Chapter V: Front Matter (5)

"What happiness it was to me, my King! From bower to temple I went oft to sing, Or spread my wings above the mount divine, And viewed the fields from heights cerulean. Those songs still linger on dear memory's ear, And tireless rest upon me, ever cheer. But from the Happy Fields, alas! I woke, And from my sight the Heavenly vision broke; But, oh, my King, it all was but a dream! I hope the truth is such, as it did seem; If it is true that such a Heavenly Land Exists with happiness so glorious, grand, Within that haven I would happy be! But it, alas! is now denied to me. For, oh, my King, to Hades I must go, My wings unfold to fly to Realms of Woe; In darkness to that other world unknown, Alas! from joyous earth my life has flown.

"Farewell, my King, my love thou knowest well; I go the road; in Hades soon shall dwell; To dwelling of the god Irkalla fierce, To walls where light for me can never pierce, The road from which no soul may e'er return, Where dust shall wrap me round, my body urn, Where sateless ravens float upon the air, Where light is never seen, or enters there, Where I in darkness shall be crowned with gloom; With crownèd heads of earth who there shall come To reign with Anu's favor or great Bel's, Then sceptreless are chained in their dark cells With naught to drink but Hades' waters there, And dream of all the past with blank despair. Within that world, I too shall ceaseless moan, Where dwell the lord and the unconquered one, And seers and great men dwell within that deep, With dragons of those realms we all shall sleep; Where King Etana[2] and god Ner doth reign With Allat, the dark Under-World's great queen, Who reigns o'er all within her regions lone, The Mistress of the Fields, her mother, prone Before her falls, and none her face withstands; But I will her approach, and take her hands, And she will comfort me in my dread woe. Alas! through yonder void I now must go! My hands I spread! as birds with wings I fly! Descend! descend! beneath that awful sky!" The seer falls in the arms of Izdubar, And he is gone;--'tis clay remaineth here.

[Footnote 1:"Gesdin," the Tree of Life and Immortality.]

[Footnote 2: "Etana," Lord or King of Hades. He is mentioned in the Creation series of Legends as having reigned before the flood.]

COLUMN IV

THE GRIEF OF THE KING OVER THE LOSS OF HIS SEER, AND HIS PRAYER TO THE MOON-GOD, WHO ANSWERS HIS PRAYER WITH A VISION

The King weeps bitterly with flowing tears Above his seer when from him disappears The last faint breath; and then in deepest woe He cries: "And through that desert must I go? Heabani, thou to me wast like the gods; Oh, how I loved thee! must thou turn to clods? Through that dread desert must I ride alone; And leave thee here, Heabani, lying prone? Alas, I leave thee in this awful place, To find our Khasisadra, seek his face, The son of Ubara-tutu, the seer; Oh, how can I, my friend, thus leave thee here? This night through those dark mountains I must go, I can no longer bear this awful woe: If I shall tarry here, I cannot sleep. O Sin, bright moon-god, of yon awful deep! I pray to thee upon my face, oh, hear My prayer! my supplications bring thou near To all the gods! grant thou to me,--e'en me, A heart of strength and will to worship thee.

"Oh, is this death like that the seer hath dreamed? Perhaps the truth then on his spirit gleamed! If Land of Silver Sky is but a myth, The other dream is true! e'en all he saith! Oh, tell me, all ye sparkling stars, That wing above thy glorious flight, And feel not Nature's jars; But grandly, sweetly fling thy light To our bright world beneath serene, Hath mortals on thee known Or viewed beyond,--that great Unseen, Their future fate by gods been shown?

"Oh, hear me, all ye gods on high! To gods who love mankind I pray, Despairing, oh, I cry! Oh, drive these doubts and fears away! And yet--and yet, what truths have we? O wondrous mortal, must thou die? Beyond this end thou canst not see, O Life! O Death! O mystery!

"The body still is here, with feeling dead! And sight is gone!--and hearing from his head, Nor taste, nor smell, nor warmth, nor breath of life! Where is my seer? Perhaps, his spirit rife E'en now in nothingness doth wander lone! In agony his thoughts! with spirit prone! In dread despair!--If conscious then, O gods! He spake the truth!--His body to the clods Hath turned! By this we feel, or hear, or see, And when 'tis gone,--exist?--in agony! To Hades hath he gone? as he hath thought! Alas, the thought is torture, where have wrought The gods their fearful curse! Ah, let me think! The Silver Sky? Alas, its shining brink He hath not crossed. The wrathful gods deny Him entrance! Where, oh, where do spirits fly Whom gods have cursed? Alas, he is condemned To wander lone in that dark world, contemned And from the Light of Happy Fields is barred! Oh, why do gods thus send a fate so hard, And cruel? O dear moon-god, moon-god Sin! My seer hath erred. Receive his soul within To joys prepared for gods and men! Though seer He was, he immortality did fear, As some unknown awakening in space. Oh, turn upon him thy bright blessed face! He was my friend! O moon-god, hear my prayer! Imploring thee, doth pray thine Izdubar!"

And lo! a vision breaks before his eyes! The moon-god hides the shadows of the skies, And sweeps above with his soft, soothing light That streams around his face; he drives the night Before his rays, and with his hands sweet peace He spreads through all the skies; and Strife doth cease! A girdle spans the Heavens with pure light That shines around the River of the Night, Within the circling rays a host appears! The singers of the skies, as blazing spheres! Hark! Hear their harps and lyres that sweetly sound! They sing! Oh, how the glowing skies resound!

"O King of Light and Joy and Peace,
Supreme thy love shall ever reign;
Oh, can our songs of bliss here cease?
Our souls for joy cannot restrain,
Sweep! Sweep thy lyres again!

The former things[1] are passed away,
Which we on earth once knew below;
And in this bright eternal day
We happiness alone can know
Where bliss doth ever flow."

[Footnote 1: Literally, "the former names," which appears on a fragment of the epic translated by Mr. Sayce. See Smith's "C.A. of Gen.," p. 259, which he has rendered "the former name, the new name."]

