[This hymn is the most remarkable example of Egyptian poetry known to
us. It was found by Mr. Petrie near the pyramid and temple of Usertesen
II., in the town which was founded there for the accommodation of the
workmen employed upon these buildings, and for the priestly staff who
performed the services for the dead Pharaoh in his chapel. The hymn is
addressed to the son and successor of that king,--to Usertesen III.,--an
active and warlike prince, who, as the poet also testifies, used his
power for the benefit of his country and the pious support of its
institutions. It is a marvel that the delicate papyrus on which the hymn
is written should have been preserved for nearly 5,000 years. It has
not, however, resisted the attacks of time without suffering injury; and
the lacunae, together with the peculiar language employed by the scribe,
are baffling to the decipherer. Four stanzas only can be read with
comparative completeness and certainty.
The parallelism of the sentences, the rhythm, the balancing of the lines
of verse, and the pause in each, recall the style of the Hebrew Psalms.
The choice of metaphors, too, is in a similar direction. Unfortunately
our limited knowledge of the ancient language does not permit us to
analyze closely the structure of the verses, nor to attempt any scansion
of them. The radicals only of Egyptian words are known to us; of the
pronunciation of the language at the time of the XIIth Dynasty we are
entirely ignorant.]
I
Homage to thee, Kha-kau-ra: our "Horus Divine of Beings."[205]
Safeguarding the land and widening its boundaries: restraining the
foreign nations by his kingly crown.
Inclosing the two lands[206] within the compass of his arms: seizing
the nations in his grip.
Slaying the Pedti without stroke of the club: shooting an arrow
without drawing the bowstring.
Dread of him hath smitten the Anu in their plain: his terror hath
slain the Nine Races of Men.[207]
His warrant hath caused the death of thousands of the Pedti who had he
reached his frontier: shooting the arrow as doth Sekhemt,[208]
overthroweth thousands of those who knew not his mighty
spirit.
The tongue of his Majesty bindeth Nubia in fetters: his utterances put
to flight the Setiu.
Sole One of youthful vigor, guarding his frontier: suffering not his
subjects to faint, but causing the Pat[209] to repose unto
full daylight.
As to his timid youth in their slumbers: his heart[210] is their
protection.
His decrees have formed his boundaries: his word hath armored the two
regions.