the Epic of Gilgamesh prologue Gilgamesh King and Uruk I will Proclaim to the world the Deeds of gilgames 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 returning he rested he engraved on a stone the whole story when the gods created gilgames they gave him a perfect body shamash the Glorious son owed him with beauty adad the god of 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 one/ third man in urach he built walls a great Rampart and the Temple of blessed Anana for the god of the firmament Anu and for ishar the goddess of love look at it still today the outer wall where the Cornus runs it shines with the Brilliance of copper and the inner wall it has no equal touch the threshold it is ancient approach Yana the dwelling of ishar Our Lady Of Love and War and like which no Latter-Day King no man alive can equal climb upon the wall of urach 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 one the coming of enadu gilgames went abroad in the world but he met with none who could withstand his arms till he came to uro but the men of uro 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 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 a noble yet this is The Shepherd of the city wise comely and Resolute the gods heard their Lament The Gods of Heaven cried to the Lord of arook to Anu the god of a rook 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 this is 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 heard their lamentation to the gods cried to aruru the goddess of creation you made him oh aruru now create his equal let it be like him as his own reflection his second self stormy heart for storby heart let them contend together and leave UK 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 and the noble enadu was created there was virtue in him of the God of War of nerta 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 samans the god of cattle he was innocent of mankind he knew nothing of the cultivated land enadu ate grass in the hills with the gazelle and lurked with the wild beasts at the water holes he had the 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 hole for the Wild game had entered his territory on three days he met him face to face and the Trapper was frozen in fear he went back to his house with the game that he had caught and he was dumb B 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 the wild beasts and eats grass the rang is through your land and comes down to the Wells I am afraid and dare not go near him he fills the pits which I dig and tears up my traps I 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 irk lives gilgames no one has ever prevailed against him he is as strong as a star from Heaven go to uro find gilges stole the strength of this wild man ask him to give you a harlot a 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 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 AO and addressed himself to Gilgamesh saying a man unlike any other is now roaming 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 my pits and pulls up my traps Gilgamesh said Trapper take back with your 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 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 the second day the two Sat waiting but on the third day the herds came they came to down to drink and enadu was with them the small wild creatures of the Plains were glad of the water and enadu with them who ate the grass with the gazelle and was born in the hills and she saw him the Savage man come from the far off in the hills the Trapper spoke to her there he is now woman make your breasts beare and 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 beast 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 6 days and seven nights they lay together for enadu 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 when the wild creatures saw him they fled enadu 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 enadu 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 anadu 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 wal uro 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 enadu was pleased he longed for a comrade for one who could understand his heart come woman and take me to that Holy Temple to the house of Anu and ishar and to the place where Gilgamesh Lords it over the people I will challenge him boldly I will cry out aloud in Aro I am the strongest here I have come to change the old order I am he who is born in the Hills I am he who is strongest of all she said let us go let him see your face I know very well where Gilgamesh is in great Aro oh anadu there all the people are dressed in their gorgeous robes every day is holiday the young men and girls are wonderful to see how sweet they smell all the great ones are roused from their beds oh enadu 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 enil and ear the wise has given him deep understanding tell you even before you have left the world gilgames will know in his dreams that you are coming now Gilgamesh got up to tell his dream to his mother nin son one of the wise Gods mother last night I had a dream I was full of joy the young Heroes 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 of the people of urch came around to see it the people jostled and the Nobles thronged to kiss its feet and to me its attraction was like the love of a woman they helped me I braced my forehead and I raised it with thongs and I brought it to you and you yourself pronounced it my brother then ninon who was well beloved and wise said to gilgames this 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 repat I made it for you a Goen spur and you were drawn to it though to a woman this is the strong comrad the one who brings help to his friend in 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 the dream Gilgamesh said mother I have dreamed a second dream in the streets of Strong World oo that lay an axe the shape of it was strange and the people thronged around I saw it and was glad I bent down deeply drawn towards it I loved it like a woman and I wore it at my side ninon answered that axe which you saw which Drew so powerfully like the love of a woman that is the comrade who I've give to 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 enil and now I shall bef friend and counsel him so gilgames told his dreams and the harlots R told them to enadu and now she said to enadu when I look at you you have become like a god why do you yearn to run wild again with the beasts in 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 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 around to see him they put down bread in front of him but enadu 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 inad do eat bread it is the stuff 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 Shawn he rubbed down the matted hair of his body and anointed himself with oil enadu had become a man but when he had put on man's clothing he 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 herdsman lay down in peace for enadu 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 answers saying to inadu gilgames has gone to to the marriage house and shut out the people he does strange things in uro the city of great streets at the roll 