Translated by S. Birch, LL.D.
Reading edition
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
10 the Xaru,464 and Nahsi,465 marched before thee
11 a proof of what thou hadst done
12 thou hast proceeded to thy boat of as466 wood
13 a boat made of it before and behind
14 thou hast approached the beautiful tower which
15 thou thyself made
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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
19 thy head anointer anointed thee with kami467
20 the chief of thy garden pools brought crown
21 the superintendent of thy fields brought birds
22 thy fisherman brought fish
23 thy galley came from Xaru468 laden with good things
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