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Epic of Gilgamesh Summary

the Epic of Gilgamesh read by Richard Pasco Gilgamesh King in UK I will Proclaim to the world the Deeds of Gilgamesh this was the man to whom all things were known this was the king who knew the countries of the world he was wise he saw Mysteries and knew secret things he brought us a tale of the days before the flood he went on a long journey was weary worn out with labor and returning he rested he engraved on a stone the whole story when the gods created Gilgamesh they gave him a perfect body shamash the Glorious son endowed him with beauty adad the god of the storm endowed him with Courage the great gods made his Beauty perfect surpassing all others terrifying like a great Wild Bull 2/3 they made him God and 1/3 man in UK he built walls a great Rampart and the Temple of blessed Ana for the god of the firmament Anu and for ishar the goddess of love look at it still today the outer wall where the cornice runs it shines with the Brilliance of copper and the inner wall it has no equal touch the threshold it is ancient approach Anna the dwelling of ishar Our Lady Of Love and War the like of which no Latter-Day King no man alive can equal climb upon the wall of UK walk along it I say regard the foundation Terrace and examine the masonry is it not burnt brick and good the seven sages laid the foundations Gilgamesh went abroad in the world but he met with none who could withstand his arms till he came to Uruk but the men of Oro muttered in their houses Gilgamesh sounds the toxin for his Amusement his arrogance has no bounds by day or night no son is left with his father father for Gilgamesh takes them all even the children yet the king should be a Shepherd to his people his lust leaves no virgin to her lover neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble yet this is The Shepherd of the city wise comly and Resolute the gods heard their Lament The Gods of Heaven cried to the Lord of UK to Anu the god of Uruk a goddess made him strong as a Savage bull none can withstand his arms no son is left with his father for Gilgamesh takes them all and is this the King The Shepherd of his people his lust leaves no virgin to her lover neither the warrior's daughter nor the wife of the noble when Anu had heard their lamentation the gods cried to aruru the goddess of creation you made him oh aruru now create his equal let it be as like him as his own reflection his second self stormy heart for stormy heart let them contend together and leave yuruk in quiet so the goddess conceived an image in her mind and it was of the stuff of Anu of the firmament she dipped her hands in water and pinched off clay she let it fall in the wilderness a noble enidu was created there was virtue in him of the God of War of Nera himself his body was rough he had long hair like a woman's it waved like the hair of nisaba the goddess of corn his body was covered with matted hair like samuk the god of cattle he was innocent of mankind he knew nothing of the cultivated land enidu at grass in the hills with the gazelle and lurked with wild beasts at the water holes he had joy of the water with the herds of wild game but there was a Trapper who met him one day face to face at the drinking hall for the Wild game had entered his territory on three days he met him face to face and the Trapper was Frozen with fear he went back to his house with the game that he had caught and he was dumb Ben numbed with Terror his face was altered like that of one who has made a long journey with awe in his heart he spoke to his father father there is a man unlike any other who comes down from the hills he is the strongest in the world he is like an immortal from Heaven he ranges over the hills with wild beasts and eats grass he ranges through your land and comes down to the Wells I am afraid and dare not go near him he fills in the pits which I dig and tears up my traps set for the game he helps the beasts to escape and now they slip through my fingers his father opened his mouth and said to the Trapper my son in your Rook lives Gilgamesh no one has ever prevailed against him he is strong as a star from Heaven go go to Uruk find gilgames extol the strength of this wild man ask him to give you a harlot the wanton from the Temple of Love return with her and let her Woman's power overpower this man when next he comes down to drink of the wells she will be there stripped naked and when he sees her beckoning he will Embrace her and then the wild beasts will reject him so the Trapper set out on his journey to UK and addressed himself to gilgames saying a man unlike any other is roaming now in the pastures he is as strong as a star from heaven and I am afraid to approach him he helps the Wild game to escape he fills in my pits and pulls up by traps gilgames said Trapper go back take with you a harlot a child of pleasure at the drinking hole she will strip and when he sees her beckoning he will Embrace her and the game of the Wilderness will surely reject him now the Trapper returned taking the Harlot with him after a 3 days journey they came to the drinking hole and there they sat down the Harlot and the Trapper sat facing one another and waited for the game to come for the first day and for the second day the two Sat waiting but on the third day the herds came they came down to drink and enkido was with them the small wild creatures of the Plains were glad of the water and enkido with them who ate grass with the gazelle and was born in the hills and she saw him the Savage man come from far off in the Hills the tra spoke to her there he is now woman make your breasts bare have no shame do not delay but welcome his love let him see you naked let him possess your body when he comes near uncover yourself and lie with him teach him the Savage man your woman's art for when he murmurs love to you the wild beasts that shared his life in the Hills will reject him she was not ashamed to take him she made herself naked and welcomed his eagerness as he lay on her murmuring love she taught him the woman's art for six days and seven nights they lay together for enidu had forgotten his home in the Hills but when he was satisfied he went back to the wild beasts then when the gazelle saw him they bolted away away when the wild creatures saw him they fled enkidu would have followed but his body was bound as though with a cord his knees gave way when he started to run his swiftness was gone and now the wild creatures had all fled away enidu was grown weak for wisdom was in him and the thoughts of a man were in his heart so he returned and sat down at the woman's feet and listened intently to what she said you are wise enidu and now you have become like a god why do you want to run wild with the beasts of the hills come with me I will take you to strong walled UK to the Blessed Temple of ishar and of Anu of love and of Heaven There Gilgamesh Lives who is very strong and like a wild bull he Lords it over men when she had spoken enidu was pleased he longed for a comrade for one who would understand his heart come woman and take me to that Holy Temple to the house of Anu and of ishra and to the place where Gilgamesh Lords it over the people I will challenge him boldly I will cry out aloud in aook I am the strongest here I have come to change the old order I I am he who was born in the Hills I am he who is strongest of all she said let us go and let him see your face I know very well where Gilgamesh is in great Uruk oh enidu there all the people are dressed in their gorgeous robes every day is holiday the young men and the girls are wonderful to see how sweet they smell all the great ones are roused from their beds oh enidu you who love life I will show you Gilgamesh a man of many moods you shall look at him well in his radiant manhood his body is perfect in strength and maturity he never rests by night or day he is stronger than you so leave your boasting shamash the Glorious son has given favors to Gilgamesh and Anu of the heavens and enlil and AAR the wise has given him deep understanding I tell you even before you have left the Wilderness Gilgamesh will know in his dreams that you are coming now Gilgamesh got up to tell his dream to his mother ninan one of the wise Gods mother last night I had a dream I was full of joy the young Heroes were around me and I walked through the night under the stars of the firmament and one a meteor of the stuff of Anu fell down from heaven I tried to lift it but it proved too heavy all the people of oruk came around to see it the common people jostled and the Nobles thronged to kiss its feet and to me its attraction was like a love of woman they helped me I braced my forehead and I raised it with thongs and brought it to you and you yourself pronounced it my brother then ninon who is well beloved and wise said to Gilgamesh the star of Heaven which descended like a meteor from the sky which you tried to lift but found too heavy when you tried to move it it would not budge and so you brought it to my feet I made it for you a go and spur and you were drawn as though to a woman this is the strong comrade the one who brings help to his friend in his need he is the strongest of wild creatures the stuff of Anu born in the grasslands and the wild Hills reared him when you see him you will be glad you will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you this is the meaning of of the dream gilgames said mother I dreamt a second dream in the streets of strongwall Uruk there lay an axe the shape of it was strange and the people throng round I saw it and was glad I bent down deeply drawn towards it I loved it like a woman and wore it at my side nimon answered that axe which you saw which Drew you so powerfully like love of a woman that is the comrade whom I give you and he will come in his strength like one of the host of Heaven he is the brave companion who rescues his friend in necessity Gilgamesh said to his mother a friend a counselor has come to me from enl and now I shall befriend and councel him so Gilgamesh told his dreams and the Harlot retold them to enkidu and now she said to enkidu when I look at you you have become like a god why do you yearn to run wild again with the beasts of the hills get up from the ground the bed of a Shepherd he listened to her words with care it was good advice that she gave she divided her clothing in two and with the one half she clothed him and with the other herself and holding his hand she led him like a child to the Sheep folds into the shepherd's tents there all the Shepherds crowded round to see him they put down bread in front of him but enidu could only suck the milk of wild animals he fumbled and gaped at a loss what to do or how he should eat the bread and drink the strong wine then the woman said enkid do eat bread it is the staff of Life drink the wine it is the custom of the land so he ate till he was full and drank strong wine seven goblets he became merry his heart exalted and his face Shone he rubbed down the matted hair of his body and anointed himself with oil enidu had become a man but when he had put on man's clothing he appeared appeared like a bridegroom he took arms to hunt the lion so