COLUMN V

THE KING BURIES HIS SEER IN THE CAVE, AND CONTINUING HIS JOURNEY, HE MEETS TWO FIERY GIANTS WHO GUIDE THE SUN IN THE HEAVENS--THEY MAKE MERRY OVER THE KING, AND DIRECT HIM ON HIS WAY

The King within the cave his seer entombs, And mourning sadly from the cavern comes; The entrance closes with the rocks around, Again upon his journey he is bound. But soon within the mountains he is lost Within the darkness,--as some vessel tost Upon the trackless waves of unknown seas, But further from the awful cavern flees. The morning breaks o'er crags and lonely glens, And he dismayed, the awful wild now scans. He reins his steed and wondering looks around, And sees of every side a mystic ground. Before him stands the peak of Mount Masu,[1] The cliffs and crags forlorn his eyes swift view, And cedars, pines, among the rocks amassed, That weirdly rise within the mountain fast. Hark! hear that dreadful roaring all around! What nameless horror thrills the shaking ground?

The King in terror stares! and see! his steed Springs back! wild snorting,--trembling in his dread. Behold! behold those forms there blazing bright! Fierce flying by the earth with lurid light; Two awful spirits, demons, or fierce gods, With roaring thunders spring from their abodes! From depths beneath the earth the monsters fly, And upward lift their awful bodies high, Yet higher!--higher! till their crests are crowned By Heaven's gates; thus reaching from the ground To heights empyrean, while downward falls Each form, extending far 'neath Hades' walls. And see! each god as molten metal gleams, While sulphurous flame from hell each monster climbs! Two fiery horrors reaching to the skies, While wrathful lightning from each monster flies!

Hell's gate they guard with Death's remorseless face, And hurl the sun around the realms of space E'en swifter than the lightning, while it goes Along its orbit, guided by their blows. Dire tempests rise above from their dread blows, And ever round a starry whirlwind glows; The countless stars thus driven whirl around, With all the circling planets circling round.

The King astounded lifts his staring eyes, Into his face gray fear, with terror flies; As they approach, his thoughts the King collects, Thus over him one of the gods reflects. "Who cometh yonder with the form of gods?" The second says: "He comes from man's abodes, But with a mortal's feebleness he walks; Behold upon the ground alone he stalks."

One lifts his mighty arm across the sky, And strikes the sun as it goes roaring by; The fiery world with whiter heat now glows, While a vast flood of flame behind it flows, That curling, forms bright comets, meteors, And planets multiplies, and blazing stars; The robe of flames spreads vast across the sky, Adorned with starry gems that sparkling fly Upon the ambient ether forming suns That through new orbits sing their orisons; Their pealing thunders rend the trembling sky, The endless anthem of eternity.

The monster turning to the King then says, When nearer now his awful form doth blaze: "So thus you see, my son, the gods are strong, And to provoke great power, is foolish, wrong; But whither goest thou, thou sad-eyed King, What message hast thou;--to us here would bring?"

The King now prostrate to the monsters prayed: "Ye gods or demons, I within your glade Of horrors, have unwilling come to seek Our Khasisadra, who a spell can make To turn the anger of the gods away. Immortal lives the seer beside the sea, He knoweth death and life, all secret things; And this alone your servant to you brings. The goddess sought my hand, which I denied, And Anu's fury thus I have defied; This all my troubles caused, show me the way To Khasisadra, this I ask and pray."

The god's vast face broke out with wondrous smiles, And laughing, ripples rolled along for miles; His mouth wide opened its abyss and yawned, As earthquake gulf, far spreading through the ground. His roaring laughter shakes the earth around, "Ho! ho! my son! so you at last have found The Queen can hate, as well as love her friends, And on thy journey Ishtar's love thee sends? A mortal wise thou wast, to her refuse, For she can do with man what she may choose. A mortal's love, in truth, is wondrous strong, A glorious thing it is, Life's ceaseless song! Within a cave upon the mountain side, Thou there thy footsteps must to Hades guide, Twelve _kaspu_ go to yonder mountain gates, A heart like thine may well defy the fates. A darkness deep profound doth ever spread Within those regions black,--Home of the Dead. Go, Izdubar! within this land of Mas, Thy road doth lead, and to the west[2] doth pass, And may the maidens sitting by the walls Refresh thee, lead thee to the Happy Halls."

The path they take behind the rising sun The setting sun they pass,--with wings have flown The scorpion men,[3] within wide space have gone, Thus from his sight the monsters far have flown.

[Footnote 1: "Mount Masu," the Mountains of Masius, or "Mons Masius" of Strabo (vi. 12, §§ 4, 14, 2, etc.), may be referred to by the author of the epic. These mountains are now known to the Turks as Jebel Tur and Karaiah Dag.--Rawlinson's "Ancient Monarchies," vol. ii. pp. 9 and 25.]

[Footnote 2: Mr. Sayce translates thus: "the path of the sun."]

[Footnote 3: He also names the monsters "the scorpion men," and refers to an Assyrian cylinder on which two composite winged monsters are carved, with the winged emblem of the supreme god in the centre above them. The monsters have the feet of lions and the tails of scorpions. See illustration in Smith's revised edition, by Sayce, "Chald. Acc. of Gen.," p. 276. The monsters were supposed to fly ahead of the sun, and as it passed guide it along its orbit.]

COLUMN VI

IZDUBAR ENTERS HADES--THE SONG OF THE DALKHI IN THE CAVERN OF HORRORS--THE KING PASSES THROUGH HADES TO THE GARDEN OF THE GODS, AND SEES THE WONDERFUL FOUNTAIN OF LIFE'S WATERS

In a weird passage to the Under-World, Where demon shades sit with their pinions furled Along the cavern's walls with poisonous breath, In rows here mark the labyrinths of Death. The King with torch upraised, the pathway finds, Along the way of mortal souls he winds, Where shades sepulchral, soundless rise amid Dark gulfs that yawn, and in the blackness hide Their depths beneath the waves of gloomy lakes And streams that sleep beneath the sulphurous flakes That drift o'er waters bottomless, and chasms; Where moveless depths receive Life's dying spasms. Here Silence sits supreme on a drear throne Of ebon hue, and joyless reigns alone O'er a wide waste of blackness,--solitude Black, at her feet, there sleeps the awful flood Of mystery which grasps all mortal souls, Where grisly horrors sit with crests of ghouls, And hateless welcome with their eyes of fire Each soul;--remorseless lead to terrors dire; And ever, ever crown the god of Fate; And there, upon her ebon throne she sate The awful fiend, dark goddess Mam-mitu, Who reigns through all these realms of La-Atzu.[1]

