| The Westcar Papyrus, housed in the Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin, Papyrus 3033. |
| Found in 1903 by Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie during excavation of Kom el-Sultan in Abydos, this tiny statue, 7.5 cm high, is the only statue of the Pharaoh Khufu known. Some Egyptologists think it may be from a later date. In the Egyptian Museum, Cairo, JE 36143 |
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TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION BIBLIOGRAPHY All links and site navigation appear in green. The Westcar Papyrus, housed in the Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin, and designated Berlin Papyrus 3033 contains five stories told by the sons of the 4th dynasty Pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops. Modern schoarship has determined that these stories were most likely written in the 18th dynasty or later. The papyrus, written in hieratic script and middle Egyptian, shown above, is in poor condition and the text has been reconstructed by various scholars from 1890 to 1988. Of the original five stories, three remain complete. The Wikipedia entry for the Westcar Papyrus gives an excellent overview of the manuscript, condition, influence, and provides a description of the stories. ORGANIZATION OF THE TEXT R. B. Parkinson in his book The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems, 1940-1640 BC (Oxford University Press, 1997) gives numerous details on the physical remains of this papyrus as well as the text. There were apparently eleven lines lost from from the first page of the first story and probably one page before that containing some 50 “verses” as Parkinson call them. This was most likely an introduction to the series of stories that constitute the papyrus. I suspect these numbers come from Erman, who owned the papyrus for awhile and wrote two books on it. They are available for download in my list of sources below. The existing text of the Westcar papyrus is divided by rubra (red text) and contains five Stories, organized as follows: Story 1. Djedjfra (?): column 1, line 12 through column 1, line 17, (black) (remainder lost ) Story 2. Chephren: column 1, line 17, (red) through column 4, line 17, (black) ( partially damaged ) Story 3. Baufra: column 4, line 17, (red) through column 6, line 22, (black) Story 4: Hordedef: column 6, line 22, (red) through column 9, line 21, (black) Line 8.5 - 8.6 (red) New section, not a new story Line 8.22 - (red) New section, not a new story Story 5: Rededjet: column 9, line 21, (red) through column 12, line 26 
TRANSLITERATION AND TRANSLATION If you do not install the font, the lines will appear in Manuel de Codage, format 1. Djedjfra 2. Chephren 3. Baufra 4. Hordedef 5: Rededjet Story 1. Djedjfra (?) (Index) column 1, line 12 through column 1, line 17, (black) (remainder lost ) 1.12 Dd.in Hm n(y) nsw bity Hwf(w) mAa xrw imi di.tw Translation: Then the majesty of upper and lower Egypt, Khufu, justified, said, let one cause to give Notes: Dd.in Hm - This form, sDm.in.f, is commonly used in narratives. It relates to events that are “contingent” (Hoch §131) or subsequent or consequent to a preceding action (Allen 22.4). Depuydt calls it contingent past. imi - imperative = give, place, cause tw - indefinite pronoun = one 1.13 mAa t xA (1000) Hnqt ds St (100) iwA snTr Translation: an offering of 1000 loaves of bread, 100 jugs of beer, one ox, 2 incense Notes: mAa = vb (infinitive) = present, offer iwa = ox snTr - incense 1.14 pAD 2 nsw bity Dsr mAa xrw Hna rdit di.tw Sns 1 Translation: cones to the king of upper and lower Egypt, Djoser, justified, further cause one to give one cake, Notes: pAD - ball or cone of incense rdit di.tw - prospective after rdi which has a causative meaning, see Hoch §75 1.15 Hnqt Dwiw iwf wri snTr pAD n Hry Hbt Hry tp Translation: beer, one jug; meat, a large portion to the Chief Lector Priest Notes: Hnqt - beer Dwiw - jug Hry Hbt - Lector Priest 1.16 [Hry tp] iw mA.n.i sp.f n rx ir.in.tw mi wDt 1.17 nbt Hm.f Translation: I have seen his deed of knowledge [display of skill, per Faulkner p. 221]. One did accordingly all that his majesty commanded. Notes: mA - “see” - var. spelling of mAA see Faulkner p. 100 sp - deed, act sp.f n rx - see Faulkner p. 221 where he cites identical use on 6,21 column 1, line 17, (red) through column 4, line 17, (black) ( partially damaged ) Except for the last few lines, above, the first story in the Westcar Papyrus is missing. This second story, Prince Khafre’s story is badly damaged with many missing portions. The story, however, has been reconstructed, based on what remains as well as the beginning of Baufra’s Tale and the opening of another work, the “Words of Neferti”. The basic plot: a king summons his sons to tell him stories to dispel his boredom. As reconstucted, prince Khafre tells of the Chief Lector Priest in the court of King Nebka named Ubainer (WbA-inr), a fictional character, who has gone to Memphis with Nebka to perform an offering rite at the temple of Ptah. The last line 1,23 introduces the wife of Ubainer, but many of the details of her story to this point are lost. 1,17 cont. aHa pw ir.n sA nsw sA re xaw.f-re r mdt Dd.f Translation: The King’s son, son of Re, Khafre, stood, endeavored to speak and he said, Notes: pw - used here as a demonstrative adjective The next section of this sentence is tricky as only traces of it remain in the papyrus. Nederhof uses Chephren, but the more common version is Khafre or Khafra. 1,18 di.i sDm Hm.k biAyt xprt m rk it.f Translation: May I cause your majesty to hear of a miracle which happened in the time of your father Notes: di.i sDm - prospective after rdi which has a causative meaning, see Hoch §75 biAyt - miracle / marvels Vygus p.343 1,19 k nbkA mAa xrw wDA.f r Hwt nTr n(y)t pTH Translation: King Nebka, justified, as he proceeded to the temple of Ptah, 1,20 nb anx tawy ist rf in Hm.f Sm r […] Translation: lord of Memphis. Now His Majesty went to Notes: anx tAwy - Memphis, Vygus p. 1046 1,21 […] [N23 - Z2] in Hm.f irr [H]nt n(y)t […] Translation: […] […] It was his majesty who performed the cultic act of Notes: There are several words that end in N23 - Z2 but none looks like a candidate to me. [H]nt - Blackman reports that the papyrus is annotated such that Cerny and Gardiner read V36 as the missing glyph. The word thus spelled is defined as “cultic act” in Vygus. Nederhof uses “rite”. 1,22 […] Xri Hbt Hry tp wbA inr Hna Translation: […] Chief Lector Priest WbA-inr (Uba-iner) was with Notes: Hry tp - Chief. Nerderhof uses Hrj (Hri) instead of the usual spelling Hry (double stroke=“y”) wbA-inr - literally “he who drills stone” - the initial glyph in this name, U26, is not all that common and depicts a drill for beads, inr meaning stone. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubaoner for an extended discussion of this character. 1,23 […] Hmt wbA inr n (?) Translation: […] the wife of WbA-inr (Uba-iner) Although the papyrus is very fragmentary here, the story can be reconstructed. Parkinson fills in some sentences with material that is not clearly in evidence in the sources I used. He adds “ the wife of Ubainer [loved] a c[ommoner] to the end of 1,23 and between 1,23 and 2,1 there are 4 verses lost. Presumably these fill in some of the story of the relationship between the wife and this commoner. The wife has her Maidservant take the chest of clothes to the commoner and he returns with her. Clothing would have been a nice gift for the “commoner” as it would have probably been more than he could afford. 2,1 aHa.n rdi.n.s [Hr?].tw n.f pds mH m Hbsw Translation: Then she gave to him a chest filled with clothes that was made ready Notes: Hr - “to make ready” is conjecture on my part. “tw” could be passive marker pds - box, chest, casket mH - be full, complete 2,2 […] iwt pw ir.n.f Hna tA wbAyt Translation: […] He returned together with the Maidservant Notes: iwt - come, return iri - to do, make, carry out wbAyt - Maidservant (line breaks at last two signs) 2,3 (wbAyt) xr m xt hrww swA Hr nn ist rf wn Sspt Translation: Now (after) days passed (away) after this, there was a summer-house Notes: xr m xt - Now after ist(T) rf - now Sspt - summer-house (line breaks at last two signs), chapel, bedroom. Faulkner gives summer-house. Pavilion is used in some translations. 2,4 m pA S n(y) wbA inr aHa.n Dd.n pA nDs Translation: by the garden lake of Ubainer, and then the commoner said Notes: S - pool, lake, garden - usually S is a pool, or lake. 2,5 n tA Hmt wbA inr iw ms wn Sspt Translation: to the wife of Ubainer, indeed there is a summer-house Notes: iw ms - a sentence (non-enclitic) particle - iw, followed by an enclitic particle - ms. ms is defined as truly, surely, indeed. wn denotes an existential sentence, see Gardiner §107. 2,6 m pA S n(y) wbA-inr mt n ir.n At im.s Translation: by the garden lake of Ubainer. Look, let us spend time in it. Notes: A little confusing at first glance. mtn is a plural variant of the particle mk - Hoch §40 - and n is also the dependent pronoun “us”. Hoch explains it all in §39! 2,7 aHa.n hAb.n tA Hmt wbA-inr n Hry pr nty Translation: Then the wife of Ubainer sent (a message) to the Chief of household staff, who 2,8 m sA pA S r Dd imi sspd tw tA Sspt Translation: had charge of the garden as follows, cause this summer house Notes: m sA - having charge of r Dd - quote, to wit, saving that, as follows, with (Vygus p.90) imi - imperative of rdi - give, put, cause 2,9 ntt m pA m S wrS.n.s im Hr swr pA (line breaks at the last two characters of “swr”) Translation: which is in the garden to be prepared. She spent the day there drinking Notes: “drinking” is probably an euphemism for sex. 2,10 Hna pA nDs [ ] xr m-xt Translation: together with the commoner. Now after Notes: xr m-xt - a sentence particle used in prose narratives (Hoch §185,4) - now after, now later, now afterwards 2,11 mSrw xpr.w iwt pw ir.n.f wn.in.f Hr Translation: it became evening, he came away and then Notes: mSrw - evening xpr - become, with “w” becomes sDm(w).f passive, translated as past iwt - come, return wn.in.f - sentence particle used to introduce non-verbal sentences with adverbial comment, used with Hr adds a following infinitive, see Hoch §131. Translated as “then”. 