The Epic of Gilgamesh

¹Column I.

²(The Argument).

³He who (the heart of) all matters hath proven let him [teach] the nation,

⁴[He who all] knowledge possesseth, therein shall he [school] all the people,

⁵[He shall his wisdom impart (?)] and (so) shall they ]share it] together.

⁶[Gilgamish(?)] —he was the [Master] of wisdom, with [knowledge of all things,

⁷He ’twas discovered the secret concealed . . . . . . . . .

⁸(Aye), handed down the tradition relating to (things) prediluvian,

⁹Went on a journey afar, (all) aweary and [worn with his toiling(?)],

¹⁰[Graved] on a table of stone all the travail.

¹¹Of Erech, the high-wall’d,

¹²He (it was) built up the ramparts; (and) he (it was) clamp’d the foundation,

¹³Like unto brass, of [E]-Anna , the sacred, the treasury hallow’d,

¹⁴[Strengthen’d] its base to grant wayleave to no [one] . . . . . .

¹⁵. . . . . the threshold which from [of old (?)] . . . . . .

¹⁶. . . . . [E]-Anna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

¹⁷. . . . . to grant wayleave [to no one (?)] . . . . . . .

¹⁸(About thirty lines wanting. The description of Gilgamish runs on to the beginning of the next Column).

¹⁹Column II.

²⁰Two-thirds of him are divine, and [one-third of him human,] . . .

²¹The form of his body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

²²He hath forced to take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

²³(Gap of about three lines).

²⁴(The Plaint of Erech(?) to the gods against the tyrant Gilgamish)

²⁵". . . . . . . . of Erech ’tis he who hath [taken],

²⁶. . . . . . . . . (while) tow’reth [his] crest like an aurochs,

²⁷Ne’er hath the shock of [his] weapons (its) [peer]; are driven [his] fellows

²⁸Into the toils , while cow’d are the heroes of Erech un- . . . . .

²⁹Gilgamish leaveth no son to [his] father, [his] arrogance swelling

³⁰(Each) day and [night]; [aye, he] is the shepherd of Erech, the high-[wall’d],

³¹He is [our(?)] shepherd . . . . [masterful, dominant, subtle] . . .

³²[Gilgamish] leaveth no [maid to her mother, nor] daughter to [hero],

³³[(Nay), nor a spouse to a husband]"

³⁴(And so), to (th’ appeal of) their wailing

³⁵[Gave ear th’ Immortals]: the gods of high heaven address’d the god Anu],

³⁶(Him who was) Seigneur of Erech: "’Tis thou a son hast begotten,

³⁷(Aye, in sooth, all) tyrannous, [while tow’reth his crest like an aurochs],

³⁸Ne’er hath [the shock of his weapons] (its) peer; are driven [his fellows]

³⁹Into the toils, awhile cow’d are the heroes of Erech un- . . . .] .

⁴⁰Gilgamish leaveth no son to his father, [his arrogance swelling]

⁴¹(Each) day and night; aye, he is the shepherd of Erech, [the high-wall’d],

⁴²He is their shepherd . . . masterful, dominant, subtle . . .

⁴³Gilgamish leaveth no maid to [her mother], nor daughter to hero,

⁴⁴(Nay), nor a spouse to a [husband]."

⁴⁵(And so), to (th’ appeal of) their wailing

⁴⁶30. [Anu] gave ear, call’d the lady Aruru : "’Twas thou, O Aruru,

⁴⁷Madest [(primeval seed of) mankind(?)]: do now make its fellow,

⁴⁸So that he [happen on Gilgamish], yea, on the day of his pleasure,

⁴⁹So that they strive with each other, and he unto Erech give [surcease]."

⁵⁰(The Creation of Enkidu).

⁵¹So when the goddess Aruru heard this, in her mind she imagined

⁵²(Straightway, this) Concept of Anu, and, washing her hands, (then) Aruru

⁵³Finger’d some clay, on the desert she moulded (it): [(thus) on the desert]

⁵⁴Enkidu made she, a warrior, (as he were) born (and) begotten,

⁵⁵(Yea), of Ninurta the double, [and put forth] the whole of his body

⁵⁶Hair: in the way of a woman he snooded his locks (in a fillet);

⁵⁷Sprouted luxuriant growth of his hair-like (the awns of) the barley,

⁵⁸Nor knew he people nor land; he was clad in a garb like Sumuqan .

⁵⁹E’en with gazelles did he pasture on herbage, along with the cattle

⁶⁰Drank he his fill, with the beasts did his heart delight at the water.

⁶¹(The Encounter of Enkidu with the Hunter).

