Sinuhe

NederhofTransliteration and translation for "Sinuhe", following the transcription of Koch (1990). Differentmain versions are included for different parts of the text, and passages from additional versionsare included if they differ in a non-trivial way from that main version and are intelligible: passagesin versions that seem too corrupt to make sense of are generally ignored.The line numbers in version AOS will here be preceded by 'r' (recto) or 'v' (verso) to avoid clashes.Indication of the beginning of line 237 of version B is missing from Koch (1990), and was addedfollowing Blackman (1932).The transliteration throughout follows Hannig (1995). Transcription of proper names, except namesof kings given by Hannig (1995), follows Parkinson (1997).For published translations, see Gardiner (1916), pp. 168-176; Lichtheim (1975), pp. 222-235;Parkinson (1997), pp. 21-53; Simpson (1972), pp. 57-74. Also considered were the examples fromGraefe (1994) and Loprieno (1995).

BibliographyJ.W.B. Barns. Some readings and interpretations in sundry Egyptian texts. The Journal of

Egyptian Archaeology, 58:159-166, 1972.J.W.B. Barns. The Ashmolean Ostracon of Sinuhe. Oxford University Press, London, 1952.A.M. Blackman. Middle-Egyptian Stories -- Part I. Fondation Égyptologique Reine Élisabeth,

Brussels, 1932.W.V. Davies. Readings in the story of Sinuhe and other Egyptian texts. The Journal of Egyptian

Archaeology, 61:45-53, 1975.R.O. Faulkner. A Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian. Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum,

Oxford, 1962.A.H. Gardiner. Notes on the story of Sinuhe. Librairie Honoré Champion, Paris, 1916.A. Gardiner. Egyptian Grammar. Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1957.E. Graefe. Mittelägyptische Grammatik für Anfänger. Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden, 1994.R. Hannig. Grosses Handwörterbuch Ägyptisch-Deutsch: die Sprache der Pharaonen

(2800-950 v.Chr.). Verlag Philipp von Zabern, 1995.R. Koch. Die Erzählung des Sinuhe. Fondation Égyptologique Reine Élisabeth, Brussels, 1990.M. Lichtheim. Ancient Egyptian Literature -- Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms. University

of California Press, 1975.A. Loprieno. Ancient Egyptian: a linguistic introduction. Cambridge University Press, 1995.R.B. Parkinson. The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems 1940-1640 BC. Oxford

University Press, 1997.W.K. Simpson (editor). The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions,

and Poetry. Yale University Press, 1972.Created by Mark-Jan Nederhof, 2008-07-04, 17:13.

i

R |1jrj-pot H#tj-o

R |1Prince-regent and count,

AOS Xtmw-bjtj smr wotj

AOS royal seal-keeper and sole companion,

R s#b oD-mr sp#wt jty m t#w stjw

R magistrate and commissioner of the domains of the sovereign in the lands of the bedouin,

R |2rX-nsw m#o mry=f Sms[w c#-n]ht Dd=f

R |2true and beloved acquaintance of the king, follower Sinuhe1 says:

1Meaning 'son of the sycamore'.

R jnk Smsw |3Sms nb=f

R 'I was a follower |3who followed his lord,

R b#k n jp#t-nsw jrt-[pot] wrt Hswt

R a servant of the royal harem and of the regentess, greatly praised,

AOS b#k n{t} nswt nsw

AOS a servant of the royal thrones,

R |4Hmt-nsw c-n-Wsrt m $nm-swt s#t-nsw Jmn-m-H#t |

5m Ä#j-nfr Nfrw

R |4royal wife of Sesostris in Khnemsut, royal daughter of Amenemhet |

5in Qanefru, Nefru,

R nbt jm#X H#t-sp 30 #bd 3 #Xt sw 7

R revered. Year 30, month 3 of the Season of Inundation, day 7.

AOS sb.tj r jm#X

AOS who has passed to blessedness.

R |6or nTr r #Xt=f nsw-bjtj cHtp-jb-Ro

R |6The god departed to his horizon, the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Sehotepibre

AOS oq.n nTr r #Xt=f

AOS The god entered into his horizon,

1

R |7sHr=f r pt xnm m jtn Ho-nTr

R |7ascended to heaven and united with the sun, the divine body

AOS sorj m1 pt

AOS was let to ascend to heaven1Emend to sorj=f r following Gardiner (1916).

R |8#bX(.w) m jr-sw

R |8merging with him who created him.

R jw xnw m sgr |9jbw m gmw

R The residence was in silence, |9hearts were in mourning,

AOS jw xnw{tj} o.w.s. m sgr

AOS The residence (l.p.h.!) was in silence,

R rwtj-wrtj Xtm.w |10[Sny]t m [tp] Hr m#st

R the great double gate was shut, |10courtiers were grieving,

R pot |11m jmw jsT rf sb.n Hm=f

R patricians |11were wailing. Now, His Majesty had sent

AOS pot m jwgrw1

AOS patricians were in the necropolis.1Following Barns (1952) and Gardiner (1957), p. 209, note 7.

R mSo |12r v#-TmH s#=f smsw |

13m Hrj jrj

R an army |12to the Libyan land, with his eldest son |

13in command;

G mSo |8oS# r v#-TmH

G a numerous army to the Libyan land,

R nTr nfr c-n-Wsrt tj sw h#b(.w) |14r Hwt X#swt

R the good god Sesostris had been sent |14to smite the foreign lands,

2

R r sqr jmjw VHnw

R to slay the inhabitants of Libya,

R |15tj sw Hm jy=f jn.n=f sqrw-onX |

16n VHnw

R |15and was now returning, having carried off captives |

16from Libya

R mnmnt nbt nn Drw=s |17smrw nw stp-s# h#b=sn

R and countless of all kinds of cattle. |17The companions of the palace sent a message

R r gs |18jmntj

R to the western border,

R r rDjt rX s#-nsw sSm Xpr |19m oxnwtj

R to inform the king's son of the affair that had happened |19in the cabinet.

R gm.n sw wpwtjw Hr w#t |20pH.n=sn sw r tr n X#wj

R The messengers found him on the road, |20reaching him at nightfall.

R n sp |21sjn.n=f rsj bjk ox=f Hno |

22Smsw=f

R He never hesitated at all and the falcon flew off with |22his followers,

R nn rDjt rX st mSo=f jsT h#b |23r msw nsw

R without informing his army of it. Now, a message had been sent |23to the king's children

AOS nn rDjt rX{t}=sn mSo=f

AOS without informing his army.

R wnw m-Xt=f [m] mSo pn

R who were following him [in] this army,

AOS wnnyw m-Xt=f (m) mSo pn

AOS who were following him in this army,

3

R |24njs.n.tw n wo jm

R |24and one of them was called.

AOS nn njs.[n.tw] wo jm=sn

AOS and none of them was called.

B jsT wj oHo.kw sDm.n=j [Xr]w=f

B Now, I was standing by and heard his voice,

B |2jw=f Hr mdt jw=j m or w#

B |2and as he spoke I was close to a conspiracy1.

1Consistent with note 1 of Davies (1975).

B psX jb=j |3sS owj=j sd# Xr(.w) m ot nbt

B My heart fluttered, |3my arms dropped, and trembling befell every limb.

B nfo=j |4{r} wj m nftft r HH n=j st dg rDjt(=j) |

5wj jmjt b#tj

B I stole away leaping to find myself a hiding-place. I placed |5myself between two bushes

AOS rDj.n=j (wj) r jmjtw b#tj

AOS I placed (myself) between two bushes

B r jrt w#t Smw=s jrt=j |6Smt m Xntyt

B to clear the road for its traveller. I then went south;

R r jw.tw |29w#t Smw=s

R until the road and its traveller were separated.

AOS r jsq Hr w#t Smt=sn

AOS to wait near the road where they were walking.

B n k#(=j) spr r xnw |7pn

B I did not intend to come to this residence,

B Xmt.n=j Xpr H#oyt

B since I expected there would be contention

AOS n Xmt=j Xpr m H#oyt

AOS since I didn't intend to become involved in contention

4

B n Dd=j onX r-s#=f |8nmj.n=j M#otj

B that I didn't think I would survive. |8I crossed Maati

AOS n Dd.n(=j) onX r-s# pf# nTr pn mnX

AOS and I didn't think I would survive that one, this excellent god.

B m h#w Nht |9sm#.n=j m Jw-cnfrw

B in the vicinity of the Sycamore, |9and I arrived on the Island of Snofru.

B wrS.n=j m oD n |10sXt HD.n=j wn hrw

B I spent the day at the edge of |10a field, and departed early the next day.

B Xp.n=j s oHo(.w) |11m r#-w#t

B I met a man standing |11on the road

B twr.n=f wj snD n=f Xpr.n |12tr n msyt

B and he saluted me, one who feared him. After it had become |12dinner time,

AOS twr.n=f wj snDw.n=j n=f |r14

AOS and he saluted me but I feared him. |r14

B s#H.n=j r dmj N|13[g]#w D#.n=j m wsXt nn Hm=s

B I reached the port of Negau. I crossed in a boat without a rudder,

B |14[m s]wt n jmntj sw#.n=j Hr j#btjw jkw

B |14by means of the west wind. I passed east of the quarry

AOS m swHw nw jmntt

AOS by means of the west winds.

B |15[m H]ry[t] [nb]t Ew-dSr rDjt=j |

16w#t n rdwj=j m Xd

B |15above the Mistress of the Red Mountain. Then I made |

16my way northward.

5

B dmj.n=j |17Jnbw-Hq# jry r Xsf stjw

B I reached |17the Walls of the Ruler, made to restrain the bedouin.

