Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13
General
Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13
Literature -- Collections
For he is a king that took the
kingdom while he was in the egg, and ruled from his birth. He is a
multiplier of offspring. And he is One Alone, the essence of God; this
land rejoiceth in his government. He is one that enlargeth his borders;
he will take the lands of the South, but he will not design to hold the
countries of the North: yet he prepareth to smite the Sati, to crush the
Wanderers of the Sand. When he cometh here, let him know thy name;
dispute not, but go over to his command[42]: for he will not fail to
treat well the country that floateth with his stream."
Said he, agreeing to me:--"Verily, Egypt is excellent in its stream[43]
beyond anything, and it flourisheth; behold, as long as thou art with me
I will do good unto thee." He placed me at the head of his children, he
married me with his eldest daughter. He allowed me to choose for myself
from his land, and from the choicest of what he possessed on the border
of the next land. It was a goodly land; Iaa[44] is its name. Therein
were figs and grapes; its wine was more plentiful than water; abundant
was its honey, many were its oil-trees, and all fruits were upon its
trees; there too was barley and spelt, and cattle of all kinds without
end. Great honors also were granted to me, flowing from his love to me;
he set me as sheikh of a tribe in a choice portion of his country. There
were made for me rations of bread, wine from day to day, cooked meat and
roasted fowl, besides wild game snared for me or brought to me, as well
as what my hunting dogs caught. They made me many dainties, and milk
food cooked in all manner of ways. Thus I passed many years; my children
became valiant men, each one the conqueror of a tribe. When a messenger
came north or went south to the Residence,[45] he tarried with me; for I
gave all men gifts; I gave water to the thirsty, I set the strayed
wanderer on his road, and I rescued those who were carried off captive.
The Sati who went to war or to repel the kings of the nations, I
commanded their expeditions; for this Ruler of the Tenu made me to spend
many years as captain of his army. Every land to which I turned I
overcame. I destroyed its green fields and its wells, I captured its
cattle, I took captive its inhabitants, I deprived them of their
provisions, and I slew much people of them by my sword, my bow, my
marchings, and my good devices. Thus my excellence was in his heart; he
loved me and he knew my valor; until he set me at the head of his sons,
when he saw the success of my handiwork.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account