Babylonian and Assyrian Literature Part 6

[Footnote 8: "Gibil," the G.o.d of fire and spells and witchcraft.]

[Footnote 9: "Ner-gal," director of the storms, the giant King of War, the strong begetter.]

[Footnote 10: "Rimmon," the G.o.d of storms and hurricanes.]

[Footnote 11: "Nin-a-zu," the G.o.ddess of fate and death.]

[Footnote 12: "Zi-pis-au-ni," spirits of the papyri, or reeds.]

[Footnote 13: Mountain range of Zu. The ancient name is unknown, but as Susa takes its name from Zu, the divine bird of the storm-cloud, we have given the mountains of Susiana their probable ancient name.]

[Footnote 14: "Dib-bara" ("the darkening one"), the son of Nuk-khu. He is supposed to have been the viceroy of Khumbaba, and led the attack upon Erech.]

[Footnote 15: "Nuk-hu," or "Nuk-khu," the G.o.d of darkness and sleep. He is sometimes called "Cus-u."]

[Footnote 16: "Suk-ha," wood or grove, or a forest.]

[Footnote 17: "Hal-ca!" "Go!"]

[Footnote 18: "Ca is-kab-bu! va kal-bu!" "Thou fool and dog!" "Ca"

("thou") is the short form of "cat-ta" or "ca'a"; generally it appears as "at-ta."]

[Footnote 19: "Sar-dan-nu," the great King.]

COLUMN III

IZDUBAR RELATES HIS SECOND DREAM TO HIS SEERS, WHO CANNOT INTERPRET IT

The counsellors a.s.sembled round the throne Within the council halls of _zam-at_[1] stone, Now greet their monarch, and behold his face With trouble written on his brow, and trace Uneasiness within that eagle eye, While he with stately tread, yet wearily His throne approached; he turned to the mu-di,[2]

And swept a glance upon his khas-iz-i.[3]

Uneasy they all eyed his troubled face, For he had ridden at a furious pace.

The _abuli_[4] had told them on that morn, How he across the plains had wildly torn To drive away some vision of the night.

One asked, "Hath our Sardan-nu's dreams been light?

Or hath dread phantoms o'er thy pillow hung?

For trouble on thy countenance hath clung."

The monarch startled at the question eyes The councillor, and to him thus replies: "'Tis true, my counsellors and wisest men, I dreamed a fearful dream Sat mu-si;[5] when I have disclosed it, if one clear reveals Its meaning all and naught from me conceals, On him will I the greatest wealth bestow: I will enn.o.ble him, and the _sib-zu_[6]

A _ku-bar-ra_[7] for him shall rich prepare; As my _tur-tan-u_[8] he shall be, and seer, Decked with a golden chain shall next preside At every feast, and break his bread beside The King, and highest rank he shall attain 'Mong counsellors, and mine own favor gain; And seven wives to him I will allow, And a grand palace. This as King I vow, The scribe it shall enroll above my seal As Erech's Sar's decree beyond repeal.

"I dreamed upon my _dum-khi_[9] fast asleep, The stars from heaven fell from yonder deep To earth; and one, with fierceful heat my back Did pierce as molten fire, and left its track Of flames like some huge ball along my spine; And then transformed, it turned its face to mine; As some fierce G.o.d it glowed before my sight Till agony was lost in dread affright.

I rooted stood, in terror, for its face Was horrible; I saw in its feet's place A lion's claws. It sprang, my strength it broke, And slew me, gloating over me! Awoke, I sprang, methought I was a corpse _ka-ra Va tal-ka mat sar, talka bu-la sha Ra-pas-ti sat-ti, ar-id-da! ka-rat Va hal-li-ka! lik-ru-bu ki-mi-ta!_[10]"

The seers in silence stand, perplexed and think; But from the task at once the wisest shrink.

The King each face soon read:

"Ye tell me no?"

And nodding all, concealed from him their woe, For they beheld within the dream some fate Impending o'er him born of G.o.dly hate, And durst not to their monarch prate their fears, For flatterers of kings are all his seers.

