Chapter 6

[Footnote 5: "Man-u-ban-i," a tree or shrub of unpleasant odor mentioned by Heabani. See Sayce's revised edition Smith's "Chald. Acc. of Genesis," p. 254. The fragment translated by Mr. Sayce should be placed in another position in the epic.]

[Footnote 6: "Amaranti," amaranth. "Immortal amaranth."--"Par. Lost."]

COLUMN III

THE KING WORSHIPS AT THE SHRINE OF ISHTAR

[1]The richest and the poorest here must stay, Each proud or humble maid must take her way; To Ishtar's temple grand, a lofty shrine, With youth and beauty seek her aid divine. Some drive in covered chariots of gold, With courtly trains come to the temple old. With ribbons on their brows all take their seats, The richer maid of nobles, princes, waits Within grand chambers for the nobler maids; The rest all sit within the shrine's arcades. Thus fill the temple with sweet beauties, crones; The latest maids are the most timid ones.

In rows the maidens sat along the halls And vestibules, on couches, where the walls Were carved with mystic signs of Ishtar's feast; Till at the inner shrine the carvings ceased. Amid the crowd long silken cords were strung To mark the paths, and to the pillows clung. The King through the great crowd now pressed his way Toward the inner shrine, where he may pray. The jewelled maidens on the cushioned seats, Now babbling hailed the King, and each entreats For sacred service, silver or of gold, And to him, all, their sweetest charms unfold. Some lovely were, in tears besought and cried, And many would a blooming bride provide; While others were deformed and homely, old, As spinsters still remained, till now grown bold, They raised their bony arms aloft and bawled. Some hideous were with harshest voices squalled, And hags like _dal-khi_ from the Under-World, Their curses deep, growled forth from where they curled. But these were few and silent soon became, And hid their ugliness away in shame. For years some maids had waited day and night, But beauty hides the ugly ones from sight.

The King astounded, eyed them seated round; Beneath their gaze his eyes fell to the ground. "And hath great Accad lost so many sons, And left so many maids unmarried ones?" He eyed the image where the goddess stood Upon a pedestal of cedar wood O'erlaid with gold and pearls and _uk-ni_ stones, And near it stands the altar with its cones Of gold adorned with gems and solid pearls,-- And from the golden censer incense curls. Beside the altar stands a table grand Of solid metal carved with skilful hand; Upon it stands a mass of golden ware, With wines and fruits which pious hands prepare. The walls are glistening with gold and gems, The priestesses all wear rich diadems. The Sar now eyes the maidens, while they gaze; Thus they expectant wait, while he surveys. And see! he takes from them a charming girl With Ishtar's eyes and perfect form, the pearl Of beauty of them all; turns to the shrine, When in her lap he drops a golden coin, And says, "The goddess Ishtar, prosper thee!"[2] She springs, for she from Ishtar's halls is free, And kneels and weeps before the monarch's feet, "O great and mighty Sar I thee entreat, My will is thine, but all my sisters free: Behold my sisters here imploring thee!" The King gazed at the beauteous pleading face, Which roused within his breast the noble race Before her heavenly charms transfixed he stood. Before her heavenly charms transfixed he stood.

"'Tis well! my daughter, I the favor grant!" And to the priestess said, "Let here be sent Great coffers filled with gold! for I release These maids. Let all their weary waiting cease, The price I'll send by messengers to thee." And all rejoicing sing a psalmody. A ring of maidens round the image forms; With flashing eyes they sing, with waving arms, A wilderness of snowy arms and feet, To song and dance the holy measure beat; A mass of waving ringlets, sparkling eyes. In wildest transport round each maiden flies, The measure keeps to sacred psalmody, With music ravishing,--sweet melody. The priestess leads for them the holy hymn, Thus sing they, measure keep with body, limb:

[3]"Let length of days, long lasting years, With sword of power, extend his holy life! With years extended full of glory, shine, Pre-eminent above all kings in strife. Oh, clothe our king, our lord, with strength divine, Who with such gifts to gods appears!

"Let his great empire's limits be, Now vast and wide, enlarged, and may he reign (Till it shall spread before his eyes complete) Supreme above all kings! May he attain To silver hairs, old age, and nations greet Our sovereign in his royalty!

"When gifts are ended of Life's days, The feasts of the Land of the Silver Sky, With bliss, the Blest Abode Refulgent Courts, May he enjoy through all eternity, Where Light of Happy Fields with joy transports And dwell in life eternal, holy there In presence of the gods with sacred cheer, With Assur's gods walk blessèd ways!"

