The first day, the second day, the mountain of Nizir stopped the ship. The third day, the fourth day, the mountain of Nizir stopped the ship. The fifth day, the sixth day, the mountain of Nizir stopped the ship. The seventh day when it approached I sent forth a dove, and it left. The dove went in and returned and found no resting place, and it came back. Then I sent forth a swallow, and it left. The swallow went and returned, and found no resting place, and it came back. I sent forth a raven, and it left. The raven went, and saw the going down of the waters, and it approached, it waded, it croaked; it did not return. I sent the animals to the four winds; I sacrificed a sacrifice I built an altar on the peak of the mountain. I sent vessels ... by sevens; underneath them I spread reeds, cedar-wood, and herbs. The gods smelt the savour; the gods smelt the good savour; the gods gathered like flies over the sacrifices. Thereupon the great goddess at her approach lifted up the mighty bow which Anu had created according to his wishes. These gods, by my necklace, never will I forget." [Illustration: ISHTAR. FROM AN ASSYRIAN CYLINDER.] FOOTNOTES: [1] George Smith: Babylonia, 46. [2] Johns: Baby. and Assy. Laws, Letters and Contracts, 336. [3] Johns: Baby. and Assy. Laws, Letters and Contracts, 334. [4] Sayce: Life and Customs in Baby. and Assy., 228. CHAPTER XIII. CLOTHING. The Babylonians and Assyrians were very fond of dress. There were three essentials to Mesopotamian dress, and accessories depended upon the taste and purse of the wearer. A head-dress, a tunic and a robe were the main features of one's apparel, although all were not of necessity worn by the lower classes. The head-dress was frequently of felt and was some times quilted; the tunic was generally made of linen when worn in Babylonia and of wool in Assyria; the robe was long, falling to the ankles; it was often of wool and was finished with a deep fringe. The tunic and some times the robe as well were belted at the waist by a wide and elaborate girdle. Women's garments were similar to those worn by men, but their robes fell in more ample folds. Naturally fashions changed and a garment worn in the days of the Semitic invasion would have appeared odd and out of date in the age of Asshurbanipal. Early portraits of kings show them clad in thick quilted skirts falling to the ankles, while quilted turbans covered their heads. Later robes took the place of the skirt. Parasols were carried in Babylonia as protection against the heat, but in Assyria they gradually became the privilege of the royal family. In portraits of later Assyrian kings, the parasol is frequently shown. This custom may have been borrowed from Persia. Ordinarily no head-dress was worn by the lower classes in Babylonia unless, perhaps, to denote some special calling. Certain musicians appear with caps. The devotees of fashion probably donned head-dresses at pleasure.