2,12 hAt r pA S wn.in tA wbAyt Translation: went down to the pool. Then the Maidservant Comment: I have referred to both Blackman’s transcription and Parkinson’s translation. Blackman studied Erman’s photograhs of the papyrus. He comments on sections legible in Erman that are no longer readable. Although Parkinson doesn’t say so specifically, he must have used Erman to assist in his reconstruction. The Nederhof and Rosmorduc transcriptions I assume most of you are using are not always clear as to the readings of these lines. I have quoted the Parkinson translation where it clarifies the story. 2,13 […] pA […] pA Hry pr Translation: the […] the Chief of household staff 2,14 wbA-inr Translation: Ubainer Notes: Parkinson reconstructs this section as follows: “2,12 And he went down to the pool. [And] the housemaid [waited on him at] the [pool], 2,13 [while the steward was nearby, and he said, 2,14 “I]’ll go [to] Ubainer!” 2,15 xr m xt tA HD n(y) hrw xpr SAs pw Translation: Now after the dawn, Notes: xr m xt - now afte tA HD - dawn 2,16 ir.n Hry pr […] mdt tn Translation: the Chief of household staff went [to tell him (Ubainer) about] this matter 2,17 […].k 2,18 pr […] s […] pA n […[ ir.n.f s pf 2,19 pA S […] […] rdi.n.f sw n pAy.f nb […] […] […] 2,20 HA […] nt mw aHa.n pf […] Translation: From Parkinson, “[and said, “your wife’s done a deed in] your pa[villion], [she and] the [commoner], and he [then went down] to the pool. RB: […] […] He gave it to his lord […] Parkinson: [Then] he returned to his [home], [having washed in] the shallows of the water” RB: Then that [ Notes: in line 2,17 Blackman say there are about 14 glyph groups lost before the V31, which is probably the 2nd pers suffix pn “your”. pAy.f - possessive adj. - his The signs at the beginning of 2,20 are unclear, at least according to Blackman. Nederhof takes a guess that works as does Parkinson. 2,21 aHa.n Dd.n wbA-inr in.n.i […] n hbny Translation: Then Ubainer said, Bring to me […] of ebony Notes: in.i.i - imperative Parkinson fills the lacuna with “[my doc]uments [in my chest] 2,22 Hr Damw […] ms[i] […] (h)Ab […] wpwty (?) […] wdi.n.f Translation: I reconstructed as best I could, checking against Parkinson. Rather tricky business! RB: and electrum […] (I will) fashion and send a messenger. […] Then he made Parkinson: and electrum, [and I’ll fash[ion and s]end [a] mess[enger]!] [Then he [modell]ed a Notes: msi - fashion, create hAb - send wpwty - messenger 2.23 msH n(y) […].i […] Translation: a crocodile of […] .i(?) […] 7 Parkinson: a [wax] crocodile, seven [fingers long]. Notes: Parkinson’s note is informative: “Documents and chests are associated with magic throughout the Tale. The wax figure measures 13 cm; such figures were a common element in Egyptian magic. The crocodile is often an animal of death, especially as an agent of divine retribution. Seven is a magical number, and occurs throughout this tale (3,13, 3,15, 3,17).” 2.23 msH n(y) […].i […] 7 wn.in.f Hr Sdi Translation: a crocodile of […] .i(?) […] 7 Then he, reading aloud Notes: Hr Sdi - Hr+infinitive indicating ongoing action 2,24 […] Sdi […] Hr […] […] […] […] iwt.f Translation: [a spell*], he read aloud, […] […] […] […] he returns Notes: *Parkinson 2,25 r wab m S.i […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] nDs Translation: to bathe in my pool […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] commoner Notes: Parkinson reconstructs as follows, apparently instructing the crocodile by means of the spell: “[As for the man] who will come to wash in my pool, [you shall seize] that commoner [in your mouth]” 3,1 aHa.n.f rdi.n.f sw n pA Hry pr Dd.n.f n.f Translation: Then he gave it (the crocodile) to the head of household and said to him, 3,2 ir m-xt hAw nDs r pA S mi nta.f (3,3) nt(y) ra nb Translation: now after the commoner has descended into the pool, which is his daily habit, 3,3 (nt(y) ra nb) kA.k xAa.k pA msH Translation: you shall throw this crocodile Notes: kA - Non-enclitic sentence particle 3,4 […] r sA.f SAs pw ir.n pA Hry pr it.n.f Translation: after him. The Chief of household staff went and took Notes: SAs is infinitive in what Hoch calls a Narrative Past Tense Construction in §136. 3,5 pA msH n mnH m-a.f aHa.n hAb n tA Translation: the crocodile of wax in his hand. Then the Notes: m-a - compound preposition - “in the hand” “in the possession of” 3,6 (hAb.n tA) Hmt wbA inr n pA Hry pr nty m sA pA S r Dd imi Translation: wife of Ubainer sent (a message) to the Chief of household staff who had charge of the garden saying, “Cause Notes: hAb.n - send to (someone) verb - message is implied when used as a verb. Noun form, spelled exactly the same, means writing, letter, missive, communication, message m sA - having charge of imi - imperative of rdi - give, put, cause 3,7 sspd.tw.tA Sspt ntt m pA S mk wi Translation: the preparation of the pavilion which is in the garden. Look, I Notes: sspd - prepare Sspt - summerhouse, pavilion wi - “I”, after particles taking the dependent pronoun 3,8 ii.kwi r Hmst im.s aHa.n sspd tA Sspt Translation: am coming to sit within it. Then the pavilion was prepared Notes: ii.kwi - come - stative 3,9 m bw nb nfr SAs pw ir.n.sn wn.in.sn n Xr hrw nfr 3,10 Hna pA nDs Translation: with every fine thing. Then they went and they made holiday together with the commoner. Notes: I find the grammar here difficult. I have never comfortably understood the various uses of “pw”. Gardener expends considerable ink on the various uses of the SDm.in.f form, §429 use as verb indicating result and sequel and for wn.in as auxiliary in §§ 470, 472, 473. Parkinson notes that hrw nfr, to “make holiday” means sex and “they” means the wife and the housemaid! 3,10 cont. xr m xt mSrw 3,11 xpr Translation: Now after it Notes: xr m xt - Sentence particle - now after 3,11 cont. iwt pw ir.n pA nDs mi nta.f 3,12 nt(y) ra nb Translation: was evening, the commoner came away, as was his daily custom. Notes: mSrw - evening xpr - intransitive verb - come into being, beome iwt - come, arrive, return ra nb - every day 3,12 cont. aHa.n xAa.n pA Hry pr pA msH Translation: Then the Chief of household threw the crocodile 3,13 n(y) mnH r-sA.f r mw aHa.n xpr.n.f m msH n(y) mH 7 Translation: of wax after him into the water and then it became a crocodile of 7 cubits. 3,14 aHa.n mH.n.f m pA nDs […] […] […] […] (i)st smnw Translation: Then it seized the commoner […] […] […] […] Now Notes: smnw - past tense passive 3,15 wbA-inr Hna Hm n nsw biti nb-kA mAa xrw n hrww 7 Translation: Ubainer was to stay with the Majesty, king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, justified, for seven days 3,16 pA nDs m DAt […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] ssnt Translation: while the commoner was (Parkinson fills in the lacunae as follows:) in the dep[ths of the pool] [without anything to breathe] [there]. Notes: DAt - I can find no applicable word based on these three signs, however there is an expression mDt mw, meaning “watery depths” which could work. With the preceding preposition m it would give “in the watery depths” which does indeed make sense! It could be that the hieratic was mis-transcribed by Erman / Blackman as there are some 8 “spaces” between the t of DAt and ssnt. ssnt - breathe - “t” is passive marker - signs for this word unclear in the hieratic. 3,17 […] xr m xt pA hrww 7 xpr wDA pw Translation: Now after the seven days passed, Notes: xr m xt - now after (Vygus p. 825) 3,18 ir.n nsw biti nb-kA mAa xrw […] s […] […] […] aHa.n rDi.n sw Xri-Hbt Translation: the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebka, proceeded […] or [southwards] (Parkinson) Then the chief Lector Priest Notes: wDA pw ir.n … - A form, used in narratives, which has a rather clumsy literal translation. The lacuna may have made more sense of it. wDA is infinitive if one follows the following explanation from AHG. From Gardiner p.312: § 392. The construction sDm pw lr(w).n.f and its passive sDm pw iry. The same principle underlies a mode of narrating events which is much employed in the Middle Kingdom stories. Here it is the action itself which is the centre of interest, and accordingly the action has to appear as a verbal noun, i. e. infinitive, to which are added the words pw ir(w)·n.f (sDmw·n.f reI. form) 'it is ..... which he did' or passively pw iry (perf. pass. part.) , it is .... which was done '. The construction is found almost exclusively with verbs of motion. [3,18 aHa.n rDi.n sw Xri-Hbt] 3,19 Hry tp wbA-inr m bAH aHa.n Dd.n wbA-inr […] […] […] sDd n.i wDA Translation: Then the chief Lector Priest placed himself before (the king) and then Ubainer said […] related to me Notes: m bAH - compound preposition - in the presence of, before [3,19 wDA] 3,20 […] Hm.k mAn.k tA biAyt xprt m rk Hm.k […] Translation: May your majesty proceed and see the wonder that has happened in the time of your majesty 3,21 […] nDs s wbA-inr […] s […] […] […] […] […] […] […] aHa.n […] […] (a)S.n Translation: Parkinson reconstructs as follows: “a commoner [under water]! [Then his Majesty went with] Ubainer.” Then Ubainer summoned Notes: (a)S.n - Parkinson gives aS - “summon” as a logical possibility, especially since there are two spaces. Search Vygus to see the several variant spellings of aS. 3,22 wbA-inr pA msH r Dd in.n.k [pA] nDs […] […] […] prt Translation: the crocodile saying, bring the commoner [immediately]. 