light than the exaltation of Nusku in the 'Maklu'
series,[429] and which we have found were in many cases elaborate,
beautiful in diction, and elevated in thought. So--to give one more
example--a hymn addressed to the sun-god at the setting, and which is
especially interesting because of the metaphors chosen to describe the
sun's course, is proved by the colophon to be again an incantation. It
belongs to a series--perhaps, indeed, to the same as the specimens
furnished:[430]

O sun-god in the midst[431] of heaven at thy setting,
May the enclosure of the pure heaven greet thee,[432]
May the gate of heaven approach thee,
May the directing god, the messenger who loves thee, direct thy way.
In E-babbara, the seat of thy sovereignty, thy supremacy rises like
the dawn.
May A, the wife whom thou lovest, come before thee with joy;
May thy heart be at rest,[433]
May the glory of thy divinity be established for thee.
O Shamash! warrior hero, mayest thou be exalted;
O lord of E-babbara, as thou marchest, may thy course be directed,
Direct thy path, march along the path fixed for thy course (?).
O Shamash! judge of the world, director of its laws art thou.

In the previous chapter, the hymns addressed to the moon-god in
connection with eclipses have been referred to and short specimens
given. A more elaborate hymn to Sin will further illustrate the
conceptions current about this deity:[434]

O lord, chief of the gods, who on earth and in heaven alone is exalted.
Father Nannar,[435] lord of increase, chief of the gods,
Father Nannar, heavenly lord,
Father Nannar, moon-god, chief of the gods,
Father Nannar, lord of Ur, chief of the gods,
Father Nannar, lord of E-gish-shir-gal,[436] chief of the gods,
Father Nannar, lord of the brilliant crescent, chief of the gods,
Father Nannar, whose sovereignty is brought to perfection, chief of
the gods,
Father Nannar, who passes along in great majesty,
O strong Bull,[437] great of horns, perfect in form, with long flowing
beard[438] of the color of lapus-lazuli.
Powerful one, self-created, a product (?) beautiful to look upon,
whose fullness has not been brought forth,[439]
Merciful one, begetter of everything, who among living things occupies
a lofty seat,
Father, merciful one and restorer, whose weapon (?) maintains the life
of the whole world.
Lord, thy divinity, like the distant heaven and the wide ocean, is