AOS dmj.n(=j) Jnbw-jt=j

AOS I reached the Walls of my Father,

R r ptpt nmjw-Soj

R and trample the bedouin.

B Ssp.n=j |18ksw=j m b#t m snD m##

B I crouched down in a bush, for fear of being seen by

B wr|19Syw tp Hwt jmj{t} hrw=s jr=j Smt |

20tr n X#w

B the guards in the settlement who were on duty. I travelled |20during the night

R wrSy |45tp jnb jmj hrw=f

R the guard |45on the wall who was on duty.

B HD.n t# pH.n=j Ptn |21Xn.kw r jw n Km-wr

B and the next morning I reached Peten. |21I halted on an island of Kemur.

B Xr n jbt |22#s.n=f wj

B An attack of thirst |22overtook me;

B ntb.kw XX=j Xm.w |23Dd.n=j dpt mwt nn

B I was parched and my throat was dry. |23I thought: "This is the taste of death."

AOS |r18nD#.kw XXw{t}=j1 Xm.w

AOS |r18I was thirsty and my throat was dry.

1Read#as!.

6

B Tst=j jb=j s#|24q=j How=j

B I lifted my heart and collected myself

R Tst=j jb=j Ho=j

R I lifted my heart and my body

B sDm.n=j Xrw nmj n mn|25mnt gmH.n=j stjw

B when I heard the sound of bellowing of cattle and caught sight of bedouin.

R sDm.n=j |49nmj n mnmnt

R when I heard |49the bellowing of cattle

AOS |r19[g]mH.n(=j) wj stjw

AOS |r19and caught sight of bedouin.

B sj#.n wj |26mTn jm p# wnn Hr Kmt

B Their leader, who had been in Egypt, recognized me.

B oHo.n |27rDj.n=f n=j mw ps n=j jrTt Sm.n=j |

28Hno=f n wHwt=f

B He gave me water and boiled milk for me. I went |28with him to his tribe

B nfr jrrt.n=sn rDj.n wj X#st n |29X#st fX.n=j r Kpnj

B and what they did was good. Land gave me to |29land. I departed from Byblos

AOS nfr jrrt n=j

AOS and what was done for me was good.

B Hs.n=j r Ädm jr.n=j |30rnpt gs jm jn wj omw-nnSj

B and returned to Qedem. I had spent |30a year and a half there when Amunenshi fetched me,

AOS Hsj.n=j r ÄdSw

AOS and returned to Kadesh.

B Hq# pw |31n RTnw Hrt Dd=f n=j

B who was ruler |31of Upper Retjenu. He said to me:

7

B nfr Tw Hno=j sDm=k r# |32n Kmt

B "You will be happy with me, for you'll hear the language |32of Egypt."

AOS nfr Tw o# wn=k Hno=j

AOS "You will be happy here with me,

B Dd.n=f nn rX.n=f qd=j sDm.n=f |33Ss#=j

B He said this because he knew my character and had heard |33of my experience,

B mtr.n wj rmT |34Kmt ntjw jm Hno=f oHo.n Dd.n=f n=j

B for the Egyptians who were there with him had borne witness to me. Then he said to me:

B pH.n=k nn |35Hr-m jSst pw jn-jw wn Xprt m |

36xnw

B "Why is it that you have come here? Has anything happened in |36the residence?"

R pH.n=k] nn Hr sj jSst |59

R "Why [have you come] here? |59

R oHo.n Dd.n=j n=f

R Then I said to him:

AOS oHo.n Dd.n=f n=j

AOS Then he said to me:

B nsw-bjtj

B "The king of Upper and Lower Egypt

B cHtp-jb-Ro wD#.w r #Xt |37n rX.n.tw Xprt Hr=s

B Sehotepibre has gone to the horizon. |37The circumstances of it are unknown."

AOS |r23cHtp-jb-Ro pw wD#w r #Xt n rX.n.tw Xprt nn Hr st

AOS |r23"It is Sehotepibre who has gone to the horizon." It is unknown why this happened,

B Dd.n=j swt m jwms

B But I fabricated:

AOS Ddw n=j swt m jwms

AOS but I was deceived.

8

B |38[j]j.n=j m mSo {t#} t#-TmHw wHm.tw n=j

B |38"When I had returned from an expedition (to) the land of the Libyans, it was reported to me.

AOS wHm.n.tw n=j

AOS it was reported to me.

B jb=j |39#hd.w H#tj=j n ntf m xt=j

B My mind |39became weak and my heart was not in my body.

AOS jb(=j) h#m.w

AOS My heart became tormented.

B jn.n|40=f wj Hr w#wt wort

B It brought me to the ways of flight,

B n wf#.tw=j n psg|41.t[w r Hr]=j

B although I was not talked about, my face was not spat on,

R |64n psg.tw=j n wf#.tw r Hr=j

R |64although I was not spat on, I was not talked about in my presence,

AOS n w{s}f#{t}.tw

AOS although there was no reproach,

B n sDm Ts-Hwrw n sDm.tw rn=j m r# |42wHmw

B a reproach was not heard, and my name was not heard from the mouth |42of a herald.

B n rX=j jn wj r X#st tn

B I do not know what brought me to this land;

B |43jw mj sXr nTr

B |43it is like a plan of god."

R mj m## sw jdHy |66m #b[w]

R as if a marsh-dweller saw himself |66in Elephantine,

AOS jw=j mj sSmw rswt

AOS I was like in a dreaming state,

9

R s n x#t m v#-stj |67oHo.n Dd.n=f Xft=j

R a man from the Delta in Taseti." |67Then he said to me:

B wnn jrf t# pf mj-m m-X|44mt=f

B "How will that land be without him,

B nTr pf mnX wnnw snD=f Xt |45X#swt

B that excellent god, fear of whom was throughout |45the lands,

B mj cXmt rnpt j#dw Dd.kw r=j n=f |46wSb=j n=f

B like of Sekhmet in a year of pestilence?" I said to him, |46answering him:

R [...] wrt1 rnpt j#dw

R [...] the Great One in a year of pestilence?"

AOS sDd.n=f n=j wSb.n=j n=f

AOS After he had spoken to me, I answered him:1Cf. wrt in B 64.

B nHm.n s#=f oq(.w) r oH jT|47.n=f jwot nt jt=f

B "His son has already entered the palace and has assumed the inheritance of his father.

B nTr pw grt nn snnw=f |48nn ky Xpr xr-H#t=f nb s#t pw

B Now, he is a god without equal, |48there is no other before him. He is possessor of wisdom,

B jqr |49sXrw mnX wDwt-mdw prt h#t Xft |

50wD=f

B excellent |49of plans, effective of orders, coming and going are by |

50his command.

B ntf d#r X#swt jw jt=f m-xnw oH=f

B It was he who subjugated the foreign lands, while his father was within his palace,

10

B |51smj=f S#t.n=f Xpr nXt pw grt

B |51and he reported what he had ordered to be done. Now, he is a hero

R smj=f n=f S#t=f Xpr

R and he reported to him what he ordered to be done.

AOS smj.tw S#{o}.n=f Xpr

AOS and what he had ordered to be done was reported.

B |52jr m XpS=f pr-o nn twt n=f

B |52who acts with his own arm, a champion without equal

B m##|53.tw=f h#=f r#-pDtjw xom=f r#-D#w

B when he is seen attacking barbarians and approaching combat.

B |54wof ob pw sgnn Drwt

B |54He is one who bends down horns and weakens hands,

AOS wof dbw pw

AOS He is one who bends down horns

B n Ts.n Xrw|55yw=f skw

B so that his enemy cannot marshal troops.

B jo Hr pw tS# wpwt n oHo.n.tw |56m h#w=f

B He is vengeful, one who smashes heads. One cannot stand |56near him.

AOS wmt jb pw h#=f j#btjw |r30

AOS He is stout-hearted when he attacks the easterners. |r30

B pD nmtt pw sk=f bh#w

B He is far-striding when he annihilates the fugitive.

R |81pD nmtt pw st=f bh#w

R |81He is far-striding when he shoots the fugitive.

11

B |57nn pHwj n DD n=f s#

B |57There is no good end for him who shows him his back.

AOS nn pHwj n{n} DD n=f s#

B oHo-jb pw m #t s#|58s#

B He is steadfast at the moment of forcing retreat.

B onw pw n rDj.n=f s#=f

B He is one who disables without showing his back.

B wmt jb pw |59m##=f oS#t n rDj.n=f Hms H# jb=f

B He is stout-hearted |59when he sees multitudes. He doesn't let laziness near his heart.

B |60wd Hr pw m#=f j#bt1 rS=f pw h|

61#t=f r#-pDtjw

B |60He is eager when he sees the east. His joy is his attacking barbarians,

R wd Hr pw h#=f |85j#btjw

R He is eager when he attacks |85the easterners.

AOS sXm jb pw |r31h#=f j#btjw

AOS He is stout-hearted |r31when he attacks the easterners.

1Uncertain.

B T##=f jkm=f tjtj=f

B as he clasps his shield he strikes down.

AOS T#y.n=f jkm=f rf r tjtj=f

AOS when he has clasped his shield so that he may strike down.

B n |62wHm.n=f o r xdb=f nn wn rwj oH#w=f

B He doesn't repeat the slaying, as there is no one who escapes his arrow,

AOS nn wHm.tw o rf xdby

AOS The slaying is not repeated,

B nn |63jtH pDt=f

B and no one who draws his bow.

12

B bh# pDtjw owj=fj mj |64b#w n wrt

B The barbarians flee from his arms, as |64from the might of the Great One.

