Mnemonic for Middle Egyptian Alphabet

The vulture from the reed leaf flew
And landed on the reed leaf two
The arm which reached the quail chick's foot
Then reached a stool and on it put
A horned viper!
The owl above the water swooped
It's mouth as an enclosure drooped
And dropped the rope - a big descenta!
Upon the floating there placenta.
Animal bellies and bolts of doors
And folded cloth may be in stores
But pools and hills and basket lands
Are seldom far from old jar-stands.
A loaf of bread is not a hobble
A hand can't make a cobra bobble!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Precepts of Ptah-hotep




Precepts of the prefect, the lord Ptah-hotep,
under the Majesty of the King of the South and North,
Assa, living eternally forever.



If you are wise, look after your house; love your wife without alloy. Fill her stomach, clothe her back; these are the cares to be bestowed on her person. Caress her, fulfil her desires during the time of her existence; it is a kindness which does honour to its possessor. Be not brutal; tact will influence her better than violence; her [this text unreadable] behold to what she aspires, at what she aims, what she regards. It is that which fixes her in your house; if you repel her, it is an abyss. Open your arms for her, respond to her arms; call her, display to her your love.

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