A beaker he set before him. What shall we offer him? Food of life Prepare for him that he may eat. Food of life was brought for him, but he ate not. Water of life was brought for him, but he drank not. A garment was brought him, he put it on, Oil they gave him, he anointed himself therewith. Anu looked at him and mourned:-- And now, Adapa, wherefore Has thou not eaten or drunken? Now canst thou not live forever ... Ea, my lord, commanded me:-- Thou shalt not eat nor drink. IX. PENITENTIAL PSALMS I _The Suppliant_: I, thy servant, full of sin cry to thee. The sinner's earnest prayer thou dost accept, The man on whom thou lookest lives, Mistress of all, queen of mankind, Merciful one, to whom it is good to turn, Who acceptest the sigh of the heart. _The Priest_: Because his god and his goddess are angry, he cries to thee. To him turn thy face, take his hand. _The Suppliant_: Beside thee there is no god to guide me. Look in mercy on me, accept my sigh, Say why do I wait so long. Let thy face be softened! How long, O my lady! May thy kindness be turned to me! Like a dove I mourn, full of sighing. _The Priest_: With sorrow and woe His soul is full of sighing, Tears he sheds, he pours out laments. II O mother of the gods, who performest the commands of Bel, Who makest the young grass sprout, queen of mankind, Creator of all, guide of every birth, Mother Ishtar, whose might no god approaches, Exalted mistress, mighty in command! A prayer I will utter, let her do what seems her good. O my lady, make me to know my doing, Food I have not eaten, weeping was my nourishment, Water I have not drunk, tears were my drink, My heart has not been joyful nor my spirits glad. Many are my sins, sorrowful my soul. O my lady, make me to know my doing, Make me a place of rest, Cleanse my sin, lift up my face. May my god, the lord of prayer, before thee set my prayer! May my goddess, the lady of supplication, before thee set my supplication! May the storm-god set my prayer before thee! [The intercession of a number of gods is here invoked.] Let thy eye rest graciously on me.... Turn thy face graciously to me.... Let thy heart be gentle, thy spirit mild.... III O lady, in sorrow of heart sore oppressed I cry to thee. O lady, to thy servant favor show. Let thy heart be favorable, To thy servant full of sorrow show thy pity, Turn to him thy face, accept his prayer. IV