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 the 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 enadu turned white in the face I will go to the place where gilgames Lords it over the people I will challenge him boldly I will cry aloud in uro I have come to change the old order for I am the strongest here now enadu stro in front and the woman followed behind he entered ug that great market and all the folk thronged around him where he stood in the street in Strong World aook the People jostled speaking of him they said he is the spit of Gilgamesh he is shorter he is bigger of bone this is the one reared on the Milk of the wild beasts his is the greatest strength the men rejoiced now gilgames has met his match this great one this hero whose beauty is like a god he is a match even for gilgames 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 enadu stepped out he stood in the street and blocked the way Mighty Gilgamesh came on and enadu 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 wall shook they snorted like Bulls locked together they shattered the doorposts and the wall shook Gilgamesh bent his KNE with his foot planted on the ground and with a turn enadu was thrown then immediately his Fury died when enadu was thrown he said to Gilgamesh there is not another like you in the world ninon who is as strong as a wild ox in the buer said she was the mother who bore you so now you are raised above all men and endel has given you the kingship for your strength surpasses the strength of men so enadu and Gilgamesh embraced and their friendship was sealed two the forest journey enil of the mountain the father of the Gods had decreed the destiny of Gilgamesh so gilgames dreamed and enadu said the meaning of the dream is this the father of the Gods has given you kingship such as 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 to loose to be the darkness and the light of mankind he has given you unexampled Supremacy over the people victory in battle from which no fugitive returns in foray 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 enadu were full of tears and his heart was sick he sighed bitterly and gilges met his eye and said my friend why do you sigh so bitterly but enadu 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 the Lord gilgames turned his thoughts to the country of the living on the land of seedar the Lord Gilgamesh reflected he said to his servant enadu I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed therefore I will go up to the country the cedar is fed I will set up my 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 because of the evil that is in the land we will go into the forest and destroy the evil for in the forest lives hanaba whose name is hugeness a ferocious giant but enadu signed 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 enil has appointed humbaba to guard it and armed him with Sevenfold Terrors terrible to All Flesh is humbaba when he Roars it is like the torrent of a storm his breath is like fire his Jaws are death itself he guards The Cedars 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 overpowers whoever goes near 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 Gilgamesh 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 a 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 gilgames has fallen in fight with ferocious humara long after the child has been born in my house they will say it and remember anadu spoke again to Gilgamesh 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 gilgames took up a kid white without spot and a brown one with it and held them against his breast he carried them into the presence of the sun he took in his hand a 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 a rook Grant I beseech your protection Let The Omen be good glorious shamash answered Gilgamesh 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 that it is so though 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 that country with a cedar as cut I will set up my name where the names of famous men are written and when 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 I must take to the land of humbaba if this Enterprise is not to be accomplished why did you move me shamash with a Restless desire to perform it how can I succeed if you will not sucker me and if I die in that country I will die without ranor 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 Mountain Caves Great winds he appointed The North Wind the Whirlwind the stone and the icy wind The Tempest and the scorching wind like vipers like dragons like 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 Craftsmen and sat down in conference they went to the Groves of the plane and cut Willow and boxwood they cast for them axes of 9 score pound and great swords they cast with blades of six scoreb each one with pommels and hilts of 30b they cast for gilgames the axe might of Heroes and the B of anshan and gilges was armed and enadu with the weight of the arms They Carried was 30 score the people collected and the councilors in the streets and in the marketplace of a rook they came to the gate of seven bolts and gilgames 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 a rook and all the world shall know I am committed to this Enterprise to climb the mountain to cut down the cedar to leave leave behind me an enduring name the counselors of a rook the great Market answered him gilgames you are young and your courage carries you far you cannot know what this Enterprise means which you have planned we have heard that humbaba is not like men who die his weapons are such that none can stand against them the forest stretches for 10,000 leaks in every direction who would willingly go down to explore its depths as for humbaba when he Roars it is like the torrent of a storm his breath is like fire and his Jaws are death itself why do you crave to do this thing gilgames it is no equal struggle when one fights with humara 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 hanaba I will sit at home all the rest of my days then Gilgamesh opened his mouth again and said to enadu my friend let us go to the great palace to agalma and stand before ninon the queen ninon is wise with deep knowledge she will give us counil for the road that we must go they took each other by the hand and they went to El galma and they went to ninon the great Queen Gilgamesh approached he entered the palace and spoke to ninon ninon will you listen to me I have a long journey to go to the land of humbaba and 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 ab BS pray for me to shamash ninon 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 do 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 till 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 the day is done give him to the Watchmen of the night to keep him from harm then ninon the mother of Gilgamesh extinguished the incense and she called to enadu with this exhortation strong enadu 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 and as a foundling serves the temple and priestesses who reared him in the presence of my women any voies and hofs I declare it she then placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck and 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 Van Shan