'Hymn to the Aten'
Thou lightest up so beautifully
at eastern end of the sky.
The earth is drenched in light,
and the darkness is no more.
Splendor and majesty is Thy garment,
Thou who art enveloped in light.
As Thou risest,
all the lands are filled with Thy beauty.
Thy rays embrace the nations,
yea, everything that Thou hast made.
Thou bindest them by Love.
The mountains are illuminated by Thee.
Thou art responsible for seeing that the springs
flow through the valleys,
wandering amongst the mountains.
They drench the fields,
and the beasts quench their thirst.
Thou fillest up the earth
from your robe of clouds,
that bread and wine may emerge.
All the cattle are satisfied with their pasture,
and all the trees and plants are in bloom.
The birds flutter from the twigs,
their wings arising in adoration of Thee.
Although Thou art far away,
Thy rays still reach the earth.
Although Thou art high above,
the day is Thy footstep down here.
As Thou disappearest from the western sky,
the world is drenched in darkness.
The sleepers rest in their chambers,
their heads covered, no eye seeth the other.
If their belongings are taken by thieves from
under the head,
they do not perceive it.
Every beast of prey now leaves its cave,
and all the snakes they sting.
Night comes, the world has fallen silent,
at the edge of the sky Thou has gone to rest.
How great is the number of Thy works
that are hidden from sight.
The earth is full of Thy belongings.
All are waiting for Thee,
that Thou mayest give nourishment to them
at their time.
When Thou openest Thy hand, they collect,
and are satiated with good things.
When Thou hidest Thy face, they are frightened.
When Thou takest their breath, they die
and turn to dust.
When Thou sendest forth Thy breath
they are created,
and Thou renewest the face of the earth
according to Thine image.
Every path is opened by Thine appearance.
The fish in the stream leap before Thine eyes
and Thy rays are in the midst of the great sea.
Magnificent is Thy majesty.
Thou createst the earth after Thine own will,
with man, cattle and all other animals,
large and small, everything that filleth the earth,
that walketh on feet,
that flyeth on wings high above.
Thou art the One who giveth his breath
to keep all creatures alive.
Thou art the One who giveth life to the child in the womb
and who created the seed in man.
Who giveth life to the son in his mother's womb.
Who calmeth him so that his tears subside.
Thou nurse in a mother's womb!
On the day of his birth Thou openest his mouth
completely and takest care of his needs.
Each one Thou puttest in his place
and his days announce the work of Thine hands.
One day telleth the next -
without language or words,
with inaudible voice.
Thou art in my heart,
there is no other that knoweth Thee,
save for Thy son Ekhnaton -
the king that lives by truth.
Thou hast initiated him into Thy plans -
Thou Master in eternity!he day is Thy footstep here.
Ekhnaton's Song - 1. Part
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