Enki and Ninhursag

The place is pure. The land Dilmun is pure.⁠a The land Dilmun is clean. The land Dilmun is bright. He who had lain by himself in Dilmun— The place where Enki had lain with his wife— That place is clean, that place is bright. In Dilmun the raven utters no cries. The ittidu-bird utters not the cry of the ittidu-bird. The lion kills not.⁠b The wolf snatches not the lamb. Unknown is the kid-devouring wild dog. Unknown is the grain-devouring creature. The sick-eyed says not “I am sick-eyed.” The sick-headed says not “I am sick-headed.” Its old woman says not “I am an old woman.” Its old man says not “I am an old man.” Unbathed is the maid. No sparkling water is poured in the city. He who crosses the river utters no lament. The wailing priest walks not round about him. The singer utters no wail. By the side of the city he utters no lament. Ninsikilla says to her father Enki: “The city you have given, the city you have given, Dilmun, the city you have given, Has no water.” Father Enki answers Ninsikilla, his daughter: “Let Utu stand in heaven. From the breast of Nanna, From the mouth from which the waters of the earth flow,⁠c Bring sweet water from the earth. Let him bring the water up into your great canals. Let him make your city drink from the waters of abundance. Let Dilmun drink from the waters of abundance. Let your well of bitter water become a well of sweet water. Let your furrowed fields and farms bear grain. Let your city become the house of the riverbank.” Now Utu stood in heaven. From the breast of Nanna, From the mouth from which the waters of the earth flow, He brought sweet water from the earth. He brought the water up into her great canals. He made her city drink from the waters of abundance. He made Dilmun drink from the waters of abundance. Her well of bitter water became a well of sweet water. Her furrowed fields and farms bore grain. Her city became the house of the riverbank. Dilmun became the house of the riverbank. Enki, before Nintu, the mother of the land, Caused his phallus to water the dikes. Caused his phallus to submerge the reeds. He swore by the life of Anu. He poured his semen into the womb of Ninhursag. She took the semen into the womb. One day was her one month. Two days were her two months. Three days were her three months. Four days were her four months. Five days were her five months. Six days were her six months. Seven days were her seven months. Eight days were her eight months. Nine days were her nine months, the months of womanhood. Nintu, the mother of the land, Gave birth to Ninmu. Enki in the marshland looked about. He said to his messenger Isimud: “Shall I not kiss the young one, the fair?” He embraced her, he kissed her. He poured the semen into the womb. She took the semen into the womb. One day was her one month. Two days were her two months. Nine days were her nine months, the months of womanhood. She gave birth to Ninkurra. Enki in the marshland looked about. He said to his messenger Isimud: “Shall I not kiss the young one, the fair?” He embraced her, he kissed her. He poured the semen into the womb. She took the semen into the womb. Nine days were her nine months, the months of womanhood. She gave birth to Uttu, the fair lady. Ninsikilla says to Uttu: “Instruction I offer you. Take my instruction. A word I speak to you. Take my word.” In the house may he take hold of my leash. May Enki there take hold of my leash. A second time he filled with water. He filled the dikes with water. He filled the ditches with water. He filled the uncultivated places with water. The gardener rejoiced. Enki says to the gardener: “Bring me the cucumbers. Bring me the apples. Bring me the grapes.” He brought him the cucumbers. He brought him the apples. He brought him the grapes. He heaped them on his lap. Enki embraced Uttu. He kissed her. He poured the semen into the womb. She took the semen into the womb. From her thighs sprouted plants: The tree-plant sprouted. The honey-plant sprouted. The roadweed-plant sprouted. The thorn sprouted. The caper-plant sprouted. The cassia-plant sprouted. Enki looked about in the marshland. He said to his messenger Isimud: “Of the plants, their fate—what is this?” Isimud answered him: “My king, the tree-plant.” He cut it down, he ate it. “My king, the honey-plant.” He plucked it, he ate it. “My king, the roadweed-plant.” He cut it down, he ate it. “My king, the thorn.” He cut it down, he ate it. “My king, the caper-plant.” He plucked it, he ate it. “My king, the cassia-plant.” He plucked it, he ate it. Ninhursag cursed Enki: “Until he dies I will not look upon him with the eye of life.” Enki sat in the dust. The Anunnaki seized Ninhursag’s garments. They decreed the fate. Ninhursag seated Enki by her vulva. “My brother, what hurts you?” “My jaw hurts me.” “Nintulla I have caused to be born for you.” “My tooth hurts me.” “Ninsutu I have caused to be born for you.” “My mouth hurts me.” “Ninkasi I have caused to be born for you.” “My arm hurts me.” “Nazi I have caused to be born for you.” “My rib hurts me.” “Ninti I have caused to be born for you.” For the little ones I have caused to be born: Let Abu be the king of the plants. Let Nintulla be the lord of Magan. Let Ninsutu marry Ninazu. Let Ninkasi be she who satisfies desire. Let Nazi marry Nindara. Let Azimua marry Ningishzida. Let Ninti be the queen of the months. Let Enshag be the lord of Dilmun. O Father Enki, be praised.