The circumstances in which the new dynasty arose are not known; nor have we any other record of the attempt on his life, here recounted. {66} In the twentieth year of his reign he associated his son, Senwesert I., with him in a co-regency which lasted ten years. From Sec.8 we gather that the attempted assassination took place just before the dual rule; while the Instruction was evidently penned shortly before the writer's death. The 'house' referred to is presumably his pyramid-tomb, called Ke'-nofer-amenemhe'et. _Amenemhe'et is exalted and good_. The site of this building is not known. This Instruction was popular as a school exercise in the 'New Kingdom,' and we possess several copies or parts of copies. There is no good text for the latter part (Sec.Sec. 12 _ff_), which is corrupt in such MSS. as contain it. I have used the critical text of Mr. Griffith, published in the _Zeitschrift fuer aegyptische Sprache_, 1896. It is hoped that the Bibliography will be useful to students of the books of Ptah-hotep and Ke'gemni. B. G. G. {67} THE INSTRUCTION OF AMENEMHE'ET A Palace Conspiracy--Hail and Farewell Beginneth here the Instruction made by the Majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt SEHOTEP-'EB-RE', Son of the Sun AMENEMHE'ET, the Justified.[1] He speaketh thus in discovering words of truth unto his Son, the Lord of the World: 1. Shine forth, he saith, even as the God. Hearken to that which I say unto thee: that thou may reign over the land, that thou may govern the world, that thou may excel in goodness. 2. Let one withdraw himself from his subordinates entirely. It befalleth that mankind give their hearts unto one that causeth them fear. Mix not among them alone; fill not thine heart with a brother; know not a trusted friend; make for thyself no familiar dependents; in these things is no satisfaction. 3. When thou liest down have care for thy very life,[2] since friends exist not for a man in the {68} day of misfortunes. I gave to the beggar, and caused the orphan to live; I made him that had not to attain, even as he that had. 4. But it was the eater of my food that made insurrection against me; to whom I gave mine hands, he created disturbance thereby; they that arrayed them in my fine linen regarded me a shadow; and it was they that anointed themselves with my spices that entered my harem. 5. My images are among the living; and my achievements are among men. But I have made an heroic story that hath not been heard; a great feat of arms that hath not been seen. Surely one fighteth for a lassoed ox that forgetteth yesterday;[3] and good fortune is of no avail unto one that cannot perceive it. 6. It was after the evening meal, and night was come. I took for myself an hour of ease. I lay down upon my bed, for I was weary. My heart began to wander (?). I slept. And lo! weapons were brandished, and there was conference concerning me. I acted as the serpent of the desert.[4]