The Story of Isis and Osiris

by Mitchell Starrett Buck

THE STORY OF ISIS AND OSIRIS

From the Writings of Harkases, the Scribe, Son of Nargases

Collected and Prepared by Mitchell S. Buck

IN the fourth year of the reign of the good king Menephtha, by Divine Right, Pharaoh, Ruler of the Upper and Lower Lands, Beloved by Ra, Guided of the Horus, I, Harkases the scribe, do write.

By royal command I write, that there may be preserved to generations to come the true story of the sublime Osiris, Isis, Beloved of The World, and Horus, the Great King, the Mediator, Prince of the World, gathered to Osiris in Amenti, and there speaking into his father’s ear.

For there be those, even now, who disclaim that which herein is written, saying it is but a fable of the priests, told for good but having in itself no foundation of truth. On all such false people may there fall the curse of the outraged gods. May their lives be saddened, may their deaths be terrible, and their bodies lie unburied on the sands of the desert. May their souls wander forever in the darkest regions of the Tuat (underworld), unjudged, without hope, and without a shell in which to hide.

For all happened truly as I shall write. And, by Osiris, the Judge, hear my words and know that I tell you of that which was, even as set forth here.

Once upon a time, many, many hundreds of years ago, when the world was young, there lived in Egypt a king who was Osiris. And this was at a time when Ra smiled upon the land, and gods yet lived upon the earth. For at a later period they all withdrew in disgust, and found places for themselves in the heavens, leaving man to his evil ways, that he might work out his own salvation, as he could.

Osiris, who was part god and part man, was a son of the divine father of the gods, Seb (or Saturn), and Nut (the heavens). He was wise and brave as all kings should be, and was greatly beloved by the people of Egypt. He was upright in all his works, true and steadfast in all his judgments, even as now he is just in Amenti, waiting to receive us all, and hear from each his case.

He was not alone upon his throne, however, for his sister-wife, Isis, sat beside him, and assisted him with her wise counsel. And Isis, also, was dear to the hearts of the people. She was called Divine Mother, Ruler of The Sea, Protector of Marriage, Source of Life, Eye of The Sun. And wherever she went, about the city wherein was the palace of the king, the people gathered in the streets and cheered most loyally, to assure her of their affection.

So that the kingdom was peaceful and happy, and Isis and Osiris were much pleased with the success of their government over the sons of men.

This king and queen were doubly happy in their life, for that they were given a little son, Prince of Egypt, whose name was Horus. This child was like a sunbeam in the palace, always bright and merry, and was the darling of the people and the pride of his parents.

O Beneficent Horus, ye who didst rule! Ye who even now art struggling for thy people, accept here the homage of the scribe Harkases, he who would be of the Osiris and be at peace, after the passing of his spirit. Thou shining one of the Blessed Trinity, who with thy father Osiris, and thy mother Isis, ever stands before us to teach us of the truths, accept thou of the prayers of the servant. So shall all be well So shall all be well with me.

In the palace of the Osiris dwelt also Nephthys, sister of Isis and Osiris, and Set, their brother. Nephthys was especially the nurse of the little prince, and spent much of her time with him that he might not meet with any mischief. For she was of a noble substance and all the ways of her heart were kind ways.

But Set, the brother, was of a very different sort. He was ill favored, ugly, and very jealous. And, in addition to this, he was envious of his brother and sister who were king and queen of Egypt, and was always turning over in his dark mind some scheme whereby he might secure the throne for himself. But as long as he kept to himself, no one about the palace was much troubled at his presence. And, more and more, he drew away from the people about him, and became wrapped up in his own evil thoughts. So that, when even his kindred spoke pleasantly to him, he only growled and turned away. And, although this at first made them unhappy, they soon came to expect it, and at last ceased to give serious thought to the matter.

Also in the palace was Anubis, son of Set, by Nephthys, he who was good, and who accompanied the Divine Mother in her wanderings, as thou shalt see.

