A large portion of the hieroglyphic text of the Bubastite Portal (excerpted below) is a congratulatory speech offered by the Egyptian god Amun to his “son” Sheshonq following his victories over the “Nine Bows,” the traditional enemies of Egypt. Amun lauds the pharaoh for overpowering and dispersing Egypt’s enemies, offers Sheshonq the sword of victory and then concludes with the promise that the king’s victories will be remembered forever.
Welcome in peace, My dear Son …
You have struck down the flat lands and foreign countries,
you have trampled down the Nubian tribesfolk.
Your blade has overpowered the Mentyu upon the sands,
at every moment,
your power [is] victorious [over] all lands.
You have gone forth in victory,
you have returned in valor.
You have united the [flat lands],
served up for you are all the foreign countries
ignorant of Egypt,
who had dared to infringe [your] boundaries.
I have caused their heads to roll,
I imparted victory to your actions …
Your Majesty’s battle-cry pervades the Nine Bows.
Fear of you, it has crushed the hearts
of the foreign countries …
Receive for yourself the Sword, O Victorious King!
Your mace has struck down the
chiefs of the foreign lands!
***
My heart is greatly gladdened, as I have seen your victories,
My son, Sheshonq, whom I love,
for you came forth from Me, to be
My champion.
***
Those who had been many had become as nothing,
perished in the outcome, like one unborn.
All foreign countries come, being bound(?),
Your Majesty had wiped them out in the space of a moment …
I slew of them, under your sandals.
I am your father, the Lord of the Gods,
Amun-Re, Lord of the Thrones of Both Lands,
unique guide, whose actions never fail.
I will cause your valor to be remembered,
(even) hereafter, throughout everlasting.
Translation by Kenneth A. Kitchen, Poetry of Ancient Egypt (Gothenburg, Sweden: Åström, 1999).