3,23 pw ir.n pA msH […] […] […] […] […] […] […] […] aHa..n xry- Translation: The crocodile came out [with the commoner in his mouth](Parkinson) Then 3,24 Hbt Hry-tp wbA-inr […] […] […] […] […] […] […] [sw] Translation: the chief Lector Priest Ubainer said “[that commoner - release] him. 3,25 aHa.n rDi.n.f […] […] […] […] […] […] n sw […] […] [Dd] in Hm n[sw]-biti Translation: Then it put [him down without having harmed] him. His majesty … 3,25 [Dd] in Hm [nsw]-bity Translation: Then the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, 4,1 nb-kA mAa-xrw smwn msH pw nHA kst Translation: Nebka, justified, said, (“this is surely a fierce crocodile” - Parkinson) Notes: smwn - non-enclitic / sentence particle - probably, certainly HA - Wörterbuch gives “Westcar von einem Krokodil” leading one to think it is an unique use. Not found in any other dictionary. Determined to be almost certainly nHA meaning terrifying, terrible (Vygus p. 1350) 4,2 pw ir.n wbA-inr aHa.n TA.n.f sw wn.in.f Translation: Then Ubainer bent down and (then) snatched it up, and he was 4,3 m Drt.f msH n mnH wn.in Xry Hbt Hri tp wbA-inr Translation: in charge of a crocodile of wax. Then the chief Lector Priest Ubainer Notes: m Drt - “in charge of” see Vygus p.606 4,4 Hr wHm mdt tn ir.n nDs pr.f Hna tAy.f Translation: recounted this thing the commoner had done in his house together with his Notes: tAy.f possessive adjective - “his” Not all that frequently encountered apparently. Precedes the noun. See Gardiner §113 4,5 Hmt n Hm n nsw biti nb-kA mAa xrw aHa.n Dd.n Hm.f n pA Translation: wife to the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Nebka, justified. Then his majesty said to the 4,6 msH in.n.k pAy.k hAi.t pw ir.n pA msH Translation: (Then his majesty said to the) crocodile, “acquire what is yours”. The crocodile descended to Notes: pAy.k - possessive adjective “yours”. 4,7 r […] […] pA S n rx.tw bw Sm.n.f im Xr.f Translation: to the depth of the pool. No one knew the place it went therein with him. Notes: according to Blackman/Davies, the beginning of this line included a “misplaced fragment”. Not that clearly explained, but apparently it goes elsewhere further down the papyrus page. Nederhof ignores the X1 - O1. I suggest that a possible word here after “r” would be “mDt” (V21A-Z7-X1-O1) meaning depth which works perfectly. 4,8 aHa.n rDi.n Hm n nsw biti nb-kA mAa-xrw it.tw tA Hmt Translation: Then the majesty of the king of upper and lower Egypt, Nebka. justified, had the wife 4,9 wbA-inr r Sdw mHty n Xnw aHa.n rDi.n.f Translation: of Ubainer taken away to a plot of land north of the residence and then he had her burned Notes: rDi xt im must be an rdi idiomatic expression but I cannot find a literal translation anywhere. 4,10 xt im.s […] […] […] qmAw pa n itrw mk biAyt Translation: and thrown in the river. Look, a wonder 4,11 xprt m rk it.k nsw biti nb-kA m iryt Translation: that has happened in the age of your forefather, the king of upper and lower Egypt Nebka, done by … Notes: non-verbal sentence: Particle, topic, adverbial comment. 4,12 Xri Hbt Hri-tp wbA inr Dd.in Hm n nsw biti xwfw Translation: the chief lector priest Ubainer. Then the majesty of the king of upper and lower Egypt, Khufu, 4,13 mAa xrw im di.tw mAa t 1000 (xA) Hnqt ds 4,13 100 (St) iwA 1 Translation: justified, said, let an offering be made of a 1000 loaves of bread, 100 jars of beer, one ox, Notes: im di.tw - imperative of “rdi” = let, cause 4,14 snTr pAD 2 n nsw biti Nb-kA mAa xrw Hna rdit di.tw Translation: and two balls of incense (terebinth) to the king of upper and lower Egypt, Nebka, justified, and let there be given Notes: snTr with this exact spelling can be a specific incense “terebinth resin” per Vygus p. 1697. Difficult to determine if there is symbolism here, but the resin was used in mummification and purification rituals. Hna usually used as preposition “together with” but can also be conjunction “and” per Faulkner p. 172 4,15 Sns 1 Hnqt Dwiw 1 iwf wri snTr pAD 1 Translation: a cake, a jar of beer, a portion of meat and a ball of incense Notes: iwf wri - iwf = meat and wri = a portion of meat. Faulkner cites this example. “wr” means great. Is the addition of “i” an error or redundant? Adjective vs noun. 4,16 n Xri Hbt Hri tp wbA-inr iw mA.n.i sp.f Translation: to the chief lector priest Ubainer. I have seen his act 4,17 n rxt ir.in.tw mi wDt nbt Hm.f aHa pw ir.n bAw.f Translation: of knowledge. Everything was done as his majesty commanded. Story 3. Baufra (Index) column 4, line 17, (red) through column 6, line 22, (black) 4,17 aHa pw ir.n bA 4,18 w.f.ra r mdt Dd.f Di.i sDm Hm.k biAyt xprt Translation: Then Bauefra stood to speak and said, I will let your majesty hear a wonder that happened Notes: Bauefra’s name appears without cartouche. Apparently this is an indication that, although a prince, he never ascended the throne. There is some possible identity confusion with Bauefra. He may be the same as Horbaef or Babaef. 4,19 m rk it.k snfr mAa xrw m iryt Xri-Hbt Translation: in the time of your forefather Sneferu, justified, something done by 4,20 Hry tp DADA-m-anx […] […] […] […] sf […] […] […] wADw Translation: the chief lector priest, Djadjaemankh. (Parkinson reconstructs the rest of the line 4,20, sketchily as) “Yesterday illu[mines……] success,” 4,21 […] […] […] […] […] s […] […] […] […] […] hrw nA n(y) iw tmmt xpr Translation: day (or today) these things that have not occurred Notes: tmmt - perfect passive participle of the negative verb tm “that which has not …” see Hoch §179. 4,22 […] (x 10) (at?) nbt n(y)t pr-nsw anx(w) (w)DA(w) s(nbw) r HHy n.f 4,23 st qbt n gm.n.f sy Dd.in.f is in n.i Xri-Hbt Hry tp Translation: every room of the palace l.p.h, he was seeking entertainment for himself but did not find it. Then he said, “Go and bring to me the chief lector priest … Notes: is - imperative - Go It is probably obvious but the exact grammar of the expression “nbt nt” eludes me. The translation used by most is “every”, in 4,25 and “all” in 5,3. This author uses the sDm.in.f form frequently. Hoch recommends using “then” as a translation, §131. The auxiliary verb aHa.n is not used as much in this text, although it can also be translated as “then”. The reasons for their different uses is interesting and discussed by Hoch, §90 and §153. 4,23 Dd.in.f is in n.i Xri-Hbt Hry tp Translation: Then he said, “Go and bring to me the chief lector priest) 4,24 sS DA-DA-m-anx in.in.tw.f n.f Hr awy Dd.in n.f (4,25) Hm.f Translation: and writing scribe, Djadjaemankh.” Then he was brought to him immediately. Then his majesty said to him Notes: in.in.tw.f - past tense passive Hr awy - adverb - immediately 4,25 Hm.f iw dbn.n.i at nbt nt pr-nsw anx(w) (w)DA(w) s(nbw) r HHy n.i st (5,1) qbt Translation: I have gone around every room which exists in the palace (house of the king) l.p.h. to seek entertainment for myself, Notes: pr-nsw - a nice example of honorific transposition. nt - may be an abbreviation for nt(y)t, a relative adjective meaning that, which, that which exists etc. nbt nt - Vygus has nbt nty meaning “whatever” st qbt - entertainment, amusement - abstract noun per Faulkner p. 207, citing this example. 5,1 qbt n gm.n.i sy Dd.in n.f DA-DA-m-anx Hwy Translation: I did not find it. Then Djadjaemankh said to him, Notes: gmi - verb 3rd weak - to find sy - Late Egyptian pn - she, it Hwy A - a particle construction - Hwy - would that… and A - please, used for polite requests. See Faulkner p.165 and Hoch §73 p.90. Followed by the prospective sDm.f. Hoch uses this sentence as example p.90. 5,2 A wDA Hm.k r S n(y) pr-aA anx(w) (w)DA(w) s(nbw) apr n.k bAw Translation: would your majesty please go to the lake of the palace l.p.h., a galley has been equipped for you 5,3 m nfrtwt nbt nt Xnw aH.k ib n(y) Hm.k r qbb Translation: with all fair women from the interior of your palace. The heart of your majesty will be quieted… Notes: nfrwt - fair women nbt nt - see note to 4,25 5,4 n mAA Xnn.sn m xd m xnt Translation: by seeing them row downstream and upstream Notes: mAA - infinitive following preposition - seeing 5,5 (nt) iw.k Hr mAA sSw nfrw m s.kn (5,6) iw.k Hr Translation: and you will be seeing the beautiful marshes of your lake, Notes: “Hr mAA” - the infinitive following the preposition can be taken as future and I have chosen to do that here. sS = marshes, per Faulkner, citing this example. 5,6 iw.k Hr mAA sx(w)t.f xfAA(w)t.f nfrw. iw ib.k r Translation: its fields and its beautiful banks. Your heart will be Notes: sxt and xfAAt are, I believe, singular or collective nouns that are semantically plural. Hoch puts the “w” in parentheses for these types and discusses in §19. Nederhof does not. I’m not sure which is the accepted practice. “iw ib.k r…” - “r” of futurity. 5,7 qbb Xr.s iw.i Hm r irt Xnt imi in.tw.n.i Translation: quieted having this. Indeed, I will carry out a rowing excursion. Let there be brought to me Notes: imi- imperative of rdi 5,8 wsrw 20 n hbny bAk m nbw xmatw iry Translation: 20 oars of ebony worked with gold with handles … 5,9 m sqb bAk m Damw im in.tw.n.i st-Hmwt 20 Translation: of sqb wood, wrought with electrum. Bring to me 20 women Notes: st-Hmwt - both components mean “woman/women”. Gardiner defines on page 587. 5,10 m nfrtw nt(y) Haw.sn m bntwt Hnskytwt Translation: with their beautiful bodies, deep bosoms, who have braided hair, Notes: Hnskyt - Vygus = noun. the braided one, she who has braided hair 5,11 nty n wp.tw.snm mst Hna rdit in.tw n.i iAdt Translation: who have not been opened by giving birth. And let there be brought to me 20 nets Notes: There is a word for “fishnet dress” spelled with T90 as determinative (Vygus p.1064). This is probably what was intended here rather than just net(s). T90 may not have an hieratic character.   