The Literature of the Ancient EgyptiansBudge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
History
The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
Budge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
Egyptian literature -- History and criticism; Egyptian literature -- Translations into English
[Footnote 3: The "Holy of Holies," the name of Hātshepset's temple at
Dēr al-Baharī.]
And as for the wonderful things, and all the products of all the
countries, and the best of the wonderful products of Punt, which His
Majesty presented to Amen, Lord of the Apts, for the life, strength, and
health of His Majesty, and with which he filled the house of this holy
god, for Amen had given him Egypt because he knew that he would rule it
wisely (?), behold, it was I who registered them, because I was of
strict integrity. My favour was permanent before [His Majesty], it never
diminished, and he conferred more distinctions on me than on any other
official about him, for he knew my integrity in respect of him. He knew
that I carried out works, and that I covered my mouth (_i.e._ held my
tongue) concerning the affairs of his palace. He made me the director of
his palace, knowing that I was experienced in affairs. I held the seal
of the Two Treasuries, and of the store of all the precious stones of
every kind that were in the God-house of Amen in the Apts,[1] which were
filled up to their roofs with the tribute paid to the god. Such a thing
never happened before, even from the time of the primeval god. His
Majesty commanded to be made a silver-gold ... for the Great Hall of the
festivals. [The metal] was weighed by the _heqet_ measure for Amen,
before all the people, and it was estimated to contain 88-1/2 _heqet_
measures, which were equal to 8592-1/2 _teben_.[2] It was offered to the
god for the life, strength, and health of Maātkarā, the ever living. I
received the _sennu_ offerings which were made to Amen-Rā, Lord of the
Apts; these things, all of them, took place in very truth, and I
exaggerate not. I was vigilant, and my heart was perfect in respect of
my lord, for I wish to rest in peace in the mountain of the
spirit-bodies who are in the Other World (Khert-Neter). I wish my memory
to be perpetuated on the earth. I wish my soul to live before the Lord
of Eternity. I wish that the doorkeepers of the gates of the Tuat (Other
World) may not repulse my soul, and that it may come forth at the call
of him that shall lay offerings in my tomb, that it may have bread in
abundance and ale in full measure, and that it may drink of the water
from the source of the river. I would go in and come out like the
Spirits who do what the gods wish, that my name may be held in good
repute by the people who shall come in after years, and that they may
praise me at the two seasons (morning and evening) when they praise the
god of my city.
[Footnote 1: The temples of Karnak and Luxor.]
[Footnote 2: The _teben_ = 90.959 grammes.]
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THAIEMHETEP,
THE DAUGHTER OF HERĀNKH
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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