A praise poem of Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar A)

Sumerian literature (ETCSL) · 2 - Royal praise poetry and compositions with a historical background · 108 sections

1
lugal mi2 dug4-ga šag4-ta numun zid-me-en
I am a king treated with respect, good offspring from the womb. I am Lipit-Eštar, the son of Enlil. From the moment I lifted my head like a cedar sapling, I have been a man who possesses strength in athletic pursuits. As a young man I grew very muscular (?). I am a lion in all respects to the extremes (?) , having no equal.
2
{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 dumu {d}en-lil2-la2-me-en
3
{ĝiš}isimu2{sar} {ĝiš}erin-na-gin7 saĝ mu-il2-la-ta
4
nitaḫ usu-tuku lirum-ma-me-en
5
nam-šul-la gu2 gal peš-a-me-en
6
piriĝ zag dib zag til gaba-ri nu-tuku-me-en
7
ušumgal ka du8-a ni2 gal erin2-na-me-en
I am a gaping dragon, a source of great awe for the soldiers. I am like the Anzud bird, peering about in the heart of the mountains. I am a wild bull whom nobody dare oppose in its anger. I am a bison, sparkling with beautiful eyes, having a lapis-lazuli beard; I am ……. With my kind eyes and friendly mouth, I lift people's spirits. I have a most impressive figure, lavishly endowed with beauty. I have lips appropriate for all words. As I lift my arms, I have beautiful fingers. I am a very handsome young man, fine to admire.
8
anzud{mušen} kur-šag4-ga igi ĝal2-me-en
9
am su-ba saĝ nu-ĝa2-ĝa2-me-en
10
alim igi gun3 šen-na-me-en
11
sun4 {na4}za-gin3 e3-a ĝir2 keše2-keše2-!-me-en
12
igi sag9 ka sag9 šag4 zal-le-me-en
13
ulutim2 ḫuš-ḫuš-a ḫi-li du8-du8-a-me-en
14
nundum inim-inim-ma ḫe2-du7-me-en
15
a2 il2-la šu-si sag9-sag9-me-en
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šul sag9-ga u6 di dug3-ga-me-en
17
{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 lugal kalam-ma-me-en
I am Lipit-Eštar, king of the Land. I am the good shepherd of the black-headed. I am the foremost in the foreign countries, and exalted in the Land. I am a human god, the lord of the numerous people. I am the strong heir of kingship. Holding my head high, I am established in my position.
18
saĝ gig2-ga sipad zid-bi-me-en
19
saĝ-kal kur-kur-ra kalam-ma il2-la-me-en
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diĝir nam-lu2-ulu3 nir-ĝal2 uĝ3 šar2-ra-me-en
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ibila kalag-ga nam-lugal-la-me-en
22
an-ta saĝ il2-la ki-gub sig10-ga-me-en
23
išib an-na šu dadag-ga-me-en
I am An's purification priest with purified hands. An placed the great and good crown firmly on my head. Enlil gave the sceptre to me, his beloved son, in the Ki-ur. I am what makes Ninlil happy: she determined a good fate in the Ĝa-ĝiš-šua. I have been made excellently beautiful by Nintur, the joyful woman, in brick-built Keš. I am one looked on favourably by Nanna: he spoke to me affirmatively in Urim.
24
an-ne2 aga zid maḫ saĝ-ĝa2 mu-ni-in-ge-en
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{d}en-lil2-le dumu ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni-me-en
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ki-ur3-ra {ĝiš}ĝidru ma-ni-in-šum2
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niĝ2 ur5 sag9-sag9 {d}nin-lil2-la2-me-en
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ĝa2-ĝiš-šu2-a-ka nam dug3 mu-un-tar
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{d}nin-tur5-re šeg12 keš3{ki}-a-ta
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munus ul-la zid-de3-eš gun3-a-me-en
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igi zid bar-ra {d}nanna-me-en
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urim2{ki}-ma gu3 zid-de3-eš ma-an-de2
33
u4-ta-u18-lu lu2 šag4-ga-na-me-en
Uta-ulu imbued me, the man of his heart, with great awesomeness in E-šu-me-ša. I am he on whom Enki has bestowed wisdom: he gave me kingship in Eridug. As the beloved husband of Inana, I lift my head high in the place Unug. I am a proficient scribe of Nisaba. I am a young man whose word Utu confirms. I am the perfection of kingship. I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son.
