Egyptian religious poetry

64 EGYPTIAN RELIGIOUS POETRY

God of Splendour, King of Eternity, Lord of Brightness, Ruler of Light When he is upon his throne in the Boat of the Morning ; Great of Brilliance in the Boat of the Sunset. Divine youth, heir of Eternity, Who begetteth himself, who generateth himself. The Great Ennead worship thee, The Lesser Ennead exult in thee ; They praise thee in thy beautiful forms, In thy brilliance in the Boat of the Sunset. Rise then in gladness of heart, Wearing thy diadems in the horizon of the Heavens, Grant thou glory in Heaven, and power on earth, And that I may go forth with thy Followers daily, That my heart may be satisfied with offerings, That I may receive flowers from the Sanctuary And from the table of the Lords of Heliopolis. [p.a.r., II, p. 9|

12 THE CURSING LITANY

[An incantation against the serpent Apophis, the enemy of the Sun-god. After each curse come the words, “ Mayest thou never exist.”’|

Mayest thou never exist, may thy ka never exist, may thy

body never exist. Mayest thou never exist. May thy limbs never exist. Mayest thou never exist. May thy bones never exist. Mayest thou never exist.

May thy words of power never exist. Mayest thou never exist.