Now, Isis and Osiris, being more learned than the mortals about them, knew many things that they desired to impart to the people of Egypt. Chief among these was the art of Agriculture, tilling the soil and planting it to the best advantage; timing their work by the blessed floods of the Sacred Nile, and other matters of a like nature. And these secrets the people were very glad to have, because by securing noble harvests they would become prosperous, rich, and happier than ever.

And therefore, whilst Isis remained with the infant Horus, Osiris traveled about the land of Egypt, instructing the people in all wisdom, and receiving homage from all. So was all the land calm and thriving, under the guidance of its wise king and queen.

But there gathered a cloud in the heart of Set (whom ye of priesthood know as Typhon) so that his evil mind (Guard me, Osiris!) conceived an horrible conspiracy against Osiris, the good and noble king. Therefore did Set gather about him discontented ones to the number of threescore, ten and two, among whom was Aso, Queen of Æthiopia, that they might devise a plan whereby the throne of Egypt would be delivered over to the dominion of evil.

So was there made a beautiful chest of ebony, overlaid with gold and many precious stones. And this chest was of the size of a man, even of the size of Osiris, the glorious king. This being done, a banquet was prepared at which the conspirators were to sit, and a message of greeting was sent to Osiris, asking that he come and honor the feast with his presence. And Osiris, suspecting no evil, came with a good heart.

In the midst of the feast, there was produced the chest of which I have written. And, when all had admired its beauty and the workmanship thereon, Set announced that, of his open heart, would he give even the chest to he who could rest therein in comfort. Whereupon, Osiris, urged by those about him, entered and lay within the chest, which was for him a perfect match. But ere he could arise again therefrom, Set closed the lid upon him, and imprisoned him in the confines of the chest. Wherefore the evil company cried aloud in triumph, and, seizing the chest, carried it to the border of the Nile and threw it therein.

Weep, ye who read, at this deed of fearful darkness. This vile horror upon the noble Osiris, at the remembrance of which the gods cry aloud as they sail the seas above the sky. And, when thy lamentations be finished, read on, for but the first of my writing is finished.

Divine Ra, who, in thy Sektet boat rideth daily upon the celestial seas: Thou who risest from, and settest in, as a hidden being, a secret place: guide thou my hand as I write. The gods rejoice in thee, and places beyond the mind of man sing praises to thy glory. Divine Osiris—Isis—Beneficent Horus—be with me as I write of thee, and bear witness that my words are true words.

And so it happened that the chest containing the Osiris drifted down the waters of the river for many days, until it rested at last upon the bosom of the sea. And, in time, drifted near the coast of Phœnicia, finally being stopped by a bush that grew upon the water’s edge. And Ra, whose hand was stretched out in pity toward the Osiris, spoke from his mysterious mind to the bush whereon lay the chest. And the bush was an Erica. So, behold, the bush grew before its time, rising, a mighty tree, toward the heavens. And, as it grew, it clasped to its heart the chest of the Osiris, so that when it stood at last, tall and straight and beautiful, the chest was quite within it, hidden from the eye of man.

And Ra appeared in a dream to Melcarthus, King of Byblus, and told him of the mighty tree that had grown upon the water’s edge. For Melcarthus was building a palace wherein to live, and to support the roof thereof, were needed strong, true trees. And Melcarthus journeyed to the water’s edge, and, behold, there was the tree, even as he had seen it in his dream. So, knowing naught of the cause thereof, he took the tree and set it within his palace, even as a support for the mighty roof. Thus was the Osiris drawn from the waters and placed safe against the time for his coming forth from the chest.

Now, when it happened that Isis the queen saw not her lord, and heard no word from him, that she grew troubled with many fears. And as the days passed in darkness to her, her cheeks grew pale and her eyes large and dark with weeping for her brother and her king. And she hid herself from the sight of men, for her heart was heavy within her. So that she lifted her voice in sorrow, and thus cried out the bitterness of her spirit:

"Come to thy queen, Osiris,
Come, for thy sister cries aloud to thee.
Come to thy queen, Osiris,
Hear thou my cries, God An, and come to me.
My heart is heavy with its weight of woe,
Ah! Travel not to where I may not go,
Return, Beloved, as I cry to thee!
Come to thy love, Osiris,
Come, change my darkness into brightest day.
Come to thy love, Osiris,
Come to the heart that breaks for thee, Osiris,
Thou who by evil works art drawn away.
Ah, my Beloved, lost upon the sea,
Hear thou my prayers, and come again to me.
Return, Beloved, as a new-born day!"