34
e2-šu-me-ša4-ta ni2 gal mu-un-da-ri
35
ĝeštug2 ba9-ra2 {d}en-ki-kam-me-en
36
eridug{ki}-ta nam-lugal ma-an-šum2
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nitalam ki aĝ2 {d}inana-kam-me-en
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ki unug{ki}-ga saĝ an-še3 mi-ni-il2
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dub-sar a-ra2 zu {d}nisaba-kam-me-en
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šul inim gen6-na {d}utu-me-en
41
nam-lugal-la ḫe2-du7-bi-me-en
42
{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 dumu {d}en-lil2-la2-me-en
43
buru14 maḫ zig3-ga zi kalam-ma-me-en
I am he who makes an abundant crop grow, the life of the Land. I am a farmer, piling up his grain piles. I am a shepherd making butter and milk abundant in the cow-pen. I am he who makes the fish and birds grow bigger in the marshes. I am a river of plenty, bringing flowing water. I am he who increases the splendour of the great mountains. I have been given enormous strength by Enlil. I am Lipit-Eštar, his young man who respects him.
44
engar guru7-ni dub-dub-ba-me-en
45
sipad {e2}tur3-re i3 ga maḫ-me-en
46
ambar ku6 mušen gal-gal-la-me-en
47
id2 ḫe2-ĝal2-la a zal-le tum2-ma-me-en
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ḫur-saĝ gal giri17-zal nun-na-me-en
49
a2 maḫ šum2-ma {d}en-lil2-la2-me-en
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{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 šul ni2-tuku-ni-me-en
51
diĝir-re-e-ne saĝ us2-bi-me-en
I am the provider of the gods. I am he who cares unceasingly for the E-kur. I am the king clutching a kid to the breast as a gift. I pray in all humility. I am a king standing in prayer. I am he who speaks friendly words to appease Enlil. I am he whose prayers make Ninlil happy. I am he who serves Nuska indefatigably. I am he who is ever praying (?) at the Ki-ur. Bestowing many things, I am perfect for the foundation city (?) . I am one who always hurries, but whose knees never tire.
52
e2-kur-ra muš3 nu-tum2-mu-bi-me-en
53
lugal kadra-še3 maš2 gaba tab-ba-me-en
54
sun5-sun5-na giri17 šu ĝal2-la-me-en
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lugal šudu3-de3 gub-ba-me-en
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inim sag9-sag9-ge {d}en-lil2 ḫuĝ-ĝa2-me-en
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a-ra-zu-ne {d}nin-lil2 ḫul2-le-me-en
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ĝa2-la nu-dag-ge {d}nuska gub-ba-me-en
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ki-ur3-še3 šu ĝal2-ĝal2-la-me-en
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niĝ2 de6-de6 suḫuš-e ? ḫe2-du7-me-en
61
ul4-ul4-la dub3 nu-kuš2-u3-me-en
62
nesaĝ tum3 e2-babbar nu-dib-be2-me-en
Bringing first fruits, I do not pass by the E-babbar. I am he who records abundance for Nibru. I serve Keš as its purification priest. I am first-rate butter and first-rate milk for Urim. I am indefatigable with respect to Eridug. I am he who increases the food offerings for the place Unug. I am he to whom life was given in the E-kur. I am he who desires liveliness for his city. I am Lipit-Eštar, the shepherd of all foreign lands.
63
nibru{ki}-še3 ḫe2-ĝal2 sar-re-me-en
64
keš3{ki} išib-bi ba-gub-be2-me-en
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urim2{ki}-še3 i3 saĝ ga saĝ-me-en
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eridug{ki}-še3 ĝa2-la nu-dag-ge-bi-me-en
67
ki unug{ki}-še3 nidba gal-gal-la-me-en
68
e2-kur-ta nam-til3 šum2-ma-me-en
69
zi-šag4-ĝal2 iri-ni-še3 al di-me-en
70
{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 sipad kur-kur-ra-me-en
71
lugal me3-še3 ku-kur du7-du7-me-en
I, the king, am like pounding waves in battle. Girded in manliness, I never loosen my harness. I am he who sharpens his dagger. In battle I flash like lightning. A firm foundation, I repulse the troops. I am a saĝkal stone, a pešpeš stone. I am a siege shield, a screen for the army. A clear-eyed warrior, I make the troops firm. I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son. Like a waterskin with cool water, I am life for the young men. Keeping my eyes on the road, I am the protection the aid (?) of the soldiers.
