Prayer to the Gods of the Night

Translated by Leo Oppenheim:

The nobles are deep in sleep,

Bars of the doors are lowered, the bolts are in place-

also the ordinary people do not utter a sound,

their always open doors are locked.

The gods and goddesses of this country-

Samas, Sin, Adas, and Istar -

have gone home to heaven or to sleep,

they will not give verdicts or decisions tonight.

May the great Gods of the Night:

shining Fire-star,

heroic Irra,

Bow-star, Yoke-star,

Orion, Dragon-star,

Wagon, Goat-star,

Bison-star, Serpent-star,

stand by and put propitious sign

in the lamb I am blessing now

for the haruspicy I will perform at dawn.