Egyptian religious poetry

92 EGYPTIAN RELIGIOUS POETRY

Turn thyself now, Eternal, to us-ward, Thou who wast here before any existed.

Darkness came on me at thy mighty bidding, Grant me the light to behold all thy beauty. Lo, as thy spirit endureth for ever,

Living in love and in beauty eternal,

So do I know that thou hearest afar off, Hastening hither that I may behold thee.

If thou art sought, God great and eternal, Fear is expelled and joy is our portion. Joyous is he who finds thee, O Amon !

6 PRAYER OF RAMESES II

O FatHer Amon, what is in thy heart? Can a father forget his son? I pray to thee, hast thou forgotten me? Have I ever advanced or stood still except in accordance with thy word, for I have never disobeyed thy command. O great Lord of Egypt, who puttest to flight those who stand in thy path, what is thy will concerning these Amu-people ? Wilt thou not bring to nought those who know not God ?

I have made for thee multitudes of monuments and filled thy holy House with the captives of my wars. I have built for thee a temple which shall endure for millions of years, and endowed thee with all my wealth. I have given to thee the whole land as an offering to thy holy altar, oxen have I sacrificed, sweet perfumes have I offered. What have I left undone in thy sanctuary ? What have I neglected in the courts of thy holy