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
Then [the scribe] went away and told the Governor what I had said; and
the Governor shed tears because of the words that had been repeated to
him, for they were full of pain. And he caused the scribe to come out to
me again, and he brought with him two skins [full] of wine and a goat.
And he caused to be brought out to me Thentmut, an Egyptian singing
woman who lived in his house, and he said to her, "Sing to him, and let
not the cares of his business lay hold upon his heart." And to me he
sent a message, saying, "Eat and drink, and let not business lay hold
upon thy heart. Thou shalt hear everything which I have to say unto thee
to-morrow morning."
And when the morning had come, he caused [the inhabitants of the town]
to be assembled on the quay, and having stood up in their midst, he said
to the Tchakaru, "For what purpose have ye come hither?" And they said
unto him, "We have come hither seeking for the ships which have been
broken and dashed to pieces, that is to say, the ships which thou didst
despatch to Egypt, with our unfortunate fellow-sailors in them." And he
said unto them, "I know not how to detain the ambassador of Amen in my
country any longer. I beg of you to let me send him away, and then do ye
pursue him, and prevent him [from escaping]." And he made me embark in a
ship, and sent me forth from the sea-coast, and the winds drove me
ashore to the land of Alasu (Cyprus?). And the people of the city came
forth to slay me, and I was dragged along in their midst to the place
where their queen Hathaba lived; and I met her when she was coming forth
from one house to go into another. Then I cried out in entreaty to her,
and I said unto the people who were standing about her, "Surely there
must be among you someone who understandeth the language of Egypt." And
one of them said, "I understand the speech [of Egypt]." Then I said unto
him, "Tell my Lady these words: I have heard it said far from here, even
in the city of [Thebes], the place where Amen dwelleth, that wrong is
done in every city, and that only in the land of Alasu (Cyprus?) is
right done. And yet wrong is done here every day!" And she said, "What
is it that thou really wishest to say?" I said unto her, "Now that the
angry sea and the winds have cast me up on the land wherein thou
dwellest, thou wilt surely not permit these men who have received me to
slay me! Moreover, I am an ambassador of Amen. And consider carefully,
for I am a man who will be searched for every day. And as for the
sailors of Byblos whom they wish to kill, if their lord findeth ten of
thy sailors he will assuredly slay them." Then she caused her people to
be called off me, and they were made to stand still, and she said unto
me, "Lie down and sleep...." [The rest of the narrative is wanting].
CHAPTER XI
FAIRY TALES
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