Brugsch, Heinrich: Egypt under the pharaohs: a history derived entirely from the monuments (London, 1891)

dyn. xis. A LITERARY CRITICISM 307

to Sabaq-Ael and Ab-saqabu. I will inform thee of the posi-
tion of 'Aini, the customs of which thou knowest not. Nakhai
and Rehoburotha thou hast not seen, since thou wast born,
0 champion ! Rapih (Raphia) is widely extended. What is
its wall like 1 It extends for a mile in the direction of Qazatha
(Gaza).

Answer quickly. That which I have said is my idea of a
•champion in reply to thee. I let the people keep away from thy
name, I wish them a seigneur. If thou art angry at the words
■which I have addressed to thee, yet I know how to estimate thy
keart in every way. A father chastises, but he knows the right
measure a hundred thousand times. I know thee. To put on
armour is really beyond thy ability. No man whose hand and
courage is warlike makes himself famous in my esteem. I am open
and clear, like the spring-water of the god Mentu. It matters
very little what flows over thy tongue, for thy compositions are very
confused. Thou comest to me in a covering of misrepresentations,
with a cargo of blunders. Thou tearest the words to tatters, just
as it comes into thy mind. Thou dost not take pains to find out
their force for thyself. If thou rushest wildly forward, thou wilt
not succeed. What comparison is there between one who does not
know the goal that he wishes to reach, and one who reaches it ?
Now, what is he like 1 I have not gone back, but I have reached
(my goal). Soften thy heart, let thy heart be cheerful; may the
way to eat cause thee no trouble !

I have struck out for thee the end of thy composition, and I
return to thee thy descriptions. What thy words contain, that is
altogether on my tongue, it has remained on my lips. It is a con-
fused medley, when one hears it; an uneducated person could not
understand it. It is like a man from the lowlands speaking with a
man from Elephantine. But since thou art the scribe of Pharaoh,
thou resemblest the water for the land, that it may become fertile.
Take my meaning kindly, and do not say, ' Thou hast made my
name to stink before all other men.' Understand me as having
wished to impart to thee the true position of a champion, in doing
which I have visited for thee every foreign people, and placed before
thee in a general view the countries, and (every) city according to
its special character. Acquaint us kindly, that thou so under-
standest it. If thou findest that the remai'ks upon thy work are
apposite, thou wilt be for us like the famous Uah.

Eamses II. reigned sixty-seven years, of which pro-
bably more than half must be assigned to his joint reign
with his father. His thirty-years' jubilee was the

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