e the face of fear.

May the fish come to thee without escape;
Mayest thou reach unto plump water-fowl.
For thou art the orphan's father, the widow's husband,
The desolate woman's brother, the garment of the motherless.
Let me celebrate thy name in this land for every virtue,
A guide without greediness of heart;
A great one without any meanness.

Destroying deceit, encouraging justice;
Coming to the cry, and allowing utterance.

Let me speak, do thou hear and do justice;
O praised! whom the praised ones praise.

Abolish oppression, behold me, I am overladen,
Reckon with me, behold me defrauded."

Now the Sekhti made this speech in the time of the majesty of the King
Neb-ka-n-ra, blessed. The lord steward Meruitensa went away straight to
the King and said: "My lord, I have found one of these Sekhti, excellent
of speech, in very truth; stolen are his goods, and he has come to
complain to me of the matter."

His Majesty said: "As thou wishest that I may see health! lengthen out his
complaint, without replying to any of his speeches. He who desireth him to
continue speaking should be silent; behold, bring us his words in writing,
that we may listen to them. But provide for his wife and his children, and
let the Sekhti himself also have a living. Thou must cause one to give him
his portion without letting him know that thou art he who is giving it to
him."

There were given to him four loaves and two draughts of beer each day;
which the lord steward Meruitensa provided for him, giving it to a friend
of his, who furnished it unto him. Then the lord steward Meruitensa sent
the governor of the Sekhet Hemat to make provision for the wife of the
Sekhti, three rations of corn each day.

Then came the Sekhti a second time, and even a third time, unto the lord
steward Meruitensa; but he told two of his followers to go unto the
Sekhti, and seize on him, and beat him with staves. But he came again unto
him, even unto six times, and said:

"My Lord Steward--
Destroying deceit, and encouraging justice;
Raising up every good thing, and crushing every evil;
As plenty comes removing famine,
As clothing covers nakedness,
As clear sky after storm warms the shivering;
As fire cooks that which is raw,
As water quenches the thirst;
Look with thy face upon my lot; do not covet, but content me
without fail; do the right and