Through the grand halls of Erech far resounds The feast their Sar proclaimed through all the grounds Of Erech's palaces; where he now meets His heroes, seers and counsellors, and greets Them in his crowded festal halls. Grand banquets far are spread within the walls, And sparkling rarest wines each freely drank, And revels ruled the hour till Samas sank, And shadows sweep across the joyous plain, And Samas sleeps with Hea 'neath the main. The jewelled lamps are lit within the halls, And dazzling glory on the feasters falls. The rays o'er gems and richest garments shone Upon the lords and ladies round the throne; While troops of dancing girls around them move With cymbals, harps and lutes, with songs of love. Again the board glows with rich food and wines, Now spread before them till each man reclines Upon his couch at rest in the far night, And swimming halls and wines pass from their sight. [Footnote 1: "Izzu-Ul-bar," the fire of Bel's temple.] [Footnote 2: "The King who has no rival. The powerful giant King." The royal titles of Izdubar.] [Footnote 3: "Bar-ili," temple, or country of the gods.] [Footnote 4: "Barri," chieftains, army, soldiers.] [Footnote 5: "Nin-arad rabi," "the servant of Nin, the King."] [Footnote 6: "Who is the great king (in the land) of all countries, the powerful giant king, the lion!" The royal titles of Izdubar.] COLUMN VI ISHTAR WEAVES A MYSTIC SPELL OVER THE KING AND SEER, AND VANISHES--THE SEER ADVISES THE KING TO SEEK THE AID OF THE IMMORTAL SEER WHO ESCAPES FROM THE FLOOD. The goddess Ishtar wrapped in darkness waits Until the goddess Tsil-at-tu[1] the gates Of sleep has closed upon the darkened plain; Then lightly to the palace flies the Queen. O'er the King's couch she weaves an awful dream, While her bright eyes upon him furious gleam. Then o'er Heabani's couch a moment stands, And Heaven's curtains pulls aside with hands Of mystic power, and he a vision sees-- The gods in council;--vanishing, she flees Without the palace like a gleam of light, And wakes the guard around in wild affright. Next day the seer reveals to Izdubar How all the gods a council held of war, And gave to Anu power to punish them For thus defying Ishtar's godly claim; And thus the seer gave him his counsel, well Considered, how to meet their plottings fell: "To Khasisadra go, who from the flood Escaped when o'er the earth the waters stood Above mankind, and covered all the ground; He at the river's mouth may yet be found. For his great aid, we now the seer must seek, For Anu's fury will upon us break. Immortal lives the seer beside the sea; Through Hades pass, and soon the seer mayst see."