Egyptian Literature/The Book of the Dead/The Introduction to Maati (1)
THE INTRODUCTION TO MAATI
[From the Papyrus of Ani (British Museum No. 10,470, sheet 30).]
The Chapter of entering into the Hall of double Maati; a hymn of praise to Osiris, the governor of Amentet. Osiris, the scribe Ani, triumphant, saith:
“I have come, and [I] have drawn nigh to see thy beauties; my hands [are raised] in adoration of thy name ‘Right and Truth’ I came and I drew nigh unto [the place where] the acacia-tree groweth not, where the tree thick with leaves existeth not, and where the ground yieldeth neither herb nor grass. “The Majesty of the god Anpu saith, ‘Knowest thou the name of this door so as to declare it unto me?’ And Osiris, the scribe Ani, triumphant in peace, triumphant! saith, ‘Destroyer of the god Shu’ is the name of this door. The Majesty of the god Anpu saith, ‘Knowest thou the name of the upper leaf and of the lower leaf?’ ‘Lord of Maat upon his two feet’ is the name of the upper leaf, and ‘Lord of twofold strength, the subduer of cattle,’ [is the name of the lower leaf. The Majesty of the god Anpu saith], ‘Since thou knowest pass on, O Osiris the scribe, the teller of the divine offerings of all the gods of Thebes, Ani, triumphant, the lord of reverence.'"