DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14563#0261
224:
EGYPT, PAST AND PRESENT.
more splendid edifices for the honor of its divinities, and
the commemoration of his reign. From all Egypt are
summoned the masons and sculptors, the painters and arti-
ficers and "cunning workmen;" and the army that had
stormed the heights of Lebanon now levies from the moun-
tains of the Arabian desert their tribute of limestone and
sandstone and granite of various hues, of sienite and por-
phyry and alabaster, to construct these temples, and to adorn
these avenues. The grand hall of Karnac rises in its
majestic proportions, a fit approach to the sanctuary of
Amun. Its gates lift up their heads. Its tenfold avenues
rear their massive, lofty, graceful pillars — each a single
stone hewn into a rounded, swelling shaft, with a wreathed
or flowered capital — and with their roof of solid stone,
compose the portico that there in the moonlight, restored to
its original perfection, stands confessed the wonder of the
world. The chisel sculptures on its walls and columns the
battle scenes of the king and his offerings to the god, and
the name of Osirei passes into history.
His son succeeds to his victories and to his glory. For,
on the far off plains of Asia, the great Sesostris breaks the
power of the Assyrian hosts, and leads their captive chiefs
in chains. Babylon bows to Egypt. There is another day
of exultation in the capital; but the pomp of the returning
Osirei pales before the national ovation to his son. The
priests, in their sacred vestments, go forth to meet him,
bearing aloft the figures of his illustrious ancestors, from
Menes to Osirei. The king, alighting from his chariot,
mounts the triumphal car prepared for his reception, whose
fiery steeds are led by liveried grooms. His fan-bearers
wave the flabella over his head, and the priests and the
chief men of the nation kneel in homage at his throne.
And now the grand procession forms to enter the city.
Trumpeters herald its approach, and bands of music, with
EGYPT, PAST AND PRESENT.
more splendid edifices for the honor of its divinities, and
the commemoration of his reign. From all Egypt are
summoned the masons and sculptors, the painters and arti-
ficers and "cunning workmen;" and the army that had
stormed the heights of Lebanon now levies from the moun-
tains of the Arabian desert their tribute of limestone and
sandstone and granite of various hues, of sienite and por-
phyry and alabaster, to construct these temples, and to adorn
these avenues. The grand hall of Karnac rises in its
majestic proportions, a fit approach to the sanctuary of
Amun. Its gates lift up their heads. Its tenfold avenues
rear their massive, lofty, graceful pillars — each a single
stone hewn into a rounded, swelling shaft, with a wreathed
or flowered capital — and with their roof of solid stone,
compose the portico that there in the moonlight, restored to
its original perfection, stands confessed the wonder of the
world. The chisel sculptures on its walls and columns the
battle scenes of the king and his offerings to the god, and
the name of Osirei passes into history.
His son succeeds to his victories and to his glory. For,
on the far off plains of Asia, the great Sesostris breaks the
power of the Assyrian hosts, and leads their captive chiefs
in chains. Babylon bows to Egypt. There is another day
of exultation in the capital; but the pomp of the returning
Osirei pales before the national ovation to his son. The
priests, in their sacred vestments, go forth to meet him,
bearing aloft the figures of his illustrious ancestors, from
Menes to Osirei. The king, alighting from his chariot,
mounts the triumphal car prepared for his reception, whose
fiery steeds are led by liveried grooms. His fan-bearers
wave the flabella over his head, and the priests and the
chief men of the nation kneel in homage at his throne.
And now the grand procession forms to enter the city.
Trumpeters herald its approach, and bands of music, with