. Bow and
quiver, the lance and club are mentioned, together with the storm and
the lightning flash. In addition to this he

Constructs a net wherewith to enclose the life of Tiamat.
The four winds he grasped so that she could not escape.[725]
The south and north winds, the east and west winds
He brought to the net, which was the gift of his father Anu.

His outfit is not yet complete.

He creates a destructive wind, a storm, a hurricane,
Making of the four winds, seven[726] destructive and fatal ones;
Then he let loose the winds he created, the seven,
To destroy the life[727] of Tiamat, they followed after him.

Marduk, taking his most powerful weapon in his hand,[728] mounts his
chariot, which is driven by fiery steeds. The picture thus furnished of
the god, standing upright in his chariot, with his weapons hung about
him and the seven winds following in his wake, is most impressive.

He makes straight for the hostile camp. The sight of the god inspires
terror on all sides.

The lord comes nearer with his eye fixed upon Tiamat,
Piercing with his glance (?) Kingu her consort.

Kingu starts back in alarm. He cannot endure the 'majestic halo' which
surrounds Marduk. Kingu's associates--the monsters--are terrified at
their leader's discomfiture. Tiamat alone does not lose her courage.

Marduk, brandishing his great weapon, addresses Tiamat:

Why hast thou set thy mind upon stirring up destructive contest?

He reproaches her for the hatred she has shown towards the gods, and
boldly calls her out to the contest:

Stand up! I and thou, come let us fight.

Tiamat's rage at this challenge is superbly pictured:

When Tiamat heard these words
She acted as possessed, her senses left her;
Tiamat shrieked wild and loud,
Trembling and shaking down to her foundations.
She pronounced an incantation, uttered her sacred formula.

Marduk is undismayed:

Then Tiamat and Marduk, chief of the gods, advanced towards one
another.
They advanced to the contest, drew nigh for fight.

The fight and discomfiture of Tiamat are next described:

The lord spread out his net in order to enclose her.
The destructive wind, which was behind him, he sent forth into her
face.
As Tiamat opened her mouth full wide,
He[729] drove in the destructive wind, so that she could not close
her lips.
The strong winds inflated her stomach.
Her heart was beset,[730] she opened still w