There are numerous examples of these dresses extant. On the left is one at the the Houston Museum Of Fine Arts. The one on the right is in the Petrie Museum, University College, London. They were usually worn over a linen dress. Over a naked body, quite alluring one would think. Both photos are mine. 5,12 20 Hna nn iAd(w)t n nn Hm(w)t wAH Hbsw.sn Translation: and give these nets to these women when their clothing has been laid aside. 5,13 aHa.n ir mi wDt nbt Hm.f wn.in.sn Hr Xnt Translation: Then everything was done as his majesty had commanded. Then they rowed Notes: This scribe makes frequent use of the form sDm.in.f of which wn.in.sn is an example, common in narratives, used to introduce non-verbal sentences with adverbial comment (Hoch §131). Xnt following the preposition Hr is clearly an infinitive. 5,14 m-xd m-xnti wn.in ib n Hm.f nfr n Translation: back and forth (downstream and upstream). Then the heart of his majesty was made happy by Notes: dictionary gives downstream and upstream for xd and xnti. However, they are on a lake so “back and forth” is better. 5,15 mAA Xnn.sn aHa.n wat ntt r Stiw H(5,16) Translation: seeing them row. Then the one who was the Stroke Oar Notes: The Stroke Oar is the rearmost rower and sets the pace. 5,16 Ht.n.s m Hnskt.s aHa.n nxAw n(y) mfkAt Translation: became entangled in her braided locks. Then a fish shaped pendant of genuine turquoise 5,17 mAat xr Hr mw aHa.n.s gr.ti nn Xnt Translation: fell upon the water and she was still and did not row, 5,18 wn.in pAy.s rmn gr nn Xnt Dd.in Hm.f Translation: her side was still and did not row. Then his majesty said… [5,18 Dd.in Translation: Then… ] 5,19 Hm.f in n Xnn.n.tn aHa.n Dd.n.sn tAy.n Styt Translation: his majesty asked, “Can you not row?”, and they said, “Our stroke Notes: in n Xnn - here “in” is a shortened form of “in iw”, an introductory interrogatory phrase. According to Hoch a less common usage. See Hoch §168. tn - a variant form of Tn, 2nd person plural dependent pronoun. tAy - possessive adjective, always used with suffix Styt - Stroke (of bank of oarswomen) per Vygus 5,20 gr.ti nn Xnt aHa.n Dd.n n.s Hm.f tm.t Xn Translation: becomes still, without rowing.” Then his majesty said to her, “Why might the rowing not be happening?” Notes: gr.ti - ti is the 2nd person singular stative ending, also called the “old perfective” or “pseudo-participle”. See Hoch §82, Gardiner §309. tm - See Hoch §175. A negative auxiliary verb. According to Blackman, lines 5,19 through 5,25 were scrambled when the already damaged papyrus fragments were poorly reassembled. Word order may be suspect. 5,21 Hr.m aHa.n Dd.n.s nxAw pw n(y) mfkAt mAat Translation: Then she said, “ This fish shaped pendant of real turquoise 5,22 xr(w) Hr mw aHa.n […] f.s […][…][…][…][…][…][…][…] n.s mr Translation: has fallen into the water. 
“Then he had [……., and said to her], “[If you] want [it], it’s replaced!” Parkinson p.111 Notes: xr(w) - Although frequently left off, Nederhof adds the (w) to clarify the past tense passive, “has fallen”. 5,23 […][…][…][…][…][…].f DbA aHa.n Dd.n.s mr.i Hnw.i snty.f Translation: Then she said, “I prefer my own possession to its likeness. 5,24 [w.i r snty.f] Dd.in.Hm.f is in n.i Xry Hbt Translation: Then his majesty said, “Go, get for me Notes: is in - imperative “Go get”. The walking legs, D54 is usually repeated after O35 in the “usual” spelling, see line 8,9. 5,25 Hry tp DADA-m-anx in.in.tw.f n.f Hr awy Dd.in Translation: the chief lector priest Djadjaemankh.” He was brought to him immediately. 6,1 Hm.f DADA-m-anx i snnw = snnw.i(?) iw ir.n.i mi nA Dd.n.k wn.in. ib n(y) Translation: Then his majesty said, “Djadjaemankh my brother, I have done the (things) as you said, and the heart of Notes: The text after DADA-m-anx, A1 T22 A1A1 seems confusing. Nederhof translates as “my brother”. T22 A1 A1 might be a variant spelling of snnw T22 N35 W24 Z7 A1 A1, twin, brother etc. Vygus p. 1996. but why does the suffix pn precede the noun? 6,2 Hm.f qbb n mAA Xnn.sn aHa.n nxAw n(y) mfkAt Translation: his majesty was calmed, for seeing them row. Then (the) fish shaped pendant of real turquoise Notes: qbb means cold, cooled, calmed or refreshed. If we consider the negative particle “n”, accurate per Blackman, then the meaning is that the king was not happy when the ladies stopped rowing, “his majesty was cold, seeing them not row”. This would imply that he was made “hot” by seeing the women row! Seriously however “n” N35 can mean “for” or “by”. The two forms of “n” were not always strictly used, especially in hieratic, as I understand it. 6,3 mAat n(y)t wat n(y)t Styt xrw Hr mw aHa.n sgr.ti Translation: of one of the stroke rowers had fallen into the water and she became silent, 6,4 nn Xnt ii.n HD.n.s pAy.s rmn aHa.n. Dd.n.i n.s Translation: not rowing and it occurred that she upset her side. Then I said to her, Notes: ii - come, arrive, return, occur HD - Faulkner uses “upset” and cites this example pAy - demonstrative adjective. 6,5 tm.t Xn Hr m aHa.n Dd.n.s n.i nxAw pw n(y) mfkAt Translation: “Why might the rowing not be happening?” She said to me, “ This fish shaped pendant of Notes: tm - See Hoch §175. A negative auxiliary verb. 6,6 mAat xr(w) Hr mw Aha.n Dd.n.i n.s Xn mt ink DbA.i 6,7 sw Translation: real turquoise has fallen into the water.” Then I said to her, “Row! Look, I will replace it myself.” Notes: mt - particle, feminine version of mk - Look! 6,7 aHa.n Dd.n.s n.i mr.i Hnw.i r snty.f aHa.n Dd.n Xry Translation: Then she said to me, “I prefer my own possession to its likeness.” Then Notes: Ddt - infinitive 6,8 Hbt Hry tp DADA-m-anh Ddt.f m HkA aHa.n rdi.n.f Translation: the chief lector priest Djadjaemankh, said his magic spell and put Notes: Ddt - infinitive 6,9 rmn n(y) mw n(y) pA S Hr wa(w).sn gm.n.f pA nxAws Translation: a side of the water of the lake on one of them and found the fish shaped pendant Notes: a rather cumbersome construction, “put a side …” means something like he folded the water back onto itself. 6,10 wAH(.w) Hr pAqyt aHa.n in.n.f sw rdi n Hnwt.f ist rf ir Translation: lying on a turtle shell. Then he retrieved it, giving it to it’s Mistress. Now as for Notes: wAH(.w) can be stative, given without the ending in the text but supplied by Nederhof, lit. “it lying”. See Hoch §83. pAqyt can mean turtle shell and I like it better that potsherd, given that it’s under water. The movie version would use the turtle shell for sure. My late father, a famous Disney artist, would have insisted on the turtle shell. Hnwt means “mistress” and this phrase can be either charming or a cynical commentary on the childish, petulant nature of the rower, implying life in her “fish”. 6,11 pA mw iw.f m mH 12 Hr iAt.f Dr.in.f mH 24 r sA wDb Translation: the water, it being 12 cubits (deep) in the middle ended up 24 cubits after it was folded over. Notes: iAt - this spelling is not Faulkner or Vygus that I can find. Gardiner gives “back”. Woerterbuch has “bildlich: mitte eines Gewaessers” - figuratively, middle of the waters. The Ancient Egyptian cubit, based on several existing rulers, was about 52.5 cm or 20”, so the lake was about 20 feet deep if I did the math correctly. 6,12 .f aHa.n Dd.n.f Ddt.f m HkA aHa.n in.n.f nA n(y) mw n(y) pA Translation: Then he said his magic spell and brought (returned) these waters of the 6,13 S r aHaw.sn wrS.n Hm.f Hr hrw nfr Hna Translation: lake to their positions. His majesty spent a happy day together with 6,14 pr-nsw anx(w) (w)DA(w) s(nbw) mi qi.f pr.n fqA.n.f Xri Hbt Hri-tp Translation: the entire royal house l.p.h. So it turned out that he rewarded the chief lector priest Notes: mi qi.f - “entire” per Faulkner p. 276 pr.n fqA.n.f - pri is used as an auxiliary verb. Hoch in §174 says the meaning originally was “so how it turned out was” and he also uses this sentence as an example. 6,15 DADA-m-anx m bw nb nfr mk biAyt xprt Translation: Djadjaemankh with every good thing. Behold! a wonder that happened 6,16 m rk it.k nsw-bity Snfrw mAa-xrw m iryt Translation: in the time of your ancestor, Seneferu, justified, done by 6,17 Xri Hbt Hri-tp sS mDAt DADA-m-anx Dd.in Hm n Translation: the chief lector priest, Djadjaemankh. Then the majesty of 6,18 nsw-bity xwfw mAa-xrw imi di.tw mAa t 1000 (xA) Hnqt ds 100 (St) Translation: the king of upper and lower Egypt Khufu, justified, said “let an offering be made of a thousand loaves of bread, a hundred jars of beer, 6,19 iwA 1 snTr pAD 2 (sn(wy)) n Hm n(y) nsw bity Snfrw mAa xrw Translation: one ox, two cones of incense to the majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Seneferu, justified 6,20 Hna rdit di.tw Sns 1 Hnqt Dwiw 1 snTr pAD n Xri Hbt Translation: and let there be given a cake, a jug of beer and a cone of incense to the chief lector priest 6,21 Hri tp sS mDAt DADA-m-anh iw mAA.n.i sp.f n rx Translation: and scribe of books Djadjaemankh. I have seen his success of knowledge. 6,22 ir.in.tw mi wDt nbt Hm.f Translation: One did all as commanded by his majesty. Story 4: Hordedef (Index) column 6, line 22, (red) through column 9, line 21, (black) Line 8.5 - 8.6 (red) New section, not a new story Line 8.22 - (red) New section, not a new story 6,22 (cont.) aHa pw ir.n nsw Hr-DD.f r Translation: Prince (King’s son) Hordjedef stood to speak Notes: The JSESH transcription omits “sA” after nsw in line 6,22. It is, however, in both Nederhof and Blackman. 