Death & Dying

The Solemn Festal Dirge Of The Egyptians

by Anonymous Egyptian Poets c. 2000–1000 BC

Translated by C. W. Goodwin (in Egyptian Literature, 1901) · From Cuneiform Inscriptions and Hieratic Papyri

Death & Dying

The song of the house of King Antuf, deceased, which is (written) in front of the player on the harp.
All hail to the good Prince,
the worthy good (man),
the body is fated(?) to pass away,
the atoms remain, ever since the time of the ancestors.
The gods who were beforetime rest in their tombs, the mummies of the saints likewise are enwrapped in their tombs.
They who build houses, and they who have no houses, see! what becomes of them.
I have heard the words of Imhotep and Hartatef.
It is said in their sayings,
After all, what is prosperity?
Their fenced walls are dilapidated.
Their houses are as that which has never existed.
No man comes from thence
who tells of their sayings,
who tells of their affairs,
who encourages our hearts.
Ye go to the place whence they return not.
Strengthen thy heart to forget how thou hast enjoyed thyself,
fulfil thy desire whilst thou livest.
Put oils upon thy head
clothe thyself with fine linen adorned with precious metals with the gifts of God
multiply thy good things,
yield to thy desire,
fulfil thy desire with thy good things (whilst thou art) upon earth,
according to the dictation of thy heart.
The day will come to thee,
when one hears not the voice
when the one who is at rest hears not their voices.
Lamentations deliver not him who is in the tomb.
Feast in tranquillity
seeing that there is no one who carries away his goods with him.
Yea, behold, none who goes thither comes back again.

MLA

Anonymous Egyptian Poets. “The Solemn Festal Dirge Of The Egyptians.” Translated by C. W. Goodwin. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-egyptian/11/.

Chicago

Anonymous Egyptian Poets. “The Solemn Festal Dirge Of The Egyptians.” Translated by C. W. Goodwin. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-egyptian/11/.

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