and buckled the sword to his belt 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 councilors 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 enadu leads the way he knows the road to the forest he has seen humara and is experienced in battles let him press first into the passes let him Be watchful and look to himself let enadu protect his friend and guard His companion and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road we the counselors of Aro entrust our King To You O enadu bring him back safely to us again to gilgames 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 night time bring you the blessings of night and Lugal bander Your Guardian God stand beside you for victory may you have victory in 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 Lugal Banda then anadu 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 that here is no cause for fear when the counselors 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 KY of arook after 20 leagues they broke their fast after another 30 leagues they stopped for the night 50 leagues they walked in one day and in 3 days they had walked as much of a journey as a month and two weeks they crossed Seven Mountains before they came to the gates of the forest then inadu called out to Gilgamesh do not go down into the forest when I opened the gate my hand lost its strength Gilgamesh answered him dear friend do not speak like a coward we have got the better of so many dangers and traveled so far to turn back at last you who are tried in wars and 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 Hima used to walk the way was Broad and the going was good they gazed at the mountain of Cedar The Dwelling Place of the Gods and the Throne of ish star 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 gilgames dug a well before the Setting Sun he went up to the mountain and poured out a 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 follows from the night lapped over them gilgames dreamed and at the midnight sleep he left him and he told his dream to his friend enadu what was it that woke me up if you did not my friend I have dreamed a dream get up and look at the mountain precipice the sleep that the God sent me is broken ah 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 until the whole sky was dark my arm was seized and my tongue bitten I fell back on my knee then someone refreshed me with water from his water skin enadu said dear friend the god to whom we am 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 Lugal bander United with him together we will accomplish a work of Fame which will never die Gilgamesh said I dreamed again we stood in the 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 enadu 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 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 enadu make him a favorable dream the mountain fashioned a dream for enadu it came an ominous dream a cold shower passed over him it caused him to cower like the mountain barley under a storm of rain but gilgames 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 why am I terrified did not some God pass by for my limbs are numb with fear my friend I saw a third dream and this dream was altogether frightful the heavens roared and the Earth roared again daylight failed and the Darkness fell lightning flashed and fire blazed out the clouds lowered the 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 gilgames seized the axe in his hand he F the cedar when hanaba heard the noise from far off he was enraged he cried out who is this that has violated my woods and cut down my Cedar but glorious shamash called to them out of Heaven go forward do not be afraid but now Gilgamesh was overcome with 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 enadu touched him he did not rise when he spoke to him he did not reply oh Gilgamesh lord of the plain of CB the world grows dark the Shadows have spread over it and now is the glimmer of dusk shamash has departed his bright head is quenched in the bosom of his mother ningal oh Gilgamesh how long will you lie like this in sleep never let the mother who gave you birth be forced into mourning in the city square at length Gilgamesh heard him and put on his breastplate the voice of Heroes of 30 shekels weight he put it on as though it was 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 the life of my father Divine Lugal bander 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 ninon 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 I took to the country of the living will not turn back to the city then enadu the faithful companion pleaded answering him oh my Lord you do not know this monster and that is the reason that you are not afraid I 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 and with his look he crushes alike the Trees of the forest and the Reeds of the swamp oh my Lord you may go on if you choose into thus land but I will go back to the city I will tell the lady your mother all your glorious Deeds until she shouts for joy and then I will tell the death that followed until she weeps for bitterness but Gilgamesh said imulation 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 pie 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 two all living creatures born of the flesh shall sit in the last boat of the West and when it sinks the boat of magum sinks and they are gone but we shall go forward and fix our eyes on the 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 of his strong House of Cedar then enadu called out oh gilgames remember your boast and Aro forward attack son of Aro there is nothing to fear when he heard those words his courage rallied he answered make haste close in if the Watchman is there do not let him escape the woods where he will vanish he has put on the first of his seven splendors 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 HBA came from his house of strong Cedar he nodded his head and shook it menacing gilgames and on him he fastened his eye the eye of death then gilgames called out to shamash and his tears were flowing oh glorious shamash I have followed the road you've commanded but now if you send no sucker how shall I escape Escape glorious shamash heard his prayer and he summoned the great wind The North Wind the Whirlwind the storm 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 a Lightning's Fork the eight winds rose up against humbaba they beat against his eyes he was gripped unable to go forward or back gilgames shouted by the life of ninon my mother 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 into this land against you and now I will enter your house and 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 bound branches and laid them at the foot of the mountain and seven times humbaba loosed his glory upon them as the seventh Blaze died out they reached his lirer he slapped his thigh in scorn he approached like a noble Wild Bull roped on the mountain a warrior whose elbows are bound together the tears started to his eyes and he was pale Gilgamesh let me speak I have never known a mother nor 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 Gilgamesh and I will be your servant you shall be my Lord Lord and all the trees of the forest that I have 