The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia

200 The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia

who have understanding mouths, and whose power reaches unto
heaven.’
“The children of the gods came, full of woe; Isis came with
her magic; with her mouth full of the breath of life, whose recipes
destroy pain, whose word gives life to the dead. She said:‘What
is it, what is it, O father of the gods? A serpent hath wrought
this suffering in thee, one of thy creatures hath lifted up his
head against thee. Surely he shall be overthrown by beneficent
incantations; I will make him retreat at the sight of thy rays.’
“The holy god opened his mouth:‘I walked along the road,
[218] travelling through the two lands of the earth, after the desire of
my heart, that I might see what I had created; then was I bitten
by a serpent that I saw not. Is it fire, is it water? I am colder than
water, I am hotter than fire, all my limbs sweat, I tremble, my
eye is unsteady, I see not the sky, drops roll from my face as in
the season of summer.’
“Isis replied to Ra:‘O tell me thy name, father of the gods,
then shall he live who is released (from pain) by thy name.’But
Ra answers:‘I have created heaven and earth, I have set the
hills in order, and made all beings that are thereon. I am he who
created the water, and caused the primeval ocean to issue forth.
I created the spouse of his (divine) mother. I created the heavens
and the secrets of the two horizons, and have ordered the souls of
the gods. I am he who illuminates all things at the opening of his
eyes; if he closes his eyes, all is dark. The water of the Nile rises
when he bids it; the gods know not his name. I make the hours
and create the days, I send the year and create the inundation, I
make the fire that lives, I purify the house. I am Khepera in the
morning, Ra at noon, and Tum at evening.’
“The venom departed not, it advanced further, the great god
became no better. Then Isis said to Ra: ‘Thy name was not
pronounced in the words thou hast repeated. Tell it to me and
the poison will depart; then shall he live whose name is (thus)
named.’