⁶²(Then) did a hunter, a trapper, come face to face with this (fellow),

⁶³Came on him [one], two, three days, at the place where (the beasts) drank (their) water ;

⁶⁴(Sooth), when the hunter espied him, his face o’ermantled with terror,

⁶⁵He and his cattle went unto his steading, [dismay’d] (and) affrighted,

⁶⁶Crying aloud, [distress’d in, his heart, and) his face overclouded,

⁶⁷. . . . woe in his belly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

⁶⁸(Aye, and) his face was the same as of one [who hath gone] a far [journey].

⁶⁹Column III.

⁷⁰Open’d [his mouth (then)] the hunter, and spake, addressing [his father]:

⁷¹"Father, there is [a] great fellow come [forth from out of the mountains],

⁷²(O, but) [his] strength is the greatest [(the length and breadth) of the country],

⁷³[Like to a double] of Anu's own self [his strength] is enormous,

⁷⁴Ever (?) [he rangeth at large] o’er the mountains, [(and) ever] with cattle

⁷⁵[Grazeth on herbage (and) ever he setteth] his foot to the water,

⁷⁶[So that I fear] to approach him. The pits which I [myself] hollow’d

⁷⁷[(With mine own hands) hath he fill’d in (again)], (and) the traps of my [setting]

⁷⁸[Torn up, (and) out of my clutches hath holpen escape] (all) the cattle,

⁷⁹Beasts of the desert: to work at my fieldcraft [he will not allow] me."

⁸⁰[Open’d his mouth (then) his father, and spake], addressing the hunter:

⁸¹"Gilgamish [dwelleth] in Erech, [my son, whom no one] hath vanquish’d,

⁸²[(Nay, but) ’tis his strength is greatest (the length and breadth) of the country]

⁸³[Like to a double of Anu's own self], his strength is [enormous],

⁸⁴[Go, set] thy face [towards Erech: and when he hears of] a monster,

⁸⁵[He will say 'Go, O hunter, a courtesan-girl, a hetaera]

⁸⁶Take [with thee] . . . . . . . like a strong one;

⁸⁷[When he the cattle shall gather again] to the place of (their) drinking,

⁸⁸[So shall she put off] her [mantle] (the charm of) her beauty [revealing];

⁸⁹[(Then) shall he spy her, and (sooth) will embrace her, (and thenceforth)

⁹⁰his cattle,

⁹¹[Which in] his very own deserts [were rear’d], will (straightway) deny him.'"

⁹²(How Gilgamish first heard of Enkidu).

⁹³Unto the rede of his father the hunter [hath hearken’d, (and straightway)]

⁹⁴He will away [unto Gilgamish] .

⁹⁵Taking the road towards Erech

⁹⁶Turn’d he [his steps, and to] Gilgamish [came, his speech thus addressing]:

⁹⁷(Saying): "There is a great fellow [come forth from out of the mountains],

⁹⁸[(O, but) his strength] is the greatest, (the length and breadth) of the country,

⁹⁹Like to a double of Anu's own self [his strength] is enormous,

¹⁰⁰[Ever (?)] he rangeth at large o’er the mountains, (and) ever with cattle

¹⁰¹[Grazeth on herbage, (and)] ever [he setteth] his foot to the water,

¹⁰²So that I fear to approach [him] . The pits which I [myself] hollow’d

¹⁰³(With mine own hands) hath he fill’d in (again, and) the traps of my [setting]

¹⁰⁴Torn up, (and) out of my clutches hath holpen escape (all) the cattle,

¹⁰⁵Beasts [of the desert]: to work at my fieldcraft he will not allow me."

¹⁰⁶Gilgamish unto him, unto the hunter made answer (in this wise):

¹⁰⁷"Go, (good) my hunter, take with thee a courtesan-girl, a hetaera,

¹⁰⁸When he the cattle shall [gather] again to the place of (their) drinking,

¹⁰⁹So shall she put off her mantle, (the charm of her) beauty [revealing],

¹¹⁰(Then) shall he spy her, and (sooth) will embrace her, (and thenceforth) his cattle

¹¹¹Which in his very own deserts were rear’d will (straightway) deny him. "

¹¹²(The Seduction of Enkidu).

¹¹³Forth went the hunter, took with him a courtesan-girl, a hetaera,

¹¹⁴(So) did they start on their travels, went forth on their journey (together),

¹¹⁵(Aye), at the term of three days arrived at the pleasaunce appointed.

¹¹⁶Sate they down in their ambush (?), the hunter and the hetaera,

¹¹⁷One day, two days they sat by the place where (the beasts) drank (their) water.

¹¹⁸(Then) at last came the cattle to take their fill in their drinking.

¹¹⁹Column IV.

¹²⁰Thither the animals came that their hearts might delight in the water,

¹²¹(Aye), there was Enkidu also, he whom the mountains had gender’d,

¹²²E’en with gazelles did he pasture on herbage, along with the cattle

¹²³Drank he his fill , with the beasts did his heart delight at the water,

¹²⁴So beheld him the courtesan-girl, the lusty great fellow,

¹²⁵(O but) a monster (all) savage from out of the depths of the desert!

