Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13
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Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 13
Literature -- Collections
Then they opened immediately. His Majesty entered this city; he offered
[an oblation] to the god Menhy in Sehez. He assigned its treasury and
granaries to the divine offerings of Amen in Apt-esut.
His Majesty floated down-stream to Athet-taui; he found the fortress
closed, the walls full of valiant soldiers of the North land. Behold,
they opened the forts, they cast themselves on their bellies [singing
praises before] his Majesty. "Thy father hath destined for thee his
heritage as lord of the two lands; thou art in them,[151] thou art lord
of what is upon earth."
His Majesty proceeded [to the temple] to cause to be offered a great
offering to the gods who are in this city, of bulls, fat oxen and fowls,
and everything good and pure. Then its treasury was assigned to the
Treasury, its granaries to the divine offerings [of Amen].
[To Memphis he offers a free pardon, but the city prepares to
fight.]
His Majesty went north towards Anbuhez. Then he sent to them, saying,
"Do not close, do not fight, O Residence originally of Shu![152] Let the
enterers enter and the comers out come out: let none going be stopped. I
will offer sacrifice to Ptah and the gods who are in Anbuhez; I will
worship Sokaris in the Secret Place; I will behold Res-Anbef.[153] I
will go north in peace [for his Majesty loveth that] Anbuhez be safe and
sound, and that [even] the children weep not. Ye saw the nomes of the
South: not one [soul] was slain therein except the rebels who had
blasphemed God. Execution on the block was done to the rebellious."
Then they closed their forts; they caused soldiers to go out against a
few of the host of his Majesty, consisting of artisans, of chief
builders, and pilots [who had gone towards] the quay of Anbuhez.
[Tafnekht himself visits Memphis in the night, encourages the
troops, and departs, promising to return when he has arranged
matters with the allies.]
Now that chief of Sais came to Anbuhez in the night, urging its
soldiers, its sailors and all the best of its troops, in number eight
thousand men, urging them greatly, greatly. "Behold, Mennefer is full of
soldiers of all the best of the North land, barley and durra, and all
kinds of grain, the granaries are overflowing, and all kinds of weapons
of [war. There is a] wall built, a great battlement made with cunning
craft. The river bounds the eastern side, and no way of attack is there.
The stalls remain full of fat cattle, the treasury is furnished with all
things: silver, gold, copper, bronze, stuffs, incense, honey, ointment.
I will go, I will give things to the chiefs of Lower Egypt; I will open
to them their nomes.[154] I shall be [away traveling] three [?] days
until I return." He mounted a horse, he called not for his chariots, he
went north in fear of his Majesty.
[Piankhy finds Memphis strongly fortified and the high Nile
risen to its walls. The army proposes to bridge it, or attack
the city it by elaborate approaches.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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