1 I skilfully completed
2 and exalted as an abode of Royalty.
3,4 Tall pines, the produce of lofty mountains,
5 thick _asuhu_ wood
6,7 and _surman_ wood in choice pillars
8 for its covered porticos I arranged.
9 _ikki_ and _musritkanna_ woods
10 cedar and _surman_ woods
11 brought forth, and in heaps,
12 with a surface of silver and gold
13 and with coverings of copper,
14,15 on domes and arches, and with works of metal
16 its gates I strongly overlaid
17 and completely with _zamat_-stone
18 I finished off its top.
19,20 A strong wall in cement and brick
21 like a mountain I carried round
22,23 a wall, a brick fortress, a great fortress
24 with long blocks of stone
25,26 gatherings from great lands I made
27,28 and like hills I upraised its head.
29,30 That house for admiration I caused to build
31 and for a banner to hosts of men:
32 with carved work I fitted it;
33 the strong power of reverence for
34 the presence of Royalty
35 environs its walls;
36,37 the least thing not upright enters it not,
38 that evil may not make head.
39 The walls of the fortress of Babylon
40,41 its defence in war I raised
42 and the circuit of the city of Babylon.
43,44 I have strengthened skilfully.
45 To Merodach my Lord
46 my hand I lifted:
47 O Merodach the Lord, Chief of the gods,
48,49 a surpassing Prince thou hast made me,
50 and empire over multitudes of men,
51,52 hast intrusted to me as precious lives;
53 thy power have I extended on high,
54,55 over Babylon thy city, before all mankind.
56 No city of the land have I exalted
57,58 as was exalted the reverence of thy deity:
59 I caused it to rest: and may thy power
60,61 bring its treasures abundantly to my land.
62 I, whether as King and embellisher,
63 am the rejoicer of thy heart
64 or whether as High Priest appointed,
65 embellishing all thy fortresses,
(_Continued on Column X_.)