But hark! what are these sounds within the gloom? And see! long lines of torches nearer come! And now within a recess they have gone; The King must pass their door! perhaps some one Of them may see him! turn the hags of gloom Upon him, as he goes by yonder room! He nearer comes, and peers within; and see! A greenish glare fills all the cave! and he Beholds a blaze beneath a cauldron there; Coiled, yonder lie the Dragons of Despair; And lo! from every recess springs a form Of shapeless horror! now with dread alarm He sees the flitting forms wild whirling there, And awful wailings come of wild despair: But hark! the _dal-khis'_ song rings on the air! With groans and cries they shriek their mad despair:

Oh, fling on earth, ye demons dark,
Your madness, hate, and fell despair,
And fling your darts at each we mark,
That we may welcome victims here.

Then sing your song of hate, ye fiends,
And hurl your pestilential breath,
Till every soul before us bends,
And worship here the god of Death.

In error still for e'er and aye,
They see not, hear not many things;
The unseen forces do not weigh,
And each an unknown mystery brings.

In error still for e'er and aye,
They delve for phantom shapes that ride
Across their minds alone,--and they
But mock the folly of man's pride.

In error still for e'er and aye!
They learn but little all their lives,
And Wisdom ever wings her way,
Evading ever,--while man strives!

But hark! another song rings through the gloom,
And, oh, how sweet the music far doth come!
Oh, hear it, all ye souls in your despair,
For joy it brings to sorrowing ones e'en here!

"There is a Deep Unknown beyond,
That all things hidden well doth weigh!
On man's blind vision rests the bond
Of error still for e'er and aye!

"But to the mighty gods, oh, turn
For truth to lead you on your way,
And wisdom from their tablets learn,
And ever hope for e'er and aye!"

And see! the hags disperse within the gloom, As those sweet sounds resound within the room; And now a glorious light doth shine around, Their rays of peace glide o'er the gloomy ground. And lo! 'tis Papsukul, our god of Hope,-- With cheerful face comes down the fearful slope Of rugged crags, and blithely strides to where Our hero stands, amid the poisonous air, And says: "Behold, my King, that glorious Light That shines beyond! and eye no more this sight Of dreariness, that only brings despair, For phantasy of madness reigneth here!" The King in wonder carefully now eyes The messenger divine with great surprise, And says: "But why, thou god of Hope, do I Thus find thee in these realms of agony? This World around me banishes thy feet From paths that welcome here the god of Fate And blank despair, and loss irreparable. Why comest thou to woe immeasurable?"

"You err, my King, for hope oft rules despair; I ofttimes come to reign with darkness here; When I am gone, the god of Fate doth reign; When I return, I soothe these souls again." "So thus you visit all these realms of woe, To torture them with hopes they ne'er can know? Avaunt! If this thy mission is on Earth Or Hell, thou leavest after thee but dearth!" "Not so, my King! behold yon glorious sphere, Where gods at last take all these souls from here! Adieu! thou soon shalt see the World of Light, Where joy alone these souls will e'er delight."

The god now vanishes away from sight, The hero turns his face toward the light; Nine _kaspu_ walks, till weird the rays now gleam, As _zi-mu-ri_ behind the shadows stream. He sees beyond, umbrageous grots and caves, Where odorous plants entwine their glistening leaves. And lo! the trees bright flashing gems here bear! And trailing vines and flowers do now appear, That spread before his eyes a welcome sight, Like a sweet dream of some mild summer night. But, oh! his path leads o'er that awful stream, Across a dizzy arch 'mid sulphurous steam That covers all the grimy bridge with slime. He stands perplexed beside the waters grime, Which sluggish move adown the limbo black, With murky waves that writhe demoniac,-- As ebon serpents curling through the gloom And hurl their inky crests, that silent come Toward the yawning gulf, a tide of hate; And sweep their dingy waters to Realms of Fate.

He cautious climbs the slippery walls of gloom, And dares not look beneath, lest Fate should come; He enters now the stifling clouds that creep Around the causeway, while its shadows sleep Upon the stream that sullen moves below,--

He slips!--and drops his torch! it far doth glow Beneath him on the rocks! Alas, in vain He seeks a path to bring it back again. It moves! snatched by a _dal-khu's_ hand it flies Away within the gloom, then falling dies Within those waters black with a loud hiss That breaks the silence of that dread abyss.

He turns again, amid the darkness gropes, And careful climbs the cragged, slimy slopes, And now he sees, oh, joy! the light beyond! He springs! he flies along the glowing ground, And joyous dashes through the waving green That lustrous meets his sight with rays serene, Where trees pure amber from their trunks distil, Where sweet perfumes the groves and arbors fill, Where zephyrs murmur odors from the trees, And sweep across the flowers, carrying bees With honey laden for their nectar store; Where humming sun-birds upward flitting soar O'er groves that bear rich jewels as their fruit, That sparkling tingle from each youngling shoot, And fill the garden with a glorious blaze Of chastened light and tender thrilling rays. He glides through that enchanted mystic world, O'er streams with beds of gold that sweetly twirled With woven splendor 'neath the blaze of gems That crown each tree with glistening diadems. The sounds of streams are weft with breezes, chant Their arias with trembling leaves,--the haunt Of gods! O how the tinkling chorus rings!-- With rhythms of the unseen rustling wings Of souls that hover here where joy redeems Them with a happiness that ever gleams.

The hero stands upon a damasked bed Of flowers that glow beneath his welcome tread, And softly sink with 'luring odors round, And beckon him to them upon the ground. Amid rare pinks and violets he lies, And one sweet pink low bending near, he eyes. With tender petals thrilling on its stem, It lifts its fragrant face and says to him, "Dear King, wilt thou love me as I do thee? We love mankind, and when a mortal see We give our fragrance to them with our love, Their love for us our inmost heart doth move." The King leans down his head, it kissing, says, "Sweet beauty, I love thee? with thy sweet face? My heart is filled with love for all thy kind. I would that every heart thy love should find." The fragrant floweret thrills with tenderness, With richer fragrance answers his caress. He kisses it again and lifts his eyes, And rises from the ground with glad surprise.

