FOURTH HYMN
1 Great Lord, from the midst of the shining heavens at thy rising, 2 valiant hero, Sun, from the midst of the shining heavens, at thy rising, 3 in the bolts of the shining heavens, in the entrance which opens heaven, at thy rising 4 in the bar of the door of the shining heavens, in …[1] at thy rising, 5 in the great door of the shining heavens, when thou openest it. 6 in the highest (summits) of the shining heavens, at the time of thy rapid course, 7 the celestial archangels with respect and joy press around thee; 8 the servants of the Lady of crowns[2] lead thee in a festive manner; 9 the …[3] for the repose of thy heart fix thy days; 10 the multitudes of the crowds on the earth turn their eyes often toward thee; 11 the Spirits of heaven and earth lead thee. 12 The …[3] thou crushest them with thy strength, 13 …[3] thou discoverest them, 14 …[3] thou causest to seize, 15 …[3] thou directest.
[Footnote 1: Lacuna.]
[Footnote 2: In the Assyrian version, "of the Lady of the gods.">[
[Footnote 3: Lacunæ.]
(I am obliged here to pass over five lines which are too mutilated for me to attempt to translate them with any degree of certainty.)
21 The Lord, as to me, has sent me; 22 the great god, Hea, as to me, has sent me.[1] 23 Settle what has reference to him,[2] teach the order which concerns him, decide the question relating to him. 24 Thou, in thy course thou directest the human race; 25 cast upon him a ray of peace, and let it cure his suffering. 26 The man, son of his god,[3] has laid before thee his shortcomings and his transgressions; 27 his feet and his hands are in pain, grievously defiled by disease. 28 Sun, to the lifting up of my hands pay attention; 29 eat his food, receive the victim, give his god (for a support) to his hand! 30 By his order let his shortcomings be pardoned! let his transgressions be blotted out! 31 May his trouble leave him! may he recover from his disease! 32 Give back life to the King![4] 33 Then, on the day that he revives, may thy sublimity envelop him! 34 Direct the King who is in subjection to thee! 35 And me, the magician, thy humble servant, direct me!
[Footnote 1: There is no Assyrian version of this line; we have only the
Accadian.]
[Footnote 2: The invalid on behalf of whom the invocation is recited.]
[Footnote 3: The pious man.]
[Footnote 4: From this verse onward the Assyrian version is wanting.]
FIFTH HYMN [Footnote: Cf. also "Chaldean Magic," pp. 185, 186.]
1 Magical incantation. 2 I have invoked thee, O Sun, in the midst of the high heavens. 3 Thou art in the shadow of the cedar, and 4 thy feet rest on the summits. 5 The countries have called thee eagerly, they have directed their looks toward thee, O Friend; 6 thy brilliant light illuminates every land, 7 overthrowing all that impedes thee, assemble the countries, 8 for thou, O Sun, knowest their boundaries. 9 Thou who annihilatest falsehood, who dissipatest the evil influence 10 of wonders, omens, sorceries, dreams, evil apparitions, 11 who turnest to a happy issue malicious designs, who annihilatest men and countries 12 that devote themselves to fatal sorceries, I have taken refuge in thy presence. 13 …[1] 14 Do not allow those who make spells, and are hardened, to arise; 15 Frighten their heart…[2] 16 Settle also, O Sun, light of the great gods. 17 Right into my marrow, O Lords of breath, that I may rejoice, even I. 18 May the gods who have created me take my hands! 19 Direct the breath of my mouth! my hands 20 direct them also, Lord, light of the legions of the heavens, Sun, O Judge! 21 The day, the month, the year…[2] 22 …[2] conjure the spell! 23 …[2] deliver from the infirmity!
[Footnote 1: Here I am obliged to omit a line, which I cannot yet make out.]
[Footnote 2: Lacunæ.]