|
Koller Papyrus:
A letter concerning Nubian tribute
The fan-bearer at the right hand of the king, the captain of auxiliary
troops, the overseer of the countries of Kush, Paser, writes to him who protects
his people, to wit:
- This communication is brought to thee saying: when my
letter reaches thee thou shalt cause the tribute to be made ready in all its items, in
iwA-bulls, young gA-bulls, wndw-bulls, gazelles, oryxes, ibexes, ostriches; their
broad-boats, cattle-boats and (ordinary) boats being ready to hand(?), their
skippers and their crews prepared for starting; much gold wrought into dishes,
refined gold(?) in bushels(?), good gold, precious stones(?) of the desert in bags
of red cloth, ivory and ebony, ostrich feathers, nebk fruit in .........., bread
of the nebk, Sqrqbj of(?) mjnjxs, HHq, Ssj, panther skins, gum, didy-berries, red jasper,
arnethyst(?), crystal, cats of mjw, baboons, apes, Snw-vessels containing xntj(?)-pigment,
cyperus-roots (?), sacks(?) and ps-packets(??);
numerous men of airmj in front of the revenues, their staves(??) adorned with
gold, ............ containing ......., ......-ed with .............
and with all precious stones; tall men of trk in loin-cloths(?), their fans of
gold, wearing high feathers, their bracelets (??) of woven thread; many Negroes
of all sorts.
Increase thy contribution every year! Have a care for thy head,
and turn thee from thy indolence. Thou art [old]; look to it diligently, and
beware! Be mindful of the day when the revenues are brought, and thou passest
into the Presence beneath the Balcony; the nobles ranged on either side in
front of his Majesty, the chiefs and envoys of every land standing gazing and
looking at the revenues. Thou art afraid and shrinkest(?), thy hand grows feeble,
and thou knowest not whether it be death or life that lies before thee. Thou
art profuse in prayers [to] thy gods: "Save me, prosper me this one time!"
Sources:
Alan H. Gardiner Egyptian Hieratic Papyri, Series I: Literary Texts of the New Kingdom, Part I , Leipzig 1911
|