And see! the glorious spirits clustering round! They welcome him with sweet melodious sound. We hear their golden instruments of praise, As they around him whirl a threading maze; In great delight he views their beckoning arms, And lustrous eyes, and perfect, moving forms. And see! he seizes one bright, charming girl, As the enchanting ring doth nearer whirl; He grasps her in his arms, and she doth yield The treasure of her lips, where sweets distilled Give him a joy without a taint of guilt. It thrills his heart-strings till his soul doth melt, A kiss of chastity, and love, and fire, A joy that few can dare to here aspire. The beauteous spirit has her joy, and flees With all her sister spirits 'neath the trees. And lo! the _gesdin_[2] shining stands, With crystal branches in the golden sands, In this immortal garden stands the tree, With trunk of gold, and beautiful to see. Beside a sacred fount the tree is placed, With emeralds and unknown gems is graced, Thus stands, the prince of emeralds,[3] Elam's tree, As once it stood, gave Immortality To man, and bearing fruit, there sacred grew, Till Heaven claimed again Fair Eridu.[4]

The hero now the wondrous fountain eyes; Its beryl base to ruby stem doth rise, To emerald and sapphire bands that glow, Where the bright curvings graceful outward flow; Around the fountain to its widest part, The wondrous lazite bands now curling start And mingle with bright amethyst that glows, To a broad diamond band,--contracting grows To _uk-ni_ stone, turquoise, and clustering pearls, Inlaid with gold in many curious curls Of twining vines and tendrils bearing birds, Among the leaves and blooming flowers, that words May not reveal, such loveliness in art, With fancies spirit hands can only start From plastic elements before the eye, And mingle there the charms of empery. Beneath two diamond doves that shining glow Upon the summit, the bright waters flow, With aromatic splendors to the skies, While glistening colors of the rainbow rise.

Here ends the tablet,[5] "When the hero viewed The fountain which within the garden stood."

[Footnote 1: "La-Atzu," Hades, hell, the spirit-world.]

[Footnote 2: "Gesdin," the Tree of Life and Immortality.]

[Footnote 3: See Sayce's edition Smith's "Chald. Acc. of Gen.," p. 264.]

[Footntoe 4: "Eridu," the Garden of Eden. Idem, pp. 84-86.]

[Footnote 5: "Tablet of the series; when the hero Izdubar saw the fountain."--Sayce's edition Smith's "Chald. Acc. of Gen.," p. 264, l. 14.]

TABLET VIII--COLUMN I

THE KING'S ADVENTURE AT THE GATE OF THE GARDEN OF THE GODS WITH THE TWO MAIDENS--ONE OF THEM LEADS HIM INTO THE HAPPY HALLS--SONGS OF THE SABITU AND ZI-SI.

A gate half opened shows the silvery sea Yet distant shining lambent on his way. And now he sees young Siduri,[1] whose breast Infuses life; all nature she hath blest, Whose lips are flames, her arms are walls of fire, Whose love yields pleasures that can never tire, She to the souls who joy on earth here miss, Grants them above a holier, purer bliss. The maiden sits within a holy shrine Beside the gate with lustrous eyes divine, And beckons to the King, who nearer comes, And near her glows the Happy Palace domes.

And lo! 'tis she his lips have fondly kissed Within the garden, when like fleeing mist She disappeared with the bright spirit Seven,[2] The Sabit, who oft glide from earth to Heaven. And lo! one of the Seven, Sabitu, Emerging from the gate doth jealous view The coming hero who hath kissed her mate, She angry springs within to close the gate, And bars it, enters then the inner halls, And Izdubar to her now loudly calls, "O Sabitu! what see-est thou, my maid? Of Izdubar is Sabitu afraid? Thy gate thou barrest thus before my face. Quick, open for me! or I'll force the brass!" The maid now frightened opens wide the door. The Sar and Siduri now tread the floor Of the bright palace where sweet joy doth reign. Through crystal halls 'neath golden roofs the twain Next go within a lofty ceilinged hall, With shining pearled columns, golden wall, And purple silken hangings at each door, With precious gems inlaid upon the floor; Where couches grand are spread for one to rest Beneath the softened rays that sweet invest The senses with a thrill of happiness; Where Siduri with joy all souls doth bless. The maid sits on a couch and turns her face Toward the King with that immortal grace That love to gods and men will e'er bestow. Their eyes now mingling with a happy glow, The maiden sweetly says: "Where wouldst thou go? Within these Happy Halls we joy but know, And if thou wilt, my King, my heart is thine! Our love will ever bring us bliss divine."

"Alas, my maid, thy love to me is dear, And sad am I that I must go from here. I came from Erech by advice from one I loved more than thou canst e'er know, but gone From me is my Heabani, faithful seer. Across a desert waste have I come here, And he has there to dust returned,--to dust-- O how the love of my friend I did trust! I would that we had never started here, I now must find the great immortal seer."

The maiden turns her glowing eyes on him, Replies: "My King, thou knowest joy may gleam, Take courage, weary heart, and sing a song! The hour of sorrow can never be long; The day will break, and flood thy soul with joy, And happiness thy heart will then employ! Each day must end with all its sorrow, woe, Oh, sing with me, dear heart! I love thee so!" And lo! the curtains flung aside, now comes The joyous Sabitu from yonder rooms, And gathering round, a song they gayly sing, Oh, how with music the bright walls now ring! If evil thou hast done, my King,

Oh, pray! oh, pray!
And to the gods thy offerings bring,
And pray! and pray!
The sea is roaring at thy feet,
The storms are coming, rain and sleet;
To all the gods,
Oh, pray to them! oh, pray!

_Chorus_

To all the gods,
Oh, pray to them! oh, pray!

Thy city we will bless, O Sar!
With joy, with joy!
And prosper thee in peace and war
With joy, with joy!
And bless thee every day and night,
Thy kingly robes keep pure and bright;
Give thee bright dreams,
O glorious king of war!

_Chorus_

Give thee bright dreams,
O glorious king of war!

