Babylonian and Assyrian Literature Part 37

SHORT PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF A DYING MAN [Footnote: "Trans. Soc. Bib.

Arch.," vol. ii. p. 20.]

1 Like a bird may it fly to a lofty place!

2 To the holy hands of its G.o.d, may it ascend!

THE DEATH OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN [Footnote: Ibid., vol. ii. p. 31.]

1 Bind the sick man to Heaven, for from the Earth he is being torn away!

2 Of the brave man who was so strong, his strength has departed.

3 Of the righteous servant, the force does not return.

4 In his bodily frame he lies dangerously ill.

5 But Ishtar, who in her dwelling is grieved concerning him 6 descends from her mountain, unvisited of men.

7 To the door of the sick man she comes.

8 The sick man listens!

9 Who is there? Who comes?

10 It is Ishtar daughter of the Moon-G.o.d Sin: 11 It is the G.o.d (...) Son of Bel: 12 It is Marduk, Son of the G.o.d (...).

13 They approach the body of the sick man.

(The next line, 14, is nearly destroyed.) 15 They bring a _khisibta_[1] from the heavenly treasury.

16 They bring a _sisbu_ from their lofty storehouse: 17 into the precious _khisibta_ they pour bright liquor.

18 That righteous man, may he now rise on high!

19 May he s.h.i.+ne like that _khisibta_!

20 May he be bright as that _sisbu_!

21 Like pure silver may his garment be s.h.i.+ning white!

22 Like bra.s.s may he be radiant!

23 To the Sun, greatest of the G.o.ds, may he ascend!

24 And may the Sun, greatest of the G.o.ds, receive his soul into his holy hands![2]

[Footnote 1: Probably a cup or drinking-vessel.]

[Footnote 2: There is a fine inscription not yet fully translated, describing the soul in heaven, clothed in a white radiant garment, seated in the company of the blessed, and fed by the G.o.ds themselves with celestial food.]

PENITENTIAL PSALMS

(These lamentations seem frequently to be incoherent. A few specimens are taken from the same work as the preceding. [Footnote: "Trans. Soc. Bib.

Arch.," vol. ii. p. 60.])

O my Lord! my sins are many, my trespa.s.ses are great; and the wrath of the G.o.ds has plagued me with disease and with sickness and sorrow.

I fainted: but no one stretched forth his hand!

I groaned: but no one drew nigh!

I cried aloud: but no one heard!

O Lord! do not abandon thy servant!

In the waters of the great storm, seize his hand!

The sins which he has committed, turn thou to righteousness!

ELSEWHERE WE FIND

1 O my G.o.d! my sins are seven times seven!

2 O my G.o.ddess! my sins are seven times seven!

(And then a prayer follows, that those sins may be pardoned as a father and mother would pardon them!)

AN ADDRESS TO SOME DEITY

In heaven who is great? Thou alone art great!

On earth who is great? Thou alone art great!

When thy voice resounds in heaven, the G.o.ds fall prostrate!

When thy voice resounds on earth, the genii kiss the dust!

ELSEWHERE [Footnote: Ibid., vol. ii. p. 51.]

O Thou; thy words who can resist? who can rival them?

Among the G.o.ds thy brothers, thou hast no equal!

A PRAYER [Footnote: Idem.]

The G.o.d my creator, may he stand by my side!

Keep thou the door of my lips! guard thou my hands, O Lord of light!

ODE TO FIRE