DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12664#0181
170
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
the blaze of our torches, seemed more fitted for a
banqueting-hall for song and dance, than a burial-
place of the dead. All travellers concur in pro-
nouncing the sudden transition from the dreary-
desert without to these magnificent tombs, as oper-
ating like a scene of enchantment; and we may-
imagine what must have been the sensations of
Belzoni, when, wandering with the excitement of
a first discoverer through these beautiful corridors
and chambers, he found himself in the great sa-
loon, leaning over the alabaster sarcophagus. An
old Arab who accompanied us remembered Bel-
zoni, and pointed out a chamber where the fortu-
nate explorer entertained a party of European
travellers, who happened to arrive there at that
time ; making the tomb of Pharaoh* ring with
shouts and songs of merriment.
At different times I wandered among all these
tombs. All were of the same general character ;
all possessed the same beauty and magnificence
of design and finish, and in all, at the extreme
end, was a large saloon, adorned with sculpture
and paintings of extraordinary beauty, and con-
taining a single sarcophagus. " The kings of the
nations did lie in glory, every one in his own
house, but thou art cast out of thy grave like an
abominable branch." Every sarcophagus is broken,
and the bones of the kings of Egypt are scattered.
In one I picked up a scull. I mused over it a
moment, and handed it to Paul, who moralized at
* Supposed to be the tomb of Pharaoh Necho-
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
the blaze of our torches, seemed more fitted for a
banqueting-hall for song and dance, than a burial-
place of the dead. All travellers concur in pro-
nouncing the sudden transition from the dreary-
desert without to these magnificent tombs, as oper-
ating like a scene of enchantment; and we may-
imagine what must have been the sensations of
Belzoni, when, wandering with the excitement of
a first discoverer through these beautiful corridors
and chambers, he found himself in the great sa-
loon, leaning over the alabaster sarcophagus. An
old Arab who accompanied us remembered Bel-
zoni, and pointed out a chamber where the fortu-
nate explorer entertained a party of European
travellers, who happened to arrive there at that
time ; making the tomb of Pharaoh* ring with
shouts and songs of merriment.
At different times I wandered among all these
tombs. All were of the same general character ;
all possessed the same beauty and magnificence
of design and finish, and in all, at the extreme
end, was a large saloon, adorned with sculpture
and paintings of extraordinary beauty, and con-
taining a single sarcophagus. " The kings of the
nations did lie in glory, every one in his own
house, but thou art cast out of thy grave like an
abominable branch." Every sarcophagus is broken,
and the bones of the kings of Egypt are scattered.
In one I picked up a scull. I mused over it a
moment, and handed it to Paul, who moralized at
* Supposed to be the tomb of Pharaoh Necho-