¹²⁶"’Tis he, O girl! O, discover thy beauty, thy comeliness shew (him),

¹²⁷So that thy loveliness he may possess—(O), in no wise be bashful,

¹²⁸Ravish the soul of him—(certes), as soon as his eye on thee falleth,

¹²⁹He, forsooth, will approach thee, and thou—O, loosen thy mantle,

¹³⁰So that he clasp thee, and (then) with the wiles of a woman shalt ply him;

¹³¹(Wherefore) his animals, bred in his desert, will (straightway) deny him,

¹³²(Since) to his breast he hath held thee."

¹³³The girl, displaying her bosom,

¹³⁴Shew’d him her comeliness, (yea) so that he of her beauty possess’d him,

¹³⁵Bashful she was not, (but) ravish’d the soul of him, loosing her mantle,

¹³⁶So that he clasp’d her, (and then) with the wiles of a woman she plied him,

¹³⁷Holding her unto his breast.

¹³⁸(’Twas thus that) Enkidu dallied

¹³⁹Six days, (aye) seven nights, with the courtesan-girl in his mating.

¹⁴⁰(How Enkidu was inveigled into Erech to fight with Gilgamish).

¹⁴¹Sated at length with her charms, he turn’d his face to his cattle,

¹⁴²O the gazelles, (how) they scamper’d away, as soon as they saw him!

¹⁴³Him, yea, Enkidu,—fled from his presence the beasts of the desert!

¹⁴⁴Enkidu losing his innocence —so, when the cattle fled from him,

¹⁴⁵Failed his knees, and he slack’d in his running, (not) as aforetime:

¹⁴⁶Natheless he (thus) hath attain’d his full growth and hath broaden’d (his) wisdom.

¹⁴⁷Sat he again at the feet of the woman, the woman his features

¹⁴⁸Scanning, and, while she was speaking, his ears heard (the words) she was saying:

¹⁴⁹"Comely thou art, e’en like to a god, O Enkidu, shalt be,

¹⁵⁰Why with the beasts (of the field) dost thou (ever) range over the desert?

¹⁵¹Up! for I'll lead thee to Erech, the high-wall'd—(in sooth), to the Temple

¹⁵²Sacred, the dwelling of Anu and Ishtar, where, highest in power,

¹⁵³Gilgamish is, and prevaileth o’er men like an aurochs."

¹⁵⁴Her counsel

¹⁵⁵E’en as she spake it found favour, (for) conscious he was of his longing

¹⁵⁶Some companion to seek; so unto the courtesan spake he :

¹⁵⁷"Up, then, O girl, to the Temple, the holy (and) sacred, invite me,

¹⁵⁸45. Me, to the dwelling of Anu and Ishtar, where, highest in power,

¹⁵⁹Gilgamish is, and prevaileth o’er men like an aurochs—for I, too,

¹⁶⁰Column V.

¹⁶¹I, I will summon him, challenging boldly (and) crying through Erech,

¹⁶²'I too, am mighty!' Nay, I, forsooth [I], will (e’en) destiny alter—

¹⁶³(Truly), ’tis he who is born in the desert whose vigour [is greatest!]

¹⁶⁴. . . . . . . . . . . . . I will [please] thee,

¹⁶⁵. . . . . . . . . . . . . [whatever] there be, that would I know."

¹⁶⁶"Enkidu, come (then) to [Erech], the high-wall’d, [where] people [array] them

¹⁶⁷[Gorgeous] in festal attire, (and) each day the day is a revel,

¹⁶⁸[Eunuch]-priests [clashing] (their) cymbals, and [dancing]-girls . . . . .

¹⁶⁹. . . flown with their wantoning, gleeful, and keeping the nobles

¹⁷⁰Out of their beds ! (Nay), Enkidu, [joy] in thy life (to its fullest)

¹⁷¹[Thou shalt] taste—(forsooth) will I shew thee a man who is happy,

¹⁷²Gilgamish! View him, O look on his face, (how) comely his manhood!

¹⁷³Dower’d with lustiness is he, the whole of his body with power

¹⁷⁴Brimming, [his] vigour is stronger than thine, (all) day and night restless!

¹⁷⁵Enkidu, temper thine arrogance—Gilgamish, loveth him Shamash,

¹⁷⁶Anu, (and) Enlil , and Ea have dower’d his wisdom with largesse.

¹⁷⁷(How Gilgamish dreamt of Enkidu).

¹⁷⁸(Sooth), or ever from out of thy mountains thou camest, in Erech

¹⁷⁹25. Gilgamish thee had beheld in a dream; so, Gilgamish coming

¹⁸⁰Spake to his mother, the dream to reveal.