R bh# pDtjw xr-H#t=f

R The barbarians flee before him,

B oH#=f Xmt.n=f pHwj n |65s#w.n=f n spyt nb jm#t pw o# bnjt

B He fights having foreseen the outcome, heedless of all else. He is beloved, great of charm,

AOS nn sw#.n=f sp

AOS he will not evade the matter.

B |66jT.n=f (m) mrwt mr sw njwt=f r How

B |66he has conquered through love, his city loves him more than itself,

B Ho |67st jm=f r nTr=sn

B it rejoices over him more than over its god.

B sw# T#yw Hmwt Hr rnn|68wt jm=f jw=f m nsw jT.n=f m swHt

B Men and women pass by, cheering him. He is a king who conquered in the egg,

AOS wnn T#[yw mj Hmwt] Hr rnnw{=f} jm=f

AOS Men [as well as women] are cheering him.

B |69jw Hr=f Dr ms.tw=f soS# pw msy.tw Hno=f

B |69he was dedicated since he was born. He is one who makes those born with him plentiful.

R Hr=f r=s Dr ms.tw=f |94

R his mind was set to it since he was born. |94

B |70wo pw n DD nTr

B |70He is the unique gift of god.

13

B rS.wj t# pn Hq#.n=f |71swsX t#Sw pw

B How joyful is this land that he rules! |71He is one who extends borders,

AOS rS.wj t# Hq#.n=f jm=f

AOS How joyful is the land that he rules!

B jw=f r jTt t#w |72rsw

B he will conquer southern lands,

AOS [jw=f r] jT[t] m t#w rsj

AOS [he will] conquer southern lands,

B nn k#=f X#swt mHtwt jr.n.tw=f r Hwt stjw

B not considering the northern lands, as he was made to smite the Asiatics

AOS nn k#.n=f r X#swt mHtt

AOS not considering the northern lands,

B |73r ptpt nmjw-Soj h# n=f jm rX|

74=f rn=k

B |73and trample the bedouin. Go down to him and let him know your name,

R h#b n=f |99

R Send a message to him |99

B m Snj w# r Hm=f

B as someone far from His Majesty who inquires.

AOS [...] jry=f n=k jrrt jt=f1

AOS [...] he will do for you what his father had done.

B nn tm=f jr bw|75-nfr n X#st

B He will not fail to do good to a foreign land1Assuming one of two possible corrections suggested by Koch (1990).

B wnn.tj=sj Hr mw=f Dd.jn=f Xft=j

B that will be loyal to him." Then he said to me:

14

B Xr |76Hm Kmt nfr.tj (n-)ntt sj rX.tj rwD=f |

77mk Tw o# wnn=k Hno=j

B "But then Egypt is happy, since it knows his ability. |77You are here, and you will stay with me.

AOS |r36nfr Tw o# wn=k Hno=j

AOS |r36You will be happy here with me.

B nfr jrrt=j n=k

B What I shall do for you is good."

AOS nfr jr.tw n=k

AOS What will be done for you is good."

B |78rDj.n=f wj m-H#t xrdw=f mnj.n=f w|

79j m s#t=f wrt

B |78He placed me at the head of his children, and he married me to his eldest daughter.

AOS rDj.n=f wj r-H#t wHyt=f

AOS He placed me at the head of his tribe,

B rDj.n=f stp=j n=j m X#st=f

B He let me choose for myself of his land,

B |80m stpw n wnt Hno=f Hr t#S=f n |

81kt X#st

B |80from the pick of what was his, on his border with |

81another land.

AOS m stpw n{t} wn m-o=f

AOS from the pick of what was his,

B t# pw nfr J## rn=f jw d#bw

B It was a good land, called Araru. Figs

AOS nn wn mjtt=f m t#

AOS It was without equal on earth.

B |82jm=f Hno j#rrwt wr n=f jrp r mw

B |82were in it, and grapes. It had more wine than water.

B o# |83bjt=f oS# b#q=f dqr nb Hr Xtw=f

B Its honey was plentiful and its moringa oil was abundant. Every kind of fruit was on its trees.

15

B |84jw jt jm Hno bdt

B |84Barley was there, and emmer.

B nn Drw mnmnt |85nbt o# grt dmjt r=j m jj n m|

86rt=j1

B There was no limit to all kinds of cattle. Much came to me because of the love of me.

AOS [nn Dr|r38w]w n mnmnt=f nbt

AOS [There was no limit] to all kinds of its cattle.1Contra note 4 of Barns (1972), for which no support can be found in Hannig (1995).

B rDjt=f wj m Hq# wHyt m stp |87n X#st=f

B He made me the ruler of a tribe of the finest |87of his land.

AOS m stpw n wHyt=f

AOS of the finest of his tribe.

B jr n=j oqw m mjnt jrp |88m xrt-hrw

B Provisions were made for me consisting of daily fare, a daily supply of wine,

AOS jw jr n(=j) oqw myt

AOS For me were prepared bread, myt-drink,

B jwf ps #pd |89m #Sr Hrw-r owt X#st jw gr|

90g.tw n=j

B cooked meat, roast fowl, as well as desert game. One would snare for me

B jw w#H.tw n=j Hr{r}w-r jnw n Tsm|91w=j

B and lay it out for me, in addition to the catch of my hounds.

AOS jw H#m.tw n=j

AOS and fish for me,

B jw jr.tw n=j

AOS jw jr n=j bnrw oS# jrTt m pst [nbt]

AOS Many sweet things were prepared for me, and milk was in [every] dish.

16

B jr.n=j rnpwt oS#wt xrdw|93=j Xpr(.w) m nXtw s nb m d#r

B I spent many years, while my children became strong, each man controlling

AOS jr[.n=j] rnpwt oS#w jm{=j} |r40nXtw-o

AOS [I] spent many years there, |r40strong,

B |94wHyt=f wpwtj Xdd Xnt r xnw |

95#b=f Hr=j

B |94his tribe. A messenger who came north or went south to the residence |

95tarried for me;

AOS wpwtj m Xd m Xntyt m xnw #bw=f Hr=j

AOS A messenger who came north or went south to the residence tarried for me.

B jw s#b=j rmTt nbt |96jw=j Dj=j mw n jb

B I let everyone tarry. |96I gave water to the thirsty,

AOS jw jm#.tw n=j m jXt nb

AOS One was well-disposed towards me in all respects.

B rDj.n=j tnm |97Hr w#t

B I showed the way to the stray,

B nHm.n=j ow# stjw

B and I rescued the robbed. The bedouin

AOS [n]Hm|r41[.n=j] w#ww m-o X#stjw

AOS and [I] rescued those who were far away1 from the foreigners.1Uncertain.

B |98w# r Stm r {s}Xsf-o Hq#w X#swt

B |98who were preparing to fight and to oppose the rulers of the lands,

B |99D#js.n=j Smt=sn jw Hq# pn n |

100RTnw

B |99I countered their movements. This ruler of |

100Retjenu

17

B Dj=f jry=j rnpwt oS#w m Tsw |101n mSo=f

B let me spend many years as commander |101of his army.

AOS Dj=f jry=j jpwt=f oS#wt jw=j m Tsw n mSo=f

AOS let me carry out his many expeditions as commander of his army.

B X#st nbt rwt.n=j r=s

B Every land against which I advanced

AOS X#st nb jyj.n=j jm=sn

AOS Every land from which I returned

B jw jr.n=j hd|102=j jm=s dr.tj2 Hr smw xnmwt=s |

103H#q.n=j mnmnt=s

B I defeated, it being driven from its pastures and wells. |103I seized its cattle,

AOS jr[.n=j] hd=j1 jm=sn |r42

AOS I had defeated, |r42

1Readjas!.

2Written ddt.

B jn.n=j xrw=s |104nHm wnmt=sn sm#.n=j rmT jm=s

B I carried off its inhabitants, |104and took away their food. I slew its people

AOS nHm.n=j wnmt=sn nbt

AOS and took away all their food.

B |105m XpS=j m pDt=j m nmtt=j m |

106sXrw=j jqrw

B |105with my arm, with my bow, with my movements, and with |

106my excellent plans.

AOS m pDt(=j)1 m XpS=j

AOS with (my) bow, with my arm,

1Following Barns (1952),<

is graphic error for.

.

B #X n(=j) m jb=f |107mr.n=f wj rX.n=f qnn=j

B In his heart I was beneficial, |107and he loved me for he knew that I was valiant.

18

B rDjt=f wj |108m-H#t xrdw=f m#.n=f rwD |

109owj=j

B He placed me |108at the head of his children, for he had seen my arms were proficient.

AOS rDj.n=f n=j r-H#t wHyt=f

AOS He placed me at the head of his tribe,

B jwt nXt n RTnw

B There came a strong man of Retjenu

AOS jyj nXt r RTnw

AOS There came a strong man to Retjenu

B mT#=f w|110j m jm#=j pry pw nn snnw=f

B to challenge me in my tent; he was a hero without equal

AOS r mT# m jm#w=j

AOS to issue a challenge in my tent;

B dr|111.n=f sj r-Dr=s

B and he had entirely annihilated it.

B Dd.n=f oH#=f Hno=j Xmt.n=f |112Hwtf=f wj

B He said he would fight with me. He intended |112to rob me,

AOS Dd.n=j n=f oH#=f Hno=j

AOS I said to him that he should fight with me.

B k#.n=f H#q mnmnt=j |113xr sH n wHyt=f Hq# pf nDnD=f |

114Hno=j

B planning to seize my cattle |113on the advice of his tribe. That ruler conferred |

114with me.

AOS k#.n=f H#q=f mnmnt=f1

AOS planning to seize my cattle1Read =j.

B Dd.kw n rX=j sw n jnk tr sm#=f |115wsTn=j m of#j=f

B I said: "I do not know him, I am not his companion |115that I could walk freely in his camp.

