  [The previous hymns are addressed to the Supreme Being, under the names of Amen, Horus, and Tum, all identical with the Sun. But for the old Egyptians the ruling Pharaoh of the day was the living image and vicegerent of the Sun, and they saw no profanity in addressing the King in terms precisely similar to those with which they worshipped their god. The following address or petition, which also is found in the “Anastasi Papyri,” is a remarkable instance of this:] Hymn to Pharaoh528 1 “Long live the King!529 2 This comes to inform the King 3 to the royal hall of the lover of truth, 4 the great heaven wherein the Sun is. 5 (Give) thy attention to me, thou Sun that risest 6 to enlighten the earth with this (his) goodness. 7 The solar orb of men chasing the darkness from Egypt. 8 Thou art as it were the image of thy father the Sun, [pg 346]9 who rises in heaven. Thy beams penetrate the cavern. 10 No place is without thy goodness. 11 Thy sayings are the law of every land. 12 When thou reposest in thy palace, 13 thou hearest the words of all the lands. 14 Thou hast millions of ears. 15 Bright is thy eye above the stars of heaven, 16 able to gaze at the solar orb. 17 If anything be spoken by the mouth in the cavern, 18 it ascends into thy ears. 19 Whatsoever is done in secret, thy eye seeth it, 20 O Baenra Meriamen,530 merciful Lord, creator of breath.” [This is not the language of a courtier. It seems to be a genuine expression of the belief that the King was the living representative of Deity, and from this point of view is much more interesting and remarkable than if treated as a mere outpouring of empty flattery.] |
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