Egyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri: First series, IVth to XIIth dynasty — John Shaqi
Egyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri: First series, IVth to XIIth dynastyPetrie, W. M. Flinders (William Matthew Flinders)
General
Egyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri: First series, IVth to XIIth dynasty
Petrie, W. M. Flinders (William Matthew Flinders)
Egyptian literature -- Translations into English
"And they rowed down the stream and up the stream, and the heart of his
majesty was glad with the sight of their rowing. But one of them at the
steering struck her hair, and her jewel of new malachite fell into the
water. And she ceased her song, and rowed not; and her companions
ceased, and rowed not. And his majesty said, 'Row you not further?' And
they replied, 'Our little steerer here stays and rows not.' His majesty
then said to her, 'Wherefore rowest thou not?' She replied, 'It is for
my jewel of new malachite which is fallen in the water.' And he said to
her, 'Row on, for behold I will replace it.' And she answered, 'But I
want my own piece back in its setting.' And his majesty said, 'Haste,
bring me the chief reciter Zazamankh,' and they brought him. And his
majesty said, 'Zazamankh, my brother, I have done as thou sayedst, and
the heart of his majesty is refreshed with the sight of their rowing.
But now a jewel of new malachite of one of the little ones is fallen in
the water, and she ceases and rows not, and she has spoilt the rowing of
her side. And I said to her, "Wherefore rowest thou not?" and she
answered to me, "It is for my jewel of new malachite which is fallen in
the water." I replied to her, "Row on, for behold I will replace it";
and she answered to me, "But I want my own piece again back in its
setting."' Then the chief reciter Zazamankh spake his magic speech. And
he placed one part of the waters of the lake upon the other, and
discovered the jewel lying upon a shard; and he took it up and gave it
unto its mistress. And the water, which was twelve cubits deep in the
middle, reached now to twenty-four cubits after he turned it. And he
spake, and used his magic speech; and he brought again the water of the
lake to its place. And his majesty spent a joyful day with the whole of
the royal house. Then rewarded he the chief reciter Zazamankh with all
good things. Behold, this is a wonder that came to pass in the days of
thy father, the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Seneferu, of the deeds of
the chief reciter, the scribe of the rolls, Zazamankh." Then said the
majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khufu, the blessed, "Let
there be presented an offering of a thousand cakes, one hundred draughts
of beer, an ox, and two jars of incense to the king of Upper and Lower
Egypt, Sene-feru, the blessed; and let there be given a loaf, a jar of
beer, and a jar of incense to the chief reciter, the scribe of the
rolls, Zazamankh; for I have seen the token of his learning." And they
did all things as his majesty commanded.
HORDEDEF'S TALE
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