¹⁸¹'O my mother, a vision

¹⁸²Which I beheld in my night-time. (Behold), there were stars of the heavens,

¹⁸³When something like unto Anu's own self fell down on my shoulders,

¹⁸⁴30. (Ah, though) I heaved him, he was o’erstrong for me, (and though) his grapple

¹⁸⁵Loosed I, I was unable to shake him (from off me): (and now, all the meanwhile),

¹⁸⁶People from Erech were standing about [him , the] artisans [pressing].

¹⁸⁷On [him behind], (while) throng’d him [the heroes]; my (very) companions

¹⁸⁸Kissing [his] feet; [I, I to my breast] like a woman did hold him,

¹⁸⁹(Then) [I] presented him low at [thy] feet, [that] as mine own equal.

¹⁹⁰[Thou] might’st account him.'

¹⁹¹[She] who knoweth all wisdom (thus) to her Seigneur she answer’d,

¹⁹²[She] who knoweth all wisdom, to Gilgamish (thus) did she answer:

¹⁹³'(Lo), by the stars of the heavens are represented thy [comrades],

¹⁹⁴[That which was like unto] Anu's [own self], which fell on thy shoulders,

¹⁹⁵[Which thou didst heave, but he was, o’erstrong for thee, [(aye), though his grapple

¹⁹⁶Thou didst unloose], but to shake him from off thee thou wert [un] able,

¹⁹⁷[So didst present] him low at my feet, [that] as thine own equal

¹⁹⁸[I might] account him—[and thou to thy breast like a woman] didst hold him:

¹⁹⁹Column VI.

²⁰⁰[This is a stoutheart, a] friend, one ready to stand by [a comrade],

²⁰¹One whose strength [is the greatest, (the length and breadth) of the country],

²⁰²[Like to a double of Anu's own self his] strength is enormous.

²⁰³[(Now), since thou] to thy breast didst hold him [the way of a woman],

²⁰⁴[This is a sign that] thou art the one he will [never] abandon:

²⁰⁵[This] of thy dream is the [meaning].'

²⁰⁶[Again he spake] to his mother,

²⁰⁷'[Mother], a second dream [did I] see: [Into Erech, the high-wall'd],

²⁰⁸Hurtled an axe, and they gather’d about it: [the meanwhile, from Erech]

²⁰⁹[People] were standing about it, [the people] (all) thronging before it,

²¹⁰[Artisans pressing] behind it, [while] I at thy feet did present it,

²¹¹[I], like a woman I held it to me [that] thou might’st account it,

²¹²As mine own equal.'

²¹³[She the [all]-wise, who knoweth all wisdom, (thus) answer’d her offspring,

²¹⁴[She the all-wise] who knoweth all wisdom, to Gilgamish answer'd:

²¹⁵'(Lo, that) [Axe] thou didst see (is) a Man; like a woman didst hold him,

²¹⁶Unto thy breast, [that] as thine own equal I might account him,

²¹⁷[This] is a stoutheart, a friend, one ready to stand by a comrade,

²¹⁸One whose strength is the [greatest (the length and breadth) of the country],

²¹⁹(Like to a double of] Anu's [own self], his strength is enormous.'

²²⁰[Gilgamish open’d his mouth, and] addressing his mother, (thus spake he):

²²¹'[Though] great [danger (?)] befall, [a friend (?)] shall I have . . . '"

²²²(The Assyrian Edition of the seventh century has three more lines on the First Tablet, which correspond with Column II, l. 3 of the Second Tablet of the Old Babylonian Edition. This latter has already begun with the episode of the two dreams, approximately Column V, l. 24 of the Assyrian First Tablet, and the text is so similar in both that I have not repeated it here. The Old Babylonian Edition here takes up the story, repeating one or two details).

¹Column II.

²While Gilgamish (thus) is the vision revealing

³Enkidu sitteth before the hetaera, and she [displaying her] bosom,

⁴Shewing [her beauty (?)], the place of his birth he forgetteth.

⁵(So) Enkidu dallied

⁶(Thus) for six days, seven nights, with the courtesan-girl in his mating.

⁷Broke into [speech] then, the nymph, and (thus) unto Enkidu spake she:

⁸"(Yea, as) I view thee, (e’en) like a god, O Enkidu, shalt be,

⁹Why with the beasts (of the field) dost thou (ever) range over the desert?

¹⁰Up, for I'll lead thee to [Erech] broad-marketed, (aye), to the Temple

¹¹Sacred, the dwelling of Anu—O Enkidu, come, that I guide thee,

¹²Unto E-Anna, the dwelling of Anu, where [Gilgamish] (liveth),

¹³(He), the supreme of creation; and thou, aye, thou wilt [embrace him]

¹⁴Like [to a woman], (and e’en) [as] thyself thou shalt [love him].

