Cosmos - SAGAN, Carl IntroDucTune: In ancient times, in everyday speech and custom, the most mundane happening were connected with the grandest cosmic events. A charming example is an incantation against the worm which the Assyrians of 1000B.C. imagined to cause toothaches. It begins with the origin of the universe and ends with the cure cure for toothache : After Anu had created the heaven, And the heaven had created the earth, And the earth had created the rivers, And the rivers had created the canals, And the canals had created the morass, And the morass had created the worm, The worm went before Shamash, weeping, His tears flowing before Ea: "What wilt thou give me for my food, What wilt thou give me for my drink?" "I will give you the dried fig And the Apricot." Lift me up, and among the teeth And the gums let me dwell!..." Because thou had said this , O worm, May Ea smite thee with the might of His hand! (Incantation against toothache.)
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 16:49:20 +0000