uats of the palace, the chiefs, the governors of the forts (?) of the South and the North, the smeru, the masters of caravans, the overseers of the priests of the South and North, and the overseers of the stewards, were commanding companies of the South and the North, and of the forts and towns which they ruled, and of the Blacks of these countries, but it was I who planned tactics for them, although my rank was only that of an overseer of the estates of Pharaoh of....  No one quarrelled with his fellow, no one stole the food or the sandals of the man on the road, no one stole bread from any town, and no one stole a goat from any encampment of people.  I despatched them from North Island, the gate of Ihetep, the Uart of Heru-neb-Maat.  Having this rank ...  I investigated (?) each of these companies (or regiments); never had any servant investigated (?) companies in this way before.  This army returned in peace, having raided the Land of the dwellers on sand.  This army returned in peace, having thrown down the fortresses thereof.  This army returned in peace, having cut down its fig-trees and vines.  This army returned in peace, having set fire [to the temples] of all its gods.  This army returned in peace, having slain the soldiers there in many tens of thousands.  This army returned in peace, bringing back with it vast numbers of the fighting men thereof as living prisoners.  His Majesty praised me for this exceedingly.  His Majesty sent me to lead this army five times, to raid the Land of the dwellers on sand, whensoever they rebelled with these companies.  I acted in such a way that His Majesty praised me exceedingly.  When it was reported that there was a revolt among the wild desert tribes of the Land of Shert[2] ...  I set out with these warriors in large transports, and sailed until I reached the end of the high land of Thest, to the north of the Land of the dwellers on sand, and when I had led the army up I advanced and attacked the whole body of them, and I slew every rebel among them.

[Footnote 1:  i.e. the nomads on the Marches of the Eastern Desert.]

[Footnote 2:  A part of Syria (?).]

“I was the ... of the Palace, and bearer of the [royal] sandals, when His Majesty the King of the South and North, Merenra, my ever living Lord, made me Duke and Governor of the South land beyond Abu (Elephantine) and of the district north of Aphroditopolis, because I was perfect to the heart of His Majesty, because I was acceptable to the heart of His Majesty, and because the heart of His Majesty was satisfied with me.  I was ... [of the Palace], and sandal-bearer when His Majesty praised me for displaying more watchfulness (or attention) at Court in respect of the appointment of officials for duty than any of his princes, or nobles, or servants.  Never before was this rank bestowed on any servant.  I performed the duties of Governor of the South to the satisfaction [of every one].  No one complained of (or quarrelled with)