When they have ended all their joyful song, They gratefully around their monarch throng; And kneeling at his feet, they bathe his hands With tears of joy, and kiss the 'broidered bands Of his bright robes, then joyous haste away; And Erech's shame was ended on that day.

And now the Sar as his libation pours The sparkling sacred wine before the doors That lead to Ishtar's glorious inner shrine. He bows before her golden form divine, Thus prays:

[4]"In thy fair shrine I bow to thee, O Light of Heaven! bright thy majesty As glowing flames upon the world doth dawn, Bright goddess of the earth, thy fixed abode! Who dawned upon the earth a glorious god! With thee prosperity hath ever gone. To gild the towers of cities of mankind! Thou warrior's god, who rideth on the wind! As a hyena fierce thou sendest war, And as a lion comes thy raging car. Each day thou rulest from thy canopy That spreads above in glory,--shines for thee; O come, exalted goddess of the Sun!"

[5]Against the tyrant King I go to war, Attend mine arms, O Queen! with radiant car Of battles! ride upon the giant King With thy bright, fiery chargers! valor bring To me at rising of the glistening car Of Samas, send attendants fierce of war! But goddess Mam-nutu of Fate and Death; Oh, keep away from me her blasting breath; Let Samas fix the hour with favor thine, And o'er mine unknown path, Oh ride divine! Thy servant strengthen with thy godly power That he invincible in war may tower, Against thy chosen city's greatest foe, Who brought on Erech all her deepest woe." And from the inner shrine with curtains hung, The Oracle of Ishtar sweetly sung:

"O King of vast unnumbered countries, hear! Thine enemy Khum-baba do not fear, My hands will waft the winds for thee. Thus I reveal! Khum-baba falls! thine enemy! Nor aught conceal.

"The harvest month[6] propitious shines, Array great Accad's battle lines! Before thy feet thy Queen descends, Before thy will thine Ishtar bends, To fight thine enemy, To war I go with thee! My word is spoken, thou hast heard, For thee, my favor thou hast stirred. As I am Ishtar of mine Or divine, Thine enemy shall fall! Be glory thine!

"Before mine Izdubar I go, And at thy side direct thy blow. I go with thee, fear not, my King, For every doubt and fear, I bring Relief, to thy heart rest! Of Sars, I love thee best!"

[Footnote 1: The account given by Herodotus of the worship of Beltis or Ishtar, if true (see Herodotus, i. 199), was one of the darkest features of Babylonian religion. It is probable that the first intention was only to represent love as heaven-born, and that it afterward became sensual in the time of Herodotus. (See Sayce's edition Smith's "C.A. of Gen.," p. 50.) The presence of the women may have been intended at first to present an innocent attraction. See also Rawlinson's "Ancient Monarchies," vol. iii. p. 21.]

[Footnote 2: See Herodotus, vol. i. p. 199. Ishtar was called Mylitta or Beltis in the time of Herodotus. We have taken the above description from Herodotus, whose work is mostly confirmed by the cuneiform inscriptions.]

[Footnote 3: The above psalm is found in vol. iii. of Rawlinson's "British Museum Inscriptions," pl. 66, and was translated by H.F. Talbot, F.R.S., in vol. i. of the "Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archæology," p. 108, and also by M. Lenormant in his "Premières Civilisations," p. 177. We have used Mr. Talbot's transcription.]

[Footnote 4: See terra-cotta tablet numbered "S. 954" in the British Museum; also translation by Rev. A.H. Sayce, M.A., in the "Records of the Past," vol. v. p. 157.]

[Footnote 5: See fragment in Sayce's edition Smith's "Chald. Acc. of Gen.," p. 220, col. iii.]

[Footnote 6: The harvest month was the month of Sivan, which is mentioned by the Oracle of Ishtar of Arbela. See "Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia," vol. iv. pl. 68; also "Records of the Past," vol. xi. pp. 61-62.]

COLUMN IV

THE KING GOES FROM ISHTAR'S TEMPLE TO THE TEMPLE OF SAMAS

He rose and raised the pendant mystic charms And kissed them, and the jewels of her arms And ornaments upon her breast divine, And then her crown with jewels iridine He placed upon his brow, and it returned; And from the shrine in reverence he turned; To Samas' temple all the chiefs of war And seers, _pa-te-si,_ go with Izdubar.

