The Egyptian texts, whether the originals be written in hieroglyphic or hieratic characters, are here printed in hieroglyphic type, and are arranged with English translations, page for page. They are printed as they are written in the original documents, i.e., the words are not divided. The beginner will find the practice of dividing the words for himself most useful in acquiring facility of reading and understanding the language. The translations are as literal as can reasonably be expected, and, as a whole, I believe that they mean what the original writers intended to say. In the case of passages where the text is corrupt, and readings are mixed, or where very rare words occur, or where words are omitted, the renderings given claim to be nothing more than suggestions as to their meanings. It must be remembered that the exact meanings of many Egyptian words have still to be ascertained, and that the ancient Egyptian scribes were as much puzzled as we are by some of the texts which they copied, and that owing to carelessness, ignorance, or weariness, or all three, they made blunders which the modern student is unable to correct. In the Introduction will be found brief descriptions of the contents of the Egyptian texts, in which their general bearing and importance are indicated, and references given to authoritative editions of texts and translations. E. A. WALLIS BUDGE. BRITISH MUSEUM, November 17,1911. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE LEGEND OF THE CREATION II. THE LEGEND OF THE DESTRUCTION OF MANKIND III. THE LEGEND OF RA AND THE SNAKE-BITE IV. THE LEGEND OF HORUS OF EDFU AND THE WINGED DISK V. THE LEGEND OF THE ORIGIN OF HORUS VI. A LEGEND OF KHENSU NEFER-HETEP AND THE PRINCESS OF BEKHTEN VII. THE LEGEND OF KHNEMU AND A SEVEN YEARS' FAMINE VIII. THE LEGEND OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF HORUS IX. THE LEGEND OF ISIS AND OSIRIS ACCORDING TO CLASSICAL WRITERS LIST OF PLATES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON OR FOLLOWING PAGE: The History of Creation I. Horus holding the Hippopotamus-fiend with chain and spear II. Horus spearing the Hippopotamus-fiend III. Horus spearing the Hippopotamus-fiend IV. Horus and Isis capturing the Hippopotamus fiend V. Horus on the back of the Hippopotamus-fiend VI. The slaughter of the Hippopotamus-fiend VII. Horus of Behutet and Ra-Harmakhis in a shrine VIII. Horus of Behutet and Ra-Harmakhis in a shrine IX. Ashthertet in her chariot X. Horus holding captive foes and spearing Typhonic animals XI. Horus spearing human foes XII. Horus spearing the crocodile XIII. Horus in the form of a lion XIV. The Procreation of Horus, son of Isis. XV. The Resurrection of Osiris. XVI. The Bekhten Stele XVII. The Metternich Stele--Obverse XVIII. The Metternich Stele--Reverse INTRODUCTION I. THE LEGEND OF THE GOD NEB-ER-TCHER, AND THE HISTORY OF CREATION.