Page:The Pharaohs and their people; scenes of old Egyptian life and history (IA pharaohstheirpeo00berkiala).pdf/18

 past ages like a far-off star on the horizon from beyond the wide waste of waters.

Mena, founder of Memphis, and his successors, we know, at least, by name; but of the 'old time before them' the traditions of Egypt only said that the gods governed the land. According to one ancient record, Ptah, the 'Hidden Being,' the 'Former of all,' ruled in the beginning; Ra, the bright Sun-god, Seb, the ancient Earth-god, followed; and later still Osiris reigned, the 'Good Being' and 'Lord of life.' After having conferred manifold blessings and benefits on the land, he was slain by his brother and rival Set. Set concealed the body, but Isis, the 'great divine Mother,' sister and wife of Osiris, sought after it. An ancient hymn says, 'No word of hers fails; good is she, and kind in will and speech. It is Isis, the exalted one, the avenger of her brother: she went up and down the world lamenting him.'

The Lamentations of Isis was one of the most revered of the sacred writings:—'My heart is full of bitterness for thee,' she cries; 'how long will it be ere I see thee whom to behold is bliss! Come to her that loveth thee*