Egyptian Literature: Comprising Egyptian tales, hymns, litanies, invocations, the Book of the Dead, and cuneiform writings
Religion
Egyptian Literature: Comprising Egyptian tales, hymns, litanies, invocations, the Book of the Dead, and cuneiform writings
Egyptian literature -- Translations into English
And Dedi replied to him: “Peace to thee! Peace to thee! Hordedef, son of
the King, beloved of his father. May thy father Khufu, the blessed, praise
thee, may he advance thee among the elders, may thy _ka_ prevail against
the enemy, may thy soul know the right road to the gate of him who clothes
the afflicted; this is the salutation to the King’s son.” Then the King’s
son, Hordedef, stretched forth his hands to him, and raised him up, and
went with him to the haven, giving unto him his arm. Then said Dedi, “Let
there be given me a boat, to bring me my youths and my books.” And they
made ready for him two boats with their rowers. And Dedi went down the
river in the barge in which was the King’s son, Hordedef. And when he had
reached the palace, the King’s son, Hordedef, entered in to give account
unto his Majesty the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khufu, the blessed.
Then said the King’s son Hordedef, “O King, life, wealth, and health! My
lord, I have brought Dedi.” His Majesty replied, “Bring him to me
speedily.” And his Majesty went into the hall of columns of Pharaoh (life,
wealth, and health), and Dedi was led before him. And his Majesty said,
“Wherefore is it, Dedi, that I have not yet seen thee?” And Dedi answered:
“He who is called it is that comes; the King (life, wealth, and health)
calls me, and behold I come.” And his Majesty said, “Is it true, that
which men say, that thou canst restore the head which is smitten off?” And
Dedi replied, “Truly, I know that, O King (life, wealth, and health), my
lord.” And his Majesty said, “Let one bring me a prisoner who is in
prison, that his punishment may be fulfilled.” And Dedi said: “Let it not
be a man, O King, my lord; behold we do not even thus to our cattle.” And
a duck was brought unto him, and its head was cut off. And the duck was
laid on the west side of the hall, and its head on the east side of the
hall. And Dedi spake his magic speech. And the duck fluttered along the
ground, and its head came likewise; and when it had come part to part the
duck stood and quacked. And they brought likewise a goose before him, and
he did even so unto it. His Majesty caused an ox to be brought, and its
head cast on the ground. And Dedi spake his magic speech. And the ox stood
upright behind him, and followed him with his halter trailing on the
ground.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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