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Letter from Lugal-nesaje to Enlil-massu

1-9. Say this to Enlil-massu who {enhances} {(1 ms. has instead:) pronounces} advice and counsel, the mellifluous mouth which makes speech persuasive. Repeat it to the son who serves his god and respects his father and mother. {Say it a third time} {(1 ms. has instead:) Repeat it} to my protective guardian and propitious spirit -- the precious powers -- whose form and stature are pleasing, honour to the scribal craft, {hero among the administrators and ornament of the palace} {(1 Urim ms. has instead:) hero among the administrators} {(2 mss. have instead:) ornament of the palace and hero among the administrators} who reinstates decrees and greatly pleases the heart of his king. This is what Lugal-nesaje, the nuec priest of Enlil and person who brings laughter to the king, son of {Enlil-alsag} {(1 Urim ms. has instead:) Zuzu} , the scholar of Nibru and your father, says:

10-16. When {your mighty ......} {(the 2 Urim mss. have instead:) my ......} completely crushed me, my heart sank and {thirst and hunger} {(1 Urim ms. has instead:) hunger and thirst} wasted me away. Your status consumes me, your complaints crush me, your majesty oppresses me, your {slander} {(1 Urim ms. has instead:) your storminess} puts an end to me. {After being attentive I have been abandoned} {(the 2 Urim mss. have instead:) Despite being attentive I have been cut off from my position} . {Deceit has emerged from my wisdom and sympathy} {(1 Urim ms. has instead:) Deceit has replaced wisdom and sympathy} . (2 mss. omit line 16)

17-20. {After my becoming sorely afraid, my heart is full of blood and gore. As a result of deep concern, I am in distress.} {(1 Urim ms. has instead:) On my becoming sorely afraid, my heart ...... blood and much gore. As a result of deep concern, I am in distress.} {(the other Urim ms. has instead:) As a result of deep concern, I am in distress. As a result of becoming sorely afraid, my heart is full of blood and gore.} So long as I have not gone to the place where destiny is decided, may your countenance favour me in accordance with the instructions of Enlil.



Revision history

10.x.2005-21.x.2005: GC, senior editor: adapting translation
24.x.2005-28.x.2005: GC, senior editor: XML/TEI conversion
16.i.2006-27.i.2006: ER/GZ, project associate/project associate: proofreading
28.ii.2006: JE, technical developer: XML/TEI validation
01.iii.2006: JE, technical developer: web publication

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