population. Such proverbs as “Once and yet again twice has he made gains; yet he is not content,” or “A man must do his own digging and working himself,” find an echo in the proverbial philosophy of most peoples. More closely related to folk-tales are the short songs with which the Accadian peasant solaced his labours in the field or farm-yard. A number of these have been collected and preserved in an old work on agriculture which was probably compiled for the library of Sargon at Aganè. Here are some specimens of what they are like:
1.“Like an oven
That is old,
Against thy foes
Be hard and firm.
2.“The corn is high
And flourishing;
We know why.
The corn is bearded
And flourishing;
We know why.
3.“The fruit of death
Tho’ I eat.
The fruit of life
May I make it.
4.“May he suffer vengeance,
May it be returned to him
Who gives the provocation.
5.“The marsh he passes as tho’ it were not;
His skin that is grazed is healed.
6.“If evil thou doest,
To the everlasting sea
Surely thou shalt go.
