Legends of the Gods

The Egyptian Texts, edited with Translations

by E. A. Wallis Budge

London: Kegan Paul, Trench and Trner & Co. Ltd.

[1912]

THE LEGEND OF THE DESTRUCTION OF MANKIND

CHAPTER III

THEN THE MAJESTY OF THIS GOD SPAKE UNTO THOTH,

[saying] “Let a call go forth for me to the Majesty of the god Seb, saying,
‘Come, with the utmost speed, at once.”‘ And when the Majesty of Seb had come,
the Majesty of this god said unto him, “Let war be made against thy worms (or,
serpents) which are in thee; verily, they shall have fear of me as long as I have
being; but thou knowest their magical powers.

Do thou go to the place where my father Nu is, and say thou unto him, ‘Keep
ward over the worms (or, serpents) which are in the earth and water.’ And moreover,
thou shalt make a writing for each of the nests of thy serpents which are there,
saying, ‘Keep ye guard [lest ye] cause injury to anything.’ They shall know that
I am removing myself [from them], but indeed I shall shine upon them. Since, however,
they indeed wish for a father, thou shalt be a father unto them in this land for
ever.

Moreover, let good heed be taken to the men who have my words of power, and
to those whose mouths have knowledge of such things; verily my own words of power
are there, verily it shall not happen that any shall participate with me in my
protection, by reason of the majesty which hath come into being before me. I will
decree them to thy son Osiris, and their children shall be watched over, the hearts
of their princes shall be obedient (or, ready) by reason of the magical powers
of those who act according to their desire in all the earth through their words
of power which are in their bodies.”