that the Shepherds could rest at night he caught wolves and Lions and the herdsmen lay down in peace for enidu was their Watchman that strong man who had no rival he was merry living with the Shepherds till one day lifting his eyes he saw a man approaching he said to the Harlot woman fetch that man here why has he come I wish to know his name she went and called the man saying sir where are you going on this weary Journey the man answered saying to enidu Gilgamesh has gone into the marriage house and shut out the people he does strange things in Uruk the city of great streets at the role of the drum work Begins for the men and work for the women Gilgamesh the king is about to celebrate marriage with the queen of love and he still demands to be first with the bride the king to be first and the husband to follow for that was ordained by the gods from his birth from the time the umbilical cord was cut but now the drums roll for the choice of the bride and the city groans at these words enidu turned white in the face I will go to the place where Gilgamesh Lords it over the people I will challenge him boldly and I will cry aloud in UK I have come to change the old order for I am the strongest here now enkidu stroe in front and the woman followed behind he entered Uruk that great market and all the folk thronged around him where he stood in the street in strong walled UK the people jostled speaking of him they said he is the spit of gilgames he is shorter he is bigger of bone this is the one who was reared on the Milk of wild beasts his is the greatest strength the men rejoiced now Gilgamesh has met his match this great one this hero whose beauty is like a god he is a match even for Gilgamesh in UK the bridal bed was made fit for the goddess of love the bride waited for the bridegroom but in the night Gilgamesh got up and came to the house then enidu stepped out he stood in the street and blocked the way Mighty Gilgamesh came on and enidu met him at the gate he put out his foot and prevented Gilgamesh from entering the house so they grappled holding each other like Bulls they broke the doorposts and the walls shook they snorted like Bulls locked together they shattered the doorposts and the wall shook Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on the ground and with a turn enidu was thrown then immediately his Fury died when enkidu was thrown he said to gilgames there is not another like you in the world ninon who is as strong as a wild ox in the B she was the mother who bore you and now you are raised above all men and en Li has given you the kingship for your strength surpasses the strength of men so enidu and Gilgamesh embraced and their friendship was sealed enlil of the mountain the father of the god Gods had decreed the destiny of Gilgamesh so Gilgamesh dreamed and enidu said the meaning of the dream is this the father of the Gods has given you kingship such is your destiny everlasting life is not your destiny because of this do not be sad at heart do not be grieved or oppressed he has given you power to bind and to loose to be the dark Ness and the light of mankind he has given you unexampled Supremacy over the people Victory and battle from which no fugitive returns and fores and assaults from which there is no going back but do not abuse this power deal justly with your servants in the palace deal justly before shamash the eyes of inadu were full of tears and his heart was sick he sighed bitterly and Gilgamesh met his eye and said my friend why do you sigh so bitterly but enidu opened his mouth and said I am weak my arms have lost their strength The Cry of Sorrow sticks in my throat I am oppressed by idleness it was then that the Lord Gilgamesh turned his thoughts to the country of the living on the land of Cedars the Lord Gilgamesh reflected he said to his servant enidu I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed therefore I will go to the country where the cedar is filled I will set up by name in the place where the names of famous men are written and where no man's name is written yet I will raise a monument to the gods but because of the evil that is in the land we will go to the forest and destroy the evil for in the forest lives humbaba whose name is hugeness a ferocious giant but enidu sighed bitterly and said when I went with the wild beasts ranging through the Wilderness I discovered the forest its length is 10,000 leagues in every direction enl has appointed humbaba to guard it and armed him in Sevenfold Terrors terrible to All Flesh is humbaba when he Roars it is like the torant of the storm his breath is like fire and his Jaws are death itself he guards the cedar so well that when the wild heer stirs in the forest though she is 60 leagues distant he hears her what man would willingly walk into that country and explore its depths I tell you weakness overow ours whoever goes near it it is not an equal struggle when one fights with humbaba he is a great warrior a battering ram Gilgamesh the Watchman of the forest never sleeps gilgames replied where is the man who can clamber to Heaven only the gods live forever with glorious shamash but as for us men our days are numbered our occupations are a breath of wind how is this already you are afraid I will go first although I am your lord and you may safely call out forward there is nothing to fear then if I fall I leave behind me a name that endures men will say of me Gilgamesh has fallen in fight with ferocious humbaba long after the child has been born in my house they will say it and remember in do spoke again to gilgames oh my Lord if you will enter that country go first to the hero shamash tell the son God for the land is his the country where the cedar is cut belongs to shamash Gilgamesh took up a kid white without spot and a brown one with it he held them against his breast and he carried them into the presence of the son he took in his hand his silver scepter and he said to Glorious shamash I am going to that country oh shamash I am going my hands supplicate so Let It Be Well with My Soul and bring me back to the key of UK Grant I beseech your protection and let the omen be good glorious shamash answered gilgames you are strong but what is the country of the living to you oh shamash hear me hear me shamash let my voice be heard here in the city man dies oppressed at heart man perishes with despair in his heart I have looked over the wall and I see the bodies floating on the river and that will be my lot also indeed I know it is so for whoever is tallest among men cannot reach the heavens and the greatest cannot Encompass the Earth therefore I would enter that country because I have not established my name stamped on brick as my destiny decreed I will go to the country where the cedar is cut I will set up my name where the names of famous men are written and where no man's name is written I will raise a monument to the gods the tears ran down his face and he said alas it is a long journey that I must take to the land of humbaba if this Enterprise is not to be accomplished why did you move me shamash with the Restless desire to perform it how can I succeed if you will not sucker me if I die in that country I will die without ranker but if I return I will make a glorious offering of gifts and of praise to shamash so shamash accepted the sacrifice of his Tears like the compassionate man he showed him Mercy he appointed strong allies for gilgames Sons of one mother and stationed them in the mountain caves the great winds he appointed The North Wind the Whirlwind the storm and the icy wind The Tempest and the scorching wind like vipers like dragons like a scorching fire like a serpent that freezes the heart a destroying flood and the Lightning's Fork such were they and Gilgamesh rejoiced he went to the forge and said I will give orders to the armorers they shall cast us our weapons while we watch them so they gave orders to the armorers and the Craftsmen sat down in conference they went into the Groves of the plain and cut Willow and boxwood they cast for them axes of nine score pounds and great swords they cast with blades of six score pounds each one with pummels and hilts of 30s they cast for Gilgamesh the axe might of Heroes and the bow of anen and Gilgamesh was armed and enidu and the weight of the arm They Carried was 30 score the people collected and the counselors in the streets and in the marketplace of Uruk they came through the gate of seven bolts and Gilgamesh spoke to them in the marketplace I Gilgamesh go to see that creature of whom such things are spoken the rumor of whose name fills the world I will conquer him in his cedar wood and show the strength of the sons of UK all the world shall know of it I am committed to this Enterprise to climb the mountain to cut down the Cedar and leave behind me an enduring name the counselors of oruk the great Market answered him ggames you are young your courage carries you too far you cannot know what this Enterprise means which you plan we have heard that umbaba is not like men who die his weapons are such that none can stand against them the forest stretches for 10,000 leagues in every direction who would willingly go down to explore its depths as for humbaba when he Roars it is like the torrent of the storm his breath is like fire and his Jaws are death itself why do you crave to do this thing Gilgamesh it is no equal struggle when one fights with humbaba that battering ram when he heard these words of the counselors Gilgamesh looked at his friend and laughed how shall I answer them shall I say I am afraid of humbaba I will sit at home all the rest of my days then gilgames opened his mouth again and said to enidu my friend let us go to to the great palace to ealma and stand before ninon the queen ninon is wise with deep knowledge she will give us counsel for the road we must go they took each other by the hand as they went to agalma and they went to ninsun the great Queen Gilgamesh approached he entered the palace and spoke to ninon ninon will you listen me I have a long journey to go to the land of humbaba I must travel an unknown Road and fight a strange battle from the day I go until I return till I reach the cedar forest and destroy the evil which shamash abhor pray for me to shamash nson went into her room she put on a dress becoming to her body she put on Jewels to make her breast beautiful she placed a tiara on her head and her skirts swept the ground then she went up to the altar of the sun standing upon the roof of the palace she burnt incense and lifted her arms to shamash as the smoke ascended oh shamash why did you give this Restless Heart to Gilgamesh my son why did you give it you have moved him and now he sets out on a long journey to the land of humbaba to travel an unknown Road and fight a strange battle therefore from the day that he goes to the day he returns until he reaches the cedar Forest until he kills humbaba and destroys the evil thing which you shamash abore do not forget him but let the dawn Aya your dear bride remind you always and when day is done give him to the Watchmen of the night to keep him from harm then nson the mother of Gilgamesh extinguished the incense and she called to enidu with this