Warwick,

I aske the same question about the original text, especially in light of Roxana's question about the meaning of places. I haven't been able to locate the text or a transcription; there are several known copies. The usual AE word for "place" would be "st," but the meaning of this word in context could vary depending on the determinative used. Budge -- no loner (or perhaps never) the most relaible of sources has this translation of the relevant passage:



I have heard the words of Imhetep and Herutataf,
Which are treasured above everything because they uttered them.
Consider what hath become of their tombs!
Their walls have been thrown down;
Their places are no more;
They are just as if they had never existed.

He obviously thought this referred to tombs and contextually that seems right to me: the poem essentially says why bother to build a tomb since it won't last (and doesn't help anyway).

I'll keep looking; the text has to be available somewhere even if not online.

Lee