Egyptian religious poetry

AMON QI

A

My heart desires to see thee, O lord of the Acacia trees ; my heart desires to see thee, O Amon. Thou art the protector of the poor, a father to the motherless, a husband to the widow. Sweet it is to speak thy name ; it is like the taste of life, like the taste of bread to a child, like the breath of freedom to a prisoner. Turn thyself to us, O Eternal One, who wast here before others existed. Though thou makest me to see darkness yet cause light to shine on me that I may see thee. As thy soul © endures, and as thy beautiful and beloved face endures, thou shalt come from afar to let me see thee. To worship thee is good,O Amon. O Lord, great to seek if only he can be found, for thou turnest away fear. Place joy in the hearts of men. Joyful is the man who sees thee, O Amon, he rejoices every day. [J.E.A., xiv, 10]

5 Verse transcription of No. 4

Amon the Mighty, I yearn to behold thee, Lord of Acacia trees, grant me the sight of thee.

Guardian art thou of the poor and the wretched, Father art thou of the motherless children, Husband art thou to the sorrowful widow.

Worship of God is to all men essential !

Sweet is thy name when ’tis spoken in worship, Like to the tasting of life is that speaking,

Like to the flavour of bread to the children, Like to the breath of freedom unstinted Breathed by a captive emerging from prison.