Column I

6 A people who drink turbid water, and not pure water,

7 Whose sense is perverted, had taken men captive, had triumphed over them, and had committed slaughter.

8 On a tablet nought was written, nought was left to write. In mine own person

9 From my land I went not forth, and I did not give them battle.

10 A people who had the bodies of birds of the hollow, men who had the faces of ravens,

11 Were brought forth by the Lord's decree,

12 And in the ground a dwelling-place was made for them.

13 Tiamat gave them suck,

15 In the midst of the mountain they became strong, they waxed great, they multiplied exceedingly.

16 Seven kings, brethren, fair and comely,

17 Three hundred and sixty thousand in number were their forces,

18 Anbanini, their father, was king; their mother, Melili, was queen.

19 Their eldest brother, their leader, was named Memangab;

20 Their second brother was named Medudu;

21 Their third brother was named ...lul;

22 Their fourth brother was named ...dada;

23 Their fifth brother was named ...dah;

24 Their sixth brother was named ...ru;

25 Their seventh brother was named ...

Column II

2 Evil fiends and demons that lie in wait ...

3 Pursuing after a man, turned him from his purpose.

5 ... an evil curse was cast upon the lands.

6 I cried unto the wise men, and I directed them,

7 I set out the lambs for sacrifice in rows of seven.

8 I placed there also the holy ...

9 And I turned in prayer to the Lord,

12 And the Lord commanded me that I should go, but ... He gave not unto me.

13 Then spake I unto my heart, saying: "By my life!

14 "Who is ... my friend?

15 "Who is ... a sorcerer?

16 "But I will go, since I have put my trust in the ... of my heart,

17 "And my weapon of iron will I take!"

18 As the first year drew nigh,

19 One hundred and twenty thousand warriors I sent out, but not one returned alive.

20 As the second year drew nigh, ninety thousand warriors I sent out, but not one returned alive.

21 As the third year drew nigh, sixty thousand seven hundred warriors I sent out, but not one returned alive.

22 Despairing, powerless, and afflicted, I was full of woe, and I groaned aloud,

23 And I spake unto my heart, saying: "By my life!

24 "What have I brought upon my realm?

25 "I am a king who hath brought no prosperity unto his country,

Column III

1 "And a shepherd who hath brought no prosperity unto his people.

2 "But (this thing) will I do. In mine own person will I go forth!

3 "The pride of men, and night, and death, and disease, and trembling,

4 "And fear, and terror, and ..., and hunger,

5 "And famine, and misery of every kind

6 "Pursue after their ...

7 "But ... let there be a deluge,

8 "To ... the deluge of old time!"

9 Then the Lord ... spake,

10 And said ...

12 "Thou didst speak unto me and ...

14 The New Year's Feast in the fourth year ...,

15 With supplication unto God, the ... of the Lord of all,

16 Pure offerings for the Feast of the New Year ...

18 I cried unto the wise men, and I directed them,

19 I set out the lambs for sacrifice in rows of seven.

20 I placed there also the holy ...

21 And I turned in prayer to the Lord ...

Column IV

9 Thou, O king, or ruler, or prince, or anyone whatsoever,

10 Whom God shall call to rule over the kingdom,

11 A tablet concerning these matters have I made for thee, and a record have I written for thee.

12 In the city of Cuthah, in the house E-shidlam,

13 In the sanctuary, have I deposited it for thee.

14 Behold this memorial tablet,

15 And hearken unto the words thereof,

16 And thou shalt not despair, nor be feeble,

17 And thou shalt not fear, nor be affrighted.

18 Stablish thyself firmly,

19 Sleep in peace beside thy wife,

20 Strengthen thy walls,

21 Fill thy trenches with water,

22 Bring in thy treasure-chests, and thy corn, and thy silver, and thy goods, and thy possessions,

23 And thy household stuff.

24 Fix firmly the ..., and build surrounding walls.

25 Guard thy body and take heed for thy person.

26 ... thou shalt not go out unto him,

27 ... thou shalt not draw nigh unto him.