AOS jn-jw jnk p# wn sm# jyj {jw} m jm#=f pw

AOS Am I his companion that I could come into this tent of his?

19

B jn nt-pw wn.n|116=j s#-pr=f sb.n=j jnbwt=f rqt-jb |

117pw

B Is it the case that I have opened his hurdle or climbed over his walls? It is resentment

AOS jn-jw jnk p# wnw Hr s#-pr=f bw khb [...] |r46[...]

AOS Have I opened his hurdle? [...] aggression [...] |r46[...]

B Hr m##=f wj Hr jrt jpwt=f

B because he sees me carrying out his affairs.

R |142Hr m##=f wj Hr jrt jp[wt]=k

R |142because he sees me carrying out your affairs.

AOS Hr m##.n=f (wj) Hr jrt jpwt=k

AOS because he sees (me) carrying out your affairs.

B n|118Hm.n wj mj jH n Hww m Hrj-jb |

119ky jdwt

B I have become like a bull of cattle in the midst of |119other cows,

R ky jdr

R another herd,

B hd sw k# n owt |120ng#w Hr #m r=f

B whom the bull of the herd attacks, |120whom the longhorn is charging.

B jn-jw wn tw# |121mrrw n S# n tp Hr

B Is an insignificant man |121loved as a superior?

B nn pDtj sm# |122m jdHw

B There is no barbarian who associates |122with a marsh-dweller.

B ptr smn Dyt r Dw |123jn-jw k# mr=f oH#

B What can papyrus achieve on a mountain? |123Does a bull want to fight

B pry mr|124=f wHm s# m Hrt nt mX#=f sw

B or does the fighting bull want to sound the retreat for fear of being equalled?

20

B |125jr wnn jb=f r oH# jm Dd=f Xrt-jb=f

B |125If it is his wish to fight, let him express his desire.

B |126jn-jw nTr Xm(.w) S#t.n=f rX(.w) nt-pw mj-|

127m

B |126Is a god ignorant of what he has ordained, or does he know what the situation is?"

B sDr.n q#s.n=j pDt=j wd.n=j |128oH#ww=j Dj.n=j sS n b#gsw=j

B At night, I strung my bow, shot |128my arrows, sharpened my dagger,

B sxkr|129.n=j Xow=j HD.n t# RTnw jj.tj

B and polished my weapons. When the day dawned, Retjenu had come.

B |130Ddb.n=s wHwyt=s sHw.n=s X#swt |

131nt gs=sj

B |130It had assembled its tribes and had gathered its neighbouring lands,

B k#.n=s oH# pn

B planning this battle.

AOS jyj nXt n RTnw

AOS There came a strong man of Retjenu.

R |156jwt pw jr.n=f n=j oHo.kw

R |156Then he came at me, while I waited

R Dj.n=j wj m h#w=f |157

R having positioned myself near him. |157

B H#tj nb m#|132x(.w) n=j Hmwt T#yw Hr ooj,

B Every heart burned for me, wives were jabbering,

B jb |133nb mr(.w) n=j Dd=sn jn-jw wn ky |

134nXt oH# r=f

B and every heart was sorry for me, thinking: "Is there another |134hero who could fight him?"

AOS jbw nb mr.{k}w Hr

AOS and all hearts were sorry, thinking:

21

B oHo.n jkm=f mjnb=f |135Hpt=f nt nswwt Xr(.w)

B Then his shield, his axe, |135and an armful of his spears came down.

AOS Xr.w n=j

AOS came down on me.

B m-Xt spr|136.n=j Xow=f rDj.n=j sw# Hr=j oH#w=f sp |

137n jwtt

B After I had made his weapons miss, I let his arrows pass by me to no effect,

AOS m-Xt rf pr.n=j m Xow=f rDj.n=j sw# Hr=f oH#w

AOS After I had evaded his weapons, I let arrows pass by him

B wo Hr xn m wo

B one close to the other.

R |163oHo.n jr.n=f [...]

R |163Then he made [...]

R Xmt.n=f Hwt=f wj |164

R He intended to smite me. |164

B xom.n=f |138wj st.n=j sw

B When he approached |138me, I shot him,

B oH#w=j mn(.w) m nH|139bt=f sbH.n=f Xr.n=f Hr fnD=f

B and my arrow was stuck in his neck. He cried out and fell on his face.

B sX|140r.n=j {n} sw (m) mjnb=f

B I slew him with his axe

AOS sXrw.n=j sw m mjnbw=j

AOS I slew him with my axe

B wd.n=j jSnn=j |141Hr j#t=f o#m nb Hr nmj

B and uttered my war-cry |141on his back, while every Asiatic was shouting.

AOS Dj.n=j psD=j Hr Snbt=f

AOS and put my backside on his chest,

22

B rDj.n=j Hknw |142n MnTw mrw=f Hb(.w) n=f

B I gave praise |142to Month, whose supporters celebrated a triumph through him.1

1Following note 3 of Davies (1975).

B Hq# pn omw-|143nnSj

B This ruler Amunenshi

B rDj.n=f wj r Hpt=f oHo.n jn.n=j jXt|144=f

B took me in his arms. Then I carried off his property

AOS rDj.n=f wj m qnj=f wn.jn=f Hr snnj=j Hr Hptj=j

AOS took me in his arms, and was kissing1 me in my clasp.1Uncertain.

B H#q.n=j mnmnt=f k#t.n=f jr|145t st r=j jr.n=j st r=f

B and seized his cattle. What he had planned to do to me I did to him.

B jT.n=j ntt m jm#=f |146kf.n=j of#y=f o#.n=j jm

B I took what was in his tent |146and despoiled his encampment. With this I became great,

B wsX.n m |147oHo=j oS#.n m mnmnt=j

B grew wealthy in |147goods, and grew rich in cattle;

AOS wsX.tw1 pr=j m-Hr=j

AOS my house was made wealthy before me,1Corrupt.

B Xr jrt |148nTr

B thus the god acted

AOS Xr {n}Hm nTr r Htpw

AOS thus the god again became merciful

23

B r Htp n Ts.n=f jm=f th.n=f r

B to be merciful to one with whom he had been angry, one whom he had led astray to

AOS n{n} |r57[S#{o}.n=f sksk]t

AOS to |r57[one to whom destruction had been ordained.]

B |149kt X#st jw mjn jb=f jo(.w) wor wor |

150n h#w=f

B |149another land. Today his heart is glad. A fugitive flees |

150because of his environment,

AOS wor.n=j wor [...]

AOS I fled [...]

B jw mtr=j m xnw |151s## s##y n Hqr

B while my fame is in the residence. |151A creeping man creeps because of hunger,

AOS Sm# [...]

AOS A vagrant [...]

B jw=j Dj=j t n gs|152y=j

B while I give bread to my neighbour.

B rww s t#=f n H#wt |153jnk HDt p#qt

B A man leaves his land because of nakedness, |153while I have white and fine linen.

AOS rwj s m t#=f n H#t

AOS A man leaves his land because of nakedness,

B |154bt# s n g#w h#b=f jnk |

155oS# mrt

B |154A man runs because of the lack of someone to send, while I have |

155many servants.

AOS bT s

AOS A man runs

B nfr pr=j wsX st=j

B My house is fine, my grounds are extensive,

24

B |156sX#wy=j m oH nTrw nb S# wort |

157tn

B |156and memory of me is in the palace. All the gods who ordained this flight,

AOS sX#y=j m oHt=f

AOS and memory of me is in his palace.

B Htp=k Dj=k wj r xnw

B may you be merciful and bring me home.

AOS |r60[...] Tsw.n=k n=j

AOS |r60[...] that you reproached me for,

AOS nn rX(=j) sw

AOS without me knowing it.

AOS sfnD.kw m-m#ot {Xrw}2

AOS I am truly despised1.

B smwn|158=k r rDjt m#=j bw wrSw jb=j jm

B Perhaps you will let me to see the place where my heart dwells.1Uncertain.2Emendation uncertain.

B |159ptr wrt r jobt x#t=j

B |159What matters more than my corpse being buried

AOS |r61[r jobw] n x#wt=k

AOS |r61[than] your corpse [being buried]

B m t# ms|160.kw jm=f mj m-s# pw Xpr sp nfr

B in the land where I was born? This is a call for help, that a good event may occur,

AOS m t# msw=k jm=f mjn Xpr=s pw ntj nTr Hr mw=j

AOS in the land where you were born? Today it happens that the god is my ally.

B Dj n=j |161nTr Htp

B that the god may give me grace.

25

B jrr=f mj-jXt r smnX pHwj n sfn.n=f

B May he act as to make well the end of one whom he had grieved,

AOS jrr=f st {mj-jXt}1 r mnXt [...]

AOS May he do this excellently [...]1Passage corrupt.

B |162jb=f mr(.w) n dqr.n=f r onX Hr X#st

B |162as his heart feels pity for one whom he had compelled to live in a foreign land.

AOS |r62[...] n rqyw=f r onX m-Xt X#st

AOS |r62[...] his enemies to live throughout the land.

B jn mjn |163rf ntt=f Htp(.w)

B Is it today |163that he is so gracious

AOS jr wn ntf pw m m#ot

AOS If it is really him,

B sDm=f nH n w#

B as to hear the prayer from afar,

AOS sDm.n=f nHt nt w#w

AOS may he hear the prayer from afar,

B wDb|164=f o r Hw.n=f t# jm=f

B and as to exchange the region where he had roamed the earth

R wDb=f o |189m Hw.n=j t# jm=f

R and exchange the region |189where I had roamed the earth

B r bw jn.n=f sw jm

B for the place from which he had brought him away?