Before the fire he stands where holy burns The flames of Samas. In a vase he turns The crimson wine, to Samas, God, he pours Libation, and his favor thus implores:

"O Samas, why hast thou established, raised Me in thy heart?--protected? Men have praised Thee, Holy One! my expedition bless In thine own will, O God, I acquiesce. I go, O Samas, on a path afar, Against Khumbaba I declare this war; The battle's issue thou alone dost know, Or if success attends me where I go. The way is long, O may thy son return From the vast pine-tree forest, I would earn For Erech glory and renown! Destroy Khumbaba and his towers! he doth annoy All nations, and is evil to thy sight. To-morrow I will go, O send thy Light Upon my standards, and dark Nina-zu Keep thou away, that I may wary view Mine enemies, and fix for me the hour When I shall strike and crush Khumbaba's power.

To all the gods I humbly pray To Izdubar propitious be! [1]_Assur Samas u Marduk-u, Ana Sar bel-ni-ya lik-ru-bu!"_

And thus the Oracle with sweetest voice To him replied, and made his heart rejoice:

"Fear not, O Izdubar, For I am Bel, thy strength in war.[2] A heart of strength give I to thee! To trust, we can but faithful be! As thou hast shown to me. The sixty gods, our strongest ones, Will guide thy path where'er it runs; The moon-god on thy right shall ride, And Samas on thy left shall guide. The sixty gods thy will commands To crush Khumbaba's bands. In man alone, do not confide, Thine eyes turn to the gods, Who rule from their abodes, And trust in Heaven where powers abide!"

With joyous heart the Sar comes from the shrine To bathe his brow in Samas' rays divine; Upon the pyramid he stands and views The scene below with its bright varied hues. A peerless pile the temple grandly shone With marble, gold, and silver in the sun; In seven stages rose above the walls, With archways vast and polished pillared halls. A marble portico surrounds the mass With sculptured columns, banisters of brass, And winding stairways round the stages' side, Grand temples piled on temples upward glide, A mass of colors like the rainbow hues, Thus proudly rise from breezy avenues. The brazen gates lead to the temple's side, The stairs ascend and up the stages glide. The basement painted of the darkest blue Is passed by steps ascending till we view From them the second stage of orange hue And crimson third! from thence a glorious view-- A thousand turrets far beneath, is spread O'er lofty walls, and fields, and grassy mead; The golden harvests sweep away in sight And orchards, vineyards, on the left and right; Euphrates' stream as a broad silver band Sweeps grandly through the glowing golden land, Till like a thread of silver still in sight It meets the Tigris gleaming in the light That spreads along the glorious bending skies, The brightest vault of all the emperies.

Now rested from the cushioned seats we rise And to the stairway turn again our eyes; The fourth stage plated o'er with beaten gold We pass, and topaz fifth till we behold The sixth of azure blue; to seventh glide, That glows with silvery summit where reside The gods, within a shrine of silvery sheen Which brightly glows, and from afar is seen. Without the temple, burnished silver shines; Within, pure gold and gems in rare designs.

[Footnote 1: "Assur Samas and Merodac" ("Unto the king, my lord, may they be propitious!"), the response of the priest to the prayer.]

[Footnote 2: See "Records of the Past," vol. xi. p. 63. These oracles seem to be formulas which are filled in with the monarch's name, and may apply to any king.]

COLUMN V

EXPEDITION AGAINST KHUMBABA, AND BATTLE IN THE BLACK FOREST

At early dawn the shining ranks are massed, And Erech echoes with the trumpet's blast; The chosen men of Erech are in line, And Ishtar in her car above doth shine. The blazing standards high with shouts are raised, As Samas' car above grand Sumir blazed. The march they sound at Izdubar's command, And thus they start for King Khumbaba's land; The gods in bright array above them shine, By Ishtar led, with Samas, moon-god Sin, On either side with Merodac and Bel, And Ninip, Nergal, Nusku with his spell, The sixty gods on chargers of the skies, And Ishtar's chariot before them flies.