And she wept many tears, nor could the words of any avail to comfort her. Until it happened, upon a night, that she lay upon her couch and slept. And, behold, Ra appeared in a dream, and counseled her that she depart from the palace, wherein she was, and rest not until she had found tidings of him who was lost. Bidding her meanwhile to be of good cheer and a stout heart.

Accordingly, upon the following day, she called unto her the counsellors and able men of the kingdom, and charged them with the rule of Egypt, telling them of her dream, and that she had no course save to depart into the world, nor return therefrom until it be that she receive tidings of the Osiris. Also to this end did she place the child Horus at Butos, where it was that he would be safe and cared for as best suited his station. And so Isis, the gentle and noble queen, accompanied by Nephthys, her sister, went forth in sadness from the palace. Nor did Anubis tarry in the palace, but followed them in the hope of being of value in the search. For to Isis did Anubis owe his upbringing. As Nephthys, his mother, was in fear of Set, and, at the word of Isis, had given the child to her, that he might be cared for and taught all that was proper and just.

Long did they journey, searching diligently at all points in their wanderings, and all without avail. Until there came to Isis another vision, and Ra stood before her, saying:

"Restrain thy tears; restrain thy tears.
The steadfast heart within thy breast
Calls me to help thee in thy search.
Go thou to Byblus, where the Queen
Will give thee shelter. There thou shalt
Receive the tidings of thy lord.
Restrain thy tears. Restrain thy tears.
Hark to my words, for thou shalt find."

Also told he of the device whereby she might arrive safely within the palace. For he placed within her hand a vial of perfume, subtly sweet. And this perfume placed Isis upon her hair. So that in Byblus she sat before the fountain, and loosed her hair to the breeze. And the perfume called to the children of the king, so that they came to her; nor could they bear to be parted her from. Wherefor Saosis, the queen, drew near unto Isis, and besought her that she would tarry within the palace, that she might care for the children and be even as a nurse to them.

And so it happened that Isis entered the palace, and saw therein the pillar wherein was the chest of the Osiris. And when Isis drew near, her heart leaped within her, for, from the pillar she heard a voice, and knew that within the pillar was the Osiris calling to her. So, as the knowledge came to her, she wept, and the people marveled thereat, knowing naught of the cause thereof.

In this manner was Isis placed as nurse in the palace of the king at Byblus. And so did she rest, biding the time when she might release the Osiris from the pillar wherein he was. And so, in secret, did she plan to favor the king, that he might be kind and grant her that she might open the pillar. To this end she drew Asophles, son of the king, apart from the other children. And in the night when all prying eyes were closed in sleep did she place him in a magic fire. And each night the fire consumed a part of his mortality, so that, when the enchantment should be completed, he would rise immortal and strong from the ashes. So, whilst at night the child stood within the fire, Isis, transformed into a swallow, flew about the pillar of Erica wood, and cried, sometime in sorrow and sometime in hope, to her lord the Osiris. And she sang the words of the swallow, even those which have been from time immemorial:

"I am a swallow, I am a swallow.
The ways of the gods are open unto me.
My words are true words.
Behold the swallow.
Hail ye, gods whose breath is life!
Hail ye, gods who keep the doors!
Hail ye, who keep the Pool of Double Fire!
Now may I enter in, and yet pass forth,
And cry to thee to tell of my desire!"

Now it happened, upon a night, that Saosis, the queen, slept but ill. And she arose from her couch that she might walk about the palace. Thus did she come within the hall wherein was the pillar, and there she saw her son in the midst of a strange fire, and she cried out. So as she cried, there was a great noise, even as that of thunder, and the fire that was about her son sank into the earth whence it had come. And as she marveled thereat, behold, Isis stood before her, and Isis spake unto her, telling truly who she was.