¹⁵O, rouse thee

¹⁶Up from the ground—’tis a shepherd's bed (only)."

¹⁷Her utterance heard he,

¹⁸Welcomed her rede: the advice of the woman struck home in his bosom.

¹⁹She one garment took off wherewith she might clothe him: the other

²⁰She herself wore, (and so) taking her hand like a brother she led him

²¹(Thus) to the booths(?) of the shepherds, the place of the sheepfolds. The shepherds

²²Gather]d at sight of him

²³(Gap of four or five lines.)

²⁴Column III.

²⁵(How the Hetaera schooled Enkidu).

²⁶He (in the past) of the milk of the wild things to suck was accustom’d!

²⁷Bread which she set before him he broke, but he gazed and he stared:

²⁸Enkidu bread did not know how to eat, nor had he the knowledge

²⁹Mead how to quaff!

³⁰10. (Then) the woman made answer, to Enkidu speaking,

³¹"Enkidu, taste of the bread, (for) of life ’tis; (forsooth), the essential,

³²Drink thou, (too), of the mead, ’tis the wonted use of the country."

³³Enkidu ate of the bread, (aye, ate) until he was gorged,

³⁴Drank of the mead seven bumpers; his spirits rose, (and), exultant,

³⁵Glad was his heart, and cheerful his face: [himself(?)] was he rubbing,

³⁶Oil on the hair of his body anointed: and (thus) became human.

³⁷Donn’d he a garment to be like a man , (and) taking his weapon,

³⁸Hunted the lions, which harried the shepherds o’ nights: and the jackals

³⁹Caught he. (So) he, having mastered the lions, the shepherds slept soundly .

⁴⁰Enkidu—(he) was their warden—(becometh) a man of full vigour.

⁴¹(Now) is one of the heroes speaking to [Gilgamish(?)] . . . .

⁴²(About thirteen lines are missing, a gap in which a sinister figure has evidently appeared, sent evidently by Gilgamish to learn the meaning of the arrival of the strangers in Erech. Enkidu sees him and speaks).

⁴³Column IV.

⁴⁴(Then while) he pleasured, he lifted his eyes, (and), observing the fellow,

⁴⁵Spake he unto the woman: "O doxy, bring me (this) fellow,

⁴⁶Why hath he come? I would know his intention."

⁴⁷The woman the fellow

⁴⁸Call’d that he come to him, that he might see him: "O, why art thou seeking,

⁴⁹Sir? (Pray), which is the way to thy rest-house?"

⁵⁰The man spake, addressing

⁵¹Enkidu: "You to the House of Community [Gilgamish calleth],

⁵²(This is) the custom of men, and a homage (too) to the great ones:

⁵³Come, then, and heap up the offerings such as are due to the city,

⁵⁴Come, on behalf of the common weal bring in the food of the city.

⁵⁵(’Tis) for the king of broad-marketed Erech to look on thy greeting,

⁵⁶Gilgamish, king of broad-marketed Erech to look on thy greeting;

⁵⁷First doth he mate with the woman allotted by fate, and then after

⁵⁸Speak by the counsel of god, and so from the shape of the omens

⁵⁹(Utter the rede of) his destiny."

⁶⁰(So) at the words of the fellow

⁶¹Went they before him.

⁶²(Gap of about nine lines).

⁶³Column V.

⁶⁴(The Entry of Enkidu into Erech).

⁶⁵[Enkidu] going [in front], with the courtesan coming behind him,

⁶⁶Enter’d broad-marketed Erech; the populace gather’d behind him,

⁶⁷(Then), as he stopp’d in the street of broad-marketed Erech, the people

⁶⁸Thronging, behind him exclaim’d "Of a truth, like to Gilgamish is he,

⁶⁹Shorter in stature a trifle, [his] composition is stronger.

⁷⁰. . . . . . . [(once)] like a [weakling] baby he suck’d the milk of the wild things!

⁷¹Ever the bread-cakes in Erech give glorious (climax) to manhood!

⁷²He a (mere) savage becometh a hero of proper appearance,

⁷³(Now) unto Gilgamish, god-like, his composition is equal."

⁷⁴(How Enkidu fought with Gilgamish for the Hetaera).

⁷⁵Strewn is the couch for the love-rites, and Gilgamish (now) in the night-time

⁷⁶Cometh to sleep, to delight in the woman : (but) [Enkidu], coming

⁷⁷(There) in the highway, doth block up the passage to Gilgamish, [threat’ning]

⁷⁸He with his strength . . . . .

⁷⁹(Gap of seven or eight lines).

⁸⁰Column VI.

⁸¹Gilgamish . . . behind him . . . . . . . . . .

⁸²Burgeon’d [his rage], (and) he rush’d to [attack] him: they met in the highway.

