Ancient Egyptian legends

								

of the Moon, the son of Amon-Ra and of Mut, Lady of Ashru, and men
represent him with the curled lock of youth, for he is ever young and
beautiful.
Then the King stood before the great statue of Khonsu in Thebes
Neferhotep and said, "O my good Lord, I come again into thy presence
on account of the daughter of the prince of Bekhten."
Then the priests lifted the statue of Khonsu in Thebes Neferhotep and
placed it in front of Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons.  And the King
spoke again before Khonsu in Thebes Neferhotep and said, "My good
Lord, turn thy face to Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons.  Grant that he
may go to Bekhten."
Khonsu in Thebes Neferhotep inclined his head twice in token of
assent.  Very marvellous was the figure of Khonsu in Thebes
Neferhotep.
And yet again King Rameses spoke, "Let thy protection be with him.
Grant that I may send the Majesty of Khonsu to Bekhten to save
Bent-reshy, the little sister of the Great Royal Wife."
Khonsu in Thebes Neferhotep inclined his head twice in token of
assent.  Very marvellous was the figure of Khonsu in Thebes
Neferhotep.  And he gave his magical protection four times to Khonsu,
the Expeller of Demons.
Then King Barneses gave command, and Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons,
was placed in the Great Boat; and around the Great Boat were five
small boats, with chariots and horses, numerous and splendid, on the
right hand and on the left.  The retinue of Khonsu, the Expeller of
Demons, was the retinue of a king.  For a year and five months they
journeyed until they reached Bekhten.
The prince of Bekhten came out with his bowmen and his courtiers to
meet Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons, with a royal welcome, and they
entered into his presence as into the presence of a king.  The prince
of Bekhten fell on his knees and laid his forehead on the ground at
the feet of Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons, and said, "Thou hast come
to us.  O, be kind to us according to the words of Rameses, King of
Egypt."
They brought Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons, to the chamber of
Bent-reshy, the little sister of the Great Royal Wife; and he made a
magical protection over her.  Lo, there happened a wonder and a
marvel, for she was well and whole in a moment.
Then the spirit, who had been in her, spoke in the presence of
Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons, "Thou hast come in peace, O great
God, Expeller of Demons.  Bekhten is thy city, its people are thy
slaves.  I bow before thee, for I also am thy slave.  I will go to
that place from which I came that thy heart may have peace.  But ere
I go, let the Majesty of Khonsu give command that a holy day be made
for me by the prince of Bekhten."
When he had heard these words, Khonsu, the Expeller of Demons,
inclined his head to the priest and said, "Let the prince of Bekhten
make a great sacrifice for this spirit."
The prince of Bekhten, and his soldiers and his courtiers heard the
voices of the spirit and of the god, and they trembled and were