This tablet is in a somewhat better state than the others, and all the narrative is clearer from this point, not a single column of the inscription being entirely lost. The ninth tablet commences with the sorrow of Izdubar at the death of Hea-bani. COLUMN I. 1. Izdubar over Hea-bani his friend 2. bitterly weeps, and traverses the desert. 3. I have no judgment like Hea-bani here; 4. sickness entered into my stomach; 5. death I feared, and traverse the desert. 6. To the majesty of Xisuthrus, son of Ubara-tutu, 7. the road I am taking, and quickly I go; 8. to the lowlands of the mountains I take (my way) at night. 9. .... a (dream) I saw, and I feared. 10. I (bow) on my face, to Sin (the moon god) I pray; 11. and into the presence of the gods came my supplication; 12. Grant thou (health) to me, even unto me! 13. ....... dream. 14. (Through) the dream (sent by) Sin (my) life had been gladdened. 15. Precious stones (?) ... to his hand. 16. He pulled out ..... his girdle 17. like a ... their ... he struck 18. he struck .... he smote, he broke 19. and .... they rejoiced, and 20. he threw (?) .... 21. he removed .... 22. the former name .... 23. the new name .... (About eight lines lost here.) The second column shows Izdubar in some fabulous region, whither he has wandered in search of Xisuthrus. Here he sees composite monsters with their feet resting in Hades and their heads reaching heaven. These beings are supposed to guide and direct the sun at its rising and setting. This passage is as follows:— COLUMN II. 1. Of the mountains hearing him as many as .... 2. To the mountain of Masu in his course .... 3. who all day long guard the rising (sun). 4. Their crown was at the lattice of heaven, 5. below Hades was their footing. 6. Scorpion-men guard its gate, 7. burning with terribleness, and their appearance was death, 8. the greatness of their bulk overthrows the forests. 9. At the rising of the sun and the setting of the sun, they guard the sun, and 10. Izdubar saw them and fear and terror seized his face. 11. He took his counsel and approached before them. 12. The scorpion-man of his female asked: 13. Who has gone to us with his body the flesh of the gods? 14. To the scorpion-man his female answered: 15. His going (is) that of a god, but his feeble gait (is) that of a man. 16. The scorpion-man of the hero asked, 17. .... of the gods the word he recounts: 18. .... distant road 19. .... up to the presence 20. .... of which the passage is difficult. 21. .... thy .... thou puttest on. 22. .... mountains situated. 23. .... thou puttest on. The rest of this column is lost. In it Izdubar converses with the monsters, and where the third column begins he is telling them his purpose of seeking Xisuthrus. COLUMN III. (1 and 2 lost.) 3. He Xisuthrus my father ..... 4. who has been established also in the assembly (of the gods) 5. death and life [are known to him].