R r bw jn.n=f sw jm

R for the place from which he had brought him away?

B |165Htp n=j nsw n Kmt onX=j m Htpt=f

B |165May the king of Egypt be merciful to me, that I may live by his mercy!

26

B |166nD=j Xrt Hnwt t# ntt m oH=f

B |166May I greet the mistress of the land who is in his palace!

B sDm|167=j jpwwt nt xrdw=s jX rnpy |

168How=j

B May I hear the messages of her children! Then my body will become young again,

B (n-)ntt (r)f j#w h#.w wgg |169#s.n=f wj jrtj=j dns(.w)

B for old age has come, weakness |169has overtaken me, my eyes are heavy,

AOS Hr-ntt |r65rf {jw} j#wt h#.w

AOS for |r65old age has come,

B owj=j nw(.w) |170rdwj=j fX.n=sn Sms jb wrD(.w)

B my arms are weak, |170my legs have ceased to follow, the heart is weary,

AOS rdwj=j fX(.w) r Smt Smsw jb=j m-xnw1

AOS my legs have ceased to walk, and following my desire is [???]1Reading uncertain.

B tkn.kw1 |171n wD#

B and I am near |171to passing away.

AOS |r67[t]k[n].kw n wD#w nHt pw nt pxrw X#swt r jrt [...]

AOS |r67and I am near to passing away. This is a prayer for traversing the lands to do [...]

1Omission of k is scribal error.

B sb=sn {n} wj r njwwt n nHH Sms=j |172nbt-r-Dr

B May they lead me to the cities of eternity! May I follow |172the Mistress of All!

B jX Dd=s n=j nfr n msw=s sb=s |173nHH Hr=j

B Then she will tell me that her children are well. May she pass eternity above me!

27

B jsT rf Dd n Hm nsw-bjtj %pr-k#-Ro m#o-Xrw

B Now, the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Kheperkare, justified, was told

AOS |v1oHo.n wHm mdwt tn n Hm n nsw-bjtj

AOS |v1Then, this matter was recounted to the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt:

AOS %pr-k#-Ro m#o-Xrw |v2s#-Ro c-n-Wsrt m#o-Xrw

AOS Kheperkare, justified, |v2son of Re: Sesostris, justified,

B Hr sSm |174pn ntj wj xr=f wn.jn Hm=f h#b=f |

175n=j

B about this state in which I was, and His Majesty sent a message |175to me

AOS mj sSmw pn ntj tw=j |v3jm=f

AOS according to this state that I was in,

B xr #wt-o nt Xr nsw

B with royal gifts,

B s#w=f jb n b#k-jm mj |176Hq# n X#st nbt

B to gladden the heart of this humble servant, like that of a ruler of any land.

AOS Xr=f s#w{t}=f jb n b#k-jm

AOS and gladdened the heart of this humble servant,

B msw nsw ntj m oH=f Hr rDjt |177sDm=j jpwt=sn

B The king's children who were in his palace had |177me hear their messages.

AOS msw nsw ntjw m-Xt=f

AOS The king's children who were following him

B |178mjt n wD jny n b#k-jm

B |178Copy of the decree brought to this humble servant

B Hr jnt=f r Kmt |179Or onX-mswt

B concerning his being brought back to Egypt: |179"Horus: Living of birth;

28

B nbtj onX-mswt

B Two Ladies: Living of birth;

AOS Or-nbw |v7onX-mswt

AOS Gold Horus: |v7Living of birth;

B nsw-bjtj %pr-k#-Ro

B The king of Upper and Lower Egypt: Kheperkare;

B s#-Ro |180Jmn-m-H#t onX(.w) Dt r nHH wD-nsw n Smsw c#-nht

B Son of Re: |180Amenemhet, may he live forever until eternity. Royal decree to follower Sinuhe.

AOS c-n-Wsrt m#o-Xrw

AOS Sesostris, justified.

B |181mk jn.tw n=k wD pn n nsw r rDjt rX=k ntt pxr.n=k X#swt

B |181This decree of the king is brought to you, to let you know that your roving through lands,

AOS r ntj jn.tw n=k wD pn n nsw r rDjt rX=k r ntj pxr.n=k X#swt

AOS that this decree of the king is brought to you, to let you know that your roving through lands,

B |182pr.tj m Ädm r RTnw DD Tw X#st n X#st

B |182having gone from Qedem to Retjenu, land giving you to land,

AOS pr.tj m Ädj r |v9RTnw

AOS having gone from Qedi to |v9Retjenu,

B xr sH |183n jb=k n=k

B was at the counsel |183of your heart to you.

AOS Hr sXrw n jb=k Ds=k

AOS was under the guidance of your own heart.

B ptr jrt.n=k jr.tw r=k

B What have you done that one should act against you?

29

B n wo#=k Xsf.tw mdw=k

B You have not cursed that one should reprove your speech,

AOS nn wo#=k nn Xsf.tw Dd=k |v10nn sDm.n.tw rn=k

AOS You have not cursed and nothing you said was reproved, |v10one will not hear your name

AOS Hr mdwt snD=k jn Xsf

AOS because of speech that you fear will bring reproof,

B |184n mdw=k m sH n srw

B |184and you have not spoken in the council of officials

AOS nn Xmt.n=k m-b#H srw

AOS and you have not been negligent in the presence of officials

B jtn.tw Tsw=k |185sXr pn jn.n=f jb=k

B that one should oppose your utterances. |185This idea carried away your heart,

AOS jtnw Tw m Tsw=k

AOS who opposed you concerning your utterances.

B n ntf m jb r=k pt=k tn ntt m oH

B but it was not in the heart against you. This heaven of yours, who is in the palace,

AOS nn st m jb=j r=k pt=k ntj m oH=j

AOS but it was not in my heart against you. Your heaven, who is in my palace,

B |186mn sj rwD sj m mjn

B |186endures and prospers to this day,

AOS jw st mn sj rwD m tpj=s o

AOS endures and prospers as before

B sk#p.tw1 tp=s m nsyt nt t# msw|187=s m oxnwtj

B her head is covered with the kingship of the land, and her children are in the cabinet.

AOS m nsyt nt t#2

AOS in the kingship of the land,

1Read±asÍ.

2Emended as suggested by Koch (1990).

30

B w#H=k Spss n DD=sn n=k

B You will accumulate precious things that they will give to you,

B onX=k m #wt=sn |188jr n=k jwt r Kmt

B and live on their gifts. |188Return to Egypt,

AOS Htpw=k m #wt=sn

AOS and be pleased with their gifts.

B m#=k xnw Xpr.n=k jm=f

B and you will see the residence where you grew up,

B sn=k t# r |189rwtj-wrtj xnm=k m smrw

B you will kiss the ground at |189the great double gate, and you will join the companions.

B jw mjn js S|190#o.n=k tnj fX.n=k b##wt

B For now you have begun to grow old, you have lost virility.

AOS S#o.n=k j#wt fX.n=k bnnwt

AOS For you have begun to grow old, you have lost potency.

B sX# n=k hrw |191n qrs sbt r jm#X

B Think of the day |191of burial and passing to blessedness.

AOS jw sX#.n=k hrw |v14n qrsj

AOS You have thought of the day |v14of burial

B wDo.tw n=k X#wj m sfT

B To you will be assigned a night with oils

AOS wDo.tw n=k jfd m Snw1

AOS To you will be assigned a magical2 sheet1Uncertain.2Very uncertain.

31

B |192wtw m-owj v#yt jr.tw n=k Sms-wD#

B |192and wrappings from the hands of Tayet. A funeral procession will be held for you

AOS wtw m-o v#yt |v15

AOS and wrappings from Tayet. |v15

B hrw |193sm#-t# wj m nbw tp m XsbD

B on the day |193of burial, with a mummy sheath of gold and a mask of lapis lazuli,

AOS wj# nbw

AOS with a barque of gold

B pt Hr=k Dj.tj m |194msTpt

B heaven above you, you having been placed in |194a hearse,

AOS on.tj m hbnw{t}

AOS embellished with ebony,

B jHw Hr jtH=k Smoww xr-H#t=k

B oxen dragging you, musicians preceding you.

AOS jHw |v16Hr sT#=k

AOS oxen |v16dragging you,

B jr.tw Xbb |195nnyw r r# js=k

B The dance of the inert ones will be performed at the entrance of your tomb,

AOS jr.tw Xb nmHw

AOS The dance of the poor will be performed

B njs.tw n=k dbHt-Htp

B the requisites for a mortuary offering will be recited for you,

32

B sfT|196.tw r r# ob#w=k jwnw=k Xws.w m jnr HD

B one will slaughter at the entrance of your altar. Your pillars will be built of limestone

AOS sfT|v17.tw (n=)k r r# n wobt=k Db#t{twn}=k1 Xwsj.tj nbw

AOS one will slaughter for you at the entrance of your tomb. Your sarcophagus will be built of gold1Emended as suggested by Koch (1990).

B m-q#b |197msw nsw nn wn mwt=k Hr X#st

B in the midst of those of |197the king's children. You will never die in a foreign land

AOS mj jrrt n msw nsw

AOS as done for the king's children.

B nn bs Tw o#mw nn |198Dj.tw=k m jnm n sr

B and Asiatics will not bury you. You will not be put in the skin of a ram

AOS nn qrs Tw o#mw nn Dj.tw=k |v18m Sn n srj

AOS and Asiatics will not bury you. You will not be put |v18in the wool of a ram,

B jr.tw Dr=k

B when your grave is made.

AOS nn jr.tw Drj=k

AOS and your grave will not be made.

B jw n# #w r Hwt |199t#

B It has been a long time of roaming |199the earth.

