier of the chair and sandals, his Majesty praised me for my watchfulness and body-guardianship which I displayed in ushering in nobles [?], which exceeded that of any officer, noble, or servant of his. Never before was this function discharged by any servant.
I performed for him the office of governor of the Upper Country to satisfaction, so that no one there encroached upon his fellow for any work: I paid [?] everything that is paid to the Residence from this Upper Country twice over, and every hour's service that is given to the palace in this Upper Country twice over; and discharged my office in such a way that it established a standard of duty[198]in this Upper Country. Never was the like done in this Upper Country before. I acted altogether so that his Majesty praised me for it.
[Una commissioned to obtain monuments for Merenra's pyramid from Abhat, and granite from the region of Elephantine.]
His Majesty sent me to Abhat to bring the sarcophagus called "Box of the Living Ones," with its cover, and an obelisk, and the costly furniture for my mistress[199][?] the pyramid Kha-nefer of Merenra. His Majesty sent me to Abu[200]to bring the granite stela and its base, and the granite doors and jambs, and the granite doors and bases of the over-ground temple of my mistress [?] the pyramid Kha-nefer of Merenra. I came down the river with them to the pyramid Kha-nefer of Merenra with six broad boats, three transports, three eight-oars, in one expedition: never was this done, Abhat and Abu [done] in one expedition, in the time of any of the kings. Everything that his Majesty had commanded me came verily to pass just as his Majesty ordered me.
[An altar from the alabaster quarry of Het-nub.]
His Majesty sent me to Het-nub to bring a great table of offerings of the alabaster of Het-nub. I brought him down this table of offerings in seventeen days, quarrying it in Het-nub, and causing it to float down in this broad boat. For I had cut for it a broad boat of acacia-wood, sixty cubits long, thirty cubits broad, and built it—all this [?] in seventeen days, in the third month of harvest,[201]when behold there was no water on the junctions [?] of the channel,[202]and I moored at the pyramid Kha-neferof Merenra in peace. All things had come to pass according to the command which the Majesty of my lord had given me.
[A commission to ease the navigation in the region of the cataract, and increase the facilities for procuring granite.]
His Majesty sent me to cut five channels in the South, and make three broad boats and four transports of the acacia of Wawat. Behold, the rulers of Arertet, Wawat, Aam, and Meza were bringing wood for it. All were made in one year, floated, and laden with very great blocks of granite for the pyramid Kha-nefer of Merenra; moreover, I myself gave service to the palace in the whole work of these five channels,[203]on account of my abundance and my wealth [?], and of the loftiness of the mighty spirit of King Merenra, living for ever, beyond that of any god, and because all things came to pass according to the command which hisKaordained.
Translation of F. Ll. Griffith.
The reapers, represented cutting corn in the tomb of Paheri (XVIIIth Dynasty), are supposed to be chanting a little song, the words of which are engraved above their figures. Such songs are very common among the fellâhîn of the present day, who thus mark time for their work in the fields or on the river. This song is introduced by a phrase which seems to speak of it as being "in answering chant"; and this perhaps gives us the technical Egyptian term for antiphonal singing.
In answering chant they say:—
This is a good day! to the land come out | The north wind is out.The sky works according to our heart | Let us work, binding firm our heart.
This is a good day! to the land come out | The north wind is out.The sky works according to our heart | Let us work, binding firm our heart.
The following transcription of the original Egyptian may give some idea of the assonances of words and ordered repetitions which marked the poetical style; the main repetitions are here italicized.
Khen en usheb, zet-sen:—
Hru pen nefer,perem ta | Ta mehytperta.Ta pet her art enàb-en| Bek-en mertàb-en.
Hru pen nefer,perem ta | Ta mehytperta.Ta pet her art enàb-en| Bek-en mertàb-en.
In the same tomb there is another song, already well known but less noticeable in form than the above. It is sung to the oxen on the threshing-floor.
Thresh for yourselves. Thresh for yourselves.Thresh for yourselves. Thresh for yourselves.Straw to eat; corn for your masters;Let not your hearts be weary, your lord is pleased.
Thresh for yourselves. Thresh for yourselves.Thresh for yourselves. Thresh for yourselves.Straw to eat; corn for your masters;Let not your hearts be weary, your lord is pleased.
Translation of F. Ll. Griffith.
