Page:BabylonianPenitentialPsalms.djvu/13

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BABYLONIAN PENITENTIAL PSALMS
11

My heart hath taken wing, and hath flown away like a bird of the heavens.
I moan like a dove, night and day.
I am made desolate, and I weep bitterly.
With grief and woe my soul is distressed.
What have I done, O my god and my goddess?
Is it because I feared not my god or my goddess that trouble hath befallen me?
Sickness, headache, ruin, and destruction are come upon me;
Troubles, turning away of the countenance, and fulness of anger are my lot,
Indignation, wrath, anger of gods and men.
I behold, O my lady, days of affliction, months of sorrow, years of misfortune;
I behold, O my lady, judgment of disorder and violence.
Death and misery make an end of me.
Desolate is my sanctuary, my shrine is desolate;
Over my house, my gate, and my fields is affliction poured forth.
As for my god, his face is turned elsewhere;
My family is scattered, my walls are broken into.
But unto my lady do I give heed, my ear is turned toward her;
My prayer is unto thee, dissolve my ban!
Dissolve my sin, my fault, my mockery, and my offence!
Forgive my mockery, accept my supplication!
Free my breast, send me comfort!
Guide my footsteps, that happily and proudly among the living I may pursue my way!
Speak the word, that at thy command the angry god may be favourable,
And that the goddess, who is angry, may be gracious!
My gloomy, smoking brazier may shine,
My quenched torch may be relighted.
May my scattered family be collected!