exhortation strong enidu you are not the child of my body but I will receive you as my adopted son you are my other child like the foundlings they bring to the temple serve Gilgamesh as a foundling serves the temple and the Priestess who reared him in the presence of my women my voies and hierophants I declare it and she placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck and she said to him I entrust my son to you bring him back to me safely and now they brought to them the weapons they put in their hands the great swords in their golden scabbards and the bow and the quiver Gilgamesh took the axe he slung the quiver from his shoulder and the bow of Anam and buckled the sword to his belt and so they were armed and ready for the journey now all the people came and pressed on them and said when will you return to the city the chancellors blessed Gilgamesh and warned him do not trust too much in your own strength Be watchful restrain your blows at first the one who goes in front protects His companion the good guide who knows the way guards his friend let enidu lead the way he knows the road to the forest he has seen humbaba and is experienced in battles let him press first into the passes let him Be watchful and look to himself let enidu protect his friend and guard His companion and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road we the counselors of Uruk entrust our King To You O enidu bring him back safely to us again to Gilgamesh they said may shamash give you your heart's desire may he let you see with your eyes the thing accomplished which your lips have spoken may he open a path for you where it is blocked and a road for your feet to tread may he open the mountains for your Crossing and may the nighttime bring you the blessings of night and Lugal Banda Your Guardian God stand beside you for victory may you have victory in the battle as though you fought with a child wash your feet in the river of humbaba to which you are journeying in the evening dig a well and let there always be pure water in your water skin offer cold water to shamash and do not forget lul bander then enidu opened his mouth and said forward there is nothing to fear follow me for I know the place where humbaba lives and the paths where he walks let the counselors go back here is no cause for fear when the heard this they sped the hero on his way go gilgames may your guardian God protect you on the road and bring you safely back to the key of UK after 20 leagues they broke their fast after another 30 leagues they stopped for the night 50 leagues they walked in one day in 3 days they had walked as much as a journey of a month and 2 weeks they crossed Seven Mountains before they came to the gate of the forest then enidu called out to Gilgamesh do not go down into the forest when I opened the gate my hand lost its strength ilges answered him dear friend do not speak like a coward have we got the better of so many dangers and travel so far to turn back at last you who are tried in Wars battles hold close to me now and you will feel no fear of death keep beside me and your weakness will pass the trembling will leave your hand would my friend rather stay behind no we will go down together into the heart of the forest let your courage be roused by the battle to come forget death and follow me a man Resolute in action but one who is not full Hardy when two go together each will protect himself and Shield His companion and if they fall they leave an enduring name together they went down into the forest and they came to the Green Mountain there they Stood Still they were struck dumb they Stood Still and gazed at the forest they saw the height of the cedar they saw the way into the forest and the track where humbaba was used to walk the way was Broad and the going was good they gazed at the mountain of Cedars The Dwelling Place of the Gods and the Throne of Ishtar the hugeness of the Cedar Rose in front of the mountain its shade was beautiful full of comfort mountain and Glade were green with Brushwood there Gilgamesh dug a well before the Setting Sun he went up the mountain and poured out fine meal on the ground and said oh Mountain dwelling of the Gods bring me a favorable dream then they took each other by the hand and lay down to sleep and sleep that flows from the night lapped over them Gilgamesh dreamed and at midnight sleep left him and he told his dream to his friend anid do what was it that woke me if you did not my friend I have dreamt a dream get up look at the mountain precipice sleep that the God sent me is broken oh my friend what a dream I have had Terror and confusion I seized hold of a wild bull in the wilderness it bellowed and beat up the Dust Till the whole sky was dark my arm was seed Eed and my tongue bitten I fell back on my knee and then someone refreshed me with water from his water skin enidu said dear friend the god to whom we are traveling is no Wild Bull though his form is mysterious that Wild Bull which you saw is shamash the protector in Our Moment of peril he will take our hands the one who gave water from his water skin that is your own God who cares for your good name your lul bander United with him together we will accomplish a work the fame of which will never die Gilgamesh said I dreamed again we stood in a deep gorge of the mountain and beside it we too were like the smallest of swamp flies and suddenly the mountain fell it struck me and caught my feet from under me then came an intolerable light blazing out and in it was one whose Grace and whose Beauty were greater than the beauty of this world he pulled me out from under the mountain he gave me water to drink and my heart was comforted and he set my feet on the ground then enidu the child of the Plains said let us go down from the mountain and talk this thing over together he said to Gilgamesh the young God your dream is good your dream is excellent the mountain which you saw is humbaba now surely we will seize and kill him and throw his body down as the mountain fell on the plane the next day after 20 leagues they broke their fast and after another 30 they stopped for the night they dug a well before the sun had set and Gilgamesh ascended the mountain he poured out fine meal on the ground and said oh Mountain dwelling of the Gods send a dream for enidu make him a favorable dream the mountain fashioned a dream for enidu it came an ominous dream a cold shower passed over him it caused him to cow like the Mountain Bley under a storm of rain but Gilgamesh sat with his chin on his knees till the Sleep which flows over all mankind lapped over him then at midnight sleep left him he got up and said to his friend did you call me or why did I wake did you touch me for why am I terrified did not some God pass by for my limb unnown with fear my friend I saw a third dream and this dream was all together frightful the heavens roared and the Earth roared again daylight failed and darkness fell Lightnings flashed fire blazed out the clouds lowered they rained down death then the brightness Departed the fire went out and all was turned to ashes Fallen about us let us go down from the mountain and talk this over and consider what we should do when they had come down from the mountain Gilgamesh seized the axe in his hand he fed the cedar when humbaba heard the noise far off he was enraged he cried out who is this that has violated my Woods cut down my Cedar but glorious shamash called to them out of Heaven go forward do not be afraid but now Gilgamesh was overcome by weakness for Sleep had seized him suddenly a profound sleep held him he lay on the ground stretched out speechless as though in a dream when enkidu touched him he did not rise when he spoke to him he did not reply oh Gilgamesh lord of the plain of kulab the world grows dark the Shadows have spread over it now is the glimmer of dusk shamash has departed his bright head is quenched in the bosom of his mother ningal oh gilgames how long will you lie like this asleep never let the mother who gave you birth be forced in mourning into the city Square at length Gilgamesh heard him he put on his breastplate the voice of Heroes of 30 shekels weight he put it on as though it had been a light garment that he carried and it covered him altogether he straddled the Earth like a bull that snuffs the ground and his teeth were clenched by the life of my mother ninon who gave me birth and by the life of my father Vine luland let me live to be The Wonder of my mother as when she nursed me on her lap a second time he said to him by the life of ninsun my mother who gave me birth and by the life of my father Divine Lugal bander until we have fought this man if man he is this God if God he is the way that I took to the country of the living will not turn back to the city then enkidu the faithful companion pleaded answering him oh my Lord you do not know this monster and that is the reason you are not afraid I who know him I am terrified his teeth are dragon's fangs his countenance is like a lion his charge is the rushing of the flood with his look he crushes alike the Trees of the forest and re in the swamp oh my Lord you may go on if you choose into this land but I will go back to the city I will tell the lady your mother all your glorious Deeds till she shouts for joy and then I will tell the death that followed till she weeps for bitterness but Gilgamesh said immolation and sacrifice are not yet for me the boat of the Dead shall not go down nor the three ply cloth be cut for my shrouding not yet will my people be desolate nor the P be lit in my house and my dwelling burnt on the fire today give me your Aid and you shall have mine what then can go a Miss with us too all living creatures born of the flesh shall sit at last in the boat of the West and when it sinks when the boat of Millum sinks they are gone but we shall go forward and fix our eyes on this monster if your heart is fearful throw away fear if there is Terror in it throw away Terror take your axe in your hand and attack he who leaves the fight unfinished is not at peace humbaba came out from his strong House of Cedar and then enidu called out oh Gilgamesh remember now your boasts in UK forward attack son of UK there is nothing to fear when he heard these words his courage ratted he answered make haste close in if the Watchman is there do not let him escape to the woods where he will vanish he has put on the first of his seven splend but not yet the other six let us trap him before he is armed like a raging Wild Bull he snuffed the ground The Watchmen of the woods turned full of threatenings he cried out humbaba came from his strong House of Cedar he nodded his head and shook it menacing Gilgamesh and on him he fastened his eye the eye of death then Gilgamesh called to shamash and his tears were flowing oh glorious shamash I have followed the road you commanded but now if you send no sucker how shall I escape glorious shamash heard his prayer and he summoned the great wind The North Wind the Whirlwind the storm and the icy wind The Tempest and the scorching wind they came like dragons like a scorching fire like a serpent that freezes the heart a destroying flood and the Lightning's Fork the eight winds rose up again