There are numerous indications in the signs composing the inscription that the text was written originally in a cursive character, and afterwards transcribed into hieroglyphics for record on stone.]
[Date.]
Year xxi, month Thoth,[103] under the Majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Meriamen Piankhy, living forever:—
[Attention demanded.]
Command: My Majesty saith, Hear how I have done more than the ancestors! I am a king, the figure of a god, the living image of Tum, who came forth from the body fashioned as a a ruler, whose elders feared him, ... whose mother recognized that he would reign [while he was yet] in the egg; the good God, beloved of the gods, Son of the Sun, working with his hand,[104] Meriamen Piankhy.
[The narrative. Report of Tafnekht's invasion received: the king's joy thereat.]
There came one to tell his Majesty, whereas the ruler of the West, the nomarch and chief in Neter, Tafnekht, was in the [Harpoon] Nome, in the Nome of the Bull of the Desert, in Hap, in ..., in An, in Per-nub, and in Mennefer,[105] he took unto himself the entire West from the sea-coast to Athet-taui, and went south with a great army; the two lands were united in following him, the nomarchs and the rulers of fenced cities were as hounds at his feet. No fortress was closed [against him]; the nomes of the South, Mertum, and Per-Sekhem-Kheper-ra, the Temple of Sebek, Per-Mezed, Tekanesh,[106] and every city of the West, opened their gates in fear of him. He turned back to the Eastern nomes; they opened to him even as the former. Het-benu, Tayuzayt, Het-seten, Per-nebt-tep-ah.[107] Behold [he hath crossed over to] besiege Henen-seten,[108] he hath ringed it about,[109] not allowing outgoers to go out, not allowing incomers to enter, by reason of the daily fighting. He hath measured it out on every side, each nomarch gauging his own [length of] wall, that he may post each one of the nomarchs and the rulers of fenced cities at his section."
Now [his Majesty heard these things] with good courage, laughing, and with joy of heart.
[Anxiety of the King's governors in Upper Egypt at Tafnekht's progress. Loss of Hermopolis.]
Behold these chiefs, nomarchs, and captains of the host who were in their various cities sent to his Majesty daily, saying: "Hast thou ceased [from action] until thou forgettest the South Country, the nomes of the royal domain[110]? Tafnekht is pushing forward his conquest, he findeth not any to repel his arm. Nemart [the ruler in Hermopolis] and nomarch of Het-Ur[111] hath breached the fortress of Neferus, he hath ruined his own city for fear lest he [Tafnekht] should take it, and then lay siege to another city. Behold, he hath gone to be at his [Tafnekht's] feet;[112] he hath refused allegiance to his Majesty, and standeth with him [Tafnekht] like one of [his retainers. He hath harried] the nome of Oxyrhynkhos,[113] and he giveth to him[114] [Tafnekht] gifts, as his heart inclineth, of all things that he findeth [therein]."