Sir H Rider Haggard

Cleopatra Sir H Rider Haggard

I, Harmachis, Hereditary Priest of the Temple, reared by the divine Sethi, aforetime a Pharaoh of Egypt, and now justified in Osiris and ruling in Amenti. I, Harmachis, by right Divine and by true descent of blood King of the Double Crown, and Pharaoh of the Upper and Lower Land. I, Harmachis, who cast aside the opening flower of our hope, who turned from the glorious path, who forgot the voice of God in hearkening to the voice of woman. I, Harmachis, the fallen, in whom are gathered up all woes as waters are gathered in a desert well, who have tasted of every shame, who through betrayal have betrayed, who in losing the glory that is here have lost the glory which is to be, who am utterly undone I write, and, by Him who sleeps at Abouthis, I write the truth. O Egypt! dear land of Khem, whose black soil nourished up my mortal part land that I have betrayed O Osiris! Isis! Horus! ye Gods of Egypt whom I have betrayed! O ye temples whose pylons strike the sky, whose faith I have betrayed! O Royal blood of the Pharaohs of eld, that yet runs within these withered veins whose virtue I have betrayed! O Invisible Essence of all Good! and O Fate, whose balance rested on my hand hear me; and, to the day of utter doom, bear me witness that I write the truth.