⁸³Enkidu barr’d up the door with his foot, (and) to Gilgamish entry—

⁸⁴Would not concede: they grappled and snorted(?) like bulls, (and) the threshold

⁸⁵Shatter’d: the (very) wall quiver’d as Gilgamish , Enkidu grappled,

⁸⁶Snorting(?) like bulls, (and) the threshold they shatter’d, the (very) wall quiver'd.

⁸⁷(The Birth of Friendship).

⁸⁸Gilgamish bent his leg to the ground: (so) his fury abated,

⁸⁹(Aye, and) his ardour was quell’d: so soon as was quelled his ardour,

⁹⁰Enkidu (thus) unto Gilgamish spake: "(Of a truth), did thy mother

⁹¹Bear thee as one, and one only: (that choicest) cow of the steer-folds,

⁹²Nin-sun exalted thy head above heroes, and Enlil hath dower'd

⁹³Thee with the kingship o’er men."

¹(About a column and a half of the beginning of the Old Babylonian version on the Yale tablet are so broken that almost all the text is lost. Gilgamish and Enkidu have now become devoted friends, thus strangely stultifying the purpose for which Enkidu was created, and now is set afoot the great expedition against the famous Cedar Forest guarded by the Ogre Humbaba. The courtesan has now for a brief space left the scene, having deserted Enkidu, much to his sorrow. The mutilated Assyrian Version gives a hint that the mother of Gilgamish is now describing the fight to one of her ladies(?) Rishat-Nin . . . and where her recital becomes connected the story runs thus).

²Column II.

³(The Tale of the Fight).

⁴"He lifted up [his foot, to the door . . . . . . . .

⁵(?) They raged furiously . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

⁶Enkidu hath not [his equal] . . . unkempt is the hair . . .

⁷(Aye) he was born in the desert, and [no] one [his presence can equal]."

⁸(Enkidu's sorrow at the loss of his Love).

⁹Enkidu (there) as he stood gave ear [to his utterance (?)], grieving

¹⁰Sitting [in sorrow]: his eyes fill’d [with tears], and his arms lost their power,

¹¹[Slack’d was his bodily vigour]. Each clasp]d [the hand of] the other.

¹²[Holding] like [brothers] their grip . . . [(and) to Gilgamish] Enkidu answer’d:

¹³"Friend, ’tis my darling hath circled (her arms) round my neck (to farewell me) ,

¹⁴(Wherefore) my arms lose their power, my bodily vigour is slacken 'd."

¹⁵(The Ambition of Gilgamish).

¹⁶Gilgamish open’d his mouth, and to Enkidu spake he (in this wise):

¹⁷Column III.

¹⁸(Gap of about two lines)

¹⁹"[I, O my friend, am determined to go to the Forest of Cedars],

²⁰[(Aye) and] Humbaba the Fierce [will] o’ercome and destroy [what is evil]

²¹[(Then) will I cut down] the Cedar . . . . ."

²²Enkidu open’d his mouth, and to Gilgamish spake he (in this wise),

²³"Know, then, my friend, what time I was roaming with kine in the mountains

²⁴I for a distance of two hours' march from the skirts of the Forest

²⁵Into its depths would go down. Humbaba—his roar was a whirlwind,

²⁶Flame (in) his jaws, and his very breath Death! O, why hast desired

²⁷This to accomplish? To meet(?) with Humbaba were conflict unequall’d."

²⁸Gilgamish open’d his mouth and to Enkidu spake he (in this wise):

²⁹"[Tis that I need] the rich yield of its mountains [I go to the Forest]" . . . .

³⁰(Seven mutilated lines continuing the speech of Gilgamish, and mentioning "the dwelling [of the gods?]" (of the beginning of the Fifth Tablet), and "the axe," for cutting down the Cedars).

³¹Enkidu open’d his mouth [and] to Gilgamish spake he (in this wise):

³²"(But) when we go to the Forest [of Cedars] . . . its guard is a [Fighter],

³³Strong, never [sleeping], O Gilgamish . . . . . .

³⁴(Three mutilated lines, apparently explaining the powers which Shamash (?), the Sun-god, and Adad, the Storm-god, have bestow’d on Humbaba).

³⁵Column IV.

³⁶So that he safeguard the Forest of Cedars a terror to mortals

³⁷Him hath Enlil appointed—Humbaba, his roar is a whirlwind,

³⁸Flame (in) his jaws, and his very breath Death! (Aye), if he in the Forest.

³⁹Hear (but) a tread(?) on the road—'Who is this come down to his Forest?'

⁴⁰So that he safeguard the Forest of Cedars, a terror to mortals,

⁴¹Him hath Enlil appointed, and fell hap will seize him who cometh

⁴²Down to his Forest."

