THE TALE OF SINUHE
Sinuhe, the hero of romance, was near relative of the wife of King Amenehet
I. For some unexplained reason he took fright when he heard of the death of the
king Amenehet I and fled from Egypt. When crossing the desert of Sinai he nearly
died of thirst but a tribal chief was so pleased with him that before long Sinuhe
found himself married to the chiefs eldest daughter and in possession of a fine
country and the headship of a tribe.
He grew old and was apparently lonely, for all his children were grow up. A
great longing came over him to return once more to his native land. He therefore
wrote a humble petition to the Pharaoh Sesotrist I begging for permission to
return home. The Pharaoh replied in gracious term and when the letter arrived,
Sinuhe was wildly excited. The letter reached me as I stood in the midst of my
tribe. I touched the dust and I strewed it my hair, I strode about the camp
rejoicing and saying how can such a thing be done to a servant whose heart led
him to stray to barbarous land.
Verily, good indeed is the Benevolent One who had delivered me from
death, who has permitted him to end my life in the residence. He at once settled
all his affairs and travelled to Egypt.
On his arrival at the residence he is received with honor, Ten men behind
and ten men in front of me to conduct me to the palace, and the royal children
stood at the gate to receive me. The interview with the Pharaoh being very
satisfactory, Sinuhe is given a house, such as might have belonged to a councilor,
and meals are brought continually to him by royal children. There was made for
me a pyramid of stone among the pyramids the chief architect undertook the
building for it. The chief draftsman design it. The chief sculptor carved it and the
chief builders of the cemetery busied themselves with it. Chantry priests were
given to me and there was made for me a mortuary estate with the fields near the
tomb as is done for a chief councilor. It was his Majesty who had all his done.
Sinuhe told the account of his life in a short poem in which he contrasts the
misery of his life at the beginning and pleasantness at its close.
Once a fugitive fled in his terror.
Now I am known in the palace of Pharaoh.
Once a weary one fainted in hunger,
Now I have bread to give to give to my neighbor.
Once a man fled from Egypt all naked,
Now I am clothed in white linen garments.
Once a man ran to take his own message,
Now I have slaves and servants in plenty.
Fair is my house and wide is my dwelling,
For I am known in the palace of Pharaoh