against humbaba they beat against his eyes he was gripped unable to go forward or back gilgames shouted by the life of ninsun my mother and divine Lugal bander my father in the country of the living in this land I have discovered your dwelling my weak arms and my small weapons I have brought to this land against you and now I will enter your house so he felled the first Cedar and they cut the branches and laid them at the foot of the Mountain at the first stroke humbaba blazed out but still they Advanced they felled seven Cedars and cut and burned the branches and laid them at the foot of the mountain and seven times humbaba loosed his glory on them as the seventh Blaze died out they reached his lair he slapped his thigh in scorn he approached like a noble Wild Bull roped on the the mountain a warrior whose elbows are bound together the tears started to his eyes and he was pale yames let me speak I have never known a mother no nor a father who reared me I was born of the mountain he reared me and enil made me the keeper of this Forest let me go free gigamesh and I will be your servant you shall be my Lord all the trees of the forest that I tended on the mountain shall be yours I will cut them down and build you a palace he took him by the hand and led him to his house so that the heart of Gilgamesh was moved with compassion he swore by the Heavenly Life by the Earthly Life by the underworld itself oh enkidu should not the snared bird return to its nest and the captive man returned to his mother's arms enidu answered the strongest of men will fall to fate if he has no judgment Nar the evil fate that knows no distinction between men will devour him if the snared bird returns to its nest if the captive man returns to his mother's arms then you my friend will never return to the city where the mother is waiting who gave you birth he will bar the mountain Road against you and make the pathways impassible humbaba said enidu what you have spoken is evil you are hirling dependent for your bread in envy and for fear of arrival you have spoken evil words enidu said do not listen Gilgamesh This humbaba Must Die kill humbaba first and his servants after but Gilgamesh said if we touch him the Blaze and the glory of light will be put out in confusion the glory and glamour will vanish its rays will be quenched enidu said to Gilgamesh not so my friend first ENT trp the bird and where shall the chicks run then afterwards we can search out the glory and the glamour when the chicks run distracted through the grass Gilgamesh listened to the word of His companion he took the axe in his hand he drew the sword from his belt and he struck humbaba with a Thrust of the sword to the neck and enkido his comrade struck the second blow at the third blow whaba fell then there followed confusion for this was the guardian of the forest whom they had felled to the ground for as far as two leagues the cedar shivered when enidu Fel The Watcher of the forest he at whose voice Heron and Lebanon used to tremble now the mountains were moved and all the hills for the guardian of the forest was killed they attacked the Cedars the seven Spenders of whom Baba were extinguished so they pressed on into the forest bearing the sword of eight talents they uncovered the sacred dwellings of the anunaki and while Gilgamesh fell the first of the Trees of the forest enidu cleared their Roots as far as the banks of Euphrates they set humbaba before the gods before enlil they kissed the ground and dropped the Shroud and set the head before him when he saw the head of humbaba enlil raged at them why did you do this thing from henceforth May the fire be on your faces may it eat the bread that you eat may it drink where you drink then enlil took Again The Blaze and the Seven Splendor that had been humbaba he gave the first to the river and he gave to the lion to the stone of execration to the mountain and to the dreaded daughter of the queen of hell oh Gilgamesh King and conqueror of the Dreadful blazes Wild Bull who plunders the Mountain who crosses the sea glory to him and from the Brave the greater glory is Enis Gilgamesh washed out his long locks and cleaned his weapons he flung back his hair from his shoulders he threw off his stained clothes and changed them for new he put on his Royal robes and made them fast when when Gilgamesh had put on the crown glorious ishar lifted her eyes seeing the beauty of Gilgamesh she said come to me Gilgamesh and be my bridegroom grant me seed of your body let me be your bride and you shall be my husband I will harness for you a chariot of lapis laui and of gold with wheels of gold and horns of copper and you shall have Mighty Demons of the storm for draft mules when you enter our house in the fragrance of Cedarwood threshold and Throne will kiss your feet Kings rulers and princes will bow down before you they shall bring you tribute from the mountains and the plain your ears shall drop twin and your goats triplets your pack ass shall outrun mules your oxen shall have no Rivals your chariot horses shall be famous far off for their swiftness Gilgamesh opened his mouth and answered glorious ishar if I take you in marriage what gifts can I give in return what ointments and clothing for your body I would gladly give you bread and all sorts of food fit for a God I will give you wine to drink fit for a queen I would pour out barley to stuff your Granary but as for making you my wife that I will not how would it go with me your lovers have found you like a Brazier which smolders in the cold a back door which keeps out neither Squall of wind nor storm a castle which crushes The Garrison pitch that blackens the bearer a water skim that chafes the carrier a stone which falls from the parit a battering ram turned back from the enemy a sandal that trips the wearer which of your lovers did you ever love forever what Shepherd of yours has pleased you for all time listen to me while I tell you the tale of your lovers there was tamuz the lover of your youth for him you decreed wailing year after year you loved the many colored roller but still you struck and broke his wing now in the Grove he sits and cries cppy cppy my wing my wing you have loved the lion tremendous in strength seven pits you dug for him and seven you have loved the stallion magnificent in battle and for him you decreed Whip and spur and a thong to gallop seven leagues by force and to muddy the water before he drinks and for his mother sili Lamentations you have loved the Shepherd of the flock he made meal cake for you day after day he killed kids for your sake you struck and turned him into a wolf now his own herd boys chase him away his own hands Wally his flanks and did you not love isul lanu The Gardener of your father's Palm Grove he brought you baskets filled with dates Without End every day he loaded your table then you turned your eyes on him and said dearest ishanu come here to me let us enjoy your manhood come forward and take me I am yours this Hulu answered what are you asking from me my mother has baked and I have eaten why should I come to such as you for food that is Tainted and rotten for when was a screen of rushes sufficient protection from frosts but when you had heard his answer you struck him he was changed to a blind mole deep in the Earth One Whose desire is always Beyond his reach and if you and I should be lovers should not I be served in the same fashion as all these others whom you loved once when ishar heard this she fell into a bitter rage she went up to high heaven her tears poured down in front of her father Anu and Anum her mother she said my father gilgames has heaped insults on me he has told Over All my abominable behavior my foul and hideous acts Anu opened his mouth and said are you a father of gods did not you quarrel with Gilgamesh the king so now he has related your abominable Behavior your foul and hideous acts istar opened her mouth and said again my father give me the bull of Heaven to destroy Gilgamesh fill Gilgamesh I say with arrogance to his destruction but if you refuse to give me the bull of Heaven I will break in the doors of hell and smash the bolts there will be confusion of people those above with those from the lower depths I shall bring up the dead to eat food like the living and the hosts of dead will outnumber the living Anu said to great ishar if I do what you desire there will be seven years of drought throughout uro when corn will be seedless husks have you saved grain enough for the people and grass for the cattle ishar replied I have saved grain for the people grass for the cattle for seven years of seedless husks there is grain and there is grass enough when Anu heard what ishar had said he gave her the bull of Heaven to lead by the halter down to Uruk when they reached the gates of yuruk the bull went to the river with his first snort cracks opened in the earth and a h hundred young men fell down to death with his second snort cracks opened and 200 fell down to death with his third snort cracks opened enidu doubled over but instantly recovered he dodged aside and leapt on the bull and seized it by the horns the bull of Heaven foamed in his face it brushed him with the thick of its tail enidu cried to Gilgamesh my friend we boasted that we should leave enduring names behind us now thrust in your sword between the nape and the horns so Gilgamesh followed the bull he seized the thick of its tail he thrust the sword between the nape and the horns and slew the bull when they had killed the bull of Heaven they cut out its heart and gave it to shamash and the brothers rested but ishar rose up and mounted the Great Wall of UK she sprang onto the tower and uttered a curse woe to Gilgamesh for he has scorned me in killing the bull of heaven when enkido heard these words he tore out the Bull's right thigh and tossed it in her face saying if I could lay my hands on you it is this I should do to you and lash the entrails to your side then ishar called together her people the dancing and singing girls the prostitutes of the temple the corisan over the thigh of the bull of Heaven she set up lamentation at Gilgamesh called The Smiths and the armorers all of them together they admired the immensity of the horns they were plated with lapis lazuli two fingers thick they were 30bs each in weight and their capacity in oil was six measures which he gave to his Guardian God lul Banda but he carried the horns into the palace and hung them on the wall then they washed their hands in Euphrates they embraced each other and went away they drove through the streets of oruk where the heroes were gathered to see them and Gilgamesh called to the singing girls who is the most glorious of the heroes who is most eminent among men Gilgamesh is the most glorious of Heroes Gilgamesh is most eminent among men and now there was feasting and celebrations and joy in the palace till the heroes lay down saying now we will rest for the night when the daylight came enidu got up and cried to Gilgamesh oh my brother such a dream I had last night Anu enil a and Heavenly shamash took counsel together and Anu said to enlil because they have killed the bull of heaven and because they have killed humbaba who guarded the Cedar