6. .... he has not 7. .... his ....” —–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–— 8. Izdubar in his palace made a rejoicing, 9. the chiefs reclining lie on couches at night. 10. Hea-bani lies down, a dream he dreams. 11. Hea-bani came and the dream he explains, 12. and says to Izdubar. TABLET VII. The seventh tablet opens with the words, “My friend, what is this counsel the great gods are taking?” It is uncertain if any other portion of this tablet has been found, but part of a remarkable fragment, with a continuation of the story of Istar, has been placed here. It appears that the goddess, failing in her attempt in heaven to avenge herself on Izdubar for his slight, resolved to descend to hell, to search out, if possible, new modes of attacking him. Columns I. and II. are lost, the fragments recommencing on Column III. COLUMN III. 1. .... people? to destroy his hand approached 2. .... raise in thy presence 3. .... like before 4. .... Zaidu (shall accomplish) the wish of his heart 5. with the female Samkhat .... he brought 6. .... thee, the female Samkhat will expel thee 7. (homage) they did not perform ...... 8. assemble thou a great assembly; 9. .... the strong one has caused thee to be struck, even thee. 10. ... goods of the house of thy fulness After many lines destroyed, the story recommences in the fourth column. COLUMN IV. 1. [To Hades the country whence none return] I turn myself, 2. I spread like a bird my hands. 3. I descend, I descend to the house of darkness, the dwelling of the god Irkalla: 4. to the house out of which there is no exit, 5. to the road from which there is no return: 6. to the house from whose entrance the light is taken, 7. the place where dust is their nourishment and their food mud. 8. Its chiefs also are like birds covered with feathers; 9. the light is never seen, in darkness they dwell. 10. In the house, O my friend, which I will enter, 11. for me is treasured up a crown; 12. with those wearing crowns who from days of old ruled the earth, 13. to whom the gods Anu and Bel have given names of rule. 14. Water (?) they have given to quench the thirst they drink limpid waters. 15. In the house, O my friend, which I will enter, 16. dwell the lord and the unconquered one, 17. dwell the priest and the great man, 18. dwell the worms of the deep of the great gods; 19. there dwells Etana, there dwells the god Ner, 20. (there dwells) the queen of the lower regions, Allat, 21. the mistress of the fields the mother of the queen of the lower regions before her submits, 22. and there is not any one that stands against her in her presence. 23. I will approach her and she will see me 24. ... and she will bring me to her