7
In contrast to the
sDm.in=f, the relative infrequency of the aHa.n form in the Eloquent
Peasant causes these clauses to stand out, giving greater stress to the action they present. In two
instances, for example, back-to-back
aHa.n forms emphasize the act of beating the peasant:
Parkinson, Eloquent Peasant 13 (= B1 53-54; R 11.2-11.4)
aHa.n TA.n=f n=f iAAy.t n.t isr wAD r=f
aHa.n aAg.n=f a.t=f nb.t im=s
nHm aA.w=f
Then he seized for himself a rod of green tamarisk.
Then he thrashed his every limb with it, and his donkeys were taken away.
As Collier notes, one would expect the beating to be presented as a direct consequence of seizing
the rod because these two actions seem more closely linked than the beating and the seizure of
the donkeys. According to Collier, “the separation of the two components of the beating [into
two main clauses] gives dramatic effect and constitutes the highlight of this section of the text
with the seizure of the donkeys treated as a further element of the punishment section.”
continuative verb
nHm tying the seizure to the beating is the only continuative used in the tale,
stressing the unexpected link made between these two actions.
Back-to-back
aHa.n’s also occur in the short narrative section between the second and
third petitions:
Parkinson, Eloquent Peasant 31 (= B1 215-218)
ist rf Dd.n sxty pn md.t tn n imy-r pr wr mrw sA rnsy r pgA n arry.t
aHa.n rdi.n=f aHa imy-sA 2 r=f Xr smi.w
aHa.n aAg<.n>=sn a.t=f nb.t im
Now, this peasant said this speech to the chief steward Meru’s son Rensy at the entrance of the
hall of judgement.
Then he set two attendants against him carrying whips.
Then they beat his every limb.
16
Collier, "The Language of Literature: On Grammar and Texture," 535.
Convention