THE JACKALS’ ADDRESS TO ISIS

Grant Anup’s children this:
To howl with you, Queen Isis,
Over the scattered limbs of wronged Osiris.

What harder fate than to be woman?
She makes and she unmakes her man.

In Jackal-land it is no secret
Who tempted red-haired, ass-eared Set
To such bloody extreme; who most
Must therefore mourn and fret
To pacify the unquiet ghost.

And when Horus your son
Avenges this divulsion
Sceptre in fist, sandals on feet,
We shall return across the sand
From loyal Jackal-land
To gorge five nights and days on ass’s meat.

~ Robert Graves ~