6,23 mdt Dd.f […] […] .i.n sp […] […] […] […] […] m rht.n ntyw swA n Translation: and he said, (from Parkinson) “[How to tell a past] deed is something that only those who have passed away know.” 6,24 rx.n.tw mAat r grg iw wn xr Hm.k m hAw.k Ds.k Translation: one cannot have learned truth from lies. There is, under the reign of your majesty yourself’s time, Notes: iw wn - “there is” - begins an existential sentence. In this form “wnn” does not have gemination. See Hoch §100, p. 117 Ds is a reflexive pronoun requiring a suffix. Ds.k = yourself. Nederhof transcribes “hAw” as “hrw” in error. 6,25 n xr.f […] […] […] […] […] […] Dd.in.Hm.f iSst pw Translation: he who does not know […] […] […] […] […] […] Then his majesty asked, “What does this mean, 6,26 Hr-DD.f sA.i dd.in sA-nsw Hr-DD.f iw wn nDs Translation: Hordedef, my son?” Then the king’s son Hordedef said, “There is a commoner 7,1 Ddi rn.f Hms.f m Dd-Snfrw mAa xrw iw.f m Translation: named Djedi living in Djed-Seneferu, justified. He is Notes: iw.f m = the “m” is the “m” of predication, thus the translation “is”. 7,2 nDs n rnpt 110 iw.f Hr wnm t 500 rmn n iH m Translation: a commoner of 110 years, he eats 500 loaves of bread, a shoulder of beef for 7,3 iwf Hna swr Hnqt ds 100 r mn m hrw Translation: meat, together with 100 jars of beer as far as this day. 7,4 pn iw.f rx(w) Ts tp Hsq iw.f rx(w) rdit Sm Translation: He knows how to attach (the attaching of) a head which has been cut off. He knows how to make Notes: rx(w) - know (stative) Ts - attach (infinitive) Hsq - perfect passive participle “which has been cut off” Gardiner §361 citing this example. 7,5 mAi Hr.sA.f sSd.f Hr tA iw.f rx(w) Tnw ipwt Translation: a lion walk behind him, its tether upon the ground. He knows the number of secret chambers Notes: Sm Hr-sA.f “walk behind him” Gardiner §178 p.134 citing this example. V12 does not appear by itself in any source and must be an abbreviation for sSd meaning “tether” see Vygus p.1775 ipwt - secret chambers? Vygus p.1140. Gardiner p. 553 spells a variant as ip(A)t meaning harim or private apartments. 7,6 nt wnt nt DHwty ist wrS Hm n nsw bity xwfw mAa xrw Translation: of the sanctuary of Thoth. Now the majesty of the king of upper and lower Egypt Khufu, justified, spent the day Notes: “secret chambers of the sanctuary of Thoth” - Erman, Gardiner, and others have discussed this line at some length. Apparently Khufu / Cheops wanted his tomb to resemble the temple of Thoth and wanted to know about these chambers. This article by Gardiner explains it in detail: The Secret Chambers of the Sanctuary of Thoth wrS - spent the day 7,7 Hr HHy n.f nA n(y) ipwt nt wnt nt DHwty r irt n.f mitt iry n Axt.f Translation: searching for himself these secret chambers of the sanctuary of Thoth to make something like it for himself, for his tomb. Axt - archaic - can mean horizon, but also means king’s tomb or palace. See Vygus p.1254 7,8 (iry n Axt.f) Dd.in Hm.f Ds.k irf Hr-DD.f sA.i intw.k Translation: …make something like it for himself, for his tomb. Then his majesty said, “you yourself, Hordedef my son, will bring Notes: intw is interesting. W25 N35 is the root of the verb to bring, tw can be the passive affix. The Vygus dictionary, p.2383, gives the definition of intw , exactly as given here, as a verb meaning “send”. Now one could argue “bring” vs “send” based on this. However, I was unable to find “intw” in any other dictionary, WB, Faulkner etc. and I would be interested what Vygus used as a source for this particular word. The Grammar Reference Database gives reference to the usual erudite clarification from Gardiner on p. 365 in “Forms of the perfective sdm.f from the mutable verbs”. Citing this example Gardiner gives int(w).f as a variant form of “bring” from just before Dyn. XVIII. 7,9 n.i sw aHa.n sspd aHaw n sA nsw Hr-DD.f SAs Translation: him to me. Then boats were made ready for Prince Hordedef Notes: sspd - (past tense) passive after aHa.n per Gardiner §481. 7,10 pw ir.n.f m xnti r Dd-Snfrw mAa xrw Translation: and he undertook travel southward to Djed-Seneferu, justified. 7,11 xr m xt nA n aHaw mni r mryt SAs pw Translation: Now after these boats were moored to the shore, 7,12 ir.n.f m Hrty snDm.n.f m quiw n hbny n(y) bAw Translation: he traveled by land in a palanquin of ebony with poles (7,13) of ssnDm wood mounted with gold. Notes: Interestingly, a palanquin (a type of sedan chair) of virtually identical description is listed in line 101 of the Battle of Megiddo inscription as part of the booty captured from the Prince of Kadesh. See http://rhbarnhart.net/The_Battle_of_Megiddo.html Regarding ssnDm, Vygus gives Tamarisk(?), although this is usually more of a shrub. In the mid-east it can grow to some size. Breasted gives carob which is larger tree, more prevalent in the region and a beautiful wood used for fine objects, even today. 7,13 m ssnDm gnX rf m nbw xr m xt spr.f r Ddi Translation: [of ssnDm wood mounted with gold.] Now after he had reached Djedi 7,14 aHa.n wAH pA qniw aHa pw ir.n.f r wSd.f gmi.n.f Translation: the palanquin was set down. Then he stood up to address him. He found 7,15 sw sDr Hr tmA m sS n(y) [inb] pr.f Hmw Xr tp.f Hmw Xr tp.f Translation: him lying upon a mat on the threshold of an enclosure of his house, a servant holding his head Notes: I remembered this sentence from Hoch! See p. 179 C-1. Hoch inserts O36 between n(y) and pr.f. I assume conjecturally as Blackman notes only a fragment of the bottom of the sign remains. 7,16 Hr amam n.f ky Hr sin rdwy.fy aHa.n Dd.n sA-nsw Translation: anointing him, another massaging his feet. Then prince 7,17 Hr-DD.f iw xrt.k mi anx tp m tni xr iAwt Translation: Hordedef said, “your condition is like living before growing old, though old age 7,18 st mni st qrs st smA tA sDr r Ssp Translation: dying, being buried and laid in the earth, sleeping until dawn, st mni - n. (state of) dying st qrs - (state of) being coffined, being buried st smA tA - n. internment sDr - spend the night, sleep, lie down, go to rest etc. Ssp - n. light, dawn 7,19 [Ssp] Sw m xAyt nn kHkHt n(yw)t sryt nD xrt Translation: free of disease, without a fit of coughing.” Greeting, Notes:Sw m - free of/from nn - negative particle. Negates noun - without a …, not having a … n(yw)t - f. plural genitive adjective nt sryt - bout, attack, fit 7,20 imAxy pw ii.n.i aA r nis r.k m wpwt Translation: O revered one! I have come here to summon you at the behest Notes: pw - the rare vocative particle “O”. See Hoch §142 Also occurs in line 7,26 7,21 nt it.i x wf(w) mAa xrw wnm.k Spssy n dd nsw tn DfAw Translation: of my father Khufu, justified. You will eat delicacies given by the king, the provisions Notes: wnm.k - imperfective sDm.f see Gardiner §442.5 Spssy - plural noun - delicacies - Vygus, p.20 DfAw - provisions, food(s) 7,22 n(y) imyw Smsw.f sb.f Tw m aHaw nfr n itw.k Translation: of those who are his followers. He will lead you into a beautiful lifetime (and) to your ancestors 7,23 imyw Xrt nTr Dd.in Ddi pn m Htp sp sn Hr-DD.f sA nsw Translation: who are in the necropolis. Then this Djedi said, welcome, welcome (lit. in peace, in peace) prince Hordedef, 7.24 mry n(y) it.f Hs Tw it.k xf(w) mAa xrw sxnti.f Translation: beloved of his father. May your father, Khufu, justified, favour you. May he promote Notes: mry = beloved. according to Vygus this spelling from the Naukratis Stela Hs Tw… exclamatory use of the stative, see Hoch §99. 7,25 st.k m iaww Snt kA.k xt r xfty.k rx bA.k Translation: your proper place among the elders. May your soul denounce your enemy and (your soul) learn 7,26 wAtw afdt r sbxt nt Hbs bAg nd-xrt Translation: the roads leading to the portal sheltering the dead. Greeting 8,1 sA nsw pw aHa.n Aw.n n.f sA nsw Hr-DD.f awy fy aHa.n Translation: O prince. Then prince Hordedef extended his arms to him and… 8,2 saHa.n.f sw wDA pw ir.n.f Hna.f r mryt Hr rDit n.f a.f Translation: he raised him up and then he set out together with him to the riverbank, in addition giving him his arm. Notes: saHa - s causative verb. 8,3 aHa.n Dd.n Ddi imi Di.tw n.iwa n qAqAw intw.f n.i Xrdw Translation: Then Djedi said, Let one of the barges be given to me [in order to] bring me [my] children Notes: “imi Di.tw n.iwa n qAqAw” this is what Hoch calls a Polite Request construction instead of an imperative. He cites this sentence in §146; imi as passive “as a means of distancing oneself out of deference” instead of a more direct order. Vygus calls imi an imperative verb, however. Nederhof omits the second “i” in the root “imi”. He does this frequently. 8,4 Hr sS.i aHa.n rdi aHa n.f aHa 2 Hna ist.sn iwt pw ir.n Translation: and my writings. Then two barges were given to him, together with their crew and 8,5 Ddi m xd m wsx nty sA nsw Hr-DD.f im.f Translation: Djedi undertook to come northward in the barge in which prince Hordedef was. 8,6 xr / m-xt spr.f r Xnw aq pw ir.n sA nsw Hr-dd.f Translation: Now after he reached the residence, prince Hordedef entered 8,7 r smit n nsw bity xf(w) mAa xrw Dd.in sA nsw Translation: in order to report to the majesty of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt Khufu, justified. Then Prince Notes: r smit = r + infinitive of smi, with “t” infinitive marker - “ in order to” 8,8 Hr-DD.f ity a.w.s (anx(w) (w)DA(w) s(nbw) nb.i iw in.n.i Ddi Dd.in Translation: Hordedef said, “Sovereign, l.p.h. my lord, I have brought Djedi.” His majesty said, 8,9 Hm.f is in n.i sw wDa pw ir.n Hm.f r wAxy n Translation: “ Go and bring him to me.” Then his majesty proceeded to the columned hall of Notes: is = imperative vb - Go, Go get 8,10 pr aA a.w.s sTA.in.tw n.f Ddi Dd.in Hm.f pty st Ddi Dd.in Hm.f pty st Ddi Translation: the palace l.p.h and Djedi was ushered in to him. Then his majesty said, “How is it, Djedi, Notes: pty - interrogative - who?, what? 8,11 tm rdi mA n.i tw Dd.im Ddi nisw pw iy Translation: I have not seen you (previously)? Djedi said, “he who is summoned, comes, sovereign l.p.h. 8,12 ity a.w.s nis r.j mk wi ii.kwi Dd.in Hm.f in Translation: sovereign l.p.h. You make a summons to me and look, I have come.” Then his majesty said, Notes: ii.kwi - 1st person common stative - come, return 8,13 iw mAat pw pA Dd iw.k rx.ti Ts tp Hsq Translation: “Is this they say true, you can attach a severed head? Notes: in iw - particle introducing questions 8,14 Dd.in Ddi tiw iw.i rx.kwi ity a.w.s. nb.i Translation: Djedi said, “yes, I know how, sovereign, l.p.h. my lord” 8,15 Dd.in Hm.f imi in.tw n.i xnr nty m xnrt wd (nkn.f) Translation: Let there be brought to me a criminal who is in prison and execute his sentence Notes: Perhaps a slight scribal mispelling. wd (wdi) as it appears here means put, set, push. Vygus gives wD nkn as verb meaning to execute sentence. wD spelled V24 - Y1. 