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 enadu should not the snared bird return to its nest and the captive man return to his mother's arms enadu answered the strongest of men will fall to fate if he has no judgment Namar 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 all the pathways impassible humbaba said enadu what you have spoken is evil you are Hing dependent for your bread in envy and for fear of a rival you have spoken evil words enadu said do not listen gilgames this humbaba must die kill humbaba first and his servants after but gilgames said if we touch him the Blaze and the glory of the light will be put out in confusion the glory and glamour will vanish its rays will be quenched enadu said to gilgames not so my friend first ENT trap 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 the thrust of the sword to the neck and anadu his comrade struck the second blow at the third blow humbaba fell then there followed confusion for this was the guardian of the forest whom they had fell to the ground for as far as two leagues the seedar shivered when anadu felt the water of the forest he at whose voice Herman 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 splendors of humbaba were extinguished so they pressed on to the forest bearing the sword of eight Talons they uncovered the sacred dwellings of the anunaki and while gilgames fed the first of the Trees of the forest anadu cleared the roots as far as the banks of the Euphrates they set him Bara before the gods before enil they kissed the ground and dropped the Shroud and set the head before him when he saw the head of humbaba enil 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 enil took Again The Blaze and the Seven Splendor that had been humaras 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 gilgames King and conqueror of the Dreadful Blaze Wild Bull who plunders the mountain who crosses the sea glory to him and from the Brave the greater glor is enes three Ishtar and Gilgamesh and the death of enadu Gilgamesh washed out his long locks and cleaned his weapons he flung his hair back 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 gilgames had put on the crown glorious ishar lifted her eyes seeing the beauty of gilgames she said come to me Gilgamesh and be my bridegroom grant me the seed of your body let me be your bride and you shall be my husband I will harness for you a chariot of lapis lazuli and of gold and with wheels of gold and horns of copper and you shall have 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 you shall drop Twins and your goats triplets your pack ass shall outrun mules your oxen shall have no Rivals and your chariot horses shall be famous far off for their swiftness gilges opened his mouth and 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 would give you wine to drink fit for a queen I would pour out barley to stuff your granery but as for making you my wife that I will not how would it go with me your lovers have found you like a brazer which smolders in the cold a back door which neither keeps out a Squall of wind nor storm a castle which crushes The Garrison pitch that blackens the bearer a water skin that chaes the carrier a stone which falls from the parapet 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 when I tell the tale of your lovers there is 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 loved the Magnificent stallion in battle and for him you decreed the Whip and spur and a thong to gallop seven leagues by force and to muddy the water before he Dr and for his mother Sly 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 hounds worry his flanks and did you not love ishanu The Gardener of your father's Palm Grove he brought you baskets filled with dates Without End every day he loaded your table and you turned your eyes on him and said dearest is shaanu come here let's enjoy your manhood come forward and take me I am yours is shanu 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 rushers sufficient protection from frosts but when you had heard this answer you struck him he was changed to a blind mold deep in the Earth One Whose desire is always Beyond reach and if you and I should be lovers should not I be served in the same fashion as all of these others whom you have once loved when ishar heard this she fell into a bitter rage she went up into high heaven her tears poured down in front of her father a new and anom her mother she said father gilgames has heaped insults on me he is told all over my abominable behavior my foul and hideous acts Anu opened his mouth and said are you a father of gods did you not quarrel with Gilgamesh the king so now he has related your abominable Behavior your foul and hideous acts ishar opened her mouth and said again my father give me the bull of Heaven to destroy gilgames fill ggames 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 and there will be confusion of people those above with those from the lower depths I shall bring up the dead to eat the food like the living and the hosts of the Dead will outnumber the living Anu said to great ishar if I do what you desire there there will be seven years of drought throughout urach 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 and grass for the cattle for seven years of seedless husks there is grain and grass enough when Anu heard what ishar had said he gave her the bull of Heaven to lead by the halter down to urach when they reached the gates of UK the bull went into the river and 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 and with his third snort cracks opened enadu 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 enadu cried to Gilgamesh my friend we boasted that we would leave enduring names behind us now thrust your sword between the nape and the horns so gilgames followed the bll he seized the thick of its tail he thrust the sword between the nape and the horns and slew the ball when they had killed the bull of Heaven they cut out its heart and gave it to shamash and the brothers rested bshar rose tip and mounted the Great Wall of ok she sprang on the tower and uttered a curse woe to Gilgamesh for he has scorned me in killing the bull of heaven when anadu 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 you it is this I should do to you and lash the entrails to your side when Ishtar called together her people the dancing and singing girls the prostitutes of the temple the cortis over the thigh of the bull of Heaven she set up lamentation but 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 30 lb each in weight and the capacity in oil was six measures which he gave to his Guardian God Lugal bander but he carried the horns into the palace and hung them on the wall there they washed their hands in the Euphrates they embraced each other and went away they drove through the streets of urach where the heroes were gathered to see them and Gilgamesh called to the singing girls who is most glorious of the heroes who is the most eminent among men Gilgamesh is the most glorious of Heroes Gilgamesh is the 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 enadu got up and cried to Gilgamesh oh my brother such a dream I had last night Anu enel I and Heavenly shamash took counsel together and Anu said to enlil because they