Page:The Pharaohs and their people; scenes of old Egyptian life and history (IA pharaohstheirpeo00berkiala).pdf/73

Rh house; my soul began to seek after sleep. But lo! armed men had assembled to attack me; I was helpless as the torpid snake in the field. Then I aroused myself, and collected all my strength, but it was to strike at a foe who made no stand. If I encountered an armed rebel I made the coward turn and fly; not even in the darkness was he brave; no one fought.

'Nor was there ever a time of need that found me unprepared. And when the day of my passing hence came, and I knew it not—I had never given ear to the courtiers who desired me to abdicate in thy favour. I sat ever by thy side, and planned all things for thee.

'I never neglected anything that was for the benefit of my servants. If locusts came arrayed for plunder, if conspiracy assailed me at home, if the Nile was low, and the wells were dry; if my enemies took advantage of thy youth to conspire to do ill,—I never faltered from the day that I was born. Never was the like seen since the days of the heroes.

'My messengers have travelled to the south and to the north. I stood upon the frontiers to keep watch, I stationed men armed with