BEOWULF--MARDUK THE FIRST GASSER 393 



The terrible winds filled her belly, 



And her courage wj^s taken from her and her mouth she opened 



wide. 

 His spear he seized, and broke through her belly, 

 He severed her inward parts, he pierced her heart." 



Then for a while Marduk rested but, arising, 



" He split her body up like a flat fish into two halves. 

 One half of her he set in place as a covering for the heavens. 

 He fixed a bolt, he stationed watchmen. 

 And bade them not to let her waters come forth." 



Finally to their hero and saviour the gods accord a 

 triumphant welcome, and 



" Presents and gifts they brought unto him." ^ 



working his wind-bags with all the concentration of a Hun working his 

 machine-gun. See G. Perrot — C. Chipiez, Hisioire de I' Art dans I'antiquiti 

 (Paris, 1903), VIII. 368 and 375, fig. 172. 



* Cf. Babylonian Religion {op. cit.), pp. 62-85. 