"But know, O queen," said she, "that thy voice, breaking the solemn silence of the hour, has destroyed the enchantment with which I was minded to grace thy son. So that, although thou wilt find him as before, the strength of the unfinished charm is destroyed and he stands but a mortal, nor can he again submit to the ordeal of the fire. But though my charm, which was for good, has failed, I will yet ask thee for that which I desire. Even that which is within the pillar which is before thee. For, by the mysterious ways of Ra, I have been led here to know that within is the body of the Osiris, even that which I seek, and that which I would carry with me into Egypt."

So she spake to the queen and to the king, and their hearts were softened toward her. And they cut within the pillar and found therein the chest of which Isis had told them. Whereupon Isis drew unto her Nephthys, her sister, and Anubis, and they with the chest left the city of Byblus that they might return into Egypt.

So did they travel many days, until they drew near their own city, even that where was the palace of Isis wherein she had dwelt. Wherefore did they conceal the chest wherein was the Osiris, that they might return for it when they had passed within the city and had observed all matters therein. So when they had done this, they came to the gates of the city and passed within, and the people gave a glad cry of welcome for that the queen had returned.

Then entered they the palace, and found all things even as was right, for the counsellors had governed well. So that Isis ascended the throne of Egypt and sat alone thereon, whilst all the people cried welcome to her.

Now, during all the days wherein the Divine Mother wandered, the evil Set had remained quiet and had done no mischief. For into his heart had crept a tinge of sorrow for the works which he had done, and therefore was he content to wait and do no more evil until he had seen all that came of that which he had done. Also did he fear the people of Egypt, for although he was admired and sought by many, the greater number of people at that time turned their faces from him.

And it chanced that soon after the return of Isis, Set went abroad upon a night to hunt swine. And there came a large beast before him, and the beast fled so that he followed it in chase. So as he ran it happened that he passed through a clump of bushes, even those wherein was hidden the chest of the Osiris. And Set observed the chest and knew that which it was. Whereupon there came into his heart bitter and angry thoughts, so that he became in a great rage. And he opened the chest and took therefrom the body of the Osiris. So that, as he raged, he ran about the land, tearing the body to pieces as he ran, and scattering the pieces to the winds. And, in all, the number of the pieces was fourteen. And when he had completed this fearful act, he crept silently into the palace, and sought his chamber.

Now upon the following morning went Isis forth from the palace to the place where she had hidden the Osiris. And when she arrived thereat, she saw that which had been done. So that she fell upon the ground and wailed aloud. When she had wept, took she counsel of her heart. For the heart of Isis was greater than the heart of a woman, being of a noble substance and a steadfast purpose. And when she had reasoned well, she returned to the palace, and sent messengers to Horus who was yet at Butos. And Horus came unto her, and he was a man—strong, able and good. Therefore did she set him upon the throne to care for Egypt, whilst she went forth yet again to find the body of her lord.

And she traveled much about the country, and found the members of the Osiris. So that, at each place where she came upon a piece, that did she place within a statue of wax, each statue being molded even as the Osiris. And these statues did she place in the temples near which each piece was found. And Isis charged the priests of the temples, saying:

"Behold the body of the Osiris!
Watch over it and guard it well.
For it is sacred. For it is holy.
Implant it in a noble tomb,
And speak not of the wax that covers it.
I, even Isis, charge thee so."

And all this did Isis in order that the Osiris might not again fall into the hands of Set, reasoning well that, should Set search for the body, he would find himself confused at finding so many places where the body was claimed to be. And this happened even as she had reasoned, and Set became confused and dumfounded so that he sought to do no more damage to the Osiris.

But of the fourteen pieces into which the Osiris had been torn, could Isis find but thirteen. For that the phallus, falling into the waters, had been eaten by the lipidotus, phagrus, and oxyrhnchus fishes. And these fishes as ye know, people of Egypt, do ye eat not nor catch, and for the reason of this deed which they committed.