And if thy hand would slay thy foes
In war, in war!
With thee returning victory goes
In war, in war!
We grant thee victory, my King;
Like marshes swept by storms, we bring
Our power to thee
With victory in war!

_Chorus_

Our power to thee
With victory in war!

And if thou wouldst the waters pass,
The sea, the sea!
We'll go with thee in every place,
With thee, with thee!
To Hea's halls and glorious throne,
Where he unrivalled reigns alone,
To Hea go
Upon his throne of snow.

_Chorus_

To Hea go
Upon his throne of snow.

And if thine anger rules thy heart
As fire, as fire!
And thou against thy foes would start
With ire, with ire!
Against thy foes thy heart be hard,
And all their land with fire be scarred,
Destroy thy foes!
Destroy them in thine ire!

_Chorus_

Destroy thy foes!
Destroy them in thine ire!

And lo! young Siduri hath disappeared, And with the Zisi crowned she now appeared; The corn-gods in a crescent round their queen, She waves before the king her Nusku[3] green, And sings with her sweet voice a joyful lay, And all the Zisi join the chorus gay:

[4]A heifer of the corn am I,
Kara! Kara![5]
Yoked with the kine we gayly fly,
Kara! Kara!
The ploughman's hand is strong and drives
The glowing soil, the meadow thrives!
Before the oxen
Sa-lum-mat-u na-si.[6]

_Chorus_

Before the oxen
Sa-lum-mat-u na-si.

The harvesters are in the corn!
Kara! Kara!
Our feet are flying with the morn,
Kara! Kara!
We bring thee wealth! it is thine own!
The grain is ripe! oh, cut it down!
The yellow grain
Sa-lum-mat-u na-si.

_Chorus_

The yellow grain
Sa-lum-mat-u na-si.

The fruit of death, oh, King, taste it not!
Taste not! taste not!
With fruit of Life the land is fraught
Around! around!
The fruit of Life we give to thee
And happiness, oh, ever see.
All joy is thine
Through Earth and Heaven's bound.

_Chorus_

All joy is thine
Through Earth and Heaven's bound.

Our corn immortal there is high
And ripe! and ripe!
And ever ripens 'neath that sky
As gold! as gold!
Our corn is bearded,[7] thus 'tis known,
And ripens quickly when 'tis grown.
Be joy with thee,
Our love around thee fold!

_Chorus_

Be joy with thee,
Our love around thee fold!

Our King from us now goes, now goes!
Away! away!
His royal robe behind him glows
Afar! afar!
Across the waves where Hea reigns
The waters swollen he soon gains!
To our great seer,
He sails to him afar!

_Chorus_

To our great seer,
He sails to him afar!

And he will reach that glorious land
Away! away!
Amid our fruit-trees he will stand
That day! that day!
Our fruit so sweet the King will eat,
Nor bitter mingle with the sweet.
In our seer's land
That glows afar away!

_Chorus_

In our seer's land
That glows afar away!

The singing spirits from them fled, and he Alone stood thinking by young Siduri.

The King leaned on his bow, and eyed the maid, A happy look came in his eyes,--and fled, For lo! the curtain quick aside is pushed, And Sabitu within upon them rushed. She stately glides across the shining floor, And eyes them both, then turns toward the door. But Izdubar is equal to the task, With grace now smiling, of the maid doth ask: "O Sabitu! wouldst thou tell me the way To Khasisadra? for I go this day. If I the sea may cross, how shall I go? Or through the desert? thou the path mayst know." The maiden startled looks upon his face, And thus she answers him with queenly grace: "So soon must go? Thou canst not cross the sea, For thou wilt perish in the waves that way. Great Samas once the way of me did ask, And I forbade him, but the mighty task He undertook, and crossed the mighty deep, Where Death's dark waters lie in wait asleep: His mighty car of gold swept through the skies, With fiery chargers now he daily flies. When I approach thee, thou from me wouldst flee? But if thou must so soon thus go, the sea Perhaps thou too canst cross, if thou wilt 'void Death's waters, which relentless ever glide. But Izdubar, Ur-Hea, here hath come! The boatman of the seer, who to his home Returns. He with an axe in yonder woods A vessel builds to cross the raging floods. If thou desirest not to cross with him, We here will welcome thee through endless time; But if thou goest, may they see thy face Thou seekest,--welcome thee, and thy heart bless."

[Footnote 1: "Siduri," the "pourer" or "shedder forth," the "all-bountiful," the goddess who brings the rain, and mists, and running streams to fill the vegetable world with its productions; the goddess who presides over productive nature. She was also called "the Goddess of Wisdom."]

[Footnote 2: Seven spirits of the earth and heaven, the daughters of Hea.]

[Footnote 3: "Nusku," a budding or blooming shrub or branch, the wand of the Queen, used in magical incantations, which was called the plant of Nusku, the divining-rod.]

[Footnote 4: See Accadian songs, "C.I.W.A.," vol. ii. 15, 16, and translated by Mr. Sayce in "Records of the Past, vol. xi. pp. 154, 155.]

[Footnote 5: "Kara!" cry out, sing, shout.]

[Footnote 6: "Sa-lum-mat-u na-si," lift up the shadows, or be joyful.]

[Footnote 7: "Our corn is bearded." This refers to the heads of wheat which are bearded. See translation by Mr. Sayce, "the corn is bearded." ("Records of the Past," vol. xi. p. 156.)]

COLUMN II

THE KING ON LEAVING THE HAPPY HALLS MEETS UR-HEA, THE BOATMAN OF THE SEER KHASISADRA--THEY BUILD A SHIP AND EMBARK ON AN UNKNOWN SEA, AND ON THEIR VOYAGE PASS THROUGH THE WATERS OF DEATH

And Izdubar turned from the Halls and goes Toward a fountain in the park, whence flows A merry stream toward the wood. He finds An axe beside the fount, and thoughtful winds, Through groves of sandal-wood and mastic-trees And algum, umritgana. Now he sees The sig-a-ri and ummakana, pines, With babuaku; and ri-wood brightly shines Among the azuhu; all precious woods That man esteems are grown around, each buds Continuous in the softened, balmy air. He stops beneath a musrilkanna where The pine-trees spread toward the glowing sea, Wild mingled with the surman, sa-u-ri.

