[The Contest for the Book]
And thou, Setne Khamuas, who dost look
To take from us that which from Thoth we took,
Where hast thou paid the price?—These twain and I,
Our lives on earth were taken for this Book.
But Setne said: 'Ahure, none the less,
For all thy tale of old unhappiness,
Yield me the Book at Nefrekepta's head:
I take it else by wrath and bitter stress.'
Then Nefrekepta from his marble bed
Rose up: 'O thou to whom my wife hath said
Words vainly wise, and thou hast hearkened not,
How wilt thou win the Book beneath my head?
Think'st thou to take it from me by the wit
Of a good scribe? Or wilt thou play for it
Four games of draughts, the fifty points and two?'
And Setne said: 'The draughts'; and down did sit.
Between them then the gaming board they drew
For the first game of fifty points and two;
And Nefrekepta won the game, and spake
A spell, and with the board he ruled it true.
And Setne ankle-deep into the floor
Sank. And again they played, and as before
Dead Nefrekepta won the second game;
And Setne sank up to the thighs and more.
Again they played; and Nefrekepta dead
Won the third game; and Setne to his head
Sank, and the earth came close below his ears.
And Setne lifted up his voice in dread:
'Brother, where art thou? Brother An-Herru,
Bear word to Pharaoh of the deeds I do.
Pray Pharaoh the last amulets of Ptah
Be sent me. Haste! Haste!'—Then the dead man drew
The board up close, and the fourth game began.
And An-Herru far off had heard, and ran,
Ran unto Pharaoh's throne and told his tale.
And Pharaoh said: 'To save a sinking man