8,16 nkn.f Dd.in Ddi n is n rmT ity a.w.s nb.i Translation: Djedi said, “Indeed, not to a human, sovereign l.p.h., my lord” Notes: n is = indeed not 8,17 mk n wD.tw irt mnt iry n tA awt Spst Translation: Look, you may not undertake doing something like this to man i.e. the noble flock. 8,18 aHa.n in n.f smn wDa tp.f aHa.n rDi pA smn r gbA Translation: Then a Nile goose was brought to him and its head was cut off. Then the Nile goose was placed on the 8,19 imnty n wAxy DADA.f r gbA i Translation: western side of the columned forecourt and its (butchered) head 8,20 iAbty n wAxy aHa.n Dd.n Ddi Ddt.f m HkA Translation: on the east side of the columned forecourt. Then Djedi said his words of magic, 8,21 wn.in pA smn aHa Hr HbAbA Translation: and then the Nile goose stood up waddling, 8,22 DADA.f m mitt Translation: its head as well. 8,22 …xr m-xt spr.f wa r wa Translation: … Now after one had reached the other 8,23 aHa.n pA smn aHa Hr gAgA aHa.n rdi.n.f in.tw Translation: the Nile goose stood up, cackling. Then he had brought 8,24 n.f xt-aA ir.n.tw r.f m mitt aHa.n rdi.n Hm.f in.tw n.f kA Translation: to him another edible bird and the same thing was done to it. Then his majesty had brought to him a bull, Notes: xt-aA - per Faulkner, poultry, edible bird. Parkinson calls it a khetaa-goose. Apparently a larger species of goose, but unidentified. 8,25 sxr tp.f r tA aHa.n Ddi Ddt.f m HkA Translation: and its head was thrown down to the ground. Then Djedi said his words of magic Notes: sxr - Vygus and Faulkner (citing this) give “throw down” The word for behead is HsQ 8,26 aHa.n pA kA aHa Hr sA.f sSd.f xr / r tA Translation: and the bull stood up after him, its tether falling on the ground 9,1 r tA aHa.n Dd.n.pA nsw xwfw mAa xrw pA irf Dd iw.k rh.ti Translation: on the ground. Then the king Khufu, justified said, What about the report that you know Notes: pA irf Dd - is called an “ellipse” by Gardiner in §506 and explained using this example. A statement with omissions used in questions, as in this example. 9,2 Tnw nA n(y) ipwt n(y)t wnt n(y)t DHwty Dd.in Ddi / Hs.ti Translation: the number of secret chambers of the sanctuary of Thoth? Then Djedi said, May it please you, Notes: Hs.ti - “may it please you” Hoch §99. Exclamatory stative. 9,3 Hs.ti n rx.i tnw iry ity lph nb.i iw.i swt rx.kwi bw nty / st im Translation: I do not know their number, sovereign my lord. However, I know that place where they are. 9,4 st im / Dd.in Hm.f iw irf t(T)n Dd.in Ddi pn iw afDt Translation: Then his Majesty said, where? Then this Djedi said, there is a chest Notes: iw irf Tn - Another ellipse, Gardiner §506 tn / Tn (X1 - N35 - T14 - G41 - N31) - Interrogative, Where? Whence? 9,5 n(y)t ds m at sipty rn.s m iwnw mkst m tA afDt Dd.in Translation: of flint in a room named the Inventory of Heliopolis, see it in this chest. And Notes: mkst - This is perhaps an abbreviation. Vygus p. 905, gives a similar word mkst mkst meaning see it, see it! 9,6 Hm.f is in n.i si Translation: his majesty said, go bring it to me. 9,6 […Dd.in Ddj] ity a.w.s nb.i mk nn ink is inn n.k sy Dd.in Hm.f in-m rf Translation: And then Djedi said, Sovereign l.p.h., my lord, look, I am not in fact the one who will bring it to you. Then his majesty said, “Who then 9,7 in.f n.i sy Dd.in Ddi in smsw n pA Xrdw 3 nty m Xt n Rd Translation: will bring it to me?”, and Djedi said “It is the eldest of the three children who are in the womb of 9,8 Rd-ḏdt in.f n.k sy Dd.in Hm.f mr.i is st nA Ddy.k pty Translation: Reddjedet will bring it to you”. Then his majesty said, “I wish it. These (things) you relate, “Who is Notes: pty - interrogative = who? 9,9 si tA Rd-Ddt Dd.in Ddi Hmt wab pw n pw n ra nb sAXbw Translation: this Reddjedet? Then Djedi said, ”She is the wife of a wab priest of ra, lord of Sakhbu, 9,10 iwr ti m Xrdw 3 n ra nb sAXbw iw Dd.n.f r.s Translation: now pregnant with three children of ra, lord of Sakhbu. He said about it… Notes: ti, according to Gardiner is an enclitic particle possibly related to or derived from isT §§119,4; 243. I have translated as “now”. 9,11 [iw].sn r irt iAt twy mnxt tA pn r Dr.f iw smsw n.sn Translation: They will carry out this excellent function throughout this entire land. The eldest of them 9,12 imy r irt wr mAw m iwnw wn.in Hm.f ib.f wA r Dwt Hr.s Dd.in Translation: will be High Priest of Re in Heliopolis. Then his majesty fell into depression on account of this. 9,13 Ddi pty irf pA m ib ity a.w.s nb.i in (iw) ir.tw Hr pA Translation: Then Djedi said, “ Now what is this depression, sovereign l.p.h. my lord? Is it on account of the Notes: in iw - Interrogative particle with the “iw” omitted. 9,14 Xrdw 3 Dd.n.i kA sA.k kA.f kA wa im.s(n) Dd.in Hm.f Translation: three children I spoke of? Your son, then his son, then one of them. Then his majesty said, 9,15 ms.s irf si Rd-Ddt [Dd.in.Ddi] ms.s m Abd 1 prt sw 15 Dd.in Translation: “now when will Reddjedet give birth?” and Djedi said, “she will give birth on the first month, day 15 of winter”. The his majesty said… 9,16 [dd.in.]Hm.f iw isT Tsw nw Rmwi Hsq bAk A n st Ds.i kA Translation: Then his majesty said, “Now (when) the sandbanks of the Two Fish Channel are exposed, servant, I will enter it myself, then Notes: For those who do not own Parkinson, here is a link to his note on this section: Parkinson note I spent some time on the Two Fish canal line, trying to ascertain where Mark-Jan Nederhof got the transliteration. It is a real place, as Lichtheim in AEL v.1, p.106, explains in note 10 to "Instruction addressed to King Merikare": "The "Two-Fish Channel," known from P. Westcar IX,16 and elsewhere, appears to be the name for the Nile branch in the nome of Letopolis, i.e., the southern-most part of the Canopic branch." The spelling as given by Nederhof is a little confusing. N36 and N23 are used together as determinatives in words meaning canal and channel. The two fish could be K1 or K5, used as a determinative in generic words for fish (rmw), Gardiner p.477, Vygus 87, 94. The standard, R12, is used "accompanying various ideograms for gods", Gardiner p.502. The two fish and standard are probably an abbreviation. I would like to see another example of this word from another source. No luck tracking a source for the Merikare text. Regarding the second part of the sentence, it is difficult. The suggestion that bAk as vocative is correct. Nederhof incorrectily appended the ".i"". Hoch §64 is quite informative. Parkinson translates as, "My servant, if only I'd already crossed it myself". 9,17 mAn.i tA Hwt ntr n(y)t rA nb sAXbw Dd.in Ddi kA rdi.i Translation: I could see the Temple of Ra, lord of Sakhbu”. Djedi said, “I will cause 9,18 Xpr mw n(y)w mH 4 Hr Tsw n(y)w Rmwi wDA pw ir.n Hm.f r aH.f Translation: to appear four cubits of water upon the sandbanks of the Two Fish Channel.” His majesty then proceeded to his palace. 9,19 Dd.in Hm.f im Di.tw m Hr n Ddi r pr sA nsw Hr-DD.f Hms.f Translation: Then his majesty said, “Have Djedi appointed to the house of prince Hordedef. He will reside 9,20 Hna.f ir aqw.f t Hnqt ds 100 iwA 1 iAqt Translation: with him, and given provisions of a thousand loaves, a hundred jars of beer, one ox and a hundred bundles of vegetables. 9,21 (xrSw 100) ir.in.tw mi wDt nbt Hm.f … Translation: Then it was done as everything his majesty had commanded. Story 5: Rededjet (Index) column 9, line 21, (red) through column 12, line 26 9,21 … wa m nn hrw xpr wn.in Translation: ... One of these days it happened that 9,22 Rd Ddt Hr Snt.s qsn mss.s Dd.in Hm n ra nb sAXbw Translation: Ruddjedet was suffering as her giving birth was painful. Then the majesty of Ra, lord of Sakhbu said Notes: snt - see Faulkner p.268. This sentence cited. 9,23 n Ast nbt-Hwt msxnt Hqt Xnmw Hwy A SAs.tn Translation: to Isis, Nephthys, Meskhenet, and Khnum, “Please, would that you travel 9,24 smsy.tn Rd Ddt m pa Xrdw 3 nty m Xt.s nty r irt iAwt Translation: and deliver Ruddjedet of the three children who are in her womb and who will undertake this 9,25 twy mnxt tA pn r Dr.f qd.sn rw-prw.tn Translation: excellent function of this entire land, they will build your temples, 9,26 sDfAy.sn xAwtw.Tn swAd.sn wdHww.Tn (sa) Translation: endow your offering tables, and 9,27 saAy.sn Htpw nTr.Tn wDA pw ir.n nn nTrw ir.n.sn xprw. Translation: increase your divine offerings. These gods then proceeded, 10,1 sn m xnyt Xnmw Hna.sn Xr qni spr pw ir.n. Translation: changing their form into female Musicians. Khnum was together with them carrying bags. 10,2 sn r pr ra-wsr gm.n.sn sw aHa dAiw sxd Translation: Then they arrived at the house Reusre and found him standing, his kilt upside down. 10,3 wn.in.sn Hr ms n.f mnit.sn sxmw aHa.n Dd.n.f n.sn Translation: Thereupon they presented to him their menit (necklace sacred to Hathor) and sistra. Then he said to them, … Notes: sxm is one word for sistrum. There were several, as well as a number of hieroglyphs. This is a description I wrote for the Egyptian Museum, Cairo on the Gold Sistrum with the Head of Hathor, JE 67887. “The sistrum was a type of rattle used in temple rituals, mostly those involving the goddess Hathor. The Ancient Egyptian word for sistrum was sesheshet, possibly in imitation of the sound of papyrus stems being shaken. The sistrum’s use as a musical instrument being limited, it evolved into a cult object used in the various rituals and ceremonies honoring Hathor, one of Egypt’s greatest goddesses. Hathor, according to Egyptian myth hid Horus from the evil Set in the papyrus marshes of the Nile delta. Hathor was worshipped for numerous manifestations including music. Over time the sistrum was used in rites and rituals of other deities, particularly Isis, and members of the royal family. Mentioned in texts from the Old Kingdom, the sistrum was used throughout Egyptian history and is still used in the rituals of the Ethiopian and Coptic church. As depicted in various tomb paintings, temple singers would use the sistrum to accompany chants and processions.” 