⁴³Gilgamish open’d his mouth and to Enkidu spake he (in this wise):

⁴⁴"Who, O my friend, is unconquer’d by [death]? A divinity, certes,

⁴⁵Liveth for aye in the daylight, but mortals—their days are (all) number’d,

⁴⁶All that they do is (but) wind—But to thee, now death thou art dreading,

⁴⁷Proffereth nothing of substance thy courage—I, I'll be thy va ward!

⁴⁸’Tis thine own mouth shall tell thou didst fear the onslaught (of battle),

⁴⁹(I, forsooth), if I should fall, my name will have stablish’d (for ever).

⁵⁰Gilgamish ’twas, who fought with Humbaba, the Fierce!

⁵¹(In the future),

⁵²After my children are born to my house, and climb up thee, (saying):

⁵³'Tell to us all that thou knowest' . . . . . .

⁵⁴(Four lines mutilated).

⁵⁵[(Yea), when thou] speakest [in this wise], thou grievest my heart (for) the Cedar

⁵⁶[I am] determined [to fell], that I may gain [fame] everlasting.

⁵⁷(The Weapons are cast for the Expedition).

⁵⁸(Now), O my friend, [my charge] to the craftsmen I fain would deliver,

⁵⁹So that they cast in our presence [our weapons]."

⁶⁰[The charge] they deliver’d

⁶¹Unto the craftsmen: the mould (?) did the workmen prepare, and the axes

⁶²Monstrous they cast: (yea), the celts did they cast, each (weighing) three talents;

⁶³Glaives, (too,) monstrous they cast, with hilts each (weighing) two talents,

⁶⁴Blades, thirty manas to each, corresponding to fit them: [the inlay(?)],

⁶⁵Gold thirty manas (each) sword: (so) were Gilgamish , Enkidu laden

⁶⁶Each with ten talents.

⁶⁷(Gilgamish takes counsel with the Elders).

⁶⁸(And now) [in] the Seven Bolt [Portal of Erech]

⁶⁹Hearing [the bruit(?)] did the artisans gather, [assembled the people(?)] ,

⁷⁰(There) in the streets of broad-marketed Erech, [in] Gilgamish’ honour(?)] ,

⁷¹[So did the Elders of Erech] broad-marketed take seat before him.

⁷²[Gilgamish] spake [thus: "O Elders of Erech] broad-marketed, [hear me!]

⁷³[I go against Humbaba, the Fierce, who shall say, when he heareth] ,

⁷⁴Column V.

⁷⁵'(Ah), let me look on (this) Gilgamish, he of whom (people) are speaking,

⁷⁶He with whose fame the countries are fill’d'—’Tis I will o’erwhelm him,

⁷⁷(There) in the Forest of Cedars—I'll make the land hear (it)

⁷⁸(How) like a giant the Scion of Erech is—(yea, for) the Cedars

⁷⁹I am determined to fell, that I may gain fame everlasting."

⁸⁰Gilgamish (thus) did the Elders of Erech broad-marketed answer:

⁸¹"Gilgamish, ’tis thou art young, that thy valour (o’ermuch) doth uplift thee,

⁸²Nor dost thou know to the full what thou dost seek to accomplish.

⁸³Unto our ears hath it come of Humbaba, his likeness is twofold.

⁸⁴Who (of free will) then would [seek to] oppose [in encounter] his weapons?

⁸⁵Who for a distance of two hours’ march from the skirts of the Forest

⁸⁶Unto its depths would [go] down? Humbaba, his roar is a whirlwind,

⁸⁷Flame (in) his jaws, and his very breath Death! (O), why hast desired.

⁸⁸This to accomplish? To meet(?) with Humbaba were conflict unequall’d."

⁸⁹Gilgamish unto the rede of his counsellors hearken’d and ponder’d,

⁹⁰Cried to [his] friend: "Now, indeed, O [my] fried, [will I] thus [voice opinion].

⁹¹I (forsooth) dread him, and (yet) to [(the depths of the) Forest] I'll take [me] . ."

⁹²(About seven lines mutilated or missing in which the Elders bless Gilgamish in farewell).

⁹³" . . . . . . . . may thy god (so) [protect] thee,

⁹⁴Bringing thee back [(safe and)] sound to the walls of [broad-marketed] Erech."

⁹⁵Gilgamish knelt [before Shamash] a word [in his presence] to utter:

⁹⁶"Here I present myself, Shamash, [to lift up] my hands (in entreaty),

⁹⁷O that hereafter my life may be spared, to the ramparts of [Erech]

⁹⁸Bring me again: spread thine aegis [upon me] ."

⁹⁹And Shamash made answer,

¹⁰⁰[Speaking] his oracle . . . . . . .

¹⁰¹(About six lines mutilated or missing).

¹⁰²Column VI.

