The Egyptian Resheph was willing
To play many roles. Thus, he was
Patron of gazelles, curer of plague,
Causer of plague, horseleech, god
Of arrow-makers and god
Of chariots and horses. Exiled
From the palace he became a brewer,
Popular with ordinary folk.
He once filled in for Apollo in Cyprus
And marches in a parade in the Bible
Where he also, curiously,
Is one of the grandsons of Ephraim.
He was the chief god of Atanni, Gunu,
Tunip, Schechem and of one quarter
Of Ebla. If you build him a shrine
(You should be building a shrine
To someone if not Resheph) include
Plenty of arrows, horses and bolts
Of vaguely anthropomorphic lightning.
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