University of Virginia Library

1. LETTER I.
REMESES TO AARON THE HEBREW.

It is with emotions wholly new to me, awakened
by those fraternal ties to which I have been hitherto
entirely a stranger, that I take up my pen to address
you, inscribing at the commencement of my letter the
endearing words, “my brother!” It is true I have lost
much in many respects; but I have also gained much
in the affection of my newly discovered kindred.

After you left us below Memphis, the galley of the
Prince Sesostris sped swiftly down the Nile, and ere
noon we had entered the Pelusian branch. As I passed
the old city of Bubastis, and Pythom, the new treasure-city,
which is rising upon its ruins, I groaned with
heaviness of heart! Around and upon its walls, I beheld
the thousands of my oppressed countrymen toiling,
like Nubian slaves, under the lash of their task-masters!
I could only groan in heart; for what was I

now able to do for them,—myself an exile, and flying
from the land? May the prophecy which exists among
your people (my people), as you asserted in the last long
and interesting conversation we held together, on the
day I embarked, be soon fulfilled! This bondage cannot
continue many years! There is not room in Egypt
for two nations!

At Pelusium we found the prince's fleet awaiting him.
It set sail shortly after our arrival, and coasting by the
shores of Arabia, and passing Askelon, in Philistia, in
seven days we entered the port of Tyre; which is built
upon a rocky isle and peninsula, and rises from the sea
with imposing magnificence.

I was most kindly received by the mother of Sesostris,
whose glad reception of her son made my eyes fill
with tears; for I remembered my (I was going to say,
mother)—the Queen Amense's tenderness, whenever
she met me after the shortest absence.

But I must not refer to the past.

Prince Sesostris treats me in every respect as an equal.
Were I still Prince Remeses of Egypt, he could not
show me more kindness and regard. We have now
been here one month; and in that time I have seen
much of Tyre, but my continued grief for the death of
the beloved queen,—my more than mother,—renders me
quite indifferent to external objects. As the guest of
the prince, I have endeavored to interest myself in what
concerns him. He is engaged earnestly in preparations
for war. The port of Tyre is thronged with war-galleys;
and reviews of troops take place daily, on a plain which
is overhung by the mountain-range of Libanus. The
grandeur of this mountain, in which the earliest worship

of men rose to the gods, deeply impressed me. The
fleet will sail in about one month.

Damascus, Syro-Phœnicia.

Since writing the above I have come to this beautiful
city, which lies in a lovely vale watered by two rivers,
the Abana and Pharphar, that fertilize it and render it
indeed “the garden of the earth”—as it is termed. I
travelled hither with the prince, who has come to take
to wife Thamonda, the fair princess of this city. She is
amiable and sensible, and I rejoice that my princely
friend has such happiness in store! How fortunate for
me, my brother, that while I was Prince of Egypt, I
did not interest myself in any princess, who would be
now humbled and wretched at my degradation! The
nuptial ceremonies will take place soon, and occupy
some days. I wish Sesostris every happiness in his
alliance.

I met here the venerable Prince of Uz. He had travelled
thus far on his return to his own land, which lies on
the borders of Chaldea and Sabæa, and when informed
of my present position was deeply moved. We have
had long and interesting conversations together, upon
the unity of God! which have so deeply absorbed my
reflections, that I have accepted an invitation to visit
him, after I return from Cyprus, whither I accompany
the prince and his bride.

The Palace of the Princess of Damascus.

My beloved Sesostris is married. The ceremonies
were unusually magnificent;—several kings of cities

and princes of provinces being present, with their retinues.
But I do not excel in descriptions of scenes and
festivities, and leave them to the more graceful and easy-pen
of Sesostris. We depart in three days with a gala
procession of horsemen, to return to Tyre.

Isle of Tyre.

Having kept this roll of papyrus with me, I now close
my epistle here, where I commenced writing it, with
the intelligence of our arrival; the happy reception of
her new daughter-in-law, by Queen Epiphia; and with
the announcement that the fleet will set sail within three
days for the Levantine island-kingdom.

Commend me, my brother, with respectful affection,
to my father Amram, to my honored mother, and to my
stately sister, Miriam. Trusting you are all in health
and safety, I am your brother, with profound fraternal
regard,