Part 5 (1/2)

137. She gave him the TABLET OF DESTINIES, she fastened it on his breast, [saying],

138. ”As for thee, thy command shall not fall empty, whatsoever goeth forth from thy mouth shall be established.”

139. When Kingu was raised on high and had taken the heavens (literally, the G.o.d Anutum)

140. He fixed the destinies for the G.o.ds his sons,

141. Open your mouths, let the Fire-G.o.d[1] be quenched,

[Footnote 1: The G.o.d here alluded to is Mardak, who, in one aspect, is a fire-G.o.d; see Tablet IV, II. 39, 40.]

142. He who is glorious in battle and is most mighty, shall do great deeds.

SECOND TABLET.

1. Tiamat made solid that which she had moulded.

2. She bound the G.o.ds her children with [evil bonds].

3. Tiamat wrought wickedness to avenge Apsu.

4. When ... had harnessed his chariot he went to meet Ea,

5. Ea hearkened to his story,

6. He was sorely afflicted and abode in sorrow,

7. The days were long, his wrath died down.

8. He went his way to the dwelling of Anshar, his father,

9. He went into the presence of Anshar, the father who begat him,

[Ill.u.s.tration: Portion of a tablet inscribed in a.s.syrian with a text of the Second Tablet of the Creation Series. [No. 40,559.]]

10. Whatsoever Tiamat had devised he repeated unto him,

11. Mother Tiamat who gave us birth hath sown these things.

12. She hath set in order her a.s.sembly, she rageth furiously,

13. All the G.o.ds have joined themselves to her.

14. They march by her side together with those whom ye have created.

15. They formed a band and went forth to battle to help Tiamat,

16. They were exceedingly wroth, they made plots by day and by night without ceasing,