AOS jw nn r #w wrt1 Hw t#

AOS All of this is important for someone who has roamed the earth.1Following Barns (1952), this is a graphic error for wr r.

B mH Hr x#t jwt=k spr.n wD pn r=j

B Mind the dead body and return!" This decree reached me

AOS mH x#t=k jw=k

AOS Think of your corpse and return!"

33

B oHo.kw m |200Hrj-jb wHwt=j

B as I was standing in |200the middle of my tribe.

B Sd.n.tw=f n=j Dj.n(=j) wj Hr xt=j dmj.n=j s#|201Tw

B When it had been read to me, I placed myself on my belly, I touched the earth

AOS Sd.n=j sw

AOS After I had read it,

B Dj.n=j sw sS Hr Snbyt=j dbn.n=j of#y=j Hr nhm |202r-Dd

B and strewed it over my chest. I went around my encampment cheering, |202saying:

AOS rDj.n=j sSw Hr Snbt=j

AOS and strewed it over my chest.

B jr.tw nn mj-m n b#k

B "How can this be done for a servant

AOS jr.tw nn mj-m b#k-jm

AOS "How can this be done (for) this humble servant

B th.n jb=f r X#swt DrDryt Xr |203Hm nfr w#H-jb

B whose heart led him astray to alien lands? So, good is the kindness

AOS th.n jb=f Ds=f r X#st DrDrjt

AOS whose own heart led him astray to an alien land?

B nHm wj m-o mwt jw k#=k r rDjt jry=j |204pHwj How=j m xnw

B that saves me from death! Your spirit will let me reach |204the end with my body at home."

AOS nHm{n} wj m-o mwt

AOS that saves me from death!

B mjt n smj n wD pn

B Copy of the reply to this decree:

AOS mjt{t} smjw n wD pn jr.n

AOS Copy of the reply to this decree written by

34

B b#k oH c#-nht |205Dd m Htp nfr wrt

B "Servant of the palace Sinuhe |205says: 'In very good peace!

AOS b#k n oHt1 c#-nht Dd

AOS the servant of the palace Sinuhe:1Alternatively Hwt-o#t following Barns (1952).

B r jXt wort tn jrt.n b#k-jm m Xm=f

B Concerning this flight that this humble servant made in his ignorance,

AOS Hr jXt wort |v22tn

AOS Concerning this flight

B jn |206k#=k nTr-nfr nb t#wj

B it is |206your spirit, good god, lord of the Two Lands,

B mrw Ro

B loved by Re,

AOS mr onX-Ro Hs sw onX-Ro

AOS loved by Ankh-Re, and praised by Ankh-Re,

AOS nb #Xtj

AOS lord of the horizon-dwellers,

B Hsw MnTw nb W#st

B and praised by Month, lord of Thebes,

B Jmn |207nb nst t#wj

B by Amun, |207lord of the throne of the Two Lands,

B cbk-Ro Or Owt-Or

B by Sobek-Re, Horus, Hathor,

AOS cbk-Ro nb smnw nTrw nbw v#-mrj

AOS by Sobek-Re, lord of the supports of heaven, gods, lords of Egypt,

35

B Jtm Hno psDt=f |208cpdw Nfr-b#w cmsrw Or-j#btj

B and Atum with his Ennead, |208by Sopdu-Neferbau-Semseru, the eastern Horus,

AOS |v24Jtm psDt=f o#t

AOS |v24and Atum and his great Ennead,

AOS m Hnkw mnTw nbt oHt xnm.tw=s m tp=k

AOS with bedouin locks, mistress of the palace, who is united1 with your head,

B Nbt-jmHt xnm=s |209tp=k

B by Nebet-imhet (may she enfold |209your head!),

1Uncertain.

B D#D#t tpt nw

B the divine council upon the flood,

AOS |v25D#D#t tpj n ym

AOS |v25the first divine council of the flood,1

1Passage corrupt.

B Mnw-Or Hr-jb X#swt Wrrt nbt |210Pwnt Nwt Or-wr-Ro

B Min-Horus in the midst of the lands, Wereret, mistress |210of Punt, Nut, Harwerre,

AOS Mnw-Or Hrj-tp X#swt

AOS Min-Horus, chief of the lands,

B nTrw nbw v#-mrj

B and all the gods of Egypt

AOS nTrw nbw t#-Dst{t}

AOS and all the gods of the necropolis

B |211jww nw w#D-wr Dj=sn onX w#s r fnD=k

B |211and the islands of the sea (may they give life and dominion to your nostrils,

AOS jww |v26Hrj-jb w#D-wr{j}

AOS and the islands |v26in the middle of the sea

36

B xnm=sn Tw m #wt-o=sn |212Dj=sn n=k nHH nn Drw=f Dt nn Hntj=s

B endow you with their gifts, |212and give you eternity without limit, forever without end,

B wHm snD=k |213m t#w X#swt

B and may fear of you resound |213in flat lands and mountainous lands,

AOS m t#w nbw

AOS in all lands,

B wof.n=k Snnt jtn

B for you have subjugated what the sun revolves around;

B nH pw n b#k-jm |214n nb=f

B this is the prayer of this humble servant |214to his lord,

B Sd m jmnt nb sj# sj# rXyt sj#=f

B who saves from the West), lord of perception, perceiver of the people, who perceives

AOS Sd sw m jmntt

AOS who saves him from the West),

B |215m Hm n stp-s# wnt b#k-jm snD(.w) Dd st

B |215as the majesty of the palace what this humble servant was afraid to say.1

1Parenthetic eulogy suggested by note 4 of Davies (1975).

B jw mj jXt o# |216wHm st nTr o# mjtw Ro

B It is like something too great |216to recount. O great god, equal of Re

AOS nTr onX mjtt n Ro

AOS O living god, equal of Re,

37

B Hr sSs# b#k n=f |217Ds=f

B in understanding one who serves him.

AOS |v29sw#ww1 jb n b#k-jm n=f Ds=f

AOS |v29who praises2 the heart of this humble servant to him himself.

1Read sw#S, following Barns (1952).

2Doubtful.

B jw b#k-jm m o nD-r# Hr{r}=f

B This humble servant is in the hands of one who cares for him,

AOS jw b#k-jm Hr nD-r# nTr=f

AOS This humble servant seeks counsel from his god;

B Dj.tw # xr sXr=f jw Hm=k |218m Or jT

B placed under his guidance. Your Majesty |218is conquering Horus,

AOS Dj.tw nn m-b#H=k

AOS this is placed before you.

B nXt owj=k r t#w nbw{j}

B your arms are stronger than all lands.

AOS |v30nXt Tw njwwt=k t#w nbw

AOS |v30and you are strong. Your towns and all the lands

B |219wD grt Hm=k rDj.tw jnt=f Mkj m Ädm

B |219Now, may Your Majesty command that he be made to bring Meki from Qedem,

AOS wD(.w) xr Hm=k o.w.s. r rDjt jn.tw n=k Mkj Ädj

AOS are governed by Your Majesty (l.p.h.!), to let you be brought Meki of Qadi,

B %nt|220jwoS m-Xnt KS Mnws

B Khen|220tiuash1 from the interior of Keshu, and Minos

AOS m-Xnt J## Hr rDjt sSm|v31w=k

AOS from the interior of Araru, putting your guidance1Obscure name.

38

B |221m t#wj FnXw Hq#w pw mtrw rnw

B |221from the two lands of Fenkhu1. They are rulers whose names are well known,

AOS m t#w FnXw

AOS in the lands of Fenkhu.1Mentioned in the dictionary of Gardiner (1957).

B |222Xprw m mrwt=k nn sX# RTnw

B |222who live by love of you. Without mentioning Retjenu,

B n=k-jmy sj mjtt |223Tsmw=k js wort tn jrt.n b#k

B it is yours like |223your hounds. This flight that the servant made,

AOS jnk js mjtt Tsmw=k

AOS I am like your hounds.

B n Xmt=s nn |224sj m jb=j n qmd=j sj

B it was not intended, it was not in my heart, I did not devise it.

AOS m Xm=f

AOS in his ignorance,

B n rX=j jwd wj r st jw mj |225sSm rswt

B I don't know what separated me from the place. It was as |225a dreaming state,

AOS n rX.tw jn wj r X#s{w}t tn

AOS It is not known what brought me to this land.

B mj m## sw jdHy m |226#bw s n x#t m v#-stj

B as if a marsh-dweller saw himself in |226Elephantine, a man from the Delta in Taseti.

B n snD n s|227Xs.tw m-s#=j n sDm=j Ts-Hwrw

B There was no fear, one didn't run after me, I didn't hear a reproach,

AOS n sXsX.tw m-s#=j

AOS one didn't run after me,

39

B n sDm.tw rn=j |228m r# wHmw wpw Hr nf n Ddf How=j

B and my name was not heard |228from the mouth of a herald. But, that shuddering of my body,

AOS wpw nf# n Dd# How=j

AOS But, that fat of my body,

B rdwj=j |229Hr hwhw jb=j Hr Xrp=j nTr S# wort tn

B my feet |229hastened, my heart drove me, the god who ordained this flight

AOS rdwj=j Hr #s

AOS my feet hastened,

B |230Hr sT#{s}=j

B |230dragged me away.

B n jnk js q# s# Xnt snD s rX |231t#=f

B I was not haughty before, as a man respects one whom his land knows.

AOS jn-jw jnk js q# s# Xntj=f

AOS Was I haughty before him?

B Dj.n Ro snD=k Xt t# Hr=k m X#st |232nbt

B Re has put the fear of you throughout the land, and the dread of you in every foreign land.

AOS xr Hryt=j Xt X#swt nbt

AOS in dread of me throughout all foreign lands.