have killed the bull of heaven and and because they have killed hanaba who guarded the Cedar Mountain one of the two must die then glorious shamash answered the hero and Lil it was by your command that they killed the bull of heaven and killed hanaba and Must enadu Die although innocent enlil flung around in Rage at glorious shamash you dare to say this you who went about them every day like one of themselves so en lay stretched out before gilgames 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 anadu lay alone in his sickness he cursed the gate as though it were 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 and 24 wide the pivot and the feral and the jams are perfect a master Craftsman from nepur 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 split you into little pieces and set up here again gate of wattle instead ah if only some future king had brought you here or some God had fashioned you let him obliterate my name and Rise his own and curse the fall on him instead of anadu with the brightening of the Dawn enadu raised his head and wept before the sun god in the Brilliance of the sunlight his tears streamed down 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 the net 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 upon you soon and sudden for you shall be without a roof for your Commerce for 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 hire will be the Potter Earth your thieving will be flung into the H you will sit at 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's Shadow brambles and thorns will tear at your feet the drunk and the dry will strike your cheek and your mouth will ache let you be stripped of your purpled dies for I too once in the wilderness with my wife had all of the treasure I wished when shmash heard these words of enadu he called to him from Heaven enadu why are you cursing the woman the mistress who taught you to eat bread fit for gods and drink wine of Kings she who puts upon you a magnificent garment did she not give you the Glorious Gilgamesh for your companion and has not Gilgamesh your own brother made you rest on a royal bed and reclin on a couch at his left hand he has made the princes of the earth kiss your feet and now all the people of urk lament and whail 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 enadu heard glorious shamash his angry heart grew quiet he called back the curse and said woman I promise you another Destiny the mouth which cursed you shall bless you Kings princes and Nobles shall adore you on your account a man though 12 miles 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 caralon from the Heap in the TR 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 enadu slept alone in his sickness in bitterness of spirit he poured his heart out to his friend it was I who cut down the cedar who leveled the forest who slew humbaba and now see what has become of me listen my friend this is the dream I dreamed last night the heavens roared and the Earth rumbled back in answer between them stood I before an awful being a somber faed manb bird he had directed me on his purpose his was a vampire face his foot was a lion's foot and 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 he then transformed me so that my arms became Wings covered with feathers s 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 put their crowns away forever rulers and princes all those who once wore kingly crowns and Ruled the Earth in the days of old they who stood in the place of Gods like Anu and enlil stood now like servants to fetch baked meat 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 and there were servers of the temple and there was atana that king of dish whom the eagle carried to heaven in the days of old I also saw samuk Kuan God of cattle and there was aresh kagal the queen of the underworld and Beth Sheree 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 and 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 rashes like one whom the baith has seized and his heart pounds with Terror Gilgamesh peeled off his clothes as he listened to his words and wept quick tears Gilgamesh listened and his tears flowed he opened his mouth and spoke to anadu who is there in Strong World or Rook who has wisdom like this strange things have been spoken why does your heart speak so 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 and 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 enadu 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 now I 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 battle for I must die in shame and Gilgamesh wept over anadu with the first light of dawn he raised his voice and said to the counselors of a rook hear me great ones of a rook I weep for anadu my friend bitterly moaning like a woman mourning I weep for my brother oh enadu my brother you were the axe at my side my hand strength The Sword in my belt The Shield before me a glorious robe my fairest ornament an evil Fate has robbed me the wild ass and the gazelle 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 murmur let the great ones of strong World UK weep for you let the finger of blessing be stretched out in mourning anadu Young Brother hark there is an echo through all the country like a mother mourning weep all the paths where we walked together and the beasts we hunted the bear and the hyena the tiger and panther the leopard and lion the Stag and the Ibex the bull and the dough the river along whose Banks we used to walk weeps for you Ula of Elam and dear Euphrates where once we drew water for water skins the mountains we climbed where we slew The Watchmen weeps for you the Warriors of strong wal oo where the bull of heaven was killed weep for you all the people of eridu weep for you anodo 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 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 long-haired 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 a bride over his friend he began to rage like a lion like a lioness robbed of her welps this way and that he paced around the bed he tore out his hair and strewed it about he dragged off his Splendid robes and flung them down as if they were Abominations in the first light of dawn gilgames cried out I made you rest on a royal bed you reclined on a couch at my left hand and the princes of the earth kissed your feet I will cause all of the people of urach 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 anadu 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 throughout the land he summoned them all the coppersmiths the goldsmiths the stonework 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 hardwood was set out and on it a bowl of caralon filled with honey and a bowl of lapis lazuli filled with butter he exposed and offered to the son weeping as he went away four the search for everlasting life bitterly gilgames wept for his friend an could do 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 I shall be when I am dead because I am afraid of death I will go as best I can to find utap shim whom they called the far away for he has entered the Assemblies of the Gods so gilgames traveled over the Wilderness he he wandered over grasslands on a long journey in search ofap tasim whom the gods took after the Deluge and they