10,4 Hnwwt.i mTn st pw ntt Hr mn.s qsn ms.s aHa.n Dd.n.sn Translation: My mistresses, look, there is a woman suffering, her giving birth is difficult. Then they said, 10,5 Di.k mA.n sy mk n rxwyn smsy aHa.n Dd.n.f n.sn Translation: Allow us to see her, Look! we know about birthing. He said to them, 10,6 wDA aq pw ir.n.sn tp-m Rd Ddt Translation: proceed. Then they entered before Ruddjedet. Notes: tp-m compound preposition - before 10,7 aHa.n xtm.n.sn at Hr.s Hna.s aHa.n rdi.n sy Ast xft Hr.s Translation: They sealed themselves in the chamber together with her. Isis placed herself in front of her, 10,8 nbt Hwt HA.s Hqt Hr sxAx mswt aHa.n Dd.n Ast Translation: Nephthys behind her, and Heqet hastening the birth. Then Isis said… 10,9 im.k wsr m Xt.s m rn.k pwy n(y) wsr.i r.f Translation: May you not be powerful in her womb, in this your name of Userref. 10,10 war.in Xrd pn tp awy.sy m Xrd n(y) mH 1 rwD qsw.f nxbt rwD qsw.f Translation: This child was quickly born into her arms, a child of one cubit, with strong bones, Notes: war - WB gives “von schneller Bewegung (vom Kind das bei der Geburt ”heraus flieht - “of fast movement of child that at birth flows out” The WB Belegstellen gives Westcar 10,24, as source rather than this initial use from 10,9. 10,11 nxbt atw.f m nbw afnt.f m xsbD mAa ia.in.sn sw Translation: whose limbs had the golden appearance of a new-born king, his royal head cloth was of true lapis lazuli. They washed him Notes: nxbt - WB (citing Westcar) - “vom goldenen aussern des neugeborenen Konigskindes” - “From the golden appearance of the new-born king” awt.f - Blackman has plural strokes, JSESH omits, Nederhof includes. 10,12 Sad XpA.f rdi Hr ifdy m Dbt aHa.n ms.n Translation: after cutting his umbilical cord and he was placed upon a couch cushion. Notes: ms - Faulkner gives “betake oneself with “r” to, giving this example. 10,13 sy Msxnt r.f aHa.n Dd.n.s nsw irt(y).fy nsyt m tA pn r Dr.f Translation: Then Meskhenet took herself to him and said, “A king who is expected to undertake the kingship of this land in its entirety.” Notes: nsw is written first for honorific transposition. irty.fy - see Gardiner §363. If you’re in the mood for some heavy mental sledding, see Battiscombe Gunn, Studies in Egyptian Syntax, Chapter IV, “A note on the sdmti.fi form”. r Dr.f - “in its entirety” See Hoch §80 10,14 [r Dr.f] Hnmw Hr swDA Haw.f rdi.in sy Ast xft Translation: Khnum made his body sound. Then Isis placed herself Notes: swDA - causative verb - to make sound 10,15 Hr.s Nbt Hwt HA.s Hqt Hr sxAx mswt Translation: before her, Nephthys behind her, and Heqet hastening the birth Notes: Restatement of 10,7 and 10,8 10,16 Dd.in Ast imi.k sAH m Xt.s m rn.k pwy Translation: Then Isis said, “May you not kick in her womb, in this your name Notes: imi.k (used here and in 10,9. I missed this use in line 10,9) Gardiner calls this construction a negative verb expressing a negative wish or command, see §345. Apparently the D35 sign is not transliterated, at least in examples shown. 10,17 n(y) SAHw ra sAH.i war.in Xrd pn tp awy.sy Translation: of Sahure. Then this child rushed forth into her arms, Notes: The spelling of Sahure’s name is confusing. sAH means “to kick”. This may be a pun on the name. 10,18 m Xrd n(y) mH 1 rwd qsw.f nxbt awt.f (m nbw) afnt.f m xsbD mAa Translation: a child of one cubit, with strong bones, whose limbs had the golden appearance, his head-cloth of true lapis lazuli 10,19 [bD mAa] iai.in.sn sw Sad XpA.f rdi Hr Translation: They washed him after cutting his umbilical cord and he was placed upon 10,20 ifdy m Dbt aHa.n ms.n sy msxnt t.f aHa.n Translation: a couch cushion. Then Meskhenet took herself to him and 10,21 Dd.n.s nsw irt(y).fy nsyt m tA pn r Dr.f wn.in Hnmw Hr Translation: said, “A king who is expected to undertake the kingship of this land in its entirety.” Khnum made 10,22 swDA Hawt.f rdi.in sy Ast xft-Hr.s Nbt-Hwt HA.s Translation: his body sound. Then Isis placed herself before her, Nephthys behind her, 10,23 Hqt Hr sxAx mswt Dd.in Ast im.k kkw Translation: and Heqet hastening the birth. Then Isis said, “May you not be in the darkness (of one about to be born) 10,24 m Xt.s rn.k pwy n(y) kkw war in Xrd pn tp Translation: in her womb, in this your name of Keku. Then this child rushed forth into 10,25 awy.sy m Xrd n(y) mH 1 rwd qsw.f nxbt awt.f m nbw Translation: her arms, a child of one cubit, with strong bones, whose limbs had the golden appearance, 10,26 afnt.f m xsbD mAa aHa.n ms.n sy msxnt r.f Translation: his head-cloth of true lapis lazuli. Then Meskhenet took herself to him 11,1 aHa.n Dd.n.s nsw irt(y).fy nsyt m tA pn r Dr.f wn.in Translation: and said, “A king who is expected to undertake the kingship of this land in its entirety.” 11,2 Hnmw Hr swDA awt.f iai.in.sn sw Sad Translation: Khnum made his body sound. They washed him 11,3 (Sad) XpA.frdi Hr ifdy m Dbt prt pw ir.n Translation: when his umbilical cord had been cut and placed upon a birth brick. Then 11,4 nn nTrw smsy.n.sn Rd Ddt m pA xrdw 3 Translation: these gods went out, they had delivered Ruddjedet of the three children. 11,5 aHa.n Dd.n.sn nDm ib.k ra wsr mk msi.n.k Translation: Then they said, “You should be glad, Reusre, now three children have been born to you.” Notes: nDm ib = to be glad 11,6 xrdw 3 aHa.n Dd.n.f n.sn Hnwwt.i pty irt.i n.tn Translation: Then he said to them, “My Mistresses, what may I do for you?” 11,7 Ha di.tn pA it n pAy.tn Xry qni Translation: Please give this barley to your porter Notes: xry qni - Porter 11,8 iT.Tn n Tn sw r swnt tnmw Translation: take it in exchange for beer. 11,9 iwh.in sw Hnmw m pA it wDA pw ir.n.sn r bw Translation: Then Khnum loaded himself with the barley and they set out to the place from 11,10 ii.n.sn im aHa.n Dd.d Ast n nn nTrw pty nA Translation: whence they came. Then Isis said to these gods, 11,11 ntt n iy.wyn r.s nn irt biAyt n nA n Translation: What is this purpose for which (lit. this which ….as regards it) we have come, without doing wonders for the children? Notes: I have used the translation for Isis’ sentence from Gardiner §328. Rather difficult rare pseudo-verbal construction. 11,12 Hrdw smi.n n pay.sn it rdi iwt.n aHa.n Translation: and which we can report to their father who sent us. 11,13 (aHa.n) msi.n.sn xaww 3 n nb a.w.s rdi.in.sn st m pA Translation: They then fashioned three crowns for the king l.p.h. and put them in the 11,14 it aHa.n rdi.n.sn iwt pt m Da Hr Hwyt Translation: barley. Then they caused the heavens to become storm and rain. 11,15 aHa.n an.n.sn st r pA pr aHan.n Dd.n.sn HA rdi.Tn Translation: Then they returned to the house. They said, Would you please 11,16 pA it m at xtm.ti (xtmyt?) r iwt.n Translation: put the barley here in a sealed chamber until we return 11,17 Hr xnit mHty aHa.n rdi.n.sn pA it m xtm.ti Translation: from playing music in the north. Then they put the barley in a sealed chamber. 11,18 aHa.n rd-Ddt wab.n.s m wab n hrw Translation: Then Ruddjedet purified herself with a purification of 14 days 11,19 14 aHa.n Dd.n.s n wbAyt.s in iw pA pr Translation: Then she said to her maidservant, has the house been supplied? Notes: in iw - question particle 11,20 sspd aHa.n Dd.n.s iw.f sspd m bw nb nfr wpw Translation: She said it has been supplied with many a good thing except for 11,21 Hr hnww n in.tw aHa.n Dd.n rd-Ddt tm.tw Translation: jars, they have not been brought. Then Ruddjedet said 11,22 ms in hnww Hr m aHa.n tA wbAyt Translation: Why have the jars not been brought? The maid said … 11,23 nfr pw smnx aA wpw Hr pA it n nn Translation: There is nothing of use here. except for the barley of these Notes: nfr pw is a rather rare negation formula translated “there is not”, see Hoch §181 and Gardiner §351,2 11,24 xnyt iw.f m at Hr xtm.sn aHa.n Dd.n Translation: Dancing Girls. It is in a chamber upon their seal. Note: Hoch makes note, p.200, that the Egyptian idiom Hr xtm literally means “upon one’s seal” whereas in English the corresponding phrase is “under one’s seal”. 11,25 rd-Ddt hA in im.f kA in ra-wsr rdi.f n sn Translation: Then Ruddjedet said, Go down and bring it from there and it is Reusre who will give them Notes: The use of “in” is discussed by Gardiner in §227,2. 11,26 DbA iry m-xt iw.f SAs pw ir.n tA wbAyt Translation: exchange for it after he returns. Then the housemaid went 12,1 wn.n.s at aHa.n sDm.n.s xrw Hsy Sma xbt wAg Translation: and opened the chamber. Then she heard the sound of singing, music making, dancing, cheering Notes: Hsy, Sma, xbt, wAg, all infinitives. 