Petersburg. The papyrus has not yet been published,
either in facsimile or transcription. But two translations of it have
appeared by M. Golenischeff: from the earlier a modified translation is
given by Maspero in the "Contes Populaires," 2nd edit., pp. 133-146,
and the later translation is in M. Golenischeff's excellent
"Inventaire de la collection Egyptienne (Ermitage Imperial)," p.
177-182.
The tale is that of a returned sailor, speaking to his superior and
telling his adventures, to induce him to send him on with an
introduction to the king. At first his master professes to disbelieve
him, and then the sailor protests that this happened to himself, and
gives his narrative. The idea of an enchanted island, which has risen
from the waves and will sink again, is here found to be one of the
oldest plots for a tale of marvels. But the construction is far more
advanced than that of the tales of the magicians. The family of serpents
and the manner of the great serpent is well conceived, and there are
many fine touches of literary quality: such as noise as of thunder, the
trees shaking and the earth being moved at the appearance of the great
serpent--the speeches of the serpent and his threat--the sailors who had
seen heaven and earth--the contempt of the serpent for his offerings,
"As for me, I am prince of the land of Punt, and I have perfumes"--and
the scene of departure.
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