#the worm and the toothache: a cosmological incantation

[monstrousgourmandizingcats]

After Anu had created the heavens, the heavens had created the earth, the earth had created the rivers, the rivers had created the canals, the canals had created the marsh, and the marsh had created the worm, the worm went weeping before Shamash, his tears flowing before Ea. "What wilt thou give me for my food? What wilt thou give me for my sucking?" "I will give thee the ripe fig and the apricot." "Of what use are they to me, the ripe fig and the apricot? Lift me up and among the teeth and the gums cause me to dwell. The blood of the tooth I will suck, and of the gum I will gnaw its root." Fix the pin and seize its foot! Because thou hast said this, O Worm, may Ea smite thee with the might of his hand.