Of Knowing The Souls Of Nekhen

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[From the Papyrus of Nu (British Museum No. 10,477, sheet 18).]

The Chapter of knowing the Souls of Nekhen. The overseer of the palace, the chancellor-in-chief, Nu, triumphant, saith:

“I know the hidden things of the city of Nekhen, that is to [pg 093] say, the things which the mother of Horus did for him, and how she [made her voice to go forth] over the waters, saying, ‘Speak ye unto me concerning the judgment which is upon me, [and shew me] the path behind you, and let me discover [it];’ and how Ra said, ‘This son of Isis hath perished;’ and what the mother of Horus did for him [when] she cried out, saying, ‘Sebek, the lord of the papyrus swamp, shall be brought to us.’ [And Sebek] fished for them and he found them, and the mother of Horus made them to grow in the places to which they belonged. Then Sebek, the lord of his papyrus swamp, said, ‘I went and I found the place where they had passed with my fingers on the edge of the waters, and I enclosed them in [my] net: and strong was that net.’ And Ra said, ‘So then, there are fish with the god Sebek, and [he] hath found the hands and arms of Horus for him in the land of fish;’ and [that] land became the land of the city of Remu (i.e., Fish). And Ra said, ‘A land of the pool, a land of the pool to this net.’ Then were the hands of Horus brought to him at the uncovering of his face at the festivals of the month and half month in the Land of Remu. And Ra said, ‘I give the city of Nekhen to Horus for the habitation of his two arms and hands, and his face shall be uncovered before his two hands and arms in the city of Nekhen; and I give into his power the slaughtered beings who are in them at the festivals of the month and half month.’ Then Horus said, ‘Let me carry off Tuamautef and Qebhsennuf, and let them watch over my body; and if they are allowed to be there, then shall they be subservient to the god of the city of Nekhen.’ And Ra said, ‘It shall be granted unto thee there and in the city, of Senket (i.e., Sati), and there shall be done for them what hath been done for those who dwell in the city of Nekhen, and verily they shall be with thee.’ And Horus said, ‘They have been with thee and [now] they shall be with me, and shall hearken unto the god Suti when he calleth upon the Souls of Nekhen.’ Grant to me [that I, even I, may pass on to the Souls of Nekhen, and that I may unloose the bonds of Horus]. I, even I, know the Souls of Nekhen, namely, Horus, Tuamautef, and Qebhsennuf.”

[pg 094]

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