12,2 irrt nbt n nsw m tA at SAs pw ir.n.swn.in.s Hr wHm sDmt.n.s nbt Translation: (Then she heard the sound of singing, music making, dancing, cheering), all kinds of functions done for the king. She then went back and told everything she heard 12,3 n rd-Ddt wn.in.s Hr dbn tA at n gm.n.s bw irw st im Translation: to Ruddjedet. Then she went around the room, but could not find the place where it was being done. 12,4 aHa.n rdi.n.s mAa.s.r pA XAr gm.n.s ir.tw. m Xnw.f aHa.n.s Translation: Then she put her ear to the sack and found it was being done inside of it. Then she put 12,5 (sw) r pds rdi m Xnw ky xtm istnw m dHr rdi.n.s st Translation: it in a box, placed it in another lockable chest bound with hide. (Then) she put it Notes: (sw) supplied parenthetically as an omitted pronoun, see Gardiner §506, 5 n.2 12,6 r at wnnt Xr Hnw.s xtm.n.s Hr.f iwt pw ir.n ra-wsr Translation: in a room which contained her property, and put a seal upon it. Reusre then returned … 12,7 (iwt pw ir.n ra-wsr) m ii m SA wn.in rd-Ddt Hr wHm n.f mdt tn wn.in Translation: (Reusre then returned) coming from the field, Ruddjedet gave a report of this matter to him 12,8 ib.f nfr r xt nbt Hmst pw ir.n.sn Hr hrw nfr xr m Translation: and his heart was exceedingly happy (lit. his heart was happy more than anything). Then they sat down and made holiday. 12,7 (iwt pw ir.n ra-wsr) m ii m SA wn.in rd-Ddt Hr wHm n.f mdt tn wn.in Translation: (Reusre then returned) coming from the field, Ruddjedet gave a report of this matter to him 12,8 ib.f nfr r xt nbt Hmst pw ir.n.sn Hr hrw nfr xr m Translation: and his heart was exceedingly happy (lit. his heart was happy more than anything). Then they sat down and made holiday. Now Note: “r xt nbt” see Hoch §49 12,9 -xt hrww swA Hr nn aHa.n SnT rd-Ddt ixt n tA wbAyt Translation: when some days had passed by after this, Ruddjedet argued with the maid over things, 12,10 rdi.n.s xsf.tw. n.s m Hwt aHa.n Dd.n tA wbayt Translation: and had her punished with beating. Then the maid said, 12,11 n nA n(y) rmT nty m pa pr in irrt st nA r.i iw ms.n.s nsyw 3 Translation: to the people that are in the house, Is it done, this deed to me? She has given birth to three kings, 12,12 (nsyw 3) iw.i r Smt Dd st n Hm n nsw bity xwfw mAa xrw SAs Translation: I will go and tell it to his majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypyt, Khufu, justified. She went 12,13 pw ir.n.s gm.n.s sn.s n mwt.s smsw Hr mr mHi nwt Translation: and found her mother’s eldest brother binding flax and yarn 12,14 Hr xtyw aHa.n Dd.n.f n.s ir.t r tn idyt Srt Translation: on the threshing floor. He said to her, where are you going little girl? Notes: t / T and tn / Tn Hoch says that “t” is used in later variant writings §23 12,15 wn.in.s Hr wHm n.f mdt tn aHa.n Dd.n n.s pAy.s sn ir is Translation: She reported this matter to him. (He) said to her, 12,16 irt.t pA iit tp-im.i iw.i Hr snsn wTst aHa.n TA… Translation: see Notes below: Notes: Blackman, in his “Story of King Kheops and the Magicians” gives a citation to his article in the JEA: Notes on Certain Passages in Various Middle Egyptian Texts, Aylward M. Blackman, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 16, No. 1/2 (May, 1930), pp. 63-72 which I have retrieved as follows: (14) Pap. Westcar, 12, 15-16. And her brother said unto her: q q q It* q * 9, I : [ L] -_ . All hitherto published translations of the words ir is irt pi iyt entirely disregard grammar and merely aim at making some sense of what the translators obviously regard as a corrupt or anyhow practically unintelligible group of words. But if is be taken as an interrogative particle, and irrt as an imperfective pass. participle feminine and the subject of ir, pi iyt being the object, quite good sense is obtained and the rules of grammar strictly preserved, viz., Doth what hath to be done( see Gardiner §371), mean (lit. make) coming unto me and my taking part (lit. I taking part) in the betrayal? might of course be read , irt(i).t, which would make even better sense:-Doth what thou wouldest do mean coming unto me, 12,17 (aHa.n TA).n.f mHi SAi r.s aHa.n ir.n.n r.s sxt bint SAs Translation: Then he took a bundle of flax to her and gave her an evil blow. 12,18 pw ir.n tA wbAyt r int n.s ikn n mw aHa.n Translation: The maid went to get for herself a cup of water 12,19 iT.n sy msH SAs pw iry r Dd st n rd-Ddt in Translation: and a crocodile overcame her. Her uncle went to report this to Ruddjedet, Notes: SAs pw ir,n. see Gardiner EG §392 12,20 pAy.s sn gm.n.f rd-Ddt Hms.ti tp.s Hr mAst.s Translation: he found Ruddjedet seated “with head on knee” (a gesture of mourning, Hoch p. 294), 12,21 ib.s Dw r xt nbt aHa.n Dd.n.f n.s Hnwt.i irr.y pA Translation: her heart sad more than anything. Then he said to her, My mistress, why are you in this mood? Notes: “r xt nbt” = more than anything see Hoch §49 and p. 275. 12,22 …aHa.n Dd.n.s tA pw ktt xprt m pA pr mk ms Translation: Then she said, it is the girl who grew up in this house. Look Notes: ms is an enclitic particle meaning “surely” or “indeed”. Exact meaning is unsure. See Hoch §85 and Gardiner §251 12,23 sy Sm.ti r Dd iw.i r Smt wTs.i aHa.n rdi.n.f tp.f Translation: indeed she has gone, saying, I will depart and make an accusation). Then he bent his head 12,24 m Hrw aHa.n Dd.n.f Hnwt.i xn sy ii.ti r Dd.n.i […] .i(?) Translation: downwards and he said, My lady, she came to tell me […] Notes: “ma Hrw” doesn’t make sense to me. I’m using “m Hrw” as it makes sense. 12,25 iry.s A r-gs.i aHa.n ir.n.i n.s sxt bint aha.n s Translation: she would go off with me. Then I gave her an evil whack. Then she Notes: A r-gs.i Faulkner (p.1) cites this example: “go off with(?) someone” 12,26 Sm.ti r ikn.n.s nhy n mw aHa.n iT.n sy msH Translation: went to draw some water for herself and a crocodile seized her. TEXT SOURCES The best and most modern transcription of the text is: Blackman, A. M., & Davies, W. V. The story of king Kheops and the magicians: Transcribed from papyrus Westcar (Berlin Papyrus 3033). Reading: J.V. Books, 1988 This proved to be out-of-print and extremely scarce. I was fortunate to acquire a copy from an English bookseller. I do not think it has been scanned to PDF, but fortunately there are other options. The following versions are based on the Blackman text. Their line numbers are consistent. Serge Rosmorduc transcription pdf The Rosmorduc transcription is beautifully typeset using JSESH and is just the hieroglyphic text. Mark-Jan Nederhof has very kindly provided revised versions of his Westcar materials as follows: Nederhof, hieroglyphs only. This Nederhof version is hieroglyphs only. Minor differences with Rosmorduc. Nederhof, revised (304 pages). This is a newer revision of the following and includes interlinear transliteration and translation as well as "orthographic" annotations. Nederhof transcription/translation pdf Contains interlinear transliteration and translation. I have retained this version as it is only 69 pages, but with the caveat that it contains some small errors. Adolf Erman owned the papyrus for a time and in 1890 published a two volume study in German. Here are links to these volumes. The understanding of the hieratic script has advanced considerably since Erman's time, but he does include pictures of the papyrus. Erman Märchen I Erman Märchen II The DeBuck Reading Book also contains some of the stories: DeBuck Reading Book pdf (p.79 - 88) GRAMMAR DISCUSSION SOURCES The Westcar grammar database gives many examples, mainly from Gardiner's Egyptian Grammar. The above database in spreadsheet form: Westcar.xls Erman published a discussion of the Westcar grammar: Erman, Adolf. Die Sprache Des Papyrus Westcar: Eine Vorarbeit Zur Grammatik Der Älteren Aegyptischen Sprache. Göttingen: Dieterich, 1889. PDF here. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Allen, James P. Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs. Cambridge: University Press, 2000., Faulkner, Raymond O. A Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian. Oxford: Printed for the Griffith Institute at the University Press by V. Ridler, 1962. This is the classic ME dictionary in English and a virtual necessity. If you can't afford it, download the free Vygus dictionary listed below. Gardiner, Sir Alan. Egyptian Grammar ; Being an introduction to the study of hieroglyphs. Sixth edition revised. Oxford: Griffith Institute, 1957, (2007). Very highly recommended. Gunn, Battiscomb, Studies in Egyptian Syntax. Paris: Librairie Orientaliste Paul Geuthner, 1924 Gunn PDF Hoch, James E. Middle Egyptian Grammar. Mississauga, Ont: Benben Publications, 1997. Verena M. Lepper: Untersuchungen zu pWestcar. Eine philologische und literaturwissenschaftliche (Neu-)Analyse. Ägyptologische Abhandlungen, Band 70. Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2008, ISBN 3-447-05651-7. Lichtheim, Miriam. Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume 1. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2006. Georg Möller, Hieratische Paläographie (vol. 1 - 4 download) Parkinson, R.B. The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems, 1940-1640 BC. Oxford University Press, 1997. Vygus, Mark. Middle Egyptian Dictionary. Citations are from the April 2015 edition. http://www.pyramidtextsonline.com/documents/VygusDictionaryApril2015.pdf Wörterbuch der Aegyptischen Sprache (vol. 1-7 download) If you read German, this is an important dictionary. Even if you don't read German, still highly recommended. The Wörterbuch is also available via a web page titled Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae You must register here to use Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL For those unfamiliar with Orlando Mezzabotta, I urge you to listen to his recitations of two of the Westcar stories: Chephren Baufra 
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