The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-31

counts. census papers. ETC., and all the
usual accumulation of government
office-dry and uninteresting on the
whole. but abounding in details which
are of the greatest value to the his
torian and archaeologist. The more
attractive fields of general and scien-
tific literature were not, however, un.
represented, for we have works on
medicine. diseases Of women, veterin-
airy surgery, and mathematics; but the
gem of the collection is a royal ode.
or hymn of welcome addressed to User
tesen Ill, apparently by the people of
the Fayoum.
After long and patient work, these
broken and torn fragments have bean
arranged, and are now published with
autotype reproductions. transcripts and
partial translations by Mr.. +. Llewel-
lyn Griffith. The poem to Usertesen
ILL., Is written In a fine, bold, hieratic
hand upon papyrus measuring 46
inches in length and IL in width, and
consisted, when complete, OF six stan
zas of ten lines each. Its value lies
In its being certainly the Oldest poem
in the world, nearly fifteen centuries
before the time Of Moses; AMI also In
the wonderful way in which IT de-
scribes. in most hgurdtive language.
the great work that the king had zone
in the expansion of the Egyptian EN-
pire.
Homage to thee cur Horus divine OF be-
ings.
Protecting the land. and widening It's
boundaries,
Enclosing the two lands, within tho COM
pass OF has hands. and SELLING tho
nations In his grasp.
The tongue Oh ms AiaJes.y binueth NuD,a,
his uttcrantes put TO hight tha
Bedouin.
Sole one ui youthful vigor, guarding his
frontier; suffering not his subjects
tn faint; but cuusirS all the people
to repose unto dayiIsnt.
AS to his trained youth. in their slum-
bers, his heart (mnd) is their pro-
lection.
His DEGREES have formed his boundaries: :
his wcrd maketh strong the two
res!ons.
Twice joyful are the gods: thou hast es-
tablished their offerings,
Twice joyful are thy forefathers: thou
hast increased their portions.
Twice joyful is Egypt in thy strong arm;
thou hast protected the ancient
regime.
Twice joyful are the people in thy policy;
thy mighty spirit hath taken upon
itself their welfare.
Twice joyful are thy paid young troops:
thou hast made them to prosper.
Twice Joyful are thy veterans: thou hast
made them renew their youth.
Twice is the lord of his city: he is as
1t were a dixie damming the stream
In it's water floods.
Twice great is the lord Of his city: he Is
as 1t were a cool shelter. letting
every man reposc unto daylight
Twice great Is the lord of his city: he Is
as it were an asylum; delivering the
frightened one from his enemy
Twice great Is the lord of his city; he is
as II were a verdant shade and cool
place in the time of harvest
Twice great is the rd of his city: he Is
as 1t were a corner warm and dry
in the time of winter.
Twice great Is the lord in his city: he is
as 1t were a rock barring the blast
IN the time of tempest.
The closing lines are:
He hath come: he hath made the people
of Egypt to live: he hath destroyed
its Affections
He hath come: he hath made men and
women to live: and hath opened the
throat (vOiceD of the captives.
He hath come: we nurture one We
bury our aged ones lin peace).