Across Cazina's desert far have come, The armies now have neared Khumbaba's home; Beneath grand forests of tall cedar, pine, And the dark shades near Khar-sak's brow divine. A brazen gate before them high appeared, And massive walls which their great foe had reared; The mighty gates on heavy pivots hung, They broke, and on their brazen hinges swung With clanging roars against the solid wall, And sent through all the wilds a clarion call. Within his halls Khumbaba is enthroned, In grand Tul-Khumba's walls by forests zoned With her bright palaces and templed shrines, The sanctuaries of the gods, where pines Sigh on the wafting winds their rich perfumes; Where Elam's god with sullen thunder dooms From Kharsak's brow the wailing nation's round, And Elam's hosts obey the awful sound. The giant here his castled city old Had strengthened, wrung his tributes, silver, gold; His palace ceiling with pure silver shines, And on his throne of gold from Magan's[1] mines In all his pride the conqueror exults, With wealth has filled his massive iron vaults. Oft from his marble towers the plains surveys, And sees his foes' most ancient cities blaze; While his _pa-te-si_ lead his allied hosts, And o'er his famous victories he boasts.

With Rimsin he allied when Erech fell, The King of Sarsa, whose great citadel Was stormed by Nammurabi the great Sar, Ninrad of Erech, our King Izdubar. Khumbaba's ally was by him o'erthrown, And thus appeared to take Khumbaba's throne. And now within his palace came a sound That roared through all the forest, shook the ground: "Our foes! our foes! the gate! hear how it rings!" And from his throne the giant furious springs: "Ho! vassals! sound the trump! 'tis Izdubar, To arms! our foes are on us from afar!" His weapons seizes, drives his men in fear Before him with his massive sword and spear, And as a tempest from his lips he pours His orders, while his warrior steed he spurs Along his serried lines of bristling spears; Among the pines the army disappears.

The men of Accad now in squadrons form, Arrayed to take Khumbaba's towers by storm; While Izdubar the forest black surveyed Of pines and cedars thickly grown, and made A reconnoitre of his hidden foe. The road was straight; afar the turrets glow With Samas' light, and all the gods arrayed, Ride o'er the pines and flash through their dark shade. The glorious blaze of Accad's glistening spears One _kaspu_ pass, and now the foe appears; Beneath the deepest shadows of the pines Khumbaba stands with solid battle lines Before the marching host of Izdubar. The forest echoes with the shouts of war, As they sweep on with ringing battle cries, Now loudly echoed from the woods and skies: "_Kar-ro! kar-ra!_[2] we follow Izdubar!" And through the forests fly the bolts of war.

The foe beheld the gods in wrath above, And Accad's charging lines toward them move, But bravely stand to meet the onset fierce, Their mailed armor, shields, no arrows pierce. And now in direst conflict meet the mass, And furious still meets ringing bronze and brass, Khumbaba on his mighty steed of war, Above the ranks towers high a giant Sar, And sweeps the men of Accad with his blade, Till to his breast a heap of corpses made, And fiercely urged his men to fight, to die; And Izdubar, with helmet towering high, His men has led with fury on the foe, And massacres each man with one fell blow, Who dares to stand in front with sword or spear, And fighting by him stands his valiant seer. The gods now rushing from the gleaming sky, With blazing weapons carry victory; The foe no longer stand before the sight, And shouting fly away in wild affright. Their monarch turned and slowly rode away; And Accad's hosts his men pursue and slay, Until the forest deep resounds with cries. To save himself each man in terror flies.

[Footnote 1: "Mag-an" or "Mizir," Egypt, or the famous mines of Africa.]

[Footnote 2: "Karra! kar-ra!" (cry out) "Hurrah! hurrah!"]

COLUMN VI

HAND-TO-HAND CONFLICT OF THE RIVAL GIANTS--DEATH OF KHUMBABA

Now the black forest through, the Sar and seer Sought for their foe, Khumbaba, far and near; But he had fled when he beheld the gods In fury rushing from their bright abodes. Now from the battle-field the King and seer The farthest limit of the forest near, And passing on, the Sar thus to his seer: "The gods have filled our foeman's heart with fear; He comes not forth to meet us 'neath his walls." But lo! within their sight, far from his halls, Khumbaba stands beside his steed of snow Held by his queen, and eyes his coming foe. Heabani cries: "Behold the enemy! And with his queen from us disdains to fly!" And Izdubar turned to Heabani, said: "My seer, methought this King from us had fled; His army slain or scattered from us fly; But by our hands this monarch here must die." Heabani eyed Khumbaba, nor replied Before the Queen, who wrung her hands and cried; And Izdubar continued: "He, of war, It seems, doth lack in skill, and from afar He scents the battle, while his fighting men Their raids oft make, and here return again; His castle we may enter without fear, And thou his queen mayst have who standeth here, And now we end the reign of Elam's throne; So lend thy hand to strike this monarch prone. My friend, if I mistake thee not, for war Thou art prepared, since thou upon the car Wast wont to ride in former years now gone; And if he falls, a feast day of the Sun [1]We will appoint, and may the birds of prey Surround his carcass on this glorious day: But stay! this giant I will slay alone, Although his weight is many _gur-ri_[2] stone; This giant's form the gods have surely made An enemy well worthy of my blade."