Mountain one of the two must die and then glorious shamash answered the hero in Li it was by your command they killed the bull of heaven and killed humbaba and Must enidu Die although innocent and Lil flung round in Rage at glorious shamash you dare to say this you who went about with them every day like one of themselves so enkidu lay stretched out before Gilgamesh his tears ran down in streams and he said to Gilgamesh oh my brother so dear as you are to me brother yet they will take me from you again he said I must sit down on the threshold of the dead and never again will I see my dear brother with my eyes while enidu lay alone in his sickness he cursed the gate as though it was living flesh you there wood of the gate dull and insensible witless I searched for you over 20 leagues until I saw the Towering Cedar there is no wood like you in our land 72 cubits high in 24 wide the pivot and the feral and the jams are perfect a master Craftsman from nipu has made you but oh if I had known the conclusion if I had known that this was all the good that would come of it I would have raised the axe and spit you into little pieces and set up here a gate of wle instead oh if only some future king had brought you here or some God had fashioned you let him obliterate my name and write his own and the curse fall on him instead of on enidu with the first brightening of dawn enkidu raised his head and wept before the sun god in the Brilliance of the sunlight his tears streamed done son God I beseech you about that vile Trapper that Trapper of nothing because of whom I was to catch less than my comrade let him catch least make his game scarce make him feeble taking the smaller of every share let his Quarry escape from his Nets when he had cursed the Trapper to his heart's content he turned on the Harlot he was roused to curse her also as for you woman with a great curse I curse you I will promise you a destiny to all eternity my curse shall come on you soon and sudden you shall be without a roof for your Commerce or you shall not keep house with other girls in the tavern but do your business in places fouled by the vomit of the drunkard your higher will be pot as Earth your thiings will be flung into the H you will sit at the the crossroads in the dust of The Potter's quarter you will make your bed on the dung Hill at night and by day take your stand in the wall shadow Rambles and Thorns will tear your feet the drunk and the dry will strike your cheek and your mouth will ache let you be stripped of your purple dyes for I too once in the wilderness with my wife had all the treasure I wished when shamash heard the words of enidu he called to him from Heaven enidu why are you cursing the woman the mistress who taught you to eat bread fit for gods and drink wine of Kings she who put upon you a magnificent garment did she not give you glorious Gilgamesh for your companion and has not Gilgamesh your own brother made you rest on a royal bed and recline on a couch at his left hand he has made the princes of the Earth kiss your feet and now all the people of Uruk lament and wail over you when you are dead he will let his hair grow long for your sake he will wear a lion's Pelt and wander through the desert when enkidu heard glorious shamash his angry heart grew quiet he called back the curse and said woman I promise you another day Destiny the mouth which cursed you shall bless you Kings princes and Nobles shall adore you on your account a man though 12 mil off will clap his hand to his thigh and his hair will twitch for you he will undo his belt and open his treasure and you shall have your desire lapis lazuli gold and Carnelian from the keep in the treasury a ring for your hand and a robe shall be yours the priest will lead you into the presence of the Gods on your account a wife a mother of seven was forsaken as enkidu slept alone in his sickness in bitterness of spirit he poured out his heart to his friend it was I who cut down the cedar I who leveled the forest I who slew humbaba and now see what has become of me listen my friend this is the dream I dreamt last night the heavens roared and Earth rumbled back an answer between them stood I before an awful being a somber faac manb bird he had directed on me his purpose his was a vampire face his foot was a lion's foot his hand was an Eagle's Talon he fell on me and his claws were in my hair he held me fast and I smothered and then he transformed me so that my arms became Wings covered with feathers he turned his stare towards me and he led me away to the Palace of urala the queen of Darkness to the house from which none who enters ever returns down the road from which there is no coming back there is the house whose people sit in darkness dust is their food and Clay their meat they are clothed like birds with wings for covering they see no light they sit in darkness I entered the house of dust and I saw the kings of the earth their crowns put away forever rulers and princes all those who once wore kingly crowns and ruled the world in the days of old they who had stood in the place of the Gods like Anu and enlil stood now like servants to fetch baked Meats in the house of dust to carry cooked meat and cold water from the water skin in the house of dust which I entered were high priests and acolytes Priests of the incantation and of ecstasy there were servers of the temple and there was itana that king of Kish whom the Eagle carried to heaven in the days of old I saw also samokhan God of cattle and there was arish kagal the queen of the underworld and bellet Sher squatted in front of her she who is recorder of the Gods and keeps the book of death she held a tablet from which she read she raised her head she saw me and spoke who has brought this one here then I awoke like a man drained of blood who wanders alone in a waste of rushes like one whom the baii has seized and his heart pounds with Terror Gilgamesh had peeled off his clothes he listened to his words and wept quick tears gilgames listened and his tears flowed he opened his mouth and spoke to enidu who is there in strong wall UK who has wisdom like this strange things have been spoken why does your heart speak strangely the dream was marvelous but the terror was great we must treasure the dream whatever the terror for the dream has shown that misery comes at last to the Healthy Man the end of life is sorrow and Gilgamesh lamented now I will pray to the great gods for my friend had an ominous dream this day on which enidu dreamed came to an end and he lay stricken with sickness one whole day he lay on his bed and his suffering increased he said to Gilgamesh the friend on whose account he had left the Wilderness once I ran for you for the water of life and I now have nothing a second day he lay on his bed and Gilgamesh watched over him but the sickness increased a third day he lay on his bed he called out to Gilgamesh rousing him up now he was weak and his eyes were blind with weeping 10 days he lay and his suffering increased 11 and 12 days he lay on his bed of pain then he called to Gilgamesh my friend the Great Goddess cursed me and I must die in shame I shall not die like a man fallen in battle I feared to fall but happy is the man who falls in the battle for I must die in shame and Gilgamesh wept over enidu with the first light of dorm he raised his voice and said to the counselors of ook hear me great ones of aook I weep for enidu my friend bitterly moaning like a woman mourning I weep for my brother oh enadu my brother you were the axxe at my side my hands strength The Sword in my I built a shield before me a glorious robe my fairest ornament an evil Fate has robbed me the wild ass and the gazelle that were father and mother all longtailed creatures that nourished You Weep For You All the Wild Things of the plain and pastures the paths that you loved in the forest of Cedars night and day m M let the great ones of strong wall UK weep for you let the finger of blessing be stretched out in mourning enidu Young Brother hark there is an echo through all the country like a mother mourning weep all the paths where we walk together and the beasts we hunted the bear and hyena tiger and panther leopard and lion the Stag and the IEX the bull and the dough the river along whose Banks we used to walk weeps for you ulah of Elam and dear Euphrates where once we drew water for the water skins the mountain we climbed where we slew The Watchmen weeps for you the Warriors of strong wall ook where the bull of heaven was killed weep for you all the people of eridu weep for you enidu those who brought grain for your eating mourn for you now who rubbed oil on your back mourn for you now who poured beer for your drinking mourn for you now the Harlot who anointed you with fragrant ointment laments for you now the women of the palace who brought brought you a wife a chosen ring of good advice lament for you now and the young men your brothers as though they were women go lired in mourning what is this sleep which holds you now you are lost in the dark and cannot hear me he touched his heart but it did not beat nor did he lift his eyes again when Gilgamesh touched his heart it did not beat so Gilgamesh laid a veil as one veils the bride over his friend he began to rage like a lion like a lioness robbed of her whelps this way and that he paced round the bed he tore out his hair and strued it around he dragged off his Splendid robes and flung them down as though they were Abominations in the first light of dawn Gilgamesh cried out I made you rest on a royal bed you reclin on a couch at my left hand the princes of the earth kissed your feet I will cause all the people of UK to weep over you and raise the durge of the Dead the joyful people will stoop with sorrow and when you have gone to the earth I will let my hair grow long for your sake I will wander through the Wilderness in the skin of a lion the next day also in the first light Gilgamesh lamented seven days and seven nights he wept for enidu until the worm fastened on him only then he gave him up to the Earth for the anunaki the judges had seized him then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation through the land he summoned them all the coppersmiths the goldsmiths the ston workers and commanded them make a statue of my friend the statue was fashioned with a great weight of lapis lazuli for the breast and of gold for the body a table of hard wood was set out and on it a bowl of Carnelian filled with honey and a bowl of lapis lazuli filled with butter these he exposed and offered to the son and weeping he went away bitterly Gilgamesh wept for his friend enidu he wandered over the Wilderness as a hunter he roamed over the plains in his bitterness he cried how can I rest how can I be at peace despair is in my heart what my brother is now that shall I be when I am dead because I am afraid of death I will go as best I can to find utnapishtim whom they call the far away for he has entered the Assembly of the Gods so gilg mesh traveled over the Wilderness he wandered over the grasslands a long journey in search of utnapishtim whom the gods took after the Deluge and they set him to live in the land of dilon in the garden of the Sun and to him