1/17/2012

Hymn to Sekhmet-Bast


Mother of the gods, the One, the Only,
Mistress of the Crowns, thou rulest all;
Sekhmet is thy name when thou are wrathful,
Bast, beloved, when thy people call.
Daughter of the sun, with flame and fury
Flashing from the prow upon the foe;
Safely sails the boat with thy protection
Passing scatheless where thy fires glow.
Daughter of the Sun, the burial chamber
Lies in the darkness til thy light appears.
From thy Throne of Silence send us comfort,
Bast, beloved, banish all our fears.
Mother of the gods, no gods existed
Til thou camest there and gave them life.
Sekhmet of the boat, the wicked fear thee
Trampling down all evil and all strife.
Mother of the gods, the great, the loved one,
Winged and mighty, unto thee we call,
Naming thee the Comforter, the Ruler
Bast, beloved, Mother of us all.

(From The Egyptian Book of the Dead )