And Izdubar upon his foe advanced, Who waiting stood, and at him fiercely glanced, And naught replied; but raised his glory blade. Their furious glance, the giant's queen dismayed. She wildly eyed the rivals towering high, And breathless stood, then quickly turned to fly, As Izdubar upon his heavy shield Received Khumbaba's stroke, and then doth wield His massive blade as lightning o'er his head, He strikes the giant's helmet on the mead. Khumbaba, furious, strikes a mighty blow, Which staggers Izdubar, who on his foe Now springs and rains upon him faster blows, Until his blade with fire continuous glows. Khumbaba caught his blows on sword and shield With parries; thrusts returned, and naught would yield; And thus they fought, the peerless kings of war. Now Ishtar downward drove his raging car, And in Khumbaba's eyes her rays she cast, The giant turned his glance--it was his last; Unwary caught, his foe has swung his sword, Khumbaba's gory head rolls o'er the sward.

[Footnote 1: Smith's "Chald. Acc. of Gen.," Sayce's edition, p. 223, ls. 35 and 41.]

[Footnote 2: "Gur-ri," a measurement of weight corresponding to "ton"(?). It [Transcriber's note: missing, probably "was"] also used as a measurement of ships.]

ALCOVE II

TABLET V--COLUMN I

CORONATION OF IZDUBAR AS KING OF THE FOUR RACES, AND APPEARANCE OF ISHTAR IN HIS ROYAL PRESENCE, WHO SUES FOR HIS HAND

To Erech's palaces returns the Sar, Rich laden with Khumbaba's spoils of war. The land of Ur with grandest glories shines-- And gleams with palaces and towers and shrines. The plain with temples, cities, walls is filled, And wide canals, and yellow harvests tilled. Grand Erech to the sight presents no walls In ruins laid, but glows with turrets, halls; With splendor proudly shines across the plain. And now with joy he meets his courtly train; Their shouts of welcome rend the gleaming skies, And happiness beams from his people's eyes. Within the walls he rides with kingly pride, And all his chiefs and seers beside him ride; To his grand palace they now lead the way, To crown him king of Subartu this day.

Arrayed in splendor on his throne, the Sar Before him eyes the Kassite spoils of war, Khumbaba's crown of gold, and blazing gems, The richest of the Kassite diadems, The royal sceptre of all Subartu, Of Larsa, Ur, Kardunia and Sutu The Sar upon his brow the crown now bound, Receives the sceptre while his courts resound With shouts for Sar-dan-nu of Subartu, The Sar of Kip-rat arba[1] and Sutu, Of Sumir, Accad, Nipur, Bar-ili,[2] And Erech, Larsa, Mairu, and Kus-si, Of Mal-al-nak, Kitu;--the sky resounds-- For Iz-zu-bar-ili,[3] from earth rebounds; For Nam-mu-rabi, Bar-bels king of fire. What king to his great glory can aspire?

The Zig-gur-at-u to the skies His hands have built, where holy fires To Samas burn; its flame ne'er dies, To holiness lead man's desires. He opens wide the fiery gates Of all the gods at Dintir old, Ka-ding-ir-a.[4] This day completes His grandeur--may it far be told Of our great Sar whose godly gate Wide opens Heaven's joy for man, Of Iz-zu-bar-ili the great, Who rules from Khar-sak to the main. Within the entrance to the royal rooms, Queen Ishtar with her train in splendor comes, Her radiant form with glistening gems ablaze, And shining crescent with its glorious rays, Glow with bright Heaven's unremitting flame; Thus came the Queen of Love of godly fame. The richest robe of gods her form enshrines, With every charm of Heaven and earth she shines; Of their wide splendors robs the farthest skies, That she with love her hero may surprise. Her train she robes with liveries of Heaven, To her are all the dazzling splendors given.