35. .... and like I take her also they ....
39. .... his heart prepared for war, that year and day also
40. .... on his falling appoint the people
41. .... slay him, his corpse may the birds of prey surround
44. they performed it, their will they established —–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–—
6. they passed through the forest .... —–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–—
There are a few fragments of Columns III., IV., and V., and a small portion of Column VI., which reads:
4. .... the head of Khumbaba .... —–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–———–—
6. .... tablet of the story of fate of ....
It appears from the various mutilated fragments of this tablet that Izdubar and Hea-bani conquer and slay Khumbaba and take his goods, but much is wanted to connect the fragments.
The conclusion of this stage of the story and triumph of Izdubar are given at the commencement of the sixth tablet. The conquest of Khumbaba gave Izdubar the crown and attributes of his fallen rival, who seems to have been a sun-god, and this caused Istar, who already appears as the bride of the sun in the myth of Tammuz, to woo the triumphant hero.
Triumph of Izdubar.—Istar’s love.—Her offer of marriage.—Her promises.—Izdubar’s answer.—Tammuz.—Amours of Istar.—His refusal.—Istar’s anger.—Ascends to Heaven.—The bull.—Slain by Izdubar.—Istar’s curse.—Izdubar’s triumph.—The feast.—Istar’s despair.—Her descent to Hades.—Description.—The seven gates.—The curses.—Atsu-sunamir the Sphinx.—Release of Istar.—The dog of the dawn.—Lament for Tammuz.
In this chapter are included the sixth and seventh tablets, which both primarily refer to the doings of Istar.
The sixth tablet is in better condition than any of the former ones, and allows of something like a connected translation.
1. .... his weapon, he made bright his weapon.
2. Like a bull his mountain he ascended after him.
3. He destroyed him and clothed himself with his spoils.
4. The ... he put on and the fastening of the crown he tore.
5. Izdubar his crown put on (and the fastening of the crown he tore).
6. For the favour of Izdubar the princess Istar lifted the eyes:
7. I will make thee also Izdubar my husband,[18]
9. thou shalt be husband and I will be thy wife.