26 THEOPHILUS G. PINCHES^ ESQ,, LL.D., M.E.A.S.^ ON 



of Anu and the fear of Nudimmud (the god Ea) in the presence 

 of the terrible foe. Then comes the request made to Merodach, 

 and his answer, also given in the original terms. Having 

 received this long message : 



" Gaga went, he betook himself to his path, 

 In the place of Lahmu and Lahamu, the gods his fathers, 

 He stood, and kissed the ground beneath them — 

 He advanced, stood still, and spoke to them." 



Here follows again the whole of Ansara's message, with 

 which Gaga, the divine messenger, had been intrusted — 

 Tiamthu, her revolt, Ann's failure, Nudimmud's fear, the request 

 made to Merodach, and the answer of the last named. In fact, 

 this portion of the legend reminds one, in a measure, of a certain 

 classic of our youth, though on a lengthier scale. 



On hearing the account of the danger which threatened the 

 gods, Lahmu and Lahamu cried aloud, and all the Igigi, or gods 

 of the heavens, groaned bitterly, announcing, at the same time, 

 their inability to understand Tiamthu's acts. The great gods, 

 all of them, then went to Ansara's place, where the feast was to 

 be held. There they " made tongue," whatever that may mean — 

 perhaps it signifies that they discussed the matter, and having 

 eaten wheaten bread and prepared the wine, that sweet must 

 which was to do away their sadness and refresh their minds and 

 bodies : 



" For Merodach, their avenger, they decided the fate." 



And with these words the third tablet — or chapter, if that be 

 thought a good alternative term — ends. 



IV. 



We now come to the fourth tablet, which, after the first, is- 

 one of the most interesting. In this the honours which were 

 conferred upon Merodach by the other gods — "the gods his 

 fathers" — are recounted. They founded for him a princely 

 chamber, and he stood there to rule " in the presence of his 

 fathers." The gods then address him in the following words : — 



"Thou art now the honoured one among the great gods, 

 Thy destiny is without rival, thy command is (that of) Anu. 

 Merodach, thou art the honoured one among the great gods, 

 Thy destiny is without rival, thy command is (that of) Anu. 



