“Then Ninip, the tempest god, came nigh, and the storm broke in fury before him.  All the earth spirits leapt up with flaming torches and the whole land was aflare.  The thunder god swept over the heavens, blotting out the sunlight and bringing thick darkness.  Rain poured down the whole day long, and the earth was covered with water; the rivers were swollen; the land was in confusion; men stumbled about in the darkness, battling with the elements.  Brothers were unable to see brothers; no man could recognize his friends....  The spirits above looked down and beheld the rising flood and were afraid:  they fled away, and in the heaven of Anu they crouched like to hounds in the protecting enclosures.

“In time Ishtar, the lady of the gods, cried out distressfully, saying:  ’The elder race hath perished and turned to clay because that I have consented to evil counsel in the assembly of the gods.  Alas!  I have allowed my people to be destroyed.  I gave being to man, but where is he?  Like the offspring of fish he cumbers the deep.’

“The earth spirits were weeping with Ishtar:  they sat down cowering with tightened lips and spake not; they mourned in silence.

“Six days and six nights went past, and the tempest raged over the waters which gradually covered the land.  But when the seventh day came, the wind fell, the whirling waters grew peaceful, and the sea retreated.  The storm was over and the rain of destruction had ceased.  I looked forth.  I called aloud over the waters.  But all mankind had perished and turned to clay.  Where fields had been I saw marshes only.

“Then I opened wide the window of the ship, and the sunlight suffused my countenance.  I was dazzled and sank down weeping and the tears streamed over my face.  Everywhere I looked I saw water.

“At length, land began to appear.  The ship drifted towards the country of Nitsir, and then it was held fast by the mountain of Nitsir.  Six days went past and the ship remained stedfast.  On the seventh day I sent forth a dove, and she flew away and searched this way and that, but found no resting place, so she returned.  I then sent forth a swallow, and she returned likewise.  Next I sent forth a raven, and she flew away.  She saw that the waters were shrinking, and gorged and croaked and waded, but did not come back.  Then I brought forth all the animals into the air of heaven.

“An offering I made on the mountain.  I poured out a libation.  I set up incense vessels seven by seven on heaped-up reeds and used cedar wood with incense.  The gods smelt the sweet savour, and they clustered like flies about the sacrificer.

“Thereafter Ishtar (Sirtu) drew nigh.  Lifting up the jewels, which the god Anu had fashioned for her according to her desire, she spake, saying:  ’Oh! these gods!  I vow by the lapis lazuli gems upon my neck that I will never forget!  I will remember these days for ever and ever.  Let all the gods come hither to the offering, save Bel (Enlil) alone, because that he ignored my counsel, and sent a great deluge which destroyed my people.’