Babylonian and Assyrian Literature Part 30

[Footnote 9: See "T.S.B.A.," vol. ii. p. 31.]

[Footnote 10: "A-sac-cu-kab-bi-lu," evil spirit of the head.]

[Footnote 11: "Nam-ta-ru-lim-nu," evil spirit of the life or heart.]

[Footnote 12: "U-tuc-cu-lim-nu," evil spirit of the forehead.]

[Footnote 13: "A-lu-u-lim-nu," evil spirit of the breast.]

[Footnote 14: "E-ci-mu-lim-nu," evil spirit of the stomach.]

[Footnote 15: "Gal-lu-u-lim-nu," evil spirit of the hands.]

[Footnote 16: "Khis-ib-ta," a strip of parchment or linen on which was inscribed a holy text, a charm like that used by the Jews, a philactery.]

[Footnote 17: "Sis-bu," the same as the preceding.]

[Footnote 18: "Sab-u-sat," was perhaps a holy cloth, also inscribed in the same manner.]

[Footnote 19: "Mus-u-kat," was also of the same character as the preceding.]

[Footnote 20: "Rad-bat-bands," similar bands to the khis-ib-ta.]

[Footnote 21: "Zik-a-man," this is unknown, it perhaps was the inner garment.]

[Footnote 22: "Bas-sat," supposed to be the outside or last covering placed over the person so treated. That some such ceremony was performed in the case of Izdubar seems to be undoubted. See "Trans. Soc. Bib.

Arch.," vol. ii. p. 31; also Sayce's edition Smith's "C.A. of G.," p.

290.]

COLUMN V

IZDUBAR FALLS IN LOVE WITH MUA, AND OFFERS HER HIS HAND

"O Mua! thou bright Waters of the Dawn!

Oh, where art thou?" one cries as he doth run Through the bright garden. See! 'tis Izdubar!

Immortal! glorious! our King of War!

And now in love is seeking Mua here.

He scarcely treads the ground as he comes near; A glow of youth immortal on his cheek, A form that sorrow, death, will never seek Within these Happy Fields, his eyes with light That Love alone may give, show his delight.

A dazzling pillared vista round him shines, Where golden columns bear the bowering shrines, With gemmed domes that cl.u.s.tering round him rise, 'Mid fruit-trees, flashing splendors to the skies.

He goes through silver grots along a zone, And now he pa.s.ses yonder blazing throne, O'er diamond pavements, pa.s.ses shining seats Whereon the high and holy conclave meets To rule the empires vast that spread away To utmost bounds in all their vast array.

Around the whole expanse grand cestes spread O'er paths sidereal unending lead.

As circling wheels within a wheel they shine, Enveloping the Fields with light divine.

A noontide glorious of shining stars, Where humming music rings from myriad cars, Where pinioned mult.i.tudes their harps may tune, And in their holy sanct.i.ty commune.

And see! here Mua comes! she stops and waits Within a _gesdin_ bower beside its gates.

Around, above her spreads a flowering vine, And o'er a ruby fountain almandine.

And on a graven garnet table grand, Carved cups of solid pearl and tilpe[1] stand.

A Zadu[2] reservoir stands near, which rounds The fount wherein the fragrant nectar bounds.

The ground is strewn with pari[3] gems and pearls, Wherefrom the light now softly backward hurls Its rays o'er couches of paruti[4] stone, Soft cushioned, circling in the inner zone Beside the shining kami-sadi way,[5]

Where nectar fountains in their splendor play.

The path leads far along Life's beauteous stream, That ever through this World of Joy doth gleam.

And see! the hero comes! and now doth near The maiden, where with Love she waits him here.

She flings a flowering garland, weaves it round His form as he comes by! He turns around, And she enwraps his breast and arms, and says:

"Dear Izdubar! and thus my lover strays!

I'll bind thee with this fragrant chain to keep Thee ever by my side! thy pleasant sleep Hath kept my lover from my side too long!"

"O thou sweet spirit, like a warbling song Thy words are to my heart! I sought for thee, And thy bright face and presence did not see; I come to tell thee that I must return, When from thy father all the past shall learn."

"And wilt thou go from me to earth again?

No! no! dear Izdubar, I thee enchain!"

"'Tis true, my love, I must return to men; My duty calls me to my throne again."

"Dear Izdubar! my friend! my love! my heart!

I cannot let thee from my soul depart!

Thou shinest in my breast as some bright star!

And shall I let thee from me go afar?"

"But Mua, we immortal are, and we There might return; and thou on earth shalt see The glories of my kingdom,--be my queen!

Upon a couch I'll seat thee, there to reign With me, my beauteous queen,--beside me sit; And kings will come to us and kiss thy feet.

With all my wealth I'll clothe thee, ever love Thee, fairest of these glorious souls that move Within this Happy World. My people there Shall love us,--ever drive away all care!"

When Mua heard him offer thus his hand, She then unbinds him,--thoughtful now doth stand.

[Footnote 1: "Tilpe," a precious gem known only to the Babylonians.]

[Footnote 2: "Zadu," a precious gem known only to the Babylonians.]

[Footnote 3: "Pari," an unknown gem.]

[Footnote 4: "Paruti," an unknown gem.]

[Footnote 5: "Kami-sadi" way, a path paved with unknown gems. These precious stones are mentioned on the various inscriptions in the list of precious jewels with gold, diamonds, pearls, etc., taken as spoils from their enemies.]

COLUMN VI

MUA'S ANSWER

Sweet Mua lifts her eyes toward the heights That glow afar beneath the softened lights That rest upon the mountain's crystalline.

And see! they change their hues incarnadine To gold, and emerald, and opaline; Swift changing to a softened festucine Before the eye. And thus they change their hues To please the sight of every soul that views Them in that Land; but she heeds not the skies, Or glorious splendor of her home; her eyes Have that far look of spirits viewing men On earth, from the invisible mane, That erstwhile rests upon the mortal eye,-- A longing for that home beyond the sky; A yearning for that bliss that love imparts, Where pain and sorrow reach no mortal hearts.