alone of men they gave everlasting life at night when he came to the mountain passes Gilgamesh prayed in these mountain passes long ago I saw Lions I was afraid and I lifted my eyes to the Moon I prayed and my prayers went up to the gods so now oh moon God sin protect me when he had prayed he lay down to sleep until he was woken from out of a dream he saw the Lions around him glorying in life then he took his axe in his hand and he drew his sword from his belt and he fell upon them like an arrow from the string and struck and destroyed and Scattered them so at length Gilgamesh came to Maru the great mountains about which he had heard many things which guard the rising and the Setting Sun its Twin Peaks are as high as the wall of heaven and its paps reach down to the underworld at its gate the Scorpions stand guard half man and half dragon their glory is terrifying their stare strikes death into men their shimmering Halo sweeps the mountains that guard the Rising Sun when Gilgamesh saw them he shielded his eyes for the length of a moment only then he took courage and approached when they saw him so undismayed the man scorpion called to his mate this one who comes to us now is flesh of the Gods the mate of the man scorpion answered 2/3 is God but oneir is man then he called to the man Gilgamesh he called to the child of the Gods why have you come so great A Journey For What have you traveled so far crossing the Dangerous Waters tell me the reason for your coming Gilgamesh answered for do I loved him dearly together we endured all kinds of hardships on his account I have come for the common lot of man has taken him I have wept for him day and night I would not give up his body for burial I thought my friend would come back because of my weeping since he went my life is nothing that is why I have traveled here in search of wut atim my father for men say he has entered the Assembly of the Gods and has found everlasting life I have a desire to question him concerning the living and the dead the man scorpion opened his mouth and said speaking to Gilgamesh no man born of woman has done what you have asked no mortal man has gone into the mountain the length of it is 12 leagues of darkness in it there is no light but the heart is oppressed with Darkness from the rising of the Sun to the setting of The Sun there is no light gilgames said although I should go in sorrow and in pain with sighing and with weeping still I must go open the gate of the mountain and the man scorpion said go gigg mesh I permit you to pass through the mountain of masu and through the high ranges may your feet carry you safely home the Gate of the mountain is open when Gilgamesh heard this he did as the man scorpion had said he followed the sun's road to his Rising through the mountain when he had gone one League The Darkness became thick around him for there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him him after two leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after three leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after four leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him at the end of five leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him at the end of six leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him when he had gone seven leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him when he had gone 8 leagues Gilgamesh gave a great cry for the darkness was thick and he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after nine leagues he felt The North Wind on his face but the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after 10 leagues the end was near after 11 leagues the dawn light appeared at the end of 12 leagues the sun streamed out there was the Garden of the Gods all around him stood bushes bearing gems seeing it he went down at once for there was fruit of carel with the Vine hanging from it beautiful to look at lapis lazuli leaves hung thick with fruit sweet to see for thorns and thistles there were hematite and rare stones agot and Pearls from out of the sea while Gilgamesh Walked In the Garden by the edge of the sea shamash saw him and he saw that he was dressed in the skins of animals and Eep their flesh he was distressed and he spoke and said no mortal man has gone this way before nor will as long as the Winds Drive Over the Sea and to Gilgamesh he said you will never find the life for which you are searching Gilgamesh said to Glorious shamash now that I have toiled and strayed so far over the Wilderness am I to sleep and let the Earth cover my head forever let my eyes see the Sun and until they are dazzled with looking although I am no better than a dead man still let me see the light of the sun beside the sea she lives the woman of the vine the maker of wine siduri sits in the garden at the edge of the sea with the Golden Bowl and the golden Vats that the gods gave her she is covered with a veil and where she sits she sees gilges coming towards her wearing skins the Flesh of the Gods in his body that despair in his heart and his face like the face of one who has made a long journey she looked and as she scanned the distance she said in her own heart surely this is some felon where is he going now and she barred her gate against him with the crossbar and shot home the bolt but Gilgamesh hearing the sound of the bolt threw up his head and lodged his foot in the gate he called to her young woman maker of wine why do you bolt your door what did you see that made you bar your gate I will break in your door and burst in your gate for I am Gilgamesh who seized and killed the bull of Heaven I killed the Watchmen of the cedar Forest I overthrew humbaba who lived in the forest and I killed the lions in the passes of the mountain then siduri said to him if you are that Gilgamesh who seized and killed the bull of Heaven who killed the Watchman of the cedar Forest who overthrew humbaba that lived in the forest and killed the lions in the passes of the mountain why are your cheeks so starved and why is your face so drawn why is despair in your heart and your face like the face of one who has made a long journey yes why is your face burned from heat and cold and why do you come here wandering over the pastures In Search Of The Wind Gilgamesh answered her and why should not my cheeks be starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart and my face is the face of one who has made a long journey it was burned with heat and with coold why should I not Wander Over the pastures In Search Of The Wind my friend my younger brother he who hunted the wild ass of the Wilderness and the panther of the Plains my friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew humbaba in the seed of forest my friend who was very dear to me and who endured dangers beside me enidu my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for him seven days and nights till the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I Stray through the Wilderness and cannot rest but now young woman maker of wine since I have seen your face do not let me see the face of death which I dread so much she answered gilgames where are you hurrying to you will never find that life for which you are looking when the gods created man they allotted to him death but life they retained in their own keeping as for you Gilgamesh fill your belly with good things day and night night and day dance and be merry feast and rejoice let your clothes be fresh bathe yourself in water cherish the little child that holds your hand and make your wife happy in your Embrace for this too is the lot of man but Gilgamesh said to siduri the young woman how can I be silent how can I rest when inkid do whom I love is dust and I too shall die and be laid in the earth you live by the seashore and look into the heart of it young woman tell me now which is the way to utnapishtim the son of ubara tutu what directions are there for the passage give me oh give me directions I will cross the ocean if it is possible if it is not I will wander still farther in the wilderness the wine maker said to him Gilgamesh there is no crossing the ocean Whoever has come since the day days of old has not been able to pass that sea the sun in his glory crosses the ocean but who beside shamash has ever crossed it the place and the passage are difficult and the Waters of death are deep which flow between Gilgamesh how will you cross the ocean when you come to the Waters of death what will you do but Gilgamesh down in the woods you will find shabi the Ferman of utnapishtim with him are the holy things the things of stone he is fashioning the serpent prow of the boat look at him well and if it is possible perhaps you will cross the waters with him but if it is not possible then you must go back when Gilgamesh heard this he was seized with anger he took his axe in his hand and his Dagger from his belt he crept forward and he fell on them like a javelin and then he went into the forest and sat down the shabi saw the dagger Flash and heard the axe and he beat his head for Gilgamesh had shattered The Tackle of the boat in his rage aabi said to him tell me what is your name I am a shabi the Ferman of utnapishtim the far away he replied to him Gilgamesh is my name I am from Uruk from the house of Anu then aabi said to him why are your cheeks so starved and your face drawn why is despair in your heart and your face like the face of one who has made a long journey yes why is your face burned with heat and with cold and why do you come here wandering over the pastures In Search Of The Wind Gilgamesh said to him why should not my cheeks best starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart and my face is the face of one who has made a long journey I was burned with heat and with cold why should I not Wander Over the pastures my friend my younger brother was seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew humbaba in the Cedar Forest my friend who was very dear to me and who endured dangers beside me en kidu my brother whom my loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for him seven days and nights till the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I Stray through the Wilderness his fate lies heavy upon me how can I be silent how can I rest he is dust and I too shall die and be laid in the Earth forever I am afraid of death therefore shabi tell me which is the road to utnapishtim if it is possible I will cross the Waters of death if not I will wander still farther through the Wilderness nanabi said to him gilgames your own hands have prevented you from crossing the ocean when you destroyed the tackle of the boat you destroyed its safety then the two of them talked it over and Gilgamesh said why are you so angry with me o shabi for you yourself cross the Sea by day and night at all seasons you cross it Gilgamesh those things you destroyed their property is to carry me over the water to prevent the Waters of death from touching me it was for this reason that I preserved them and you have destroyed them and the ear new snakes with them but now go into the forest Gilgamesh with your axe cut poles 120 cut them 60 cubits long paint them with bitumin set on them ferals and bring them back