th be to him!

CHAPTER XII

EGYPTIAN HYMNS TO THE GODS

In this chapter are given translations of Hymns that were sung in the
temples in honour of the great gods of Egypt between 1600 B.C. and 900
B.C., and of Hymns that were used by kings and private individuals. The
following Hymn to Amen-Ra is found in a papyrus preserved in the
Egyptian Museum in Cairo; the asterisk marks groups of words which are
equivalent to our lines in poetical compositions.

I. A Hymn to Amen-Ra,* the Bull, dweller in Anu, chief of all the gods,*
the beneficent god, beloved one,* giving the warmth of life to all*
beautiful cattle.*

II. Homage to thee, Amen-Ra, Lord of the throne of Egypt.* Master of the
Apts (Karnak).* Kamutef at the head of his fields.* The long-strider,
Master of the Land of the South.* Lord of the Matchau (Nubians),
Governor of Punt,* King of heaven, first-born son of earth,* Lord of
things that are, stablisher of things (_i.e._ the universe), stablisher
of all things.*

III. One in his actions, as with the gods,* Beneficent Bull of the
Company of the Gods (or of the Nine Gods),* Chief of all the gods,* Lord
of Truth, father of the gods,* maker of men, creator of all animals,*
Lord of things that are, creator of the staff of life,* Maker of the
herbage that sustaineth the life of cattle.*

IV. Power made by Ptah,* Beautiful child of love.* The gods ascribe
praises to him.* Maker of things celestial [and] of things terrestrial,
he illumineth Egypt,* Traverser of the celestial heights in peace.* King
of the South, King of the North, Ra, whose word is truth, Chief of
Egypt.* Mighty in power, lord of awe-inspiring terror,* Chief, creator
of everything on earth,* Whose dispensations are greater than those of
every other god.*

V. The gods rejoice in his beautiful acts.* They acclaim him in the
Great House (_i.e._ the sky).* They crown him with crowns in the House
of Fire.* They love the odour of him,* when he cometh from Punt.*[1]
Prince of the dew, he traverseth the lands of the Nubians.* Beautiful of
face, [he] cometh from the Land of the God.*[2]

[Footnote 1: The Southern and Eastern Sudan.]

[Footnote 2: Somaliland and Southern Arabia.]

VI. The gods fall down awestruck at his feet,* when they recognise His
Majesty their Lord.* Lord of terror, great one of victory,* Great one of
Souls, mighty one of crowns.* He maketh offerings abundant, [and]
creat