hat is, the god of fire.]

[Footnote 2: The Assyrian has, "Unto heaven that which was not seen they
raised."]

[Footnote 3: The Assyrian adds; "the first-born supreme."]

[Footnote 4: In the Accadian text, "they knew not."]

[Footnote 5: In the Accadian, "cause the foot to dwell."]

[Footnote 6: In the Assyrian, "learned."]

[Footnote 7: In the Accadian text, Merodach, the mediator and protector of
mankind, is called "protector of the covenant."]

[Footnote 8: That is, the fire-god.]

[Footnote 9: Hea, the god of the waters, was the father of Merodach, the
sun-god.]

[Footnote 10: "Eridu," the "Rata" of Ptolemy, was near the junction of the
Euphrates and Tigris, on the Arabian side of the river. It was one of the
oldest cities of Chaldea.]

REVERSE

35 Those seven in the earth were born,
36 those seven in the earth grew up.
37 The forces of the deep for war[1] have drawn near.
38 Go, my son Merodach!
39 (for) the laurel, the baleful tree that breaks in pieces the
incubi,
40 the name whereof Hea remembers in his heart.
41 In the mighty enclosure, the girdle of Eridu which is to
be praised,
42 to roof and foundation may the fire ascend and to (work)
evil may those seven never draw near.
43 Like a broad scimitar in a broad place bid (thine) hand
rest; and
44 In circling fire by night and by day[2] on the (sick) man's
head may it abide.
45 At night mingle the potion and at dawn in his hand let
him raise (it).
46 In the night a precept[3] in a holy book,[4] in bed, on the
sick man's head let them place.[5]
47 The hero (Merodach) unto his warriors sends:
48 Let the Fire-god seize on the incubus.
49 Those baleful seven may he remove and their bodies may
he bind.
50 During the day the sickness (caused by) the incubus (let
him) overcome.
51 May the Fire-god bring back the mighty powers to their
foundations.
52 May Nin-ci-gal [6] the wife of (Hea) establish before her the
_bile_ (of the man).
53 Burn up the sickness[7] ...
54 May Nin-akha-kuddu [8] seize upon his body and abide upon
his head,
55 according to the word of Nin-akha-kuddu,
56 (in) the enclosure of Eridu.
57 (In) the mighty girdle of the deep and of Eridu may she
remember his return (to health).
58 In (her) great watch may she keep (away) the incubus
supreme among the gods (that is) upon his head, and in
the night may she watch him.
59 (By) night and