peace; for he would not reply unto these nobles, but would reply unto the Sekhti.
Now Sekhti came to appeal to the lord steward Meruitensa, and said, “O my lord steward, greatest of the great, guide of the needy:
Mayest thou sail upon it with a fair wind;
May thy mainsail not fly loose.
May there not be lamentation in thy cabin;
May not misfortune come after thee.
May not thy mainstays be snapped;
Mayest thou not run aground.
May not the wave seize thee;
Mayest thou not taste the impurities of the river;
Mayest thou not see the face of fear.
Mayest thou reach unto plump water-fowl.
For thou art the orphan’s father, the widow’s husband,
The desolate woman’s brother, the garment of the motherless,
Let me celebrate thy name in this land for every virtue.
A guide without greediness of heart;
A great one without any meanness.
Coming to the cry, and allowing utterance.
O praised! whom the praised ones praise.
Reckon with me, behold me defrauded.”
Now the Sekhti made this speech in the time of the majesty of the King Neb-ka-n-ra, blessed. The lord steward Meruitensa went away straight to the King and said: “My lord, I have found one of these Sekhti, excellent of speech, in very truth; stolen are his goods, and he has come to complain to me of the matter.”
His Majesty said: “As thou wishest that I may see health! lengthen out his complaint, without replying to any of his speeches. He who desireth him to continue speaking should be silent; behold, bring us his words in writing, that we may listen to them. But provide for his wife and his children, and