s him to live in the land of dilmun 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 I lifted my eyes to the Moon I prayed and my prayers went up to the Gods now oh moon God's sin protect me when he had prayed he laid down to sleep until he was awoken out of a dream he saw the Lions around him glorifying in life and he took his axe in his hand 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 masu the great mountains about which he had heard many things which guard the rising and Setting Sun its Twin Peaks are as high as the wall of heaven and its PS reach down into the underworld at its Gates scorpions stand guard half man half dragon their glory is terrifying their stair strikes death into men and shimmering Halo sweeps the mountains that guard the Rising Sun when gilges 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 1/3 is man then he called to the man gilgames then he called to the man gilgames he called to the child of the Gods why have you come so great A Journey For What have you traveled so far Crossing Dangerous Waters tell me the reason for your coming Gilgamesh answered for enadu 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've traveled here in search of pum 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 gilgames no man born of woman has done what you have asked no mortal man has gone to 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 Gilgamesh 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 Gilgamesh 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 SC ion 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 behead and nothing behind 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 eight 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 Lees Le 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 caralon with the Vine hanging from it beautiful to look at lapis lazuli leaves hung thick with fruits sweet to see for thorns and thistles there were hematite and rare stones a gate 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 ate 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 gilgames he said you will never find the life for which you are searching gilgames 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 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 vat that the gods gave her she is covered with a veil and where she sits she sees Gilgamesh coming towards her wearing skins the Flesh of the gods in his body but despair in his heart his face like the face of one who has made a long journey she looked as she scanned the distance she said in her own heart surely this is some felon where is he going now and she barred the gate against him with a crossbar and shot home the bolt but gilgames hearing the sound of the bolt threw up his head dislodged his foot in the gate and he called to her young woman maker of wine why do you bolt your door what did you see that made you bu 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 of the passes of the mountain then siduri said to him if you are that gilgames who seized and killed the bull of Heaven who killed The Watchmen of the Ceda Forest who overthrew humbaba that lived in the forest and killed the Lions of the passers 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 one of the face of one who's made a long journey yes why is your face burned from heat and cold 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 cold why should I not Wander of 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 nay friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew H barar and the seedar forest my friend who was very dear to me and who endured dangers beside me anku my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for him for 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 for their own keeping as for you gilgames fill your belly with good things day and night night and day dance and be marry 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 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 anadu 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 ubaru what directions are there for passage give me oh give me directions I will cross the ocean if it's 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 days of old has not been able to pass that sea the sun in his glory crosses the ocean but who besides shamash has ever crossed it the place and the passage are difficult and the Waters of death are deep which flow between gilgames how will you cross the ocean when you have 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 the holy things the things of stone he is fashioning the serpent prow of the boat look at him well and if it's possible perhaps you will cross the waters with him but if it's not possible then you must go back when Gilgamesh heard this he was seized with anger he took his axe in his hand his Dagger from his belt he crept forward and he fell on them like a javelin then he went into the forest and sat down urabi saw the dagger Flash and heard the axe and he beat his head for gilgames had shattered The Tackle of the boat in his rage aabi said to him tell me what is your name I am aabi the Fairman of utnapishtim the far away he replied to him Gilgamesh is my name I am from uro from the house of Anu then urabi 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 Jour 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 my cheeks not be starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart and my face is the face of the one who has made a long journey I was burned with heat and cold why should I not Wander Over the pastures my friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew him barar in the seed of forest my friend who was very dear to me who endured dangers beside me enadu my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for him for seven days and nights until the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I strafe 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'm afraid of death therefore asabi 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 shabi said to him Gilgamesh 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 you so angry with me oabi for you yourself cross the Sea by day and night all of the 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 that reason that I preserved them but you have destroyed them and the eru snakes with them but now go into the forest Gilgamesh with your ax cut poles 120 cut them 60 cubits long paint them with biman set them on ferules and bring them back when Gilgamesh heard this he went into the forest he cut poles 120 he cut them 60 cubits long and he painted them with bitchman he set them on for rules and he brought them to urabi then they boarded the boat Gilgamesh and aabi together launching it out on the waves of the ocean for 3 days they ran on it as were a journey of a month and 15 days and at last urabi brought the boats to the water of death then urabi said to Gilgamesh press on take a long pole and thrust it in but do not let your hands touch the waters gilges take a second pole take a third take a fourth Pole now gilges take a fifth take a sixth and seventh pole gilgames take an eighth and a ninth and a 10th pole gilgames take an 11th take a 12th pole after 120 thrusts gilges had used the last pole then he stripped himself held