exts. However obscure some of the
points connected with the gods of the incantation texts may be, so much
is certain, that the two factors of water and fire, and the part played
by these elements in the ceremonies, control and explain the choice of
most of the gods and goddesses introduced, though--be it expressly
noted--not of all occurring in the magical texts.

The Ritual and Formulas.

Coming to the incantations themselves, they can best be characterized as
appeals interspersed with words of a more or less mystic character. The
force and efficacy of the incantation lie not so much in the meaning of
the words uttered, as in the simple fact that they _are_ to be uttered.
These incantations were combined into a ritual, and indications were
given of the occasions on which the incantations were to be used. An
analysis of one of these rituals will serve to illustrate this branch of
the religious literature of the Babylonians. I choose for this purpose
the series known as Maklu, _i.e._, Burning,[383] the interpretation of
which has been so considerably advanced by Dr. Tallqvist's admirable
work. The first tablet of the series opens with an invocation to the
gods of night. After complaining of his sad condition, the bewitched
individual continues as follows:

Arise ye great gods, hear my complaint;
Grant me justice, take cognizance of my condition.
I have made an image of my sorcerer and sorceress;
I have humbled myself before you and bring to you my cause
Because of the evil they (_i.e._, the witches) have done,
Of the impure things which they have handled,[384]
May she[385] die! Let me live!
May her charm, her witchcraft, her sorcery (?) be broken.
May the plucked sprig (?) of the _binu_ tree purify me.
May it release me; may the evil odor[386] of my mouth be scattered to
the winds.
May the _mashtakal_ herb[387] which fills the earth cleanse me.
Before you let me shine like the _kankal_ herb.
Let me be as brilliant and pure as the _lardu_ herb.
The charm of the sorceress is evil;
May her words return to her mouth,[388] her tongue be cut off.
Because of her witchcraft, may the gods of night smite her,
The three watches of the night[389] break her evil charm.
May her mouth be wax[390] (?), her tongue honey.
May the word causing my misfortune that she has spoken dissolve like
wax (?).
May the charm that she has wound up melt like honey,
So that her magic knot be cut