ning meal, and night was come. I took for
myself an hour of ease. I lay down upon my bed, for I was weary. My
heart began to wander (?). I slept. And lo! weapons were brandished,
and there was conference concerning me. I acted as the serpent of the
desert.[4]

7. I awoke to fight; I was alone. I found one struck down, it was the
captain of the guard. Had I received quickly the arms from his hand,
{69} I had driven back the dastards by smiting around. But he was not
a brave man on that night, nor could I fight alone; an occasion of
prowess cometh not to one surprised. Thus was I.

8. Behold, then, vile things came to pass, for I was without thee; the
courtiers knew not that I had passed on to thee [my power], I sat not
with thee on the throne.[5] Let me, then, make thy plans. Because I
awed them not I was not unmindful of them; but mine heart bringeth not
to remembrance the slackness of servants.

9. Is it the custom of women to gather together assailants? are
assassins reared within my palace? was the opening done by cutting
through the ground? The underlings were deceived as to what they
did.[6] But misfortunes have not come in my train since my birth; nor
hath there existed the equal of me as a doer of valiance.

10. I forced my way up to Elephantine, I went down unto the
coast-lakes;[7] I have stood upon the boundaries of the land, and I
have seen its centre. I have set the limits of might by my might in my
deeds.

11. I raised corn, I loved Nopi[8]; the Nile begged of me every
valley. In my reign none {70} hungered; none thirsted therein. They
were contented in that which I did, saying concerning me, 'Every
commandment is meet.'

12. I overcame lions; I carried off crocodiles. I cast the Nubians
under my feet; I carried off the Southern Nubians; I caused the
Asiatics to flee, even as hounds.

13. I have made me an house, adorned with gold, its ceiling with
_lapis lazuli_, its walls having deep foundations. Its doors are of
copper, their bolts are of bronze. It is made for ever-lasting;
eternity is in awe of it. I know every dimension thereof, O Lord of
the World!

14. There are divers devices in buildings. I know the pronouncements
of men when inquiring into its beauties; but they know not that it was
without thee, O my son, Senwesert; life, safe and sound, be to thee--by
thy feet do I walk; thou art after mine own heart; by thine eyes do I
see; born in an hour of delight, wi