Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile By H. D. Rawnsley |
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| XXVIII. | XXVIII AHMED THE CARPENTER |
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 | Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile |  |
63
XXVIII AHMED THE CARPENTER
Ahmed, the carpenter, breaker of tombs,
What was the gain of the task for you—
You who entered the Pyramid wombs,
Rifled the dwelling of Nefer-as-u?
What was the gain of the task for you—
You who entered the Pyramid wombs,
Rifled the dwelling of Nefer-as-u?
Was it the mummy in mask of gold
When you lifted the black sarcophagus lid?
Or wonder of heart and eyes to behold
The god who builded the Pyramid?
When you lifted the black sarcophagus lid?
Or wonder of heart and eyes to behold
The god who builded the Pyramid?
How you tunnelled away in the dark and the heat,
Slept to dream of the meed and the moil,
Felt the dust was laid with your sweat,
Saw your hands run red with your toil,—
Slept to dream of the meed and the moil,
Felt the dust was laid with your sweat,
Saw your hands run red with your toil,—
This is not written; but there are the scars
Your hammer made, when you broke your way,
Here is your name in the ‘Chamber of stars,’
Ahmed the carpenter,—Fame was your pay!
Your hammer made, when you broke your way,
Here is your name in the ‘Chamber of stars,’
Ahmed the carpenter,—Fame was your pay!
Note.—The name of ‘Ahmed the Carpenter’ is written in red paint or ink within one of the chambers of the Pyramid of Unas, last king of the fifth dynasty, called ‘Neferasu,’ which lies south-east of the Step Pyramid at Sakkarah.
It is generally believed that ‘Ahmed’ was the man who, about the year a.d. 820, broke his way into the great Pyramid at Gîzeh.
| Idylls and Lyrics of The Nile | |