B m wj m xnw m wj m st tn ntk js Hbs |233#Xt tn

B Whether I am at home or in this place, yours is what this horizon veils.

AOS pwy=j m xnw pwy=j m st tn ntk |v35js Snt.n jtn

AOS Whether I am at home or in this place, yours |v35is what the sun revolves around.

B wbn jtn n mrt=k mw m jtrw swr.tw=f |234mr=k

B The sun rises for your sake, the water of the river is drunk |234when you wish,

AOS wbn ro n mrwt=k

AOS The sun rises for your sake,

40

B T#w m pt Xnm.tw=f Dd=k

B and the air of heaven is breathed when you say so.

AOS onX.tw m T#w n |v36DD=k

AOS One lives on the breath that |v36you give

AOS Spssw m wD.n=k jn1 b#k-jm Hr swD n T#wt=f

AOS and delicacies that you have allotted. This humble servant entrusts his chicks,

B jw b#k-jm r swDt |235T#wt=j

B This humble servant will entrust |235his chicks,

1Emend to jw.

B jr.n b#k-jm m st tn

B begotten by this humble servant in this place,

AOS jr.n=f m st tn

AOS begotten by him in this place,

B |236jwt pw jry r b#k-jm

B |236now that one has come to this humble servant.

AOS jwt1 pw jr.n b#k-jm m Xntyt

AOS now that this humble servant has come southward.1Written jw=s.

B jrr Hm=k m mrr=f onX.tw m T#w n DD=k

B May Your Majesty do as he wishes. One lives on the breath that you give.

AOS jr swt Hm=f o.w.s. m mrw[t=f]

AOS May His Majesty (l.p.h.!) do as he wishes.

B |237mr Ro Or Owt-Or fnD=k pw Spss

B |237May Re, Horus and Hathor love this noble nose of yours,

B mrrw |238MnTw nb W#st onX=f Dt rDj.tw jry=j hrw m J##

B which Month, lord of Thebes, desires to live forever.' " I was allowed to spend a day in Araru,

AOS mrr{t} nTrw nbw onX=f Dt

AOS which all the gods desire to live forever.' "

41

B |239Hr swDt jXt=j n msw=j s#=j smsw m-s# wHyt|

240=j

B |239transferring my property to my children. My eldest son was in charge of my tribe,

AOS Hr swD |v38jXt=f n msw=f

AOS transferring |v38his property to his children.1

1Emend to "my property to my children".

B wHyt=j jXt=j nbt m-o=f

B my tribe and all my property were in his hands,

B Dt=j mnmnt=j |241nbt dqr=j Xt=j nb bnr

B all my serfs and my cattle, my fruit and each fruit tree of mine.

AOS nDt=f mnmnt nbt

AOS all his serfs and cattle,

B jwt pw jr.n b#k-jm m Xnt|242yt Hdb.n=j Hr W#t-Or

B Then this humble servant came southward. I halted at the Road of Horus.

AOS gm.n=j

AOS I found

B Tsw jm ntj m-s# pxrt

B The commander there in charge of the border patrol

AOS Tsw ntj m-s# pxrw

AOS the commander in charge of the border patrol

B |243h#b=f jpwt r xnw r rDjt rX.tw

B |243sent a message to the residence to let them know.

AOS r [nt]j tw=j jy.kw

AOS that I was coming.

B rDj.jn Hm=f |244jwt jmj-r# sXtjw mnX n pr-nsw

B Then His Majesty let |244the excellent overseer of the peasants of the palace come,

B oHow #Tpw m-Xt=f |245xr #wt-o nt Xr nsw

B accompanied by laden ships |245bearing royal gifts

42

B n stjw jww m-s#=j Hr sbt=j r W#t-Or

B for the bedouin who had come with me, leading me to the Road of Horus.

AOS s#w[t]=f jb n b#k-jm mj Hq# n X#st nbt

AOS to gladden the heart of this humble servant, like that of a ruler of any land.

B |246dm.n=j wo jm nb m rn=f

B |246I mentioned each one of them by his name.

AOS msw nsw |v41[ntjw m-Xt] Hm=f o.w.s. Hr rDjt sDm=[j jpwt]=sn

AOS The king's children |v41[who were following] His Majesty (l.p.h.!) had me hear their messages.

AOS not pw jr.n b#k-jm m Xntyt

AOS Then this humble servant sailed southward.

B jw wdpw nb Hr jrt=f Ssp.n=j f#.n=j |247T#w

B Every servant was at his duty, and when I set |247sail,

AOS Hm nb xr{j} jrj=f

AOS Every servant was at his duty,

B Sbb otX tp-m#o=j r pHt=j dmj n JT

B there was kneading and straining beside me, until I reached the town of Usu.

AOS r pH dmjt n JTj-t#wj

AOS until reaching the town of Itji-tawi.

B |248HD.n rf t# dw# sp 2 jw jw oS n=j s 10 m jwt s 10 m |

249Smt

B |248And very early the next morning, they came to call me, ten men came and ten men |

249went,

AOS HD-t#

AOS And the next day,

B Hr sT#=j r oH

B ushering me to the palace.

AOS |v43[Hr sT]# {sT#}=j #s.kw r [o]xnwtj

AOS |v43ushering me, and I hurried to the cabinet.

43

B dhn.n=j t# jmjt Sspww

B I touched the ground with my forehead between the sphinxes,

AOS dhn.n(=j) t# r jmjtw Sspww

AOS I touched the ground with my forehead between the sphinxes,

B |250msw nsw oHo(.w) m wmt Hr jrt Xsfw=j

B |250as the king's children stood in the gateway to meet me.

B smrw |251sT#ww r w#X

B The companions |251who ushered to the audience hall

AOS |v44[srw] Hr sT#ww=j #s.kw

AOS |v44[The officials] ushered me while I hurried,

B Hr rDjt=j Hr w#t oxnwtj

B showed me the way to the cabinet.

AOS Hr [rDjt=j Hr w#t] r oxnwtj

AOS and [showed me the way] to the cabinet.

B |252gm.n=j Hm=f Hr st-wrt m wmt nt Domw

B |252I found His Majesty on the great throne in the gateway of electrum.

B wn.kw rf |253dwn.kw Hr xt=j Xm.n(=j) wj m-b#H=f nTr pn

B I was |253stretched out on my belly and did not know myself before him. This god

BA wn.kw r=j dm#|4.kw Hr xt=j

BA I was stretched out on my belly

AOS X#m.n(=j) wj m-b#H=f

AOS and bowed before him.

B |254Hr wSd=j Xnmw jw=j mj s jT.w m oXXw |

255b#=j sb.w

B |254addressed me kindly, but I was like a man seized in the dusk. |

255My soul fainted,

AOS tw=j mj s m jXXw

AOS but I was like a man in the dusk.

44

B How=j #d.w H#tj=j n ntf m xt=j

B my limbs failed, my heart was not in my body

BA How=j #h|8d.w

BA my limbs failed,

B rX|256=j onX r mwt

B that I could distinguish life from death.

BA |9[...] mwt n rX(=j) wj r onX |

10[...]

BA |9[...] death, I could not distinguish myself from life. |

10[...]

AOS n rX=j mwt=j r onX=j

AOS I didn't know whether I was dead or alive.

B Dd.jn Hm=f n wo m nn n smrw Ts |257sw jm mdw=f n=j

B Then His Majesty said to one of these companions: "Raise him up and let him speak to me!"

B Dd.jn Hm=f mk Tw jw.tj Hw.n=k X#swt

B And His Majesty said: "You have returned after roaming foreign lands.

B jr.n wort |258hd jm=k tnj pH.n=k j#wj

B Flight has taken its toll of you, old man, you have reached old age.

AOS jr.n wort hd=s jm=k tnw[.tj]

AOS Flight has taken its toll of you, [you have grown] old,

B nn Srr jobt |259x#t=k

B It is no small matter that your corpse be buried

AOS nn nn Srjw jobt [x#wt=k

AOS It is no small matter that [your corpse] be buried

B nn bs=k jn pDtjw

B without your interment by barbarians.

AOS nn] |v48bsy=k jn X#stjw n jr.tw Drj=k

AOS [without] |v48your interment by foreigners; they will not make your grave.

45

B m jr r=k sp 2 gr

B Do not act against yourself, do not act against yourself anymore!

AOS jr r=k [...]

AOS Do [...]

B n mdw=k |260dm.tw rn=k

B You did not speak |260when your name was pronounced.

AOS |v49.tw rn=k Hr mdwt

AOS |v49[...] your name because of speech

B snD(=k)1 # n Xsf

B You shouldn't be afraid of punishment!"

AOS snD=k Xsf=k n Xm=k m-b#H [...]

AOS that you should fear your punishment. You were not negligent in the presence of [...]."1Following note 5 of Davies (1975).

B wSb.n=j st m wSb |261snDw ptr Ddt n=j nb=j

B I answered this with the answer |261of a frightened man: "What has my lord said to me?

B jr wSb=j st nn Hr=j |262o n ntr js pw

B If I answer it, it is not because of me, |262but it is the act of a god;1

1Following note 6 of Davies (1975).

B Hrt pw wnn=s m xt=j

B it is that there is fright in my body,

B mj sXpr wort S##t

B like that which caused the fated flight.

AOS |v51Smt r pHt=j r dmjt n Hw t#

AOS |v51and the journey of my reaching the city of smiting the land.

B |263mk wj m-b#H=k

B |263I am before you,

46

B ntk onX jrr Hm=k m mrr=f

B life is yours, may Your Majesty do as he wishes."

