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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SECOND MONTH OF SUMMER 1 ST DAY
The consultation at the Temple was over. The exact form of the petition
had been drawn up and amended. Hori and two Temple scribes had been
busily employed. Now at last the first step had been taken.
The priest signed that the draft of the petition should be read out.
‘To the Most Excellent Spirit Ashayet. This from your
brother and husband. Has the sister forgotten her
brother? Has the mother forgotten the children that were
born to her? Does not the most excellent Ashayet know that
a spirit of evil life menaces her children? Already is Sobek,
her son, passed to Osiris by means of poison.
‘I treated you in life with all honour. I gave you jewels and
dresses, unguents and perfumes and oils for your limbs.
Together we ate of good foods, sitting in peace and amity
with tables loaded before us. When you were ill, I spared
no expense. I procured for you a Master Physician. You
were buried with all honour and with due ceremonies and
all things needful for your life in the hereafter were
provided for you–servants and oxen and food and drink
and jewels and raiment. I mourned for you many years–
and after long long years only did I take a concubine so
that I might live as befits a man not yet old.
‘This concubine it is that now does evil to your children. Do
you not know of this? Perchance you are in ignorance.
Surely if Ashayet knows, she will be swift to come to the aid
of the sons born to her.
‘Is it that Ashayet knows, but the evil is still done because
the concubine is strong in evil magic? Yet surely it is
against your will, most excellent Ashayet. Therefore reflect
that in the Field of Offerings you have great relatives and
powerful helpers. The great and noble Ipi, Chief Butler to
the Visier. Invoke his aid! Also your mother’s brother, the
great and powerful Meriptah, the Nomarch of the
Province. Acquaint him with the shameful truth. Let it be
brought before his court. Let witnesses be summoned. Let
them testify against Nofret that she has done this evil. Let
judgement be given and may Nofret be condemned and let
it be decreed that she do no more evil in this house.
‘Oh, excellent Ashayet, if you are angry with this your
brother Imhotep in that he did listen to this woman’s evil
persuasions and did threaten to do injustice to your chil-
dren that were born of you, then reflect that it is not he
alone that suffers, but your children also. Forgive your
brother Imhotep aught that he has done for the sake of the
children.’
The chief Scribe stopped reading. Mersu nodded approval.
‘It is well expressed. Nothing, I think, has been left out.’ Imhotep rose.
‘I thank you, Reverend Father. My offering shall reach you before to-
morrow’s sun sets–cattle, oil and flax. Shall we fix the day after that for
the Ceremony–the placing of the inscribed bowl in the offering chamber of
the Tomb?’
‘Make it three days from now. The bowl must be inscribed and the pre-
parations made for the necessary rites.’
‘As you will. I am anxious that no more mischief should befall.’
‘I can well understand your anxiety, Imhotep. But have no fear. The
good spirit Ashayet will surely answer this appeal, and her kinsfolk have
authority and power and can deal justice where it is so richly deserved.’
‘May Isis allow that it be so! I thank you, Mersu–and for your care and
cure of my son Yahmose. Come, Hori, we have much that must be seen to.
Let us return to the house. Ah–this petition does indeed lift a weight off
my mind. The excellent Ashayet will not fail her distracted brother.’
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