Page:Book of the Dead.djvu/27

Rh EPISODE SECOND

—The Underworld; Council of Amenti, seated in the West.

—Rek-Mara; Candidates; Shu (end next vault, on South); Seb (next Shu, on South); Thoth (end farthermost from vault, on South); Harmachis (end next vault, on North); Hathor (next Harmachis, on North); Horns (next Hathor, on North); Anubis (end farthermost from vault, on North).

—Whom leadeth you—you of Abydos? Knowest thou that the shuddering peal of yon melancholy chime, sounding forth Low Twelve through the recesses of our crypt, announces thy arrival before the dread Council of Amenti, the abode of the dead, where judgment is passed upon those who seek to penetrate our solemn mysteries? Whom leadeth you?

—The Scribe Ani, duly obligated unto us, who seeks the Judgment of Amenti.

—How know we this?

—Emblematic of his conscience, he holds this token, given him by the great Nit, at the portals of the Temple of Khonsu, and is willing that it be weighed in the Great Balance against the Feather of Truth.

(addressing candidate with heart)—Ani, are you prepared to answer our questions, to have this emblem weighed against the Feather of Truth, and to fulfill our judgment?

—I am.