[ 746 ] 
rafter, as to the forms of fome of its letters, has 
either been a little inaccurately taken by Signiore 
Pietro della Valle himfelf ; or a little inaccurately 
copied by Mr. Maffon, from that gentleman’s origi- 
nal papers. However, as the words AGATHA- 
GELVS, or AGATHANGELVS, ABILENVS, 
BAAL, and SHEMESH, therein plainly enough 
occur ; I would, if fuch a liberty might be indulged 
me by the learned, willingly beftow the following 
Latin and Englifh verfions upon the infcription now 
in view. 
See Plate xxx, Number n. 
oxbm id mv byJ? 
BAAL SHEMESH (BELO SOLI vel DOMINO SOLI) 
DEO ABILENO DOMICILIVM (HABITATIONEM vel 
MANSIONEM) INCOLVMITATIS (vel SALVTIS) FE- 
CIT AGATHANGELVS. 
AGATHANGELVS PREPARED A PLACE OF SAFE- 
TY, or HEALTH, FOR BAAL SHEMESH, THE SVN, 
or IVPITER THE THVNDERER, THE GOD OF 
THE ABILENES. 
That the infcription, according to this interpre- 
tation, fufficiently expreffes the fenfe of the Greek 
one anfwering to it, though in a very concife man- 
ner, will not, I believe, be denied j which may be 
confidered as a pretty ftrong prefumption, that my 
explication of it cannot be very remote from truth. 
But this will be ftill more evident from a clofer 
atten- 