Now Isis accordingly fashioned a phallus which was of wax, and this she placed in the fourteenth statue. And of this statue was there made a special charge, for that it was more noble than any of the others which contained the flesh.

Thus was the disposition of the noble Osiris. And it was night whilst Osiris-Ra, deprived of his powers of life, shone not upon the earth, whilst the divine Isis, alone and unwarmed, wept for that which was gone—for sorrow at the darkness, for him who had passed from the horizon of Manu.

Homage to thee, Osiris-Ra, who risest amidst the hymns of praise to thee, and who settest in beauty and glory. Thou shinest as a great light as thou stridest over the heaven. Homage to thee! The forces of the north, of the south, of the east, and of the west praise thee, O thou who art of a divine substance. O grant thou unto me a path whereon I may pass in peace; for I am just and true, I have not spoken lies wittingly, nor have I done aught with deceit. And bear thou witness that all these things were, even as I, Harkases the scribe, have set them forth.

Now, then, did the evil Set go forth from the palace of Isis, for that he feared for himself, from her, because of that which he had done. Albeit she did not know of a certainty that he it was who had done that which had been done.

And then, behold, there came a light within the palace, even as the light of a new-born day. And this light was Osiris who had returned from Amenti that he might speak with his son, even Horus. And to Horus did Osiris relate all that had happened to him, and he counseled him as to all things which he should do. Great wisdom did Horus learn from his father Osiris. Then went Osiris unto Isis and revealed himself to her, and great was her joy over him. And Osiris abode in the palace for a space, so that ere he returned to Amenti, there was sown in Isis that seed which blossomed as Harpocrates.

Because of that which he now knew, did Horus gather unto him a great army, that he might war upon Set and do him damage. For Set had raised great revolt in the kingdom, and had become powerful in a measure. And with her son, went Isis to the battle, and she held in her hand the sistrum. So that the army of those who revolted was put to rout, and Set was vanquished and led captive to the palace of Isis.

Whereupon Horus, in the justice of his decree, opened the way to Isis, that she, even as one who had been wronged, might satisfy her vengeance upon the cruel Set. But when things came to pass that Set stood before Isis, that she might slay him, he pleaded with her most eloquently, so that her heart failed her against his blood, and would not permit her to do that which should be done. And in the pity of her heart she came privately to him where he lay in prison, and opened the doors to him that he might flee and his life be spared.

Alas for this one great weakness! And when Horus heard thereof, he came unto Isis and charged her heavily of that which she had done. And his heart grew cold towards her, so that he took the diadem from her brow, that it might be his. Then did he ascend the throne of Egypt to rule alone. And his rule was wise and good, for he was just and his wisdom was even as that of the gods.

And ofttimes fought he Set, but could never avail to conquer him utterly. An avenger was he, and smote he well the murderer of his father Osiris. Albeit his work was undone through the one weakness in the heart of Isis.

He fights for ye, Children of Egypt, even to this day as ye know. But to no man is it given to know how the battle will end.

The heart of the noble Thoth was touched with pity for the shame of the uncrowned Isis. And so, by command of Ra, he placed upon her brow the horns and disc as ornaments. And these she wears even to this day. For, withdrawing from earth, in a manner which man may not understand, she went where thou mayest see her in the even, an thou wilt turn thine eyes to Sirius, which same is the noble mother Isis.

And now is there no more that Harkases the scribe may write. The records of the past there are, that bear witness to the truth of that which I have written. And the light of Osiris-Ra there is, within thy heart, which will explain to you these things. So pray ye to those who have lived and suffered that the world might be the better therefore. For others shall there be, and much of sorrow, as it is given me to know. And while ye to Osiris direct prayers, that, through such mediation, they may pass to the Ever Living and True God of Gods, others shall pray to such as shall die, that the Divine Spirit may hear and observe their words.

Turn thy face to the sky, beyond which lieth that of which no man may know until his appointed time, and direct thy thoughts with reverence. And say a word for Harkases the scribe, that he may be. lightly judged by Osiris, in the dread halls of Amenti, and come forth by day, even as is most to be desired.

I have finished.