A hymn to Cu-Suen: translation

^1-10God of prosperity born to An and gazed upon by Urac -- Cu-Suen, like Nanna expert in judgment, ...... before Enlil, from your birth you were a man of might whose name was proclaimed by Nanna! Cu-Suen, heroic son of An, beloved of Enlil, head held high in the lapis-lazuli E-kur, given birth by Urac, chosen by the heart of Urac, you have been elevated over all the lands. Ornament and august servant of Enlil -- whose sceptre has reached far, who alone has Enlil's ear! Endowed with majestic strength, creation of lustrous An, favourite of Ninlil -- Cu-Suen, provider who radiates beauty, ......!

¹¹1st kirugu.

¹²Cu-Suen ...... a life of distant days.

¹³Its jicgijal.

^14-21...... of Enlil ......, ...... Cu-Suen ......, head held high ......, wearing a long lustrous beard, ...... like Utu over all the lands, authoritative Cu-Suen, ...... the shrine that brings forth the divine powers, fearsome storm, powerful (?), ...... radiance of the Land ...... for greatness; who bears light, ...... rays of heaven; majestic strength of Enlil, who alone is the lord of abundance -- Cu-Suen, great lion among sovereigns!

²²2nd kirugu.

^23-29You are the mighty one of father Enlil, the lord who determines destinies! Like Utu, you are an ornament to Ninlil of the majestic shrine, and to the fair lord Enki who determines destinies, the father of broad understanding! Wise Enlil has justly ...... to the one he has scrutinised. My king, the gods who determine destinies ...... in the place that soothes the spirit. Cu-Suen, ...... to pronounce judgments and render verdicts. My king, ...... outstretched arms.

³⁰3rd kirugu.

³¹Great lord Cu-Suen, ...... years of abundance.

³²Its jicgijal.

^33-42Head held high, fit for the royal crown, son of Ninsumun, mighty and forceful among the Anuna gods ....... Cu-Suen! Holy Inana made manifest ....... Enlil has given to you as your helper the beloved heart whose beauty is unending, the good woman ...... -- you have embraced her. Strong one given majestic strength by the Great Mountain, ...... from his power; hero excelling all lords and sovereigns, who is their great lion -- Cu-Suen, gracious figure, shining crown, holy breast wondrous to behold, hero born for godhood, ornament of kingship, ...... in heaven and on earth, strong as far as the borders of the Land!

⁴³4th kirugu.

^44-48I shall praise ....... ...... of Ninlil is indeed the ...... mistress! Like Utu, ...... has filled the broad Land ....... ......, Cu-Suen, your provider (?) is distant.
1 line fragmentary

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Revision history

03.vii.2000-05.vii.2000 : GC : adapting translation
07.viii.2000 : JAB : proofreading
10.viii.2000 : GC : tagging
15.ix.2000 : ER : proofreading SGML
15.ix.2000 : ER : converting to HTML 4.0
7.ix.2001 : ER : header and footer reformatted; substantive content of file not changed