Some of the prettiest Egyptian poetry is contained in a papyrus of the XVIIIth Dynasty at the British Museum. The verses are written in hieratic, and are extremely difficult to translate, but their beauty is apparent to the translator even when he cannot fix the sense. A new edition of these and other poems of a kindred nature is being prepared by Professor W. Max Müller of Philadelphia, who kindly permits us to make some extracts from the advance sheets of his publication.
The songs are collected in small groups, generally entitled 'Songs of Entertainment.' The lover and his mistress call each other "brother" and "sister." In one song the girl addresses her lover in successive stanzas under the names of different plants in a garden, and plays on these names. Others are as follows:—
I will lie down within,Behold, I am sick with wrongs.Then my neighbors come inTo visit me.This sister of mine cometh with them;She will make a laughing-stock of the physicians;She knoweth mine illness.
I will lie down within,Behold, I am sick with wrongs.Then my neighbors come inTo visit me.This sister of mine cometh with them;She will make a laughing-stock of the physicians;She knoweth mine illness.
The villa of my sisterHath its gates in the midst of the estate;[So often as] its doors are opened,[So often as] the bolt is withdrawn,My beloved is angry.If I were set as the gatekeeper,I should cause her to chide me;Then should I hear her voice [when she is] angry:A child before her!
The villa of my sisterHath its gates in the midst of the estate;[So often as] its doors are opened,[So often as] the bolt is withdrawn,My beloved is angry.If I were set as the gatekeeper,I should cause her to chide me;Then should I hear her voice [when she is] angry:A child before her!
[My Brother] hath come forth [from mine house];[He careth not for] my love;My heart standeth still within me.Behold, honeyed cakes in my mouth.They are turned into salt;Even must, that sweet thing,In my mouth is as the gall of a bird!The breath of thy nostrils aloneIs that which maketh my heart live.I found thee! Amen grant thee unto me,Eternally and for ever!
[My Brother] hath come forth [from mine house];[He careth not for] my love;My heart standeth still within me.
Behold, honeyed cakes in my mouth.They are turned into salt;Even must, that sweet thing,In my mouth is as the gall of a bird!
The breath of thy nostrils aloneIs that which maketh my heart live.I found thee! Amen grant thee unto me,Eternally and for ever!
The voice of the wild goose crieth,For she hath taken her bait;[But] thy love restraineth me,I cannot loose it.[204]So I must gather my net together.What then shall I say to my mother,To whom I come dailyLaden with wild-fowl?I have not laid my net to-day,For thy love hath seized me.
The voice of the wild goose crieth,For she hath taken her bait;[But] thy love restraineth me,I cannot loose it.[204]
So I must gather my net together.What then shall I say to my mother,To whom I come dailyLaden with wild-fowl?
I have not laid my net to-day,For thy love hath seized me.
Translation of W. Max Müller.
[This hymn is the most remarkable example of Egyptian poetry known to us. It was found by Mr. Petrie near the pyramid and temple of Usertesen II., in the town which was founded there for the accommodation of the workmen employed upon these buildings, and for the priestly staff who performed the services for the dead Pharaoh in his chapel. The hymn is addressed to the son and successor of that king,—to Usertesen III.,—an active and warlike prince, who, as the poet also testifies, used his power for the benefit of his country and the pious support of its institutions. It is a marvel that the delicate papyrus on which the hymn is written should have been preserved for nearly 5,000 years. It has not, however, resisted the attacks of time without suffering injury; and the lacunæ, together with the peculiar language employed by the scribe, are baffling to the decipherer. Four stanzas only can be read with comparative completeness and certainty.The parallelism of the sentences, the rhythm, the balancing of the lines of verse, and the pause in each, recall the style of the Hebrew Psalms. The choice of metaphors, too, is in a similar direction. Unfortunately our limited knowledge of the ancient language does not permit us to analyze closely the structure of the verses, nor to attempt any scansion of them. The radicals only of Egyptian words are known to us; of the pronunciation of the language at the time of the XIIth Dynasty we are entirely ignorant.]
