Before the Throne

27

HORUS CALLED OUT, “King Merneptah!”

A tall man of middling years came in, marching with his familiar bearing until he took his place before the throne.

Thoth, Recorder of the Divine Court, then read aloud, “He expended his entire ten years of rule in defense of the empire, and did no wrong to anyone.”

Osiris invited him to speak.

“My father lived so long that he did not leave any of his sons even the least hope of assuming the throne,” recounted Merneptah. “Dozens of my siblings died between youth and middle age, until I became the designated heir — then the ruler at age sixty. When the great king vanished, the chieftains of sedition began to stir — so I got up to sling my sword, despite my advanced age. I overcame the upstarts in Asia and totally destroyed an invasion from the West. I took hold of the country’s reins with a firm hand in domestic affairs, and as peace spread at home, security prevailed.”

“You attacked older monuments to erect palaces and temples,” remarked Akhenaten, “engraving upon them the story of your father’s deeds!”

“All my time was absorbed in warfare — I never had time to do any building,” Merneptah replied.

“I can say you are a brilliant commander,” said Thutmose III.

“Thank you, my son,” Isis addressed Merenptah, “for your heroism and sincerity.”

Osiris ordered him, “Go to your place among the Immortals.”