Egyptian religious poetry

DEATH AND BURIAL 107

who rest in their pyramids, the noble and the glorious departed likewise, entombed in their pyramids. Those who built their tombs, their place is no more. Behold what is done therein. I have heard the words of Imhotep and Har-dedef, words greatly celebrated [as being] their utterances: “ Behold the places thereof; their walls are dismantled, their places are no more [they are], as if they had never been. None cometh from thence that he may tell thee how they fare, that he may tell of their fortunes, that he may comfort our heart, until we also depart to the place whither they have gone.” Encourage then thy heart to forget it, making it pleasant for thyself to follow thy desires whilst thou livest. Put myrrh on thy head, clothe thyself in fine linen, anoint thyself with divine perfumes. Follow thy desire and thy happiness, fashion thy affairs on earth according to the mandates of thy own heart, until there cometh to thee that great day of lamentation. For he who is at rest cannot hear thy complaint, and he who is in the tomb cannot understand thy weeping. Therefore, with smiling face, let thy days be happy and rest not therein. For no man carrieth his goods away with him, O no man returneth again who is gone thither. [B.D.R., p. 182]

41

Benorp the dwellings of the dead! Their walls fall down; their place is no more ; they are as though they never existed. That which has come into being must pass away again. The young men and maidens must go to their places. The sun riseth at dawn, and setteth again in the West. Men beget, woman conceive. The children too go to the places which are appointed for them. O then, be happy! Come, scents and

1 Song of the Harper (late version).