when Gilgamesh heard this he went into the forest he cut poles 120 he cut them 60 cubits long he painted them with bitumin he set on them ferals and he brought them to shabi then they barded the boat Gilgamesh and aabi together launching it out on the waves of ocean for three days they ran on as it were a journey of a month and 15 days and at last asabi brought the boat to the Waters of death then asabi said to Gilgamesh Press On take a pole and thrust it in but do not let your hands touch the waters Gilgamesh take a second pole take a third take a fourth Pole now gilgames take a fifth take a sixth and seventh pole Gilgamesh take an eighth a ninth a tenth pole gilgames take an 11th take a 12th pole after 120 thrusts gilgames had used the last pole then he stripped himself he held up his arms for a mast and his covering for a sail so aabi the fyman brought Gilgamesh to utnapishtim whom they call the far away who lives in dilmun at the place of the son's Transit Eastward of the mountain to him alone of men the gods had given everlasting life now utnapishtim where he lay at ease looked into the distance and he said in his heart musing to himself why does the boat sail here without tackle and Mast why are the secret Stones destroyed and why does the master not sail the boat a man who comes is none of mine where I look I see a man whose body is covered with skins of beasts who is this who walks up the shore behind oabi for surely he is no man of mine so utna pish him looked at him and said what is your name You Who Come here wearing the skins of beasts with your cheeks star than your face drawn where are you hurrying to now for what reason have you made made this great journey crossing the Seas whose passage is difficult tell me the reason for your coming he replied Gilgamesh is my name I am from Uruk from the house of Anu then utnapishtim said to him if you are gilgames why are your cheeks so starve than your face drawn why is despair in your heart and your face like the face of one who has made a long journey yes why is your face burned with heat and cold and why do you come here wandering over the Wilderness in search of the wind ygames said to him why should not my cheeks be starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart and my face is the face of one who has made a long journey it was burned with heat and with cold why should I not wander over the pastures my friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew humbaba in the seed of forest my friend who was very dear to me and endured dangers beside me and kidu my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for him seven days and nights till the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I Stray through the Wilderness his fate lies heavy upon me how can I be silent how can I rest he is dust and I shall die also and be laid in the Earth forever again Gilgamesh said speaking to utnapishtim it is to see utnapishtim whom we call the far away that I have come this journey for this I have wandered over the world I have crossed many difficult ranges I have crossed the Seas I have weared myself with traveling my joints are aching and I have lost acquaintance with sleep which is sweet my clothes were worn out before I came to the house of siduri I have killed the bear and hyena the lion and panther the tiger the Stag and the ibeck all sorts of wild game and the small creatures of the pastures i e their flesh and I wore their skins and that was how I came to the gate of the young woman the maker of wine who barred her gate of pitch and bitumin against me but from her I had news of the journey so then I came to aabi the Felman and with him I crossed over the Waters of death oh father him you who have entered the Assembly of the Gods I wish to question you concerning the living and the dead how shall I find the life for which I am searching odar pish him said there is no permanence do we build a house to stand forever do we seal a contract to hold for all time do Brothers divide an inheritance to keep forever does the flood time of rivers endure it is only the nymph of the dragonfly who sheds her lava and sees the sun in his glory from the days of old there is no permanence the sleeping and the dead how alike they are they are like a painted death what is there between the master and the servant when both have fulfilled their Doom when the anunaki the judges come together and Mamon the mother of Destinies together they decree the fates of men life and death they a lot but the day of death they do not disclose then Gilgamesh said to utna Pish him the far away I look at you now utap pish him and your appearance is no different from mine there is nothing strange in your features I thought I should find you like a hero prepared for battle would you lie here taking your Ease on your back tell me truly how was it that you came to enter the company of the Gods and to possess everlasting life utap pish him said to Gilgamesh I will reveal to you a mystery I will tell you a secret of the Gods you know the city shupac it stands on the banks of Euphrates that city grew old and the gods that were in it were old there was Anu lord of the firmament their father and Warrior enl their counselor norta the helper and enoi Watcher over canals and with them also was aah in those days the world teemed the people multiplied the world bellowed like a wild bull and the great God was aroused by the clamor enlil heard the clamor and he said to the Gods in councel the Uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the babble so the gods agreed to exterminate mankind enil did this but a because of his oath warned me in a dream he whispered their words to my house of reeds Reed House Reed house wall oh wall hearken Reed house wall reflect oh man of shopac son of ubara tutu tear down your house and build a boat abandon possessions and look for Life despise worldly goods and save your soul alive tear down your house I say and build a boat these are the measurements of the bark as you shall build her let her beam equal her length let her deck be roofed like the Vault that covers the abyss then take up up into the boat the seed of all living creatures when I had understood I said to my Lord behold what you have commanded I will honor and perform but how shall I answer the people the city the elders then AAR opened his mouth and said to me his servant tell them this I have Leed that enil is wroth against me I dare no longer walk in his land nor live in his City I will go down to the gulf to dwell with aah my Lord but on you he will reain down abundance rare fish and shy wild fowl a Rich Harvest tide in the evening the rider of the storm will bring you wheat and Torrance in the first light of dawn all my household gathered around me the children brought pitch and the men whatever was necessary on the fifth day I laid the Keel and the ribs then I made fast the planking the grand space was one acre each side of the deck measured 120 cubits making a square I built six decks below seven in all I divided them into nine sections with bulkheads between I drove in wedges where needed I saw to the punt poles and laid in supplies the carriers brought oil in baskets I poured pitch into the furnace and asphalt and oil more oil was consumed in cocking and more again the master of the boat took into his stores I slaughtered Bullocks for the people and every day I killed sheep I gave the ships wine to drink as though it were river water raw wine and red wine and oil and white wine there was feasting then as there is at the time of the New Year's Festival I myself anointed my head on the seventh day the boat was complete then was the launching full of difficulty there was shifting of ballast above and below till 2/3 was submerged I loaded into her all that I had of gold and of living things my family my Kim the Beast of the field both wild and tame and all the Craftsmen I sent them on board for the time that shamash had ordained was already fulfilled when he said in the evening when the rider of the storm sends down the destroying rain enter the boat and batten her down the time was fulfilled the evening came the rider of the storm sent down the rain I looked out at the weather and it was terrible so I too boarded the boat and battened her down all all was now complete the battening and the cking so I handed the tiller to pazur Amurri the steersman with the navigation and the care of the whole boat with the first light of dawn a black cloud came from the Horizon it thundered within where adad lord of the storm was riding in front over Hill and plain shat and Hanish Heralds of the storm LED on then the gods of the abys rose up nural pulled out the dams of the nether Waters norta the warlord threw down the dkes and the Seven judges of Hell the anunaki raised their torches lighting the land with their livid flame a stuper of Despair went up to heaven when the god of the storm turned daylight to darkness when he smashed the land like a cup one whole day The Tempest raged Gathering Fury as it went it poured over the people like the tides of battle a man could not see his brother nor the people be seen from Heaven even the gods were terrified at the flood they fled to the highest Heaven the firmament of Anu they crouched against the walls cowering like curs then ishar the sweet voiced Queen of Heaven cried out like a woman in travil alas the days of old are turned to dust because I commanded evil why did I command this evil in the Council of all the gods I commanded Wars to destroy the people but are they not my people for I brought them forth now like the spawn of fish they float in the ocean the great gods of heaven and of Hell wept they covered their mouths for six days and six nights the winds blew torrent and temp Tempest and flood overwhelmed the world Tempest and flood raged together like Waring hosts when the seventh day dawned the storm from the south subsided the sea grew calm the flood was stilled I looked at the face of the world and there was silence all mankind was turned to Clay the surface of the sea stretched as flat as a rooftop I opened a hatch and the light fell on my face then I bowed low I sat down and I wept the tears streamed down my face for on every side was the waste of water I looked for land in vain but 14 leagues distant there appeared a mountain and there the boat grounded on the mountain of nir the boat held fast she held fast and did not budge one day she held and a second day on the mountain of nissia she held fast and did not bdge a third day and a fourth day she held fast on the mountain and did not budge a fifth day and a sixth day she held fast on the mountain when the seventh day dawned I loosed a dove and let her go she flew away but finding no resting place she returned then I loosed a swallow and she flew away but finding no resting place she returned I loosed a raven she saw that the waters had retreated she at she flew around she CED and she did not come back then I threw everything open to the Four Winds I made a sacrifice and poured out a libation on the Mountaintop seven and again seven cauldrons I set up on their stands I heaped up wood and cane and seeda and Myrtle when the gods smelled the sweet