The King impatient eyed them all with scorn, And hid his thoughts by wildest pa.s.sions born; And then at last contemptuous to them said, "So all my seers of trouble are afraid?

Or else in ignorance you turn away; 'Tis well! I sorely need a seer this day."

And they now prostrate fall before his throne, "Forgive thy seers!" one cries, "O mighty One!

For we this dreadful dream do fear portends Thy harm! a G.o.d some message to thee sends!

We know not what, but fear for thee, our Sar, And none but one can augur it; afar He lives, Heabani should before the King Be brought from Za-Ga-bri[11] the _na-bu_[12] bring!"

"'Tis well! Prince Zaidu for the hermit send, And soon this mystery your Sar will end."

The King distressed now to the temple goes To lay before the mighty G.o.ds his woes; This prayer recites to drive away bad dreams, While Samas' holy altar brightly gleams: [13] "O Samas! may my prayer bring me sweet rest, And may my Lord his favor grant to me: Annihilate the things that me invest!

This day, O G.o.d! distressed, I cry to thee!

O G.o.ddess! be thou gracious unto me, Receive my prayer, my sins forgive I pray: My wickedness and will arrayed 'gainst thee.

Oh, pardon me! O G.o.d, be kind this day, My groaning may the seven winds destroy, Clothe me with deep humility! receive My prayers, as winged birds, oh, may they fly And fishes carry them, and rivers weave Them in the waters on to thee, O G.o.d!

As creeping things of the vast desert, cry I unto thee outstretched on Erech's sod; And from the river's lowest depths I pray; My heart cause thou to s.h.i.+ne like polished gold, Though food and drink of Nin-a-zu[14] this day Be mine, while worms and death thy servant fold.

Oh, from thine altar me support, protect, In low humility I pray, forgive!

Feed me with joy, my dreams with grace direct; The dream I dreamed, oh favorable give To me its omen filled with happiness!

May Mak-hir,[15] G.o.d of dreams, my couch invest!

With visions of Bit-sag-gal my heart bless, The temple of the G.o.ds, of Nin, with rest Unbroken, and to Merodach I pray!

The favoring one, to prosper me and mine: [16]Oh, may thy entering exalted be!

And thy divinity with glory s.h.i.+ne, And may our city s.h.i.+ne with glowing meads, And all my people praise thy glorious deeds."

Now to Euphrates' banks the Sar and seers Their footsteps turn to pray into the ears Of Hea,[17] where, in white, a band of priests Drawn in a crescent, Izdubar invests.

Now at the water's edge he leans, his hands Dips in the waves, and pours upon the sands The sparkling drops, while all a hymn descant To Hea, thus the incantation chant:

"O chant our incantation to the waters pure, Euphrates' waters flowing to the sea!

Where Hea's holy face s.h.i.+nes bright on every sh.o.r.e, O Sabit[18] of Timatu[19] to ye We pray! may your bright waters glowing s.h.i.+ne As Hea's face, and heaving breast divine!

"O Sabit, to your father Hea take our prayer!

And may Dao-ki-na,[20] your bright mother, hear!

With joy, oh s.h.i.+ne, as peaceful as the sleeping light, O ever may your throbbing waves be bright.

O spirit of the Heaven, hear!

Remember us, Remember!

O spirit of the earth, come near!

Remember us, Remember!

O hear us, Hea! hear us, dear Dao-ki-na!

_Ca-ca-ma u ca-ca-ma u ca-ca-ma!_"[21]

[Footnote 1: "Zam-at" stone, diamond, crystal or lapis lazuli.]

[Footnote 2: "Mu-di," seers.]

[Footnote 3: "Khas-i-zi," counsellors.]

[Footnote 4: "Ab-u-li," guard of the great gates of the city.]

[Footnote 5: "Sat mu-si," in the night-time, or last night.]

[Footnote 6: "Sib-zu," embroiderer.]

[Footnote 7: "Ku-bar-ra," robe of a prince.]

[Footnote 8: "Tur-tan-u," next in rank to the King.]