10. The fourth was a serpent .... 11. The fifth was a watch-dog which (rages) against (his foes). 12. The sixth was a raging tempest which to god and king submits not. 13. The seventh was the messenger of the evil wind which (Anu) made. 14. The seven of them (are) messengers of the god Anu their king. 15. In city after city they set their returning feet. 16. The raging wind which (is) in heaven, fiercely hath been bound to them. 17. The fleecy rain-clouds (are they) which in heaven establish cloudy darkness. 18. The lightning of the tempest, the raging tempests which in the bright day 19. establish gloom, are they. 20. With evil tempest, baleful wind, they began: 21. the storm of Rimmon, that was their might, 22. at the right hand of Rimmon did they march; 23. from the foundations of heaven like lightning (they darted), 24. (like) a sea-monster to the river in front they marched. 25. In the wide heavens the seat of Anu the king 26. with evil purpose did they abide, and a rival they had not. 27. Then Bel of this matter heard and 28. the word sank into his heart. 29. With Hea the supreme adviser of the gods he took counsel, and 30. Sin (the moon), Samas (the sun), and Istar (Venus) in the lower part of heaven to direct it he had appointed. 31. With Anu the lordship of the hosts of heaven he made them share. 32. The three of them, those gods his children, 33. night and day he had established; that they break not apart, 34. he urged them. 35. Then those seven, the evil gods, 36. in the lower part of heaven commencing, 37. before the light of Sin fiercely they came, 38. the hero Samas and Rimmon (the god of the atmosphere) the warrior to their quarters returned and 39. Istar with Anu the king a noble seat 40. chooses and in the government of heaven is glorious. [Illustration: MERODACH DELIVERING THE MOON-GOD FROM THE EVIL SPIRITS; FROM A BABYLONIAN CYLINDER.] COLUMN II. The second column, which is much mutilated at the beginning, goes on to describe “the trouble” of the moon-god, how “night and day in eclipse, in the seat of his dominion he sat not.” But 1. The wicked gods the messengers of Anu their king 2. devising with wicked heads assisted one another. 3. Evil they plotted together. 4. From the midst of heaven like the wind on mankind they swooped. 5. Bel the eclipse of the hero Sin 6. in heaven saw and 7. the god to his messenger the god Nusku (Nebo) said: 8. “My messenger, Nebo, my word to the deep carry: 9. the news of my son Sin who in heaven is grievously eclipsed 10. to the god Hea in the deep repeat.” Then 11. Nebo the word of his lord obeyed, and 12. to Hea in the deep descended and went. 13. To the prince, the supreme councillor, the lord, the lord of mankind, 14. Nebo the message of his lord in that quarter at once repeated. 15. Hea in the deep that message heard, and 28. his lips he bit, and with outcry his mouth he filled.