[This hymn is the most remarkable example of Egyptian poetry known to us. It was found by Mr. Petrie near the pyramid and temple of Usertesen II., in the town which was founded there for the accommodation of the workmen employed upon these buildings, and for the priestly staff who performed the services for the dead Pharaoh in his chapel. The hymn is addressed to the son and successor of that king,—to Usertesen III.,—an active and warlike prince, who, as the poet also testifies, used his power for the benefit of his country and the pious support of its institutions. It is a marvel that the delicate papyrus on which the hymn is written should have been preserved for nearly 5,000 years. It has not, however, resisted the attacks of time without suffering injury; and the lacunæ, together with the peculiar language employed by the scribe, are baffling to the decipherer. Four stanzas only can be read with comparative completeness and certainty.
The parallelism of the sentences, the rhythm, the balancing of the lines of verse, and the pause in each, recall the style of the Hebrew Psalms. The choice of metaphors, too, is in a similar direction. Unfortunately our limited knowledge of the ancient language does not permit us to analyze closely the structure of the verses, nor to attempt any scansion of them. The radicals only of Egyptian words are known to us; of the pronunciation of the language at the time of the XIIth Dynasty we are entirely ignorant.]
Homage to thee, Kha-kau-ra: our "Horus Divine of Beings."[205]Safeguarding the land and widening its boundaries: restraining the foreign nations by his kingly crown.Inclosing the two lands[206]within the compass of his arms: seizing the nations in his grip.Slaying the Pedti without stroke of the club: shooting an arrow without drawing the bowstring.Dread of him hath smitten the Anu in their plain: his terror hath slain the Nine Races of Men.[207]His warrant hath caused the death of thousands of the Pedti who had reached his frontier: shooting the arrow as doth Sekhemt,[208]he overthroweth thousands of those who knew not his mighty spirit.The tongue of his Majesty bindeth Nubia in fetters: his utterances put to flight the Setiu.Sole One of youthful vigor, guarding his frontier: suffering not his subjects to faint, but causing the Pat[209]to repose unto full daylight.As to his timid youth in their slumbers: his heart[210]is their protection.His decrees have formed his boundaries: his word hath armored the two regions.
Homage to thee, Kha-kau-ra: our "Horus Divine of Beings."[205]Safeguarding the land and widening its boundaries: restraining the foreign nations by his kingly crown.Inclosing the two lands[206]within the compass of his arms: seizing the nations in his grip.Slaying the Pedti without stroke of the club: shooting an arrow without drawing the bowstring.Dread of him hath smitten the Anu in their plain: his terror hath slain the Nine Races of Men.[207]His warrant hath caused the death of thousands of the Pedti who had reached his frontier: shooting the arrow as doth Sekhemt,[208]he overthroweth thousands of those who knew not his mighty spirit.The tongue of his Majesty bindeth Nubia in fetters: his utterances put to flight the Setiu.Sole One of youthful vigor, guarding his frontier: suffering not his subjects to faint, but causing the Pat[209]to repose unto full daylight.As to his timid youth in their slumbers: his heart[210]is their protection.His decrees have formed his boundaries: his word hath armored the two regions.
Twice jubilant are the gods: thou hast established their offerings,Twice jubilant are thy children: thou hast made their boundaries.Twice jubilant are thy forefathers: thou hast increased their portions.[211]Twice jubilant is Egypt in thy strong arm: thou hast guarded the ancient order.Twice jubilant are the Pat in thine administration: thy mighty spirit hath taken upon itself their provisionment.Twice jubilant are the two regions in thy valor: thou hast widened their possessions.Twice jubilant are thy paid young troops: thou hast made them to prosper.Twice jubilant are thy veterans: thou hast made them to renew their youth.Twice jubilant are the two lands in thy might: thou hast guarded their walls.Twice jubilant be thou, O Horus, who hast widened his boundary: thou art from everlasting to everlasting.
Twice jubilant are the gods: thou hast established their offerings,Twice jubilant are thy children: thou hast made their boundaries.Twice jubilant are thy forefathers: thou hast increased their portions.[211]Twice jubilant is Egypt in thy strong arm: thou hast guarded the ancient order.Twice jubilant are the Pat in thine administration: thy mighty spirit hath taken upon itself their provisionment.Twice jubilant are the two regions in thy valor: thou hast widened their possessions.Twice jubilant are thy paid young troops: thou hast made them to prosper.Twice jubilant are thy veterans: thou hast made them to renew their youth.Twice jubilant are the two lands in thy might: thou hast guarded their walls.Twice jubilant be thou, O Horus, who hast widened his boundary: thou art from everlasting to everlasting.