Years were removed from my limbs: I was shaved, and polled my locks of hair; the foulness was cast to the desert with the garments of the Nemau-shau. I clothed me in fine linen, and anointed myself with the fine oil of Egypt; I laid me on a bed. I gave up the sand to those who lie on it; the oil of wood to him who would anoint himself therewith. There was given to me the mansion of a lord of serfs, which had belonged to a royal friend. There many excellent things were in its buildings; all its wood was renewed. There were brought to me portions from the palace, thrice and four times each day; besides the gifts of the royal children, always, without ceasing. There was built for me a pyramid of stone amongst the pyramids. The overseer of the architects measured its ground; the chief treasurer wrote it; the sacred masons cut the well; the chief of the laborers on the tombs brought the bricks; all things used to make strong a building were there used. There were given to me peasants; there was made for me a garden, and fields were in it before my mansion, as is done for the chief royal friend. My statue was inlaid with gold, its girdle of pale gold; his majesty caused it to be made. Such honor is not done to a man of low degree. May I be in the favor of the king until the day shall come of my death. FOOTNOTES: [1] More correctly rendered as Sinuhe. [2] Sesostris. [Illustration] THE SONG OF THE HARPER. (Sixteenth century B.C.) The Song of the Harper was found in the tomb of the priest Neferhotep, near Thebes. It was designed to be sung on the anniversary of his death. He is shown sitting with his wife, son and daughter, while the harper chants. Other copies of this song have come down to us. _Ra_ or _Re_ is the general appellation of the Sun-god; _Tum_ or _Tmu_ denotes the Sun setting; _Shu_ is the light of the Sun in its life-giving function. Neferhotep, great and blessed, sleepeth; we protect his sleep. Since the day when Ra began his race, and Tum hastened to its ending, fathers have gone down to death, and children have arisen in their place. Even as Ra has his birth in the morning, fathers beget sons; Even as Tum begetteth night, mothers conceive and bring forth; The breath of the morning is in a man's nostrils; Man that is born of a woman vanisheth when his race is run. Holy Father, vouchsafe that the day return with blessing; Smell thou the fragrant oils that we pour on thy altars, receive the flowers that we bring for an offering. Lo, thy sister dwelleth in thy heart as in a temple; Give these lotus flowers into her arms, place them in her bosom; Lo, she sitteth at thy right hand; let the harp and the sound of singing be pleasing unto thee, and drive sorrow away. Rejoice even unto the day when we, pilgrims, enter Amenti, welcomed by him who went before us.