The King, now seated, with himself communes, Heeds not the warbling of the birds, and tunes Of gorgeous songsters in the trees around, But sadly sighing gazes on the ground: "And I a ship must build; alas! I know Not how I shall return, if I thus go. The awful Flood of Death awaits me there, Wide-stretching from this shore--I know not where." He rests his chin upon his hand in thought, Full weary of a life that woe had brought; He says: "When I remember Siduri, Whose heart with fondest love would comfort me Within these Happy Halls, why should I go To pain and anguish, death, mayhap, and woe? But will I thus desert my kingdom, throne? For one I know not! What! my fame alone! Mine honor should preserve! and royal state! Alas! this Fame is but a dream of--Fate!

"A longing after that which does not cheer The heart. Applause of men, or thoughtless sneer, Is naught to me, I am alone! alone! This Immortality cannot atone For my hard fate that wrings mine aching heart. I long for peace and rest, and I must start And find it, leave these luring bright abodes,-- I seek the immortality of gods. This Fame of man is not what it doth seem, It sleeps with all the past, a vanished dream. My duty calls me to my kingdom, throne! To Khasisadra go, whose aid alone Can save my people from an awful fate That hangs above them, born of Fiends of hate. And I shall there return without my seer! I live; and he is dead. Why did I hear His words advising me to come? Alas! I sadly all my weary days shall pass; No one shall love me as my seer, my friend.

"But what said Siduri?--There comes an end At last to sorrow, joy will hopeful spring On wings of Light! Oh, how my heart will sing! I bless ye all, ye holy spirits here! Your songs will linger with me, my heart cheer; Upon my way I turn with joy again! How true your joyful song! your memory then Will keep me hopeful through yon darkened way; How bright this land doth look beside the sea!"

He looks across the fields; the river glows And winds beside taprani-trees, and flows By teberinth and groves of tarpikhi And ku-trees; curving round green mez-kha-i, Through beds of flowers, that kiss its waves and spring Luxuriant,--with songs the groves far ring. Now thinking of the ship, he turns his eyes, Toward the fountain,--springs up with surprise! "'Tis he! the boatman comes! Ur-Hea comes! And, oh! at last, I'll reach the glistening domes Of Khasisadra's palaces,--at last My feet shall rest,--upon that land be placed."

And now Ur-Hea nearer makes his way, And Izdubar addressing him, doth say: "Ur-Hea is thy name? from yonder sea Thou comest, from the seer across the way?"

"Thou speakest truth, great Sar, what wouldst thou have?" "How shall I Khasisadra reach? The grave He hath escaped, Immortal lives beyond, For I to him upon my way am bound; Shall I the waters cross or take my way Through yon wide desert, for I start this day?"

"Across the sea we go, for I with thee Return to him,--I know the winding way. Thine axe of bronze with precious stones inlaid With mine, we'll use beneath the pine-trees' shade."

And now, within the grove a ship they made, Complete and strong as wise Ur-Hea bade. They fell the pines five _gar_ in length, and hew The timbers square, and soon construct a new And buoyant vessel, firmly fixed the mast, And tackling, sails, and oars make taut and fast. Thus built, toward the sea they push its prow, Equipped complete, provisioned, launch it now. An altar next they raise and thus invoke The gods, their evil-workings to revoke:

"[1]O Lord of Charms, Illustrious! who gives Life to the Dead, the Merciful who lives, And grants to hostile gods of Heaven return, To homage render, worship thee, and learn Obedience! Thou who didst create mankind In tenderness, thy love round us, oh, wind! The Merciful, the God with whom is Life, Establish us, O Lord, in darkest strife. O never may thy truth forgotten be, May Accad's race forever worship thee."

One month and fifteen days upon the sea, Thus far the voyagers are on their way; Now black before them lies a barren shore, O'ertopped with frowning cliffs, whence comes a roar Of some dread fury of the elements That shakes the air and sweeping wrath foments O'er winds and seas. And see! a yawning cave, There opens vast into a void dislave, Where fremèd shadows ride the hueless waves. Dread Ninazu whose deathless fury craves For hapless victims lashes with a roar The mighty seas upon that awful shore. The Fiends of Darkness gathered lie in wait, With Mammitu, the goddess of fierce hate, And Gibil[2] with his spells, and Nibiru[3] The twin-god of black Fate, and grim Nusku[4] The keeper of red thunders, and Urbat[5] The dog of Death, and fiend of Queen Belat;[6] And Nuk-khu, and the black-browed Ed-hutu[7] The gods of darkness here with Tsi-lat-tu.[8]

And see! Dark Rimmon[9] o'er a crag alone! And Gibil with his blasting malisoun, Above with his dark face maleficent, Who wields a power o'er men omnipotent Forlore! forlore! the souls who feel that blast Which sweeps around that black forbidding coast! Fierce whirling storms and hurricanes here leap, With blasting lightnings maltalent and sweep The furious waves that lash around that shore, As the fierce whirl of some dread maëlstrom's power! Above the cavern's arch! see! Ninip[10] stands! He points within the cave with beckoning hands! Ur-Hea cries: "My lord! the tablets[11] say, That we should not attempt that furious way! Those waters of black death will smite us down! Within that cavern's depths we will but drown." "We cannot go but once, my friend, that road," The hero said, "'Tis only ghosts' abode!" "We go, then, Izdubar, its depths will sound, But we within that gloom will whirl around, Around, within that awful whirlpool black,-- And once within, we dare not then turn back,-- How many times, my friend, I dare not say, 'Tis written, we within shall make our way."

The foaming tide now grasped them with its power, And billowed round them with continuous roar; Away! they whirl! with growing speed, till now They fly on lightnings' wings and ride the brow Of maddened tempests o'er the dizzy deep. So swift they move,--the waves in seeming sleep Beneath them, whirling there with force unseen.

But see! Updarting with a sulphurous gleen, The hag of Death leaps on the trembling prow! Her eyes, of fire and hate, turns on them now! With famine gaunt, and haggard face of doom, She sits there soundless in the awful gloom.

