O'er hottest fires! Thus to defile those sacred halls Recording on their storied walls 13 From MENES, founder of thy race, Each regal name thou here didst place, Might render tribute to their glory, In history's pages. 14 And though thy race be passed away Still be thy deed Held by all noble souls in honour, Though mourning Egypt wears upon her The widow's weed: 15 Though her great day of might be gone, And her degenerate sons now groan 'Neath tyrant's sway, Still let the memory of the past 16 Having thus moralised awhile, For our own dinner ; For PHARAOH's self, were he our judge, Would not some crumbs of comfort grudge To a poor sinner ! 17 To Nature having tribute paid, Back to our boats all haste we made, Halting awhile At the Copt's hospitable gate Right glad to sleep, though somewhat late, On dear old Nile! The Temple of Denderah. (The Ancient Tentyra.) [This is one of the most perfect of old Egyptian temples, and was in course of erection when Christ lived at Jerusalem in the reign of Ptolemy XI. It was dedicated to ATHOR, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, before whom the sculptures, which cover the walls, represent the kings of Egypt with propitiatory offerings in their hands; and among them is the celebrated Queen Cleopatra.] I BEHOLD another wonder of the Nile! Another glimpse into the misty past! Within TENTYRA'S desolated pile We roved 'mid sculptured walls and columns vast, Where none dared enter once save king or priest; But now, profaned by tread of man and beast. Enough 'tis time to end our ramble, So downward to the boat we scramble; Once, more remount each scarlet saddle, And homeward to our boat skedaddle. [The ruined temples of SETHOS and RAMESES II. at Abydus are among the chief attractions of the Nile. They date from the fourteenth century B.C., which appears to have been the “Augustan age" of Egypt; during which art and architecture attained their highest development. In each of these temples a tablet was placed, whereon was recorded a complete list of the seventysix kings, from MENES downwards. That of SETHOS is quite perfect, and supplements what is wanting in the broken tablet of RAMESES in the British Museum.] I HELP! Muse of Egypt! if there be Oh! aid my verse! Our ride on asses from ABYDUS, Preceded by a man to guide us, I'll now rehearse. 2 Our route lay o'er twelve miles of ground, Our beasts no bigger than a hound; |