  The following short poetical eulogium of a king, apparently of Menephtah or Seti II of the nineteenth dynasty, is found in Papyrus Anastasi 4 of the British Museum. It is published in “Select Papyri,” pl. lxxxiv, l. 2-9; lxxxv, l. 1. Although not divided by red dots it is clearly poetic in style, and is accordingly given in paragraphs. From the final line it appears to be addressed to the monarch after his death. Although the titles do not exactly correspond with those of Rameses II, or Menephtah, it appears to relate to him, as the papyrus is of his reign and that of Seti II of the same dynasty. It may indeed refer to this later monarch; but as no cartouche is given and the titles after the palatial or so-called Horus ones are doubtful, it is uncertain whom the monarch is to whom it refers. It has been translated by M. Chabas (“L'Egypt aux temps de l'exode,” Chalons, 1873, p. 118). Dirge of Menephtah 1 Amen gave thy heart pleasure, 2 he gave thee a good old age, 3 a lifetime of pleasure followed thee 4 blessed was thy lip, sound thy arm 5 strong thy eye to see afar 6 thou hast been clothed in linen.463 7 Thou hast guided thy horse and chariot 8 of gold with thy hand 9 the whip in thy hand, yoked were the steeds 11 a proof of what thou hadst done 13 a boat made of it before and behind 14 thou hast approached the beautiful tower which 15 thou thyself made [pg 335]16 thy mouth was full of wine, beer, bread and flesh 17 were slaughtered cattle and wine opened: 18 the sweet song was made before thee 20 the chief of thy garden pools brought crown 21 the superintendent of thy fields brought birds 22 thy fisherman brought fish 24 thy stable was full of horses469 25 thy female slaves were strong470 26 thy enemies were placed fallen 27 thy word no one opposed 28 Thou hast gone before the gods the victor the justified!471 |
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