Chapter 11

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.]

[Footnote 14: "E-ci-mu-lim-nu," evil spirit of the stomach.]

[Footnote 15: "Gal-lu-u-lim-nu," evil spirit of the hands.]

[Footnote 16: "Khis-ib-ta," a strip of parchment or linen on which was inscribed a holy text, a charm like that used by the Jews, a philactery.]

[Footnote 17: "Sis-bu," the same as the preceding.]

[Footnote 18: "Sab-u-sat," was perhaps a holy cloth, also inscribed in the same manner.]

[Footnote 19: "Mus-u-kat," was also of the same character as the preceding.]

[Footnote 20: "Rad-bat-bands," similar bands to the khis-ib-ta.]

[Footnote 21: "Zik-a-man," this is unknown, it perhaps was the inner garment.]

[Footnote 22: "Bas-sat," supposed to be the outside or last covering placed over the person so treated. That some such ceremony was performed in the case of Izdubar seems to be undoubted. See "Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.," vol. ii. p. 31; also Sayce's edition Smith's "C.A. of G.," p. 290.]

COLUMN V

IZDUBAR FALLS IN LOVE WITH MUA, AND OFFERS HER HIS HAND

"O Mua! thou bright Waters of the Dawn! Oh, where art thou?" one cries as he doth run Through the bright garden. See! 'tis Izdubar! Immortal! glorious! our King of War! And now in love is seeking Mua here. He scarcely treads the ground as he comes near; A glow of youth immortal on his cheek, A form that sorrow, death, will never seek Within these Happy Fields, his eyes with light That Love alone may give, show his delight.