[257] _I. e._, "surpassed the record," or perhaps "reached the boundaries." [258] The kings of the XIIth dynasty paid much attention to agriculture and irrigation. Barley was the representative cereal, Nepra was the Corn goddess. In the following clause the Nile is represented as a prisoner in the King's power: or possibly as begging him "_for_ every hollow" to enter and inundate it. [259] _I. e._, "obedient to his commands," a common figure. The Wawat and Mezay were in Nubia, the Setiu in the Northeast to Syria. [260] The rendering of this section is very doubtful. [261] Or, "and the seal to its proper place, even as the acclamations in the bark of Ra ordain for thee." Ra the Sun god was the royal god essentially, and his approval was doubtless required to establish a claim to the throne. He was believed to travel through the sky in a boat. [262] _I. e._, "Tell us thy name, thou who dost not answer when spoken to," or "Let thy name be henceforth 'Mum-when-spoken-to.'" [263] _I. e._, the proverbs; but possibly this expression may mean "on his death-bed." [264] _I. e._, obey them strictly. [265] _I. e._, they were pleasing to them. [266] Arrived at his destination; _i. e._, died. [267] =Our "Finis." [268] From the last paragraph of the book, we learn that he had reached the Egyptian limit of long life, viz., 110 years: the figure is doubtless to be taken in a general sense. [269] _I. e._, the speaker or writer. [270] The word for successor seems to read, "staff of old age"; but this is not quite certain. Very likely the son would take over the active work of the viziership, while his father gave him counsel: this was frequently done in the sovereignty. [271] Or those who are listened to. [272] _I. e._, that the ancient rules may be observed by the present generation of the King's subjects. The first kings of Egypt were supposed to have been the gods. [273] This high title occurs also in the Inscription of Una, and frequently in the Piankhy Stela, where it has been translated "nomarch." [274] "The god" is probably here the King. The curious title "father of the god" is well known; it would seem to represent a person who stood ceremonially in the relation of father to a god or person. Thus in later times we have "fathers" of the god Amen, etc. But at this period "the god" seems to have meant the King, and the "father of the god" may have been the guardian or tutor of the King. Some may even see in it the expression of an actual paternal relationship, as the principles of the succession to the Egyptian throne are not understood. [275] Rather, green feldspar, which was largely used as an ornament.