63. When for a long time Istar into Hades had descended, 64. Allat saw her and at her presence was arrogant; 65. Istar did not take counsel, at her she swore. 66. Allat her mouth opened and speaks, 67. to Namtar (the plague-demon) her messenger a command she addresses: 68. Go Namtar [take Istar from] me and 69. take her out to .... even Istar 70. diseased eyes (strike) her with, 71. diseased side (strike) her with, 72. diseased feet (strike) her with, 73. diseased heart (strike) her with, 74. diseased head (strike) her with, 75. strike her, the whole of her [strike with disease]. 76. After Istar the lady [into Hades had descended], 77. with the cow the bull would not unite, and the ass the female ass would not approach; 78. the female slave in the streets would not let herself be touched. 79. The freeman ceased to give his command, 80. the female slave ceased to give her gift. COLUMN II. 1. Papsukul, the messenger of the great gods bowed his face before (Samas); 2. .............. 3. Samas (the sun-god) went and in the presence of his father the moon-god he stood, 4. into the presence of Hea the king he went in tears: 5. Istar into the lower regions has descended, she has not ascended back; 6. for a long time Istar into Hades has descended, 7. with the cow the bull will not unite, the ass the female ass will not approach; 8. the female slave in the street will not let herself be touched; 9. the freeman has ceased to give his command, 10. the female slave has ceased to give her gift. 11. Hea in the wisdom of his heart formed a resolution, 12. and made Atsu-sunamir[24] the sphinx:[25] 13. Go Atsu-sunamir towards the gates of Hades set thy face; 14. may the seven gates of Hades be opened at thy presence; 15. may Allat see thee and rejoice at thy presence; 16. when she shall be at rest in her heart, and her liver be appeased. 17. Conjure her by the name of the great gods. 18. Raise thy heads, to the roaring stream set thy ear; 19. may the lady (Istar) overmaster the roaring stream, the waters in the midst of it may she drink. 20. Allat on hearing this, 21. beat her breast, she bit her thumb, 22. she turned again, a request she asked not: 23. Go, Atsu-sunamir, may I imprison thee in the great prison, 24. may the garbage of the foundations of the city be thy food, 25. may the drains of the city be thy drink, 26. may the darkness of the dungeon be thy dwelling, 27. may a stake be thy seat, 28. may hunger and thirst strike thy offspring. 29. Allat her mouth opened and speaks, 30. to Namtar her messenger a command she addresses: 31. Go, Namtar, strike the firmly-fixed palace, 32. the _ashêrim_[26] adorn with stones of the dawn, 33. bid the spirits of earth come forth, on a throne of gold seat (them), 34. unto Istar give the waters of life and bring her before me. 35. Namtar went, he struck the firmly-fixed palace, 36. the _ashêrim_ he adorned with stones of the dawn,