A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Astronomy; Magic 39
II. The man who is departing in glory: may his soul
These prayers
shine radiant as brass. To that man may the Sun give happier out-
Hfe! and Marduk, eldest Son of heaven, grant him an fu^ureWe.'^"
abode of happiness!
X. An Astronomical Observation
Report of the astfonomer Ablua to the king of Accad.
the Past, i^. 159.
Records of
The 15th day the Moon and Sun with one another
are seen. The face is stedfast. The heart of land is good.
Joy possesses the heart of the inhabitants. The gods of
Accad to prosperity consign it. The Moon and the Sun
are clear; the King of the land his ears enlarges. The report
of Ablua.
XL Babylonian Charms
The Babylonians and Assyrians believed in hosts of noxious
spirits which attacked different parts of the body. The charms were
repeated to keep them away or to expel them from the body. Records
of the Past, i-. 135-7.
Wasting, want of health, the evil spirit of the ulcer, The aim of
spreading quinsey of the gullet, the violent ulcer, the to expel the
noxious ulcer. Spirit of heaven remember, spirit of earth ^^^u^S
'^^"
remember.
He who makes an image which injures the man, an evil
face, an evil eye, an evil mouth, an evil tongue, evil lips,
This charm
act the evil
an evil poison. Spirit of heaven remember, spirit of earth sucMmage^
remember.
On the sick man by the sacrifice of mercy may perfect Charm forthe
health shine like bronze; may the Sun-god give this man sick.
life; may Marduk, the eldest son of the deep give him