his arms up for a mast and his covering for a sail so that shabi the Fairman brought gilges to utnapishtim whom they call the far away who lives in dilmun at the place of the sun's Transit Eastward of the mountain to him alone of men the gods had given everlasting life now utna pished him 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 Mar why are The Sacred Stones destroyed and why does the master not sail the boat the 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 urabi for surely he he is no man of mine so utna pushed him looked at him and said what is your name You Who Come here wearing the skins of beasts with your cheeks starved and your face drawn where are you hurrying to now now for what reason have you 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 uro from the house of Anu then utap pish him and said to him if you are Gilgamesh why are your cheeks so starved and your face drawn why is despair on 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 why do you come here wandering over the Wilderness in search of the Wind gilgames said to him why should my cheeks not 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 cold why should I not Wander Over the pastures my friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew humara in the Cedar Forest my friend who was very dear to me and endured dangers beside me enadu my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for seven days and nights until 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 gilgames said speaking to utap Pish him it is to see utnapishtim whom we call the far away that I have come on this journey for this I have wandered the whole world I've crossed many difficult ranges I have crossed the Seas I have wearied myself with traveling my joints are aching I have lost acquaintance with sleep which is sweet my clothes were worn out before I came to the house of siduri I've killed the bear the hyena The Lion and the panther the tiger the Stag the Ibex all sorts of wild game and the small creatures of the pastures I ate their flesh and wore their skin and that is how I came to the gate of the young woman the maker of wine who barred her gate of pitch and bitchan against me but from her I had news of the journey so I came to shabi the ferryman and with him I crossed over the Waters of death oh Father utap pish 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 utna 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 painted with death what is there between the master and the servant when both 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 are lot but the day of death they do not disclose then gilgames said to udap Pish him the far away I look at you now udap pish him and your appearance is no different than mine there is nothing strange in your features I thought I should find you like a hero prepared for battle but here you are taking 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 five the story of the flood you know the city shurpac and it stands on the banks of the 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 enil their counselor and inera the helper and enoi The Watcher over canals and also with them was I in those days the world teemed the people multiplied and the world bellowed like a wild bull and the great God was aroused by the clamor enil heard the clamor and he said to the Gods in the council the Uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the Babel so the gods agreed to exterminate mankind en Lil did this but ear because of his oath warned me in a dream he whispered their words to my house of reeds Reed House Reed House OH wall hearken Reed house wall reflect oh man of shurpac son of ubaru 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 hex beam equal her length let her deck be roofed like the Vault that covers the abyss then take up to 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 I opened his mouth and said to me his servant tell them this I have learned that en Lil is wrathful 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 ear my Lord but on you he will rain down abundance rare fish and shy wild fowl and a Rich Harvest tide in the evening the rider of the storm will bring you wheat and torren 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 in the ribs and then I made fast the planking the ground space was 1 acre each side of the deck measured 120 cubits making 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 sorted the punt poles and laid in supplies the carriers brought oil and baskets I poured pitch into the furnace and asphalt and oil more oil was consumed in the caulking and again the master of the boats took to into his stores I slaughtered Bullocks for the people and every day I killed sheep I gave to the shipes wine to drink although it were river water raw wine and red wine and oil and white wine there was feasting as then as there is at the time of the New Year's Festival I anointed my head on the seventh day the boat was complete then was the launching full of difficulty there was a shifting of balast above and below until two-thirds were submerged I loaded into her all that I had of gold and of living things my family my kin the Beast of the field both wild and tame 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 was now complete the battening and caulking so I handed the tiller to Pizer Amurri the steersman with the navigation and the care of the whole boat with the first light of dawn a black cloud Came Upon The Horizon it thundered within where a dad lord of the storm was rising in front of the hill and plain shalat and Hanish Heralds of the storm LED on then the gods of the Abyss rose up Nal pulled out the dams of the Nethers Nera 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 and where the god of the storm turned the 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 travail alas the days of old are turned to dust because I commanded evil why did I command thus evil in counsil of all the gods I commanded Wars to destroy the people but they are 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 Hell wept they covered their mouths for six days and six nights the wind blew torrent and 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 and the Sea grew calm and the flood was stilled I looked into the face of the world and there was silence all mankind was turned to Clay the surface of the sea stretched flat as a rooftop I opened a hatch and 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 nissia the boat held fast she held fast but did not budge one day she held a second day on the mountain of nere she held fast and did not budge a third day and a fourth day she held fast on the mountain and did not budge a fifth day a sixth day she held fast on the mountain when the seventh day dawned I loosed the Dove and let her go she flew away but finding no resting place she returned then I Loos the swallow and she flew away but finding no resting place she returned I loosed a raven she saw that the waters had retreated she ate and 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 like Cain and Cedar 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 of Presence by the lapis lulia 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 brought the flood he consigned my people