THIRD TABLET.
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Budge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
40. "'Bearer of the firmly-grasped weapon, attacker in the fight.
41. "'He who in the battle is the master of the weapon,
42. "'She appointed, she made him to sit down in [goodly apparel]
43. "'[Saying]: I have recited the incantation for thee, I have magnified thee in the assembly of the gods.
44. "''I have filled his (i.e., thy) hand with the sovereignty of the whole company of the gods.
45. "''Mayest thou be magnified, thou who art my only spouse,
46. "''May the Anunnaki make great thy renown over all of them."'
47. "She gave him the TABLET OF DESTINIES, she fastened it on his head [saying]:
48. "'As for thee, thy command shall not fall empty, what goeth forth from thy mouth shall be established.'
49. "When Kingu was raised on high and had taken the heavens (literally, the god Anutum),
50. "He fixed the destinies for the gods, his sons, [saying]:
51. "'Open your mouths, let the Fire-god be quenched.
52. "'He who is glorious in battle and is most mighty shall do great deeds.'
53. "'I sent the god Anu, but he could not prevail against her.
54. "'Nudimmud (i.e., Ea) was afraid and turned back,
55. "'Marduk, your son, the envoy of the gods, hath set out.
56. "'His heart is stirred up to oppose Tiâmat.
57. "'He opened his mouth, he spoke unto me [saying]:
58. "'Should I as your avenger
59. "'Slay Tiâmat, and bestow life upon you,
60. "'Summon a meeting, proclaim and magnify my position,
61. "'Sit ye down together in friendly fashion in Up-shukkinaku.
62. "'Let me issue decrees by the opening of my mouth even as ye do,
63. "'Whatsoever I bring to pass let it remain unaltered.
64. "'That which my mouth uttereth shall neither fail nor be brought to nought.'
65. "Hasten ye therefore, issue your decrees speedily
66. "That he may go to meet your mighty enemy."
67. Gaga departed and hastened upon his way
68. To the god Lakhmu and the goddess Lakhamu, the gods his fathers, reverently
69. He did homage, and he kissed the ground at their feet.
70. He bowed down, stood up, and spake unto them [saying]:
71. "[O ye gods], Anshar your son hath charged me,
72. "The intention of his heart he hath made me to know in this wise:--
73. "Mother Tiâmat who gave us birth hath sown these things,
74. "She hath set in order her assembly, she rageth furiously.
75. "All the gods have joined themselves to her.
76. "They march by her side together with those whom ye have created,
77. "They formed a band and went forth to battle to help Tiâmat.
78. "They were exceedingly wroth, they made plans by day and by night without ceasing.
79. "They offered battle, foaming and raging.