"O gods!" shrieked Izdubar in his despair, "Have I the god of Fate at last met here? Avaunt, thou Fiend! hence to thy pit of Hell! Hence! hence! and rid me of thy presence fell!"

And see! she nearer comes with deathless ire, With those fierce, moveless, glaring eyes of fire! Her wand is raised! she strikes!

"O gods!" he screams; He falls beneath that bolt that on them gleams, And she is gone within the awful gloom. Hark! hear those screams! "Accurst! Accurst thy doom!" And lo! he springs upon his feet in pain, And cries: "Thy curses, fiend! I hurl again!" And now a blinding flash disparts the black And heavy air, a moment light doth break; And see! the King leans fainting 'gainst the mast, With glaring eyeballs, clenched hands,--aghast! Behold! that pallid face and scaly hands! A leper white, accurst of gods, he stands! A living death, a life of awful woe, Incurable by man, his way shall go. But oh! the seer in all enchantments wise Will cure him on that shore, or else he dies.

And see! the vessel's prow with shivering turns, Adown the roaring flood that gapes and churns Beneath like some huge boiling cauldron black, Thus whirl they in the slimy cavern's track. And spirit ravens round them fill the air, And see! they fly! the cavern sweeps behind! Away the ship doth ride before the wind! The darkness deep from them has fled away, The fiends are gone!--the vessel in the spray With spreading sails has caught the glorious breeze, And dances in the light o'er shining seas; The blissful haven shines upon their way, The waters of the Dawn sweep o'er the sea! They proudly ride up to the glowing sand, And joyfully the King springs to the land.

[Footnote 1: This remarkable prayer is to be found among a collection of prayers which are numbered and addressed to separate deities. It seems that the prayers were originally Accadian, and were afterward adopted by the Assyrians, and made to apply to one god (Hea). Professor Oppert and Professor Sayce think, however, that they are connected in one hymn to Hea. This may have been so after the Assyrians adopted them, but they are distinct, and addressed to separate gods. The one we have selected is addressed to Hea, the Creator of Mankind, Sayce edition Smith's "C.A.G.," pp. 75 to 80. The one we have selected is found at the top of page 77, idem.]

[Footnote 2: "Gibil," the god of fire, of spells and witchcraft.]

[Footnote 3: "Nibiru," the god of fate, and ruler of the stars.]

[Footnote 4: "Nusku," the gatekeeper of thunders.]

[Footnote 5: "Urbat," the dog of Death.]

[Footnote 6: "Belat" or "Allat," the Queen of Hades.]

[Footnote 7: "Ed-hutu," god of darkness.]

[Footnote 8: "Tsi-lat-tu," shades of night.]

[Footnote 9: "Rimmon," god of storms.]

[Footnote 10: "Ninip," god of bravery and war.]

[Footnote 11: "Tablets." This may mean charts or scrolls similar to the charts used by modern navigators. Babylon communicated with all nations in commerce.]

COLUMN III

KHASISADRA ON THE SHORE SEES THE VESSEL COMING, AND RETURNING TO HIS PALACE, SENDS HIS DAUGHTER MUA TO WELCOME IZDUBAR--MEETING OF THE KING AND SAGE

Beneath a ku-tree Khasisadra eyes The spreading sea beneath the azure skies, An agèd youth with features grave, serene, Matured with godly wisdom; ne'er was seen Such majesty, nor young, nor old,--a seer In purpose high. The countenance no fear Of death has marred, but on his face sublime The perfect soul has left its seal through time.

"Ah, yes! the dream was clear, the vision true, I saw him on the ship! Is it in view? A speck! Ah, yes! He comes! he comes to me My son from Erech comes across the sea!" Back to his palace goes the holy seer, And Mua[1] sends, who now the shore doth near; As beautiful as Waters of the Dawn, Comes Mua here, as graceful as a fawn.

The King now standing on the glistening sand, Beholds the beauteous Mua where she stands, With hands outstretched in welcome to the King, "O thou sweet spirit, with thy snowy wing, Oh, where is Khasisadra in this land? I seek the aid of his immortal hand." "Great Sar," said Mua, "hadst thou not a seer, That thou shouldst come to seek my father here?"

"'Tis true, my daughter dear, a seer had I, Whom I have lost,--a dire calamity; By his advice and love I undertake This journey. But alas! for mine own sake He fell by perils on this lengthened way; He was not strong, and feared that he should lay Himself to rest amid the mountains wild. He was a warrior, with him I killed Khumbaba, Elam's king who safely dwelt Within a forest vast of pines, and dealt Destruction o'er the plains. We razed his walls-- My friend at last before me dying falls.

"Alas! why did my seer attempt to slay The dragons that we met upon the way, He slew his foe, and like a lion died. Ah, me! the cause, when I the gods defied, And brought upon us all this awful woe; In sorrow o'er his death, my life must flow! For this I came to find the ancient seer, Lead me to him, I pray, if he lives here."

Then Mua leads him through the glorious land Of matchless splendor, on the border grand Of those wide Happy Fields that spread afar O'er beaming hills and vales, where ambient air With sweetest zephyrs sweeps a grand estrade, Where softest odors from each flowering glade Lull every sense aswoon that breathes not bliss And harmony with World of Blessedness. 'Neath trees of luring fruits she leads the way, Through paths of flowers where night hath fled away, A wilderness of varied crystal flowers, Where fragrance rests o'er clustering, shining bowers. Each gleaming cup its nectared wine distils, For spirit lips each chalice ever fills.

Beyond the groves a lucent palace shone In grandest splendor near an inner zone; In amethyst and gold divinely rose, With glories scintillant the palace glows. A dazzling halo crowns its lofty domes, And spreading from its summit softly comes With grateful rays, and floods the balustrades And golden statues 'neath the high arcades; A holy palace built by magic hand With wondrous architecture, portals grand, And aurine turrets piled to dizzy heights, Oh, how its glory Izdubar delights!

