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
I caused the whole country to be planted with groves of trees and with
flowering shrubs, and I made the people to sit under the shade thereof.
I made it possible for an Egyptian woman to walk with a bold step to the
place whither she wished to go; no strange man attacked her, and no one
on the road. I made the foot-soldiers and the charioteers sit down in my
time, and the Shartanau and the Qehequ were in their towns lying at full
length on their backs; they were unafraid, for there was no fighting man
[to come] from Kash (Nubia), [and no] enemy from Syria. Their bows and
their weapons of war lay idle in their barracks, and they ate their
fill and drank their fill with shouts of joy. Their wives were with
them, [their] children were by their side; there was no need to keep
their eyes looking about them, their hearts were bold, for I was with
them as strength and protection for their bodies. I kept alive (_i.e._
fed) the whole country, aliens, artisans, gentle and simple, men and
women. I delivered a man from his foe and I gave him air. I rescued him
from the strong man, him who was more honourable than the strong man. I
made all men to have their rightful positions in their towns. Some I
made to live [taking them] in the very chamber of the Tuat.[1] Where the
land was bare I covered it over again; the land was well filled during
my reign. I performed deeds of beneficence towards the gods as well as
towards men; I had no property that belonged to the people. I served my
office of king upon earth, as Governor of the Two Lands, and ye were
slaves under my feet without [complaint ?]. Ye were satisfactory to my
heart, as were your good actions, and ye performed my decrees and my
words.
[Footnote 1: The sick and needy who were at death's door.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account