C. B. WARRING. 123-C93) 



Two remarks may here be made on the myth : 



(1) When it speaks the truth it is only a common 

 place platitude which anyone with eyes to see, could 

 easily have said, e. g., thou didst make the foundation 

 of the caverns of rock — which— except the few lines tell- 

 ing of the crescent moon at the setting of the sun and of 

 its waxing and waning as the month progresses — is the 

 only truth in the account. When it speaks of other 

 matters it wanders into gross fables. 



(2) In Genesis G-od is represented as announcing his 

 work in successive prophetic fiats. 



And then when his word has been accomplished, he 

 surveys his work and pronounces it good. 



But all through the myth the gods are dumb. As 

 blind forces they act, but they utter no fiat, announce no 

 purpose. s]3eak no approval. 



The above are all the fragments that, with any great 

 probability, belong to this series. There is a more doubt- 

 ful one which Mr. Smith thinks belongs here. Prof. 

 Sayce says, page 63, Chaldean Genesis, revised ed. : 

 "It is more than doubtful whether it has anything to do 

 with the creation tablets. It seems rather to be a local 

 legend relating to Assur, the. old capital of Assyria, and, 

 possibly, recording the legend of its foundation. Bit- 

 sarra or E-sarra, 'the temple of the legions,' was dedi- 

 cated to Xinip." 



I give Sayce' s version. 



The god Khir * * si * * 



At -that time to the gods * * 



So be it, I concealed thee * * 



from the day that thou * * 



angry thou didst speak * * 



the god Assur opened his mouth and spake to the gods. 



Above the deep, the seat of * * 



In front of Bit-Sarra which I have made * * 



below the place I strengthen * * * 



Let there be made also Bit-Lusu, the seat * * 



Within it his strong hold may he build and * * * 



At that time from the deep he raised * * 



the place * * * lifted up I made * * * 



above * * * heaven * * * 



the place * * * lifted up thou didst make. 



* * * the city of Assur the temples of the great gods. 



