such obscure points of their superstition."[15]

In regard to evil spirits, as elsewhere, the number seven had a
peculiar significance, it being held that that number of spirits
might enter into a man together. Talbot has translated[16] a
"wild chant" which he names "The Song of the Seven Spirits."

1. There are seven! There are seven!
2. In the depths of the ocean there are seven!
3. In the heights of the heaven there are seven!
4. In the ocean stream in a palace they were born.
5. Male they are not: female they are not!
6. Wives they have not! Children are not born to them!
7. Rules they have not! Government they know not!
8. Prayers they hear not!
9. There are seven! There are seven! Twice over there are
seven!

The tablets make frequent allusion to these seven spirits. One
starts thus:

1. The god (---) shall stand by his bedside;
2. These seven evil spirits he shall root out and shall expel
them from his body,
3. and these seven shall never return to the sick man
again.[17]


Altogether similar are the exorcisms intended to ward off
disease. Professor Sayce has published translations of some of