to destruction when enil had come when he saw the boat he was Wrath and swelled with with anger at the gods the host of Heaven has any of these mortals escaped not one was to have survived the destruction then the god of wells and canals nerta opened his mouth and said to the warrior enlil who is there in the gods that can devise without ear it is I alone who knows all things then I opened his mouth and spoke to the warrior and Lil wisest of gods hero and Li 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 strive 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 a 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 secrets of the Gods the wise man learned it in a dream now take your counsel and what shall be done with him then enil went up to the boat he took me by the hand and my wife 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 past utnapishtim was a mortal man henceforth he and his wife shall live in the distance at the mouth of the rivers thus it was the gods took me and placed me here to live in the distance but the mouth of the rivers six the return utna pit him said as for you Gilgamesh who will assemble the gods for your sake so that you may find a 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 gilges sat there resting on his haunches a mist of sleep like soft wool teased from the fleece drifted over him and uper pit 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 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 for the number of days that 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 molded and the fifth was miled the sixth was fresh and the seventh was still on the Embers then UTA pushed him touched him and he woke Gilgamesh said to udna Pish him the far away I hardly slept when when you touched and roused me but UTA pished him said count these Loaves and learn how many days that you slept for your first is hard your second is like leather the third is soggy and the crust of your fourth has molded your fifth has milu the sixth is fresh and the seventh is still over on the glowing Embers when I touched and awoke you gilgames said what shall I do oh utap pished him where shall I go already the thief and the Knights has hold of my limbs death in inhabits my room wherever my foot rests there I find Death then adnap pish him spoke to is shabi the ferryman woe To You O shabi now and forever more you have become hateful to this harborage it is not for you nor for you are the crossings of the sea go now banished from the shore but this man before whom you have walked bringing him here whose body is covered with foulness and the grace of whose limb 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 then 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 urabi took Gil GES and led him to the washing place he washed his long hair as clean as snow in the water he threw off his skins which the sea carried away and he showed the beauty of his body he renewed the fillet on his head and to cover his nakedness gave him clothes which would show no sign of age but would wear like a new garment until he reached his own City and his journey was accomplished then gilges and uran ABI 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 wearied out he is worn out what will you give to him to carry back to his own country so itap pish him spoke and Gilgamesh took a pole and brought the boats to the bank gilgames you came here A Man wearied Out you have worn yourself out what shall I give you to carry back to your own country gilgames I shall reveal a secret thing it is a mystery of the Gods and I am telling you you that 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 lost youth to a man when gilges heard this he opened the sloes so that sweet water currents might carry him out to the deepest Channel he tied heavy stones to his feet and they dragged him down to the water bed there he saw the plants 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 on the shore Gilgamesh said to aabi the Fairman come here and see this marvelous plant by its virtue a man may win back all his former strength I will take it to urach of the strong walls and there I will give it to 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 of my lost youth so gilgames returned by the gate through which he had come gilgames and shabi went together they traveled their 20 leagues 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 water and snatched it away and immediately slued off its skin and returned to the well then gilgames sat down and wept tears ran down his face and he took the hand of urabi oh urabi was it for this that I toiled with my hands is it for this that I have rung out my heart's blood for on myself I have gained nothing for the Beast of the Earth has Joy of it now already the stream has carried its 20 leagues back to the channels where I found it I found a sign and now I've 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 Uruk the strong walled City Gilgamesh spoke to him to asabi the ferryman asabi climb up onto the wall of a rook inspect its foundation Terrace examine well the brick work see if it is not of burnt bricks and did not the seven wise men lay the foundations 1/3 of the whole is City 1/3 is garden and 1/3 is field with the precinct of the Goddess Ishtar these parts in the precinct are all aook 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 the tale of the days before the flood and he went on a long journey was weary worn out with labor and returning engraved on a stone the whole story seven the death of gilgames the Destiny was fulfilled which the father of the Gods and Lil of the mountain had decreed for gilgames 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 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 foray and assaults from which there is no going back but do not abuse this power deal justly with your servants in your Palace deal justly before the face of the Sun the King has laid himself down and will not rise again the Lord of kaloo 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 comly face he will not come again he has 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 spoken like a hooked fish he lies stretched on the bed like a gazelle that is caught up in a noose inhuman Nar is heavy upon Him Nar that has neither hand nor foot that drinks no water and eats no meat for Gilgamesh son of ninon 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 those who lived in the palace weighed out their offerings for Gilgamesh the son of ninon the heart of a rug they weighed out their offerings to arish kagal the queen of death to all the gods of the Dead to Namar who is fate they weighed out the offering bread for nade the keeper of the gates bread for nisda the god of the serpent the lord of the tree of life for dumuzi also the young Shepherd for eni and ninki for uuga and nindu kuga for mnol and nimol all the ancestral Gods the forbears of enlil A Feast for schulp the god of feasting for samuk Kuan the god of the herds for the mother ninag and the gods of Creation in the place of creation for the host of Heaven priest priestesses weigh 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 peus with without an equal among men who did not neglect and liil his master oh Gilgamesh Lord of kuoo Great is Thy praise