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 one day it came to pass that Rud-didet felt the pains of birth. And
the majesty of Ra, Lord of Sakhebu, said unto Isis, to Nebhat, to
Meskhent, to Hakt, and to Khnumu: “Go ye, and deliver Rud-didet of these
three children that she shall bear, who are to fulfil this noble office
over all this land; that they may build up your temples, furnish your
altars with offerings, supply your tables of libation, and increase your
endowments.” Then went these deities; their fashion they made as that of
dancing-girls, and Khnumu was with them as a porter. They drew near unto
the house of Ra-user, and found him standing, with his girdle fallen. And
they played before him with their instruments of music. But he said unto
them, “My ladies, behold, here is a woman who feels the pains of birth.”
They said to him, “Let us see her, for we know how to help her.” And he
replied, “Come, then.” And they entered in straightway to Rud-didet, and
they closed the door on her and on themselves. Then Isis stood before her,
and Nebhat stood behind her, and Hakt helped her. And Isis said, “O child,
by thy name of User-ref, do not do violence.” And the child came upon her
hands, as a child of a cubit; its bones were strong, the beauty of its
limbs was like gold, and its hair was like true lapis-lazuli. They washed
him, and prepared him, and placed him on a carpet on the brickwork. Then
Meskhent approached him and said, “This is a king who shall reign over all
the land.” And Khnumu gave strength to his limbs. Then Isis stood before
her, and Nebhat stood behind her, and Hakt helped her. And Isis said, “O
child, by thy name of Sah-ra, stay not in her.” Then the child came upon
her hands, a child of a cubit; its bones were strong, the beauty of its
limbs was like gold, and its hair was like true lapis-lazuli. They washed
him, and prepared him, and laid him on a carpet on the brickwork. Then
Meskhent approached him and said, “This is a king who shall reign over all
the land.” And Khnumu gave strength to his limbs. Then Isis stood before
her, and Nebhat stood behind her, and Hakt helped her. And Isis said, “O
child, by thy name of Kaku, remain not in darkness in her.” And the child
came upon her hands, a child of a cubit; its bones were strong, the beauty
of its limbs was like gold, and its hair was like true lapis-lazuli. And
Meskhent approached him and said, “This is a king who shall reign over all
the land.” And Khnumu gave strength to his limbs. And they washed him, and
prepared him, and laid him on a carpet on the brickwork.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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