the Book of the Dead ( PDF )

Plate IV.
oldest papyri the body of Osiris is painted white, and he stands upright. Isis is described as "great lady,
divine mother," and Nephthys as "the mistress of the underworld." In British Museum papyrus No. 10471
the scene of the presentation of the deceased to Osiris is unusual and of interest. On the right the scribe
Nekht and his wife Thuau stand with both hands raised in adoration of Osiris. Behind them, upon a
cubit-shaped base, is a house with four windows in its upper half, and upon the roof two triangular
projections similar to those which admit air into modern houses in the East. Before the door are a
sycamore (?) tree and a palm tree, with clusters of fruit; on the left is the god Osiris on his throne, and
behind him stands "Maat, mistress of the two countries, daughter of Ra," above whom are two
outstretched female arms proceeding from a mountain and holding a disk between the hands. In the
centre, between Osiris and the deceased, is a pool of water with three sycamore (?) trees on each side,
and at each corner a palm tree bearing clusters of dates; and from it there springs a vine laden with
bunches of grapes.
In British Museum papyrus No. 10,472 the god seated in the shrine wears the crown of the god Tanen,
and is called "Ptah-Seker-Ausar, within the hidden place, great god, lord of Ta-sert, king of eternity,
prince of the everlasting."
Text: Saith Horus, the son of Isis: "I have come unto thee, O Unnefer, and I have brought the Osiris Ani
unto thee. His heart is [found] righteous coming forth from the balance, and it hath not sinned against
god or goddess. Thoth hath weighed it according to the decree uttered unto him by the company {p. 261}
of the gods; and it is very true and righteous. Grant him cakes and ale; and let him enter into the presence
of Osiris; and may he be like unto the followers of Horus for ever."
Behold, Osiris Ani saith: "O Lord of Amentet (the underworld), I am in thy presence. There is no sin in
me, I have not lied wittingly, nor have I done aught with a false heart. Grant that I may be like unto those
favoured ones who are round about thee, and that I may be an Osiris, greatly favoured of the beautiful
god and beloved of the lord of the world, [I] the royal scribe indeed, who loveth him Ani, triumphant
before the god Osiris."
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