Poem from DAILY KOS: A Forgotten Babylonian Masterpiece Comes Back to Life

The poem below is from an Article in Daily Kos, written by Trenz Pruka.

To read the full article, which is excellent, click the link below.

 A Forgotten Babylonian Masterpiece Comes Back to Life

 

Trenz Pruka, who is the author of the article, wrote this about her "Dynamic Rendering" of the  poem:

       "The scholarly translation is precise, but a bit restrained. So I prepared a more dynamic English version to emphasize its beauty — something closer to how it might have sounded when recited in the Esagil temple. The wording is faithful to the original but turns up the rhythm, color, and grandeur. Enjoy!"

Hymn to Marduk, Lord of Babylon, and to the City Eternal

           Like the boundless sea, Babylon pours forth her gifts;             

           Like a garden heavy with fruit, she blossoms in beauty.             

           Her swelling tide, like a mighty wave,            

           rolls abundance to her gates.

          Marduk’s star—delightful, radiant sun—            

          blazes as her sacred sign.             

          Wherever the sun journeys, there is her gateway,             

          opening even to the farthest heavens.

         Imgur-Enlil stands, her ancient wall,             

         a mountain raised for the righteous.             

         Alulu reigns as king—father of generations without end.

        The Euphrates, gift of wise Nudimmud,            

        winds through her heart, quenching the thirsty plain,             

        soaking the reed beds,             

        and spilling its silver waters into the lagoon and the open sea.  

        Its fields burst with green herbs and blossoms;            

        its meadows flame with the brilliance of spring.            

        Barley springs up in golden ranks;             

        gathered and bound, the sheaves rise in shining stacks.

        Herds and flocks rest upon emerald pastures.             

        Wealth and glory—fitting for humankind—             

        are bestowed in plenty, multiplied,            

        and granted with royal grace.

   Hymn to the Holy Women of Babylon

       Blessed are the sacred women,             

       who wash in the water of purity.            

       They guard the holy law            

       and hold fast to what is most sacred.

       On bended knee, with voices lifted in prayer,             

       armed with their petitions,            

       they keep vigilant watch,             

       ever mindful of deeds of kindness.

       They walk the sanctuaries, seeking the breath of life.            

       In skill and in mercy they are unmatched;            

       in dignity, they are the adornment of the city.

   Closing Praise

       O Marduk, healer of the sick,            

       light in the darkness, shield of the righteous—             

       by your star the city stands,            

      by your river the fields flourish,             

       by your word the people prosper.

      Babylon, crown of the earth,             

      may your gates never close,             

      may your walls never fall,             

      and may your name be sung             

      until the last tablet is written             

      and the last scribe sets down his reed.