HAIL to thee, O Nile! | |
| Thou shewest thyself in this land, | |
| Coming in peace, giving life to Egypt: | |
| O Ammon, thou leadest night unto day, | |
| A leading that rejoices the heart! | 5 |
| Overflowing the gardens created by Ra. | |
| Giving life to all animals; | |
| Watering the land without ceasing: | |
| The way of heaven descending: | |
| Lover of food, bestower of corn, | 10 |
| Giving light to every home, O Ptah! * * * * * | |
| Bringer of food! Great Lord of provisions! | |
| Creator of all good things! | |
| Lord of terrors and of choicest joys! | |
| All are combined in him. | 15 |
| He produceth grass for the oxen; | |
| Providing victims for every god. | |
| The choice incense is that which he supplies. | |
| Lord in both regions, | |
| He filleth the granaries, enricheth the storehouses, | 20 |
| He careth for the state of the poor. | |
| |
| He causeth growth to fulfil all desires, | |
| He never wearies of it. | |
| He maketh his might a buckler. | |
| He is not graven in marble, | 25 |
| As an image bearing the double crown. | |
| He is not beheld: | |
| He hath neither ministrants nor offerings: | |
| He is not adored in sanctuaries: | |
| His abode is not known: | 30 |
| No shrine is found with painted figures. * * * * * | |
| The inundation comes, then cometh rejoicing; | |
| Every heart exulteth: | |
| The tooth of the crocodiles, the children of Neith | |
| Even the circle of the gods who are counted with thee. | 35 |
| Doth not its outburst water the fields, | |
| Overcoming mortals with joy: | |
| Watering one to produce another. | |
| There is none who worketh with him; | |
| He produces food without the aid of Neith. | 40 |
| Mortals he causes to rejoice. | |
| He giveth light on his coming from darkness: | |
| In the pastures of his cattle | |
| His might produceth all: | |
| What was not, his moisture bringeth to life. | 45 |
| Men are clothed to fill his gardens: | |
| He careth for his laborers. | |
| He maketh even and noontide, | |
| He is the infinite Ptah and Kabes. | |
| He createth all works therein, | 50 |
| All writings, all sacred words, | |
| All his implements in the North. * * * * * | |
| O inundation of Nile, offerings are made to thee; | |
| Oxen are slain to thee; | |
| Great festivals are kept for thee; | 55 |
| Fowls are sacrificed to thee; | |
| Beasts of the field are caught for thee; | |
| Pure flames are offered to thee; | |
| Offerings are made to every god, | |
| As they are made unto Nile. | 60 |
| Incense ascends unto heaven, | |
| Oxen, bulls, fowls are burnt! | |
| Nile makes for himself chasms in the Thebaid; | |
| Unknown is his name in heaven, | |
| He doth not manifest his forms! | 65 |
| Vain are all representations! | |
| |
| Mortals extol him, and the cycle of gods! | |
| Awe is felt by the terrible ones; | |
| His son is made Lord of all, | |
| To enlighten all Egypt. | 70 |
| Shine forth, shine forth, O Nile! shine forth! | |
| Giving life to men by his oxen: | |
| Giving life to his oxen by the pastures! | |
| Shine forth in glory, O Nile. | |
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