30 The chiefest talisman, the mighty talisman, the engraved talisman, the talisman is the binder, with enchantment. 31 The repetition of the enchantment (is) baneful to man. 32 The curses of the gods. 33 … the binder with enchantment. 34 (With enchantment) his hands (and) his feet he binds. 35 Merodach, the son of Hea, the prince, with his holy hands cuts the knots. 36 May the enchantment cause this talisman to the desert among the wild beasts to go forth. 37 May the baneful enchantment seize upon others. 38 May this man rest (and) open (his eyes). 39 To the blessed hand of his god may he be committed. 40 Conclusion of the formulæ for averting sorcery.
41 For the raising of the mighty foundation thus have I burned up straight, 42 like fire have I burned up (and) have delivered the oracle.[10]
[Footnote 10: Or, "have laid the witchcraft.">[
COLUMN IV
1 The noble cupbearer of Hea, the scribe of Merodach (am) I. 2 Like fire have I blazed (and) I rejoice;[1] 3 (like) fire have I burned (and) I grow; 4 the corn I purify and make heavy. 5 Like fire have I blazed (and) will rejoice; 6 (like) fire have I burned (and) will grow; 7 the corn will I purify and make heavy. 8 O nadir (and) zenith, the light of god and man, 9 may the store he collected be delivered. 10 May the store of (his) heart whoever he be, ye his god and his goddess, be delivered. 11 May his gate be kept fast. On that day 12 may they enrich him, may they deliver him.
13 May the rejoicing[2] of the warrior fire-god 14 rejoice with thee. May lands and rivers 15 rejoice with thee. May Tigris and (Euphrates) 16 rejoice with thee. May the seas and (the ocean) 17 rejoice with thee. May the forest, the daughter of the gods, 18 rejoice with thee. May all the production (of the earth) 19 rejoice with thee. May the hearts of my god and my goddess, well-feasted, 20 rejoice with thee. May the hearts of the god and the goddess of the city, well-feasted, (rejoice with thee). 21 On that day from the curse may my heart, O my god and my goddess, be delivered, 22 and may the enchantment go forth from my body. 23 When the doom comes upon thee, 24 and from the fulfilment thou protectest thyself, 25 the doom when fulfilled cut thou off.
26 (The tablet) beginning: …
Colophon.
Tablet (copied from)
the old (tablets of Chaldea).
Country of (Assur-bani-pal)
King of (Assyria).
[Footnote 1: Or, "rest.">[
[Footnote 2: The words translated "rejoicing" and "rejoice" properly signify "rest" and that may be their meaning here.]