Hymn to Ishtar

 

 

Thou art mighty, thou hast sovereign power, exalted in thy name!

Thou art the light of heaven and Earth,

O valiant daughter of the Moon God

Ruler of weapons, arbitress of the battle!

Framer of all decrees, wearer of the crown of dominion…

Thou judgest the cause of men with justice and righteousness;

Thou lookest with mercy on the violent man,

And thou settest right the unruly every morning…

O goddess of men, O goddess of women,

Thou whose counsel none may learn,

Where thou looest in pity, the dead man lives again,

The sick is healed,

The afflicted is saved from his affliction,

When he beholdeth thy face!

O exalted Ishtar, that givest light

Unto the four quarters of the world!