B rDj.jn |264sT#.tw msw nsw

B Then the king's children were ushered in

AOS |v52msw nsw mj oS#t=sn

AOS |v52the king's children, as many as they were,

B Dd.jn Hm=f n Hmt-nsw mT c#-nht

B and His Majesty said to the royal wife: "Sinuhe

AOS Dd.jn Hm=f o.w.s. n Hmt-nsw $nm-swt

AOS and His Majesty (l.p.h.!) said to the royal wife (in) Khnemsut:

B |265jw(.w) m o#m qm#.n stjw

B |265has returned as an Asiatic raised by bedouin."

B wd=s sbH o# |266wrt msw nsw m dnywt wot

B Then she uttered a very great cry, and the king's children shrieked as one.

AOS oHo.n wdj=sn [...] r o#t wrt

AOS Then they uttered [...] very loudly,

B Dd.jn=sn |267Xft Hm=f n ntf pw m m#ot

B Then they said |267to His Majesty: "Is it not really him,

AOS jn-jw ntf pw (m) m#ot

AOS "Is it really him,

B jty nb=j Dd.jn Hm=f ntf |268pw m m#ot

B sovereign, my lord?" And His Majesty said: "It is really him."

AOS j jty o.w.s. nb=n

AOS o sovereign (l.p.h.!), our lord?"

47

B jsT rf jn.n=sn mnjwt=sn sXmw=sn |269sSSwt=sn m-o=s1

B Now, they had brought their menits, their sistra, |269and their naos sistra with them,

AOS |v55jsTw gr jn.n=sn mnjt=sn sXm=sn m-o=sn

AOS |v55Now, they had brought their menits and their sistra with them,

1Read m-o=sn.

B ms.jn=sn st n Hm=f

B and they presented them to His Majesty.

AOS ms st n Hm=f o.w.s. Dd.jn=[s]n Xft Hm=f o.w.s.

AOS and presented them to His Majesty (l.p.h.!). Then they said to His Majesty (l.p.h.!):

B owj=k r|270{r} nfrt nsw w#H

B "Your hands |270upon something good, enduring king,

B xkryt nt nbt pt

B ornament of the mistress of heaven!

AOS xkrw n nbt t#wj

AOS ornament of the mistress of the Two Lands!

B Dj nbw |271onX r fnD=k

B May the golden one give |271life to your nostrils

AOS Dj n=k nbw onX fnD=k

AOS May the golden one give you life of your nostrils

B xnm Tw nbt sb#w Xd Smos

B and may the mistress of the stars enfold you! The crown of Upper Egypt travels north

AOS Xw Tw nb sb#w

AOS and may the lord of the stars protect you!

B Xnt mHw-|272s sm#(.w) twt(.w) m r# n Hm=k

B and the crown of Lower Egypt travels south, joined and united by the word of Your Majesty,

B Dj.tw w#Dyt m wpt=k sHr|273.n=k tw#w m Dwt

B while the cobra is placed on your forehead. You have delivered the poor from evil,

48

B Htp n=k Ro nb t#wj |274hy n=k mj nbt-r-Dr

B so may Re, lord of the Two Lands, be gracious to you! |274Hail to you, as to the mistress of all!

AOS hnw n=k

AOS Hail to you,

B ntf ob=k sfX Ssr=k |275jm T#w (n) ntj m jtmw

B Slacken your bow and lay down your arrow! |275Give breath to him who is suffocating,

AOS wHo obwj=k

AOS Slacken your bow

B jm n=n Xnt={t}n nfrt |276m mtn pn c#-mHyt

B give us our beautiful gift, |276this one who is named 'son of the north wind',

AOS jm n=n Xnt=n nfrt m hrw pn nfr mtn=n m c#-mHyt

AOS give us our beautiful gift on this good day, one whom we name 'son of the north wind',

B pDtj msw m v#-mrj |277jr.n=f wort n snD=k

B the barbarian born in Egypt! |277He took flight through fear of you,

AOS ms[w] |v59[m v#-mrj] jrw js wort n Hry=k

AOS born |v59[in Egypt!] The flight was made through terror of you,

B rwj.n=f t# n |278Hrw=k

B he left the land through |278terror of you.

AOS rwj.n=f sw m t# [p]n n [snD]=k

AOS he turned away from this land through [fear] of you.

B nn1 #yt Hr n m# Hr=k

B A face will not pale at the sight of your face,

AOS nn k#w Hr n [m## |v60Hm]=k o.w.s.

AOS A face will not scheme2 at [the sight |v60of] Your [Majesty] (l.p.h.!),

1Read˜as¤

.

2Passage probably corrupt.

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B |279nn snD jrt dgt n=k Dd.jn Hm=f

B |279an eye that gazes at you will not fear." And His Majesty said:

AOS n snDw jrt dg# Tw

AOS an eye that sees you does not fear."

B nn snD=f |280n oo=f r Hr

B "He will not fear, |280he will not gibber with terror.

AOS n snDw=k

AOS "You will not fear,

B jw=f r smr m-m |281srw rDj.tw=f m-q#b Snyt

B He will be a companion among |281the officials, and he will be included in the entourage.

B |282wD# Tn r oxnwtj dw#t r jr|

283t oHow=f prt=j rf m-xnw o|

284xnwtj

B |282Proceed to the robing room to wait on him!" Then I came out of |

284the cabinet,

B msw nsw Hr rDjt n(=j) ow=sn

B while the king's children were giving me their hands.

B |285Sm=n m-Xt r rwtj-wrtj |

286rDj.kw r pr s#-nsw

B |285Afterwards, we went to the great double gate. |

286I was assigned to the house of a king's son,

B Spss jm=f sqb|287bwj jm=f oxmw nw #Xt

B in which there were precious things, a bathroom, divine images of the horizon,

B Xtmt jm=f |288nt pr-HD Hbsw nw sSrw-nsw ontjw |

289tpt nsw

B valuables |288from the treasury, clothes of royal linen, myrrh, |

289and fine oil of the king.

B srw mrr=f m ot |290nbt wdpw nb Hr jrt=f

B Officials whom he loved were in every room, and every servant was at his duty.

B rDj sw# rnpwt Hr How=j |291T#.kw oob Snw=j

B Years were made to vanish from my body. |291I was clothed and my hair was combed.

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B jw rDj sbt |292n X#st Hbsw n nmjw-Soj

B A reward was given |292to the foreign land, and clothes to the bedouin.

B sd.kw |293m p#qt gs.kw m tpt sDr|

294.kw Hr Hnkyt

B I was clothed |293in fine linen, was anointed with fine oils, and slept on a bed.

B Dj.n=j So n jmjw=f

B I returned the sand to those who are upon it,

B |295mrHt n Xt n wrH jm=s

B |295and the wood oil to those who are smeared with it.

B jw rDj n=j pr |296n nb S=j

B For me, (my) house and my garden were given back to the owner,1

1Grammatical structure is problematic, and translation is uncertain.

B m wn m-o smr jw Hmww oS# |297Hr qd=f

B which had been in the hands of a companion. Many craftsmen |297rebuilt it

B Xt=f nb srd(.w) m-m#wt jw jn{n} n=j |298S#bw

B and all of its trees were planted anew. Meals were brought to me

B m oH sp 3 sp 4 n hrw |299Hrw-r DDt msw nsw

B from the palace three or four times a day, |299in addition to what the king's children gave

B nn #t nt jrt #b|300w jw Xwsw n=j mr m jnr

B without a moment of interruption. A pyramid of stone was built for me

L |1jw mr=j Xws(.w) m jnr

L |1My pyramid of stone was built

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B m-q#|301b mrw

B in the midst of the pyramids.

L m-xnw Snw n mr xrt|2jw-nTr

L in the vicinity of the pyramid of the stonemasons.

B jmj-r# mDHw mr Hr Ssp |302s#Tw=f

B The overseer of the masons of the pyramid took charge of |302its ground-plan,

L mDHw n mr psS.n=sn s#Tw=f

L The masons of the pyramid divided its ground-plan,

B jmj-r# Xtmtjw Hr sS qstjw1 Hr |303Xtt

B the overseer of the seal makers painted, the sculptors |303carved,

L sSw-qdwt Hr sS |3jm=f jmj-r# qstjw Hr Xtt jm=f

L painters painted |3in it, the overseer of the sculptors carved in it,

1ReadÐas:.

B jmj-r# k#tjw ntjw Hr Hrt

B and the overseer of workers in the necropolis

L jmj-r# k#t ntj r Hrt1

L and the overseer of works at the necropolis1Written Tnt.

B |304Hr D#t t# r=s

B |304concerned himself with it.

L Hr D#t t# r=f

L concerned himself with it.

B Xow nb DDw r rw|305D jr xrt=f jm

B All required equipment to be put in a tomb shaft was supplied therein.

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B rDj n=j Hmw-k# jr n=j S |306Hrt

B Mortuary priests were given to me, and a tomb garden was made for me,

L jr.n.tw Hmw-k# |5[...]

L Mortuary priests were provided |5[...]

B #Hwt jm=f m-Xntw r dmj |307mj jrrt n smr tpj

B with fields in front in the right place, |307as done for a chief companion.

L #Hwt XntS r dmj=s

L with delightful fields in the right place,

B jw twt=j sxr(.w) |308m nbw SnDwt=f m Dom

B My image was overlaid |308with gold, its kilt with electrum.

B jn Hm=f rDj jr.tw=f

B It is His Majesty who let this be done.

B |309nn Sw#w jry n=f mjtt jw=j xr |

310Hswt nt Xr nsw

B |309There is no commoner for whom the like has been done. I was in |

310the favour of the king

B r jwt hrw n mnj |311jw=f pw H#t=f r pH=fj mj gmyt m sS

B until the day of death came.' |311This was copied from start to finish as found in writing.

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