72
da-da-ra nam-šul-la zu2 keše2 nu-du8-me-en
73
ĝiri2-ur3-ra u3-sar ak-me-en
74
me3-a nim-gin7 ĝir2-ĝir2-re-me-en
75
suḫuš gen6-na erin2-na gar3 dar-re-me-en
76
{na4}saĝ-kal {na4}peš6-peš6-a-me-en
77
{kuš}gur21ur3 igi tab ugnim-ma-me-en
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ur-saĝ igi zalag-ga zu2 keše2 gen6-na-me-en
79
{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 dumu {d}en-lil2-la2-me-en
80
{kuš}ummud a sed-de3 zi ĝuruš-a-me-en
81
igi-ĝal2 kaskal-la an-dul3 a2-? erin2-na-me-en
82
lugal tuš-a-ni barag-ga tum2-ma-me-en
I am a king who, as he sits, is fitted for the throne. I am possessed of a weighty persona for speaking. I am one with a far-reaching mind and intellect, examining requests. I do not hurry over anything, but research its background. I have a far-reaching heart and broad wisdom. I am a stone that brings …… out of the Land. I am one that has truth in his mouth. I am one who never destroys a just person. I am a judge who, in making a decision, weighs his words fairly. I am one who is well-acquainted with giving orders to the foreign lands. I have established justice in Sumer and Akkad, and made the Land feel content.
83
šag4 dugud-da inim-še3 ĝal2-la-me-en
84
dim2-ma ĝalga sud a-ra-zu kiĝ2-ĝa2-me-en
85
niĝ2-nam-e nu-ul4-en eĝer-bi kiĝ2-kiĝ2-me-en
86
šag4 su3-ra2 ĝeštug2 daĝal-la-me-en
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na4 {u2}niĝ2-buru3-buru3-de3 kalam-ta e3-a-me-en
88
niĝ2-gen6-na ka-ga14 ĝal2-la-me-en
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si sa2 da-ri2 nu-ḫa-lam-e-me-en
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di-kud ka-aš bar-re-da inim si sa2-e-me-en
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kur-kur-re a2 aĝ2-ĝe26-e gal-zu-me-en
92
niĝ2-si-sa2 ki-en-gi ki-uri-a mu-ni-ĝar su kalam-ma mu-dug3
93
niĝ2-gen6-na-ĝu10-uš a-na mu-da-šub
What of my truthful things can be thrown away? I, prince Lipit-Eštar, keep the people on a straight path. As regards my integrity: in what respect have I ever been idle? I am a strong person who has brought distinction to everything. I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son.
94
nun {d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2-me-en uĝ3-e si bi2-sa2
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si sa2-ĝu10-uš a-na ĝa2-la im-mi-dag
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kalag-ga-me-en niĝ2-nam pa bi2-i-e3
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{d}li-pi2-it-eš4-tar2 dumu {d}en-lil2-la2-me-en
98
e2-gal nam-lugal-la ki-tuš kug dug3-ga-ĝa2
In my royal palace, my holy and good residence, my spouse holy Inana made firm the foundation of my throne. She will embrace me forever and eternally. I will spend all day for the Mistress in the good lapis-lazuli bedchamber that fills the heart with joy! I am Lipit-Eštar, the powerful heir; I am the king that makes justice prominent. May my name be called on in all the foreign lands! I am Lipit-Eštar, Enlil's son. It is sweet to praise me.
99
nitalam-ĝu10 kug {d}inana-ke4
100
{ĝiš}gu-za-ĝa2 suḫuš-bi ma-ni-in-ge-en

The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Copyright holders: Jeremy Black, Graham Cunningham, Jarle Ebeling, Esther Flückiger-Hawker, Eleanor Robson, Jon Taylor and Gábor Zólyomi. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Source.