Page:Book of the Dead.djvu/39

Rh SCENE 4.

The River Nile and Adjacent Swanips.

—Rek-Mara and Candidates.

SCENE 5. Cavern of the Asp of Thothmes.

— Rek-Mara and Candidates.

(to candidates after leaving the swamps)—We now approach the sacred Cavern of the Asp of Thothmes, where incense burns upon the altar both day and night. Egyptians, I desire particularly to impress it upon your minds that we have arrived at the most dangerous portion of our journey. Each of us must enter the sacred Cavern of the Asp of Thothmes reverently, but determinedly, for the demons and evil spirits which inhabit this cavern continually endeavor to prevent the passage of the upright and true Egyptian seeking to fulfill the Judgment of Amenti, and thus escape that dreadful monster Am-mit, the Eater-of-the-Dead. Each of you will now enter the sacred Cavern and press forward. No matter what resistance may be offered you, press forward, overcome the opposers, and pursue your journey.

— Egyptians, here comes a band of bloody Nomes! Let us flee for our lives!