Osiris the Wise KingIntroduction of Agriculture Isis the Strong QueenConspiracy of SetThe Tragic
FeastOsiris is slainThe Quest of IsisSet the Oppressor"The Opener of the Ways"Birth of
HorusThoth the HealerTree encloses Osiris's BodyIsis as a Foster−motherHer Swallow GuiseFlames
of ImmortalityOsiris brought back to Egypt Torn in Pieces by Set, the Boar HunterIsis recovers
FragmentsGhost of Murdered KingHorus as HamletSuccession of Uncle and SonAgricultural
RitesThe InundationLamentations at Sowing Time and Harvest Osiris and Isis as Corn SpiritsHapi, the
Nile DeityIsis as a Male.
WHEN Osiris was born, a voice from out of the heavens proclaimed: "Now hath come the lord of all things."
The wise man Pamyles had knowledge of the tidings in a holy place at Thebes, and he uttered a cry of
gladness, and told the people that a good and wise king had appeared among men.
When Ra grew old and ascended unto heaven, Osiris sat in his throne and ruled over the land of Egypt. Men
were but savages when he first came amongst them. They hunted wild animals, they wandered in broken
tribes hither and thither, up and down the valley and among the mountains, and the tribes contended fiercely
in battle. Evil were their ways and their desires were sinful.
Osiris ushered in a new age. He made good and binding laws, he uttered just decrees, and he judged with
wisdom between men. He caused peace to prevail at length over all the land of Egypt.
Isis was the queen consort of Osiris, and she was awoman of exceeding great wisdom. Perceiving the need of
mankind, she gathered the ears of barley and wheat which she found growing wild, and these she gave unto
the king. Then Osiris taught men to break up the land which had been under flood) to sow the seed, and, in
due season, to reap the harvest. He instructed them also how to grind corn and knead flour and meal so that
they might have food in plenty. By the wise ruler was the vine trained upon poles, and he cultivated fruit trees
and caused the fruit to be gathered. A father was he unto his people, and he taught them to worship the gods,
to erect temples, and to live holy lives. The hand of man was no longer lifted against his brother. There was
prosperity in the land of Egypt in the days of Osiris the Good.
When the king perceived the excellent works which he had accomplished in Egypt, he went forth to traverse
the whole world with purpose to teach wisdom unto all men, and prevail upon them to abandon their evil
ways. Not by battle conquest did he achieve his triumphs, but by reason of gentle and persuasive speech and
by music and song. Peace followed in his footsteps, and men learned wisdom from his lips.
Isis reigned over the land of Egypt until his return. She was stronger than Set, who regarded with jealous eyes
the good works of his brother, for his heart was full of evil and he loved warfare better than peace. He desired
to stir up rebellion in the kingdom. The queen frustrated his wicked designs. He sought in vain to prevail in
battle against her, so he plotted to overcome Osiris by guile. His followers were seventy and two men who
were subjects of the dusky queen of Ethiopia.