OF BRINGING THE MAKHENT BOAT
[From the Papyrus of Nu (British Museum No. 10,477, sheets 21 and 22).]
The Chapter of bringing along a boat in the underworld. The chancellor-in-chief, Nu, triumphant, saith:
“Hail, ye who bring along the boat over the evil back [of Apepi], grant that I may bring the boat along, and coil up [its] ropes in peace, in peace. Come, come, hasten, hasten, for I have come to see my father Osiris, the lord of the ansi garment, who hath gained the mastery with joy of heart. Hail, lord of the rain-storm, thou Male, thou Sailor! Hail, thou who dost sail over the evil back of Apep! Hail, thou that dost bind up heads and dost stablish the bones of the neck when thou comest forth from the knives. Hail, thou who art in charge of the hidden boat, who dost fetter Apep, grant that I may bring along the boat, and that I may coil up the ropes and that I may sail forth therein. This land is baleful, and the stars have overbalanced themselves and have fallen upon their faces therein, and they have not found anything which will help them to ascend again: their path is blocked by the tongue of Rā. Antebu [is] the guide of the two lands. Seb is stablished [through] their rudders. The power which openeth the Disk. The prince of the red beings. I am brought along like him that hath suffered shipwreck; grant that my Khu, my brother, may come to me, and that [I] may set out for the place whereof thou knowest.”
“Tell me my name,” saith the wood whereat I would anchor; “Lord of the two lands who dwellest in the Shrine,” is thy name.
“Tell me my name,” saith the Rudder; “Leg of Hapiu” is thy name.
“Tell me my name,” saith the Rope; “Hair with which Anpu (Anubis) finisheth the work of my embalmment” is thy name.
“Tell us our name,” say the Oar-rests; “Pillars of the underworld” is your name.
“Tell me my name,” saith the Hold; “Akar” is thy name.
“Tell me my name,” saith the Mast; “He who bringeth back the great lady after she hath gone away” is thy name.
