Then Ea created a male in his wisdom, The god's-servant, Uddushu-namir, created. "Go! Uddushu-namir, to land without regress, Seven doors of the land without regress be opened! Allatu behold thee, rejoice in thy presence! Her heart when at ease, and her spirit when joyful; In name of the great gods do thou adjure her: 'Thy head raise, to Hal-skin direct thy attention, O lady, I pray thee, Halziqu-skin give me; I desire to drink of the waters within it.'" This hearing, Allatu her sides smote, her nails bit. "Of me thou hast asked an impossible favor. Hence! Uddushu-namir, with curse will I curse thee; Thy food it shall be the foul mud of the city, From drains of the city shalt thou drink the water, The shade of the wall shall be thy dwelling, Thy place of abiding a stone-block shall build it. Confinement, privation, thy strength let them shatter." Allatu then opened her mouth and commanded, To Namtar, her servant, the order was given: "Go! Namtar, beat on the palace eternal! Go! rap on the stone slabs, those made out of _pa_-stone. Go! lead forth the spirits, on golden thrones set them, With water-of-life sprinkle Ishtar, the goddess, Lead her forth from my presence." Then went Namtar, beat on the palace eternal, And shook the stone slabs those made out of _pa_-stone; He led forth the spirits, on golden thrones set them, With water-of-life sprinkled Ishtar the goddess. Led her forth from her presence. Through first door he led her, gave to her her cincture. Through second door he led her, her rings he gave to her. Through third door he led her, gave back her gemmed-girdle. Through fourth door he led her, gave back her breast-jewels. Through fifth door he led her, gave to her her necklace. Through sixth door he led her, gave to her her ear-rings. Through seventh door he led her, the great crown gave to her. Here ends the descent of Ishtar. The priest continues: "If free she'll not free her, return with her to her And for Tammuz, her bridegroom in years that were youthful, Pour water e'en purest, with sweet balm (anoint him) And clothe him with garments, a flute (give unto him), Companions of Ishtar, let them wail with loud (wailing), The goddess, Belili, her treasure completed, High heaped are the eye-stones, her knees now supporteth, Her brother's complaint she then understanding, The great goddess Belili her treasures outpouring, She fills with the eye-stones the floor round about her (saying) 'My only one, brother mine, do me no evil.' When Tammuz with flute of fine lapiz discourseth, Then play with him joyfully flute of fine beryl, And play with him joyfully men mourners and women, The dead may arise the sweet incense inhaling." NOTE.--See Jastoon, "Religion of Babylonia and Assyria," page 563 ff., for a full discussion of this epic. [Illustration] GYGES AND ASSURBANIPAL.