Excursion to the Caves of

Beni-Hassan.

[These caves contain the oldest known paintings in the world, illustrative of the daily life of the ancient Egyptians before the time of Moses. The name of King Osirtasen the First, who reigned B.C. 2020, occurs among the hieroglyphics over an entrance. He ruled over the whole country from the Delta to the Second Cataract.]

Lo! Beni-Hassan's wondrous caves
Enticed our party o'er the waves ;
Leaving our Star with flying pennant
In the safe charge of our lieutenant,
Across the wide Nile we were rowed,
With lots of grub in basket stowed;
Over the sands and fields we wended,
Then up a rugged steep ascended,
Which led us straightway to the spot
In front of a sepulchral grot,

Whose entrance porch afforded shade
Beneath which our repast was made;
For Britons, go where'er they will,

Are in hot haste to take their fill.
This being done, we felt at ease

To roam about where each might please;
So now within the Caves we entered,
And on their walls our gaze was centered;
For each upon its surface bore

A library of painted lore,

Where we the social life might scan
Of this old world's primæval man ;

And truly glad we were to find
He wore no monkey's tail behind!

In fact, he seemed almost to be
Of our sweet selves facsimile.

Like us, they ate and drank and fought,
And fish out of the river caught;

They hunted game, caressed their wives, And led most fashionable lives;

For though their worship was a riddle, Right well they danced to fife and fiddle; And though the ladies wore no stays, Their slender waists deserve our praise;

Excursion to the Caves of

Beni-Hassan.

[These caves contain the oldest known paintings in the world, illustrative of the daily life of the ancient Egyptians before the time of Moses. The name of King Osirtasen the First, who reigned B.C. 2020, occurs among the hieroglyphics over an entrance. He ruled over the whole country from the Delta to the Second Cataract.]

Lo! Beni-Hassan's wondrous caves
Enticed our party o'er the waves ;
Leaving our Star with flying pennant
In the safe charge of our lieutenant,
Across the wide Nile we were rowed,
With lots of grub in basket stowed;
Over the sands and fields we wended,
Then up a rugged steep ascended,
Which led us straightway to the spot
In front of a sepulchral grot,

Whose entrance porch afforded shade.
Beneath which our repast was made;
For Britons, go where'er they will,

Are in hot haste to take their fill.
This being done, we felt at ease

To roam about where each might please;
So now within the Caves we entered,
And on their walls our gaze was centered;
For each upon its surface bore

A library of painted lore,

Where we the social life might scan
Of this old world's primæval man ;

And truly glad we were to find
He wore no monkey's tail behind!

In fact, he seemed almost to be
Of our sweet selves facsimile.

Like us, they ate and drank and fought,

And fish out of the river caught;

They hunted game, caressed their wives, And led most fashionable lives;

For though their worship was a riddle, Right well they danced to fife and fiddle; And though the ladies wore no stays, Their slender waists deserve our praise;