The Rivan Codex: Ancient Texts of The Belgariad and The Malloreon. David Eddings
The antiquity of the fragment and the general condition of the ruins of the temple in which it was found indicate that both more probably date back to the time of the invasion of the Marags rather than the more recent Alorn incursion.
1. Once
lived we in caves,
beside still brooks
and in mossy dells,
and ISSA
was with us,
(dull-eyed ISSA with cold skin)
– Praise the glory of ISSA’s name –
2. Content
were we to bask in sun
on warm rocks
and to slither at night
into dens cool and dry
beneath the rocks,
and ISSA
moved among us –
(Slow the movements,
sinuous and subtle)
and touched our faces
with dry cold hand,
and lapped
our scent from
out of air with
flickering tongue
– Praise the glory of ISSA’s name –
3. Solitary
watched we
the turn
of seasons,
years, light as dust
lay upon us,
and uncaring we watched
and ISSA
Instructed us
(sibilant the
voice
of beloved
ISSA and wise) –
Glory to the wisdom of ISSA –
4. Coiled
we with our
brothers,
the serpents,
and kissed
the
sweet
venom from
their lipless smiles
while ISSA
watched
and guarded our
childlike play
– Praise the watchfulness of mighty ISSA –
5. But
Other Gods made war, and we knew not why.
Some trifle
that had no use or value was the cause of their contention.
Still lay we in timeless drowse, basking in sun’s
Warmth and the glory of ISSA’s gaze
– Adore the beauty of the scaled face of ISSA –
6. And
Shattered then the other Gods the earth herself, and the rocks of our dens fell in upon us, crushing the people of ISSA as they slept, and the seas rushed in, drowning the caves and the mossy dells, stilling forever the soft sibilance of our brooks and streams, engulfing the sweet land which ISSA had given us.
– Oh weep for the precious land of ISSA –
7. Journeyed
We then toward those lands where the sun makes his bed, and ISSA led us. Found we there a fair land of swamp and tangled thicket and sluggish rivers, dark beneath the trees. And our brothers, the serpents, dwelt there in abundance. And ISSA commanded us that we raise a city beside the holy River of the Serpent, and called we the name of the city Sthiss Tor in honor of the holy wisdom of ISSA.
– All praise to ISSA, cold and fair –
8. And yet
There came a time when ISSA called us to him and spake unto us, saying:
‘Behold, it has come to pass that I must depart from thee. The Gods have warred, and the earth may no longer sustain us.’
Loud were our lamentations at ISSA’s words, and we cried out unto him, saying:
‘We beseech thee, oh mighty God, absent thyself not from us, for who will lead and guide us if thou depart?’
And ISSA wept.
– Revere the tears of sorrowing ISSA –
9. Again
Spake ISSA unto us, saying:
‘Behold, I am thy God, and I love thee. In spirit shall I abide with thee, and from thy number will I select the one through whom shall I speak. Thou shalt hear and obey the one – even as it were me.’
– Hear and obey the word of ISSA –
10. Now
Of all the servants of ISSA, most beloved was Salmissra, the Priestess, and ISSA touched her and exalted her and spake unto the people again, saying:
‘Behold my handmaiden, Salmissra. Her have I touched and exalted. And she shall be queen over thee and have dominion, and her voice shall be my voice, and thou shall call her name eternal, for I am with her – even as with thee unto the end of days.’
– All praise to eternal Salmissra, handmaiden of ISSA –
11. Spake
Then eternal Salmissra, Queen of the Serpent People, saying:
(The remainder of the fragment has been lost.)*
NOTE This is the famous War-hymn of the Asturian Arends believed to have been composed sometime early in the second millennium. While there exist Mimbrate and Wacite hymns of similar tenor, this particular piece most universally captures the spirit of Arendia, and despite its Asturian origin it is widely sung in Mimbrate chapels even to this day. Historical research indicates that it was also popular in Wacune before those people were obliterated during the Arendian Civil Wars.
Honor, Glory and Dominion be thine, O Chaldan.
Grant, Divine Lord, Victory unto thy Servants.
See, O our God, how we adore Thee.
Smite, Great Judge, the Wicked and Unjust.
Chastise our Foes. Consume them with Fire.
Scourge him who has despite unto us.