Beneath majestic arcades carved, they pass, Up golden steps that shine like polished glass, Through noble corridors with sculptured walls, By lofty columns, archways to the halls Of glories, the bright harbinger of fanes Of greater splendor of the Heavenly plains. Beneath an arch of gems the King espies A form immortal, he who death defies. Advancing forth the sage his welcome gives, "'Tis Izdubar who comes to me and lives!" Embracing him he leads him in a room, Where many a curious graven tablet, tome, And scrolls of quaint and old forgotten lore Have slept within for centuries of yore. The tablets high are heaped, the alcoves full, Where truth at last has found a welcome goal. In wisdom's room, the sage his guest has led, And seats him till the banquet high is spread; Of Izdubar he learns his journeys great, How he for aid has left his throne of state.

The maid now comes, him welcomes to the hall Of banquets, where are viands liberal, And fruits, immortal bread, celestial wines Of vintage old; and when the hero dines, They lead him to his private chamber room That overlooks the wondrous garden's bloom Across the plain and jasper sea divine, To Heaven's mountains rising sapphirine. Four beauteous streams of liquid silver lead Across the plain; the shining sea they feed; The King reclines upon his couch at rest, With dreams of happiness alone is blest.

[Footnote 1: "Mua," the waters of the dawn, the daughter of Khasisadra.]

COLUMN IV

THE KING IS CURED BY THE INCANTATIONS OF KHASISADRA AND HE BECOMES IMMORTAL

When Izdubar awakes, they lead the way To the bright fount beside the jasper sea. The seer, with Mua and Ur-Hea, stands Beside the King, who holily lifts his hands Above an altar where the glowing rays Of sacred flames are curling; thus he prays:

"Ye glorious stars that shine on high, Remember me! Oh, hear my cry, Su-ku-nu,[1] bright Star of the West! Dil-gan, my patron star, oh, shine! O Mar-bu-du, whose rays invest Dear Nipur[2] with thy light divine, The flames that shines, upon the Waste! O Papsukul, thou Star of Hope, Sweet god of bliss, to me, oh, haste, Before I faint and lifeless drop! O Adar,[3] Star of Ninazu, Be kind! O Ra-di-tar-tu-khu. Sweet U-tu-ca-ga-bu,[4] dear Star With thy pure face that shines afar!

"Oh, pardon me! each glorious Star! Za-ma-ma,[5] hear me! O Za-ma-ma! Ca-ca-ma u Ca-ca-ma."[6]

"[7]Remember him! O dear Za-ma-ma! Ca-ca-ma u Ca-ca-ma."

As Izdubar doth end his holy prayer He kneels, and they now bear his body where A snowy couch doth rest beneath a shrine That stands near by the glowing fount divine, And Khasisadra lifts his holy hands, His incantation chants, and o'er him stands.

"O Bel, Lord of An-nu-na-ci, O Nina, Hea's daughter! Zi![8] This Incantation aid, Remember us, Remember!

"[9]Ye tempests of High Heaven, be still! Ye raging lightnings, oh, be calm! From this brave man his strength is gone, Before thee see him lying ill! Oh, fill with strength his feeble frame, O Ishtar, shine from thy bright throne! From him thine anger turn away, Come from thy glowing mountains, come! From paths untrod by man, oh, haste! And bid this man arise this day. With strength divine as Heaven's dome, His form make pure and bright and chaste! The evil curse, oh, drive away!

"Go! A-sac-cu-kab-bi-lu,[10] go! O Nam-ta-ru-lim-nu,[11] oh, fly! U-tuc-cu-lim-nu[12] from him flow! A-lu-u-lim-nu,[13] hence! away! E-ci-mu-lim-nu,[14] go! thou fiend! Fly, Gal-lu-u-lim-nu,[15] afar! Fly from his head! his life! I send Thee, fiend! depart from Izdubar! Go from his forehead, breast, and heart, And feet! Avaunt! thou fiend! depart! Oh, from the Curse, Thou Spirit High! And Spirit of the Earth, come nigh! Protect him, may his spirit fly! O Spirit of the Lord of Lands, And Goddess of the Earthly Lands, Protect him! raise with strength his hands!

"Oh, make him as the Holy Gods, His body, limbs, like thine Abodes, And like the Heavens may he shine! And like the Earth with rays divine! Quick! with the khis-ib-ta[16] to bring High Heaven's Charm--bind round his brow! The sis-bu[17] place around his hands! And let the sab-u-sat[18] bright cling! The mus-u-kat[19] lay round him now, And wrap his feet with rad-bat-bands,[20] And open now his zik-a-man[21] The sis-bu cover, and his hands The bas-sat[22] place around his form! From baldness and disease, this man Cleanse, make him whole, head, feet, and hands!

"O Purity, breathe thy sweet charm!

"Restore his health and make his skin Shine beautifully, beard and hair Restore! make strong with might his loins! And may his body glorious shine As the bright gods!--

Ye winds him bear! Immortal flesh to his soul joins! Thou Spirit of this man! arise! Come forth with joy! Come to the skies!"

And lo! his leprosy has fled away! He stands immortal,--purged! released from clay!

[Footnote 1: "Su-ku-nu" or "Kak-si-di," the star of the West.]

[Footnote 2: "Nipur," the city from which Izdubar came.]

[Footnote 3: "Adar," the star of Ninazu, the goddess of death, who cursed him with leprosy in the cavern. This star was also called "Ra-di-tar-tu-khu."]

[Footnote 4: "U-tu-ca-ga-bu," the star with the white or pure face.]

[Footnote 5: "Za-ma-ma," another name for Adar. This is the deity for whom Izdubar or Nammurabi built the great temple whose top, in the language of the Babylonians, reached the skies. It was afterward called the "Tower of the Country" or "Tower of Babylon." This was perhaps the Tower of Babel. He also restored another temple called "Bite-muris," which was dedicated to the same goddess.]

[Footnote 6: "Amen and amen!" The word "amen" is usually repeated three times.]

[Footnote 7: The response of the priest Khasi-sadra.]

[Footnote 8: "Zi," spirits.]

[Footnote 9: See "T.S.B.A.," vol. ii. p. 31.]

[Footnote 10: "A-sac-cu-kab-bi-lu," evil spirit of the head.]

[Footnote 11: "Nam-ta-ru-lim-nu," evil spirit of the life or heart.]

[Footnote 12: "U-tuc-cu-lim-nu," evil spirit of the forehead.]

[Footnote 13: "A-lu-u-lim-nu," evil spirit of the breast.]