saver they gathered like flies over the sacrifice then at last ishar also came she lifted her necklace with the jewels of Heaven that once Anu had made to please her oh you Gods here present by the lapis lazul around my neck I shall remember these days as I remember the jewels of my throat these last days I shall not forget let all the gods gather around the sacrifice except enil he shall not approach this offering for without reflection he he brought the flood he consigned my people to destruction when enil had come when he saw the boat he was wroth and swell with anger at the gods the host of Heaven as any of these mortals escaped not one was to have survived the destruction then the god of the wells and canals nura opened his mouth and said to the warrior enlil who is there of the gods that can devise without aah it is aah alone who knows all things when aah opened his mouth and spoke to Warrior enlil wisest of gods hero enlil how could you so senselessly bring down the flood lay upon the sinner his sin lay upon the transgressor his transgression punish him a little when he breaks loose do not drive him too hard or he perishes would that a lion had ravaged mankind rather than the flood would that a wolf had ravaged mankind rather than the flood would that famine had wasted the world rather than the flood would that pestilence had wasted mankind rather than the flood it was not I that revealed the secret of the Gods but the wise man learned it in a dream now take your counsel what shall be done with him then enlil went up into the boat he took me by the hand and my wife and made us enter the boat and kneel down on either side he standing between us he touched our foreheads to bless us saying in time passed udap pish him was a mortal man henceforth he and his wife shall live in the distance at the mouth of the rivers thus it was that the gods took me and placed me here to live in the distance at the mouth of the rivers udna pish him said as for you Gilgamesh who will assemble the gods for your sake so that you may find that life for which you are searching but if you wish come and put it to the test only Prevail against sleep for 6 days and seven nights but while Gilgamesh sat there resting on his hunches a mist of sleep like soft wool teased from the fleece drifted over him and UDA pish him said to his wife look at him now the strong man who would have everlasting life even now The Mists of sleep are drifting over him his wife replied replied touch the man to wake him so that he may return to his own land in peace going back through the gate by which he came UTA pish him said to his wife all men are deceivers even you he will attempt to deceive therefore bake loaves of bread each day one loaf and put it beside his head and make a mark on the wall to number the days he has slept so she baked loaves of bread each day one loaf and put it beside his head and she marked on the wall the days that he slept and there came a day when the first loaf was hard the second loaf was like leather the third was soggy the crust of the fourth had mold the fifth was miled the sixth was fresh and the seventh was still on the Embers then utap pish him touched him and he woke Gilgamesh said to utna Pish him the far away I hardly slept when you touched and Rous me but utna pissed him said count these Loaves and learn how many days you slept for your first is hard your second like leather your third is soggy the crust of your fourth has mold your fifth is miled your sixth is fresh and your seventh was still over the glowing Embers when I touched and woke you vgames said what shall I do ohuta p him where shall I go already the thief in the night has hold of my limbs death inhabits my room wherever my foot rests there I find Death then udna pish him spoke to aabi the fman woe to you aabi now and ever more you have become hateful to this harborage it is not for you nor for you are the crossings of this sea go now banished from the shore but this man before whom you walked bringing him here whose body is covered with foulness and the grace of whose limbs has been spoiled by wild skins take him to the washing place there he shall wash his long hair clean as snow in the water he shall throw off his skins and let the sea carry them away and the beauty of his body shall be shown the fillet on his forehead shall be renewed and he shall be given clothes to cover his nakedness till he reaches his own City and his journey is accomplished these clothes will show no sign of age they will wear like a new garment so aabi took Gilgamesh and led him to the washing place he washed his long hair hair as clean as snow in the water he threw off his skins which the sea carried away and showed the beauty of his body he renewed the fillet on his forehead and to cover his nakedness gave him clothes which would show no sign of age but would wear like a new garment till he reached his own City and his journey was accomplished then Gilgamesh and asabi launched the boat onto the water and boarded it and they made ready to sail away but the wife of utnapishtim the far away said to him Gilgamesh came here weared out he is worn out what will you give him to carry him back to his own country so utnapishtim spoke and Gilgamesh took a pole and brought the boat in to the bank Gilgamesh you came here a man weared out you have worn yourself out what shall I give you to carry you back to your own country ilesh I shall reveal a secret thing it is a mystery of the gods that I am telling you there is a plant that grows under the water it has a prickle like a thorn like a rose it will wound your hands but if you succeed in taking it then your hands will hold that which restores his lost youth to a man when Gilgamesh heard this he opened the sloes so that a Sweet Water current might carry him out to the deepest Chanel he tied heavy stones to his feet and they dragged him down to the water bed there he saw the plant growing although it pricked him he took it in his hands then he cut the heavy stones from his feet and the Sea carried him and threw him onto the shore ilesh said to aabi the Ferman come here and see this marvelous plant by its virtue a man may win back all his former strength I will take it to aook of the strong walls there I will give it to the old men to eat its name shall be the old men are young again and At Last I shall eat it myself and have back all my lost youth so Gilgamesh returned by the gate through which he had come Gilgamesh and urabi went together they traveled their 20 leagues and then they broke their fast after 30 leagues they stopped for the night Gilgamesh saw a well of cool water and he went down and bathed but deep in the pool there was lying a serpent and the serpent sensed the sweetness of the flower it rose out of the the water and snatched it away and immediately it sloughed its skin and returned to the well then Gilgamesh sat down and wept the tears ran down his face and he took the hand of aabi oh shabi was it for this that I toil with my hands is it for this I have rung out my heart's blood for myself I have gained nothing not I but the Beast of the Earth has Joy of it now already the stream has carried it 20 leagues back to the channels where I found it I found a sign and now I have lost it let us leave the boat on the bank and go after 20 leagues they broke their fast after 30 leagues they stopped for the night in 3 days they had walked as much as a journey of a month and 15 days when the journey was accomplished they arrived at UK a strong walled City Gilgamesh spoke to him to aabi the Ferman as shabi climb up onto the wall of Uruk and inspect its foundation Terrace and examine well the brick work see if it is not of burnt bricks and did not the seven wise men lay these foundations 1/3 of the whole is City 1/3 is garden and oneir is field with the precinct of the Goddess ishar these parts and the precinct are all Uruk this too was the work of Gilgamesh the king who knew the countries of the world he was wise he saw Mysteries and knew secret things he brought us a tale of the days before the flood he went a long journey was weary worn out with labor and returning engraved on a stone the whole story the Destiny was fulfilled which the father of the Gods enlil of the mountain had decreed for Gilgamesh in nether Earth the darkness will show him a light of mankind all that are known none will leave a monument for generations to come to compare with his the heroes the wise men like the new moon have their waxing and waning men will say who has ever ruled with might and and with power like him as in the dark month the month of Shadows so without him there is no light oh Gilgamesh this was the meaning of your dream you were given the kingship such was your destiny everlasting life was not your destiny because of this do not be sad at heart do not be grieved or oppressed he has given you power to bind and to loose to be the darkness and the light of mankind he has given unexampled Supremacy over the people victory in battle from which no fugitive returns in fores and assaults from which there is no going back but do not abuse this power deal justly with your servants in the palace deal justly before the face of the Sun the King has laid himself down and will not rise again the Lord of kulah will not rise again he overcame evil he will not come again though he was strong of arm he will not rise again he had wisdom and a comely face he will not come again he is gone into the mountain he will not come again on the bed of fate he lies he will not rise again from the couch of Many Colors he will not come again the people of the city Great and Small are not silent they lift up the lament all men of Flesh and Blood lift up the lament Fate has spoken like a hooked fish he lies stretched on the bed like a gazelle that is caught in a loose inhuman Namar is heavy upon Him Nar that has neither hand nor foot that drinks no water and eats no meat for Gilgamesh son of ninsun they weighed out their offerings his dear wife his son his concubine his musicians his Jester and all his household his servants his stewards all who lived in the palace weighed out their offerings for Gilgamesh the son of ninen the heart of Uruk they weighed out their offerings to erishkigal the queen of death and to all the gods of the Dead to Nar who is fate they weighed out the offering bread for netti the keeper of the gate bread for niseda the god of the serpent the lord of the tree of life for dzi also the young Shepherd for eni and ninki for uuga and nuga for enul and nul all the ancestral gods forbears of enlil A Feast for Shi the god of feasting for samuk God of the herds for the mother ninus sag and the gods of Creation in the place of creation for the host of Heaven priest and Priestess weighed out the offering of the Dead Gilgamesh the son of ninon lies in the Tomb at the place of offerings he weighed the bread offering at the place of libation he poured out the wine in those days the Lord Gilgamesh Departed the son of ninon the king Peerless without an equal among men who who did not neglect enlil his master oh gilgames lord of kulab Great is Thy [Music] praise IM Asuma Balu Ani Shu am anaku anaku for y [Music] sh it be for for