¹⁰³Tears adown Gilgamish’ [cheeks were (now)] streaming: "A road I have never

¹⁰⁴Traversed [I go, on a passage(?)] I know not, (but if) I be spared

¹⁰⁵(So) in content [will I] come [and will pay thee(?)] due meed (?) of thy homage."

¹⁰⁶(Two mutilated lines with the words "on seats" and "his equipment.")

¹⁰⁷Monstrous [the axes they brought(?)], they deliver’d [the bow] and the quiver

¹⁰⁸[Into] (his) hand; (so) taking a celt, [he slung on (?)] his quiver,

¹⁰⁹[Grasping] another [celt(?) he fasten’d his glaive] to his baldrick.

¹¹⁰[But, or ever the twain] had set forth on their journey, they offer’d

¹¹¹[Gifts] to the Sun-god, that home he might bring them to Erech (in safety).

¹¹²(The Departure of the two Heroes).

¹¹³(Now) do the [Elders] farewell him with blessings, to Gilgamish giving

¹¹⁴Counsel [concerning] the road: "O Gilgamish, to thine own power

¹¹⁵Trust not (alone); (but at least) let thy [road] be traversed [before] thee,

¹¹⁶Guard thou thy person; let Enkidu go before thee (as vaward).

¹¹⁷(Aye, for) ’twas he hath discover’d the [way], the road he hath travell’d.

¹¹⁸(Sooth), of the Forest the passes are all under sway (?) [of] Humbaba,

¹¹⁹[(Yea), he who goeth] as vaward is (able) to safeguard a comrade,

¹²⁰O that the Sun-god [may grant] thee [success to attain] thine [ambition],

¹²¹0 that he grant that thine eyes see (consummate) the words of thy utt’rance

¹²²O that he level the path that is block’d, cleave a road for thy treading,

¹²³Cleave, too, the berg for thy foot! May the god Lugal-banda

¹²⁴Bring in thy night-time a message to thee, with which shalt be gladden’d,

¹²⁵So that it help thine ambition , (for), like a boy thine ambition

¹²⁶On the o’erthrow of Humbaba thou fixest, as thou hast settled.

¹²⁷Wash, (then), thy feet : when thou haltest , shalt hollow a pool, so that ever

¹²⁸Pure be the water within thy skin-bottle, (aye), cool be the water

¹²⁹Unto the Sun-god thou pourest, (and thus) shalt remind Lugal-banda."

¹³⁰Enkidu open’d his mouth, and spake unto Gilgamish, (saying):

¹³¹"[Gilgamish], art (?) thou (in truth) full equal to making (this) foray?

¹³²Let [not] thy heart be afraid; trust me."

¹³³On (his) shoulder his mantle

¹³⁴[Drew] he, (and now) [on the road] to Humbaba they set forth (together).

¹³⁵(Five lines mutilated; the two heroes meet a man who sets them on their way).

¹³⁶" . . . they went with me . . . [tell] you . . in joy of heart."

¹³⁷[So when he heard this his word, the man on his way did [direct him]:

¹³⁸"Gilgamish, go, . . . let thy brother (?) precede [thee] . . . [(and) in thine ambition].

¹³⁹[O that the Sun-god (?)] may shew [thee] success!"

¹⁴⁰(The Old Babylonian Version breaks off after three more fragmentary lines. The following is the Assyrian Version of Column VI, l. 21, and onwards of the preceding text. It marks the beginning of the Third Tablet in the Assyrian Version, opening with the episode of the conclave of the Elders).

¹⁴¹"Gilgamish, put not thy faith in the strength of thine own person (solely),

¹⁴²Quench’d be thy wishes to trusting(? (o’ermuch) in thy (shrewdness in) smiting.

¹⁴³(Sooth), he who goeth as vaward is able to safeguard a comrade,

¹⁴⁴He who doth know how to guide hath guarded his friend; (so) before thee,

¹⁴⁵Do thou let Enkidu go, (for ’tis) he to the Forest of Cedars

¹⁴⁶Knoweth the road: ’tis he lusteth for battle, and threateneth combat.

¹⁴⁷Enkidu—he would watch over a friend, would safeguard a comrade,

¹⁴⁸(Aye, such an one) would deliver his person from out of the pitfalls.

¹⁴⁹We, O King, in our conclave have paid deep heed to thy welfare,

¹⁵⁰Thou, O King, in return with an (equal) heed shalt requite us."

¹⁵¹Gilgamish open’d his mouth, and spake unto Enkidu, saying:

¹⁵²"Unto the Palace of Splendour, O friend, come, let us betake us,

¹⁵³Unto the presence of Nin-sun, the glorious Queen, (aye) to Nin-sun,

¹⁵⁴Wisest of (all) clever women, all-knowing; a well-devised pathway

¹⁵⁵She will prescribe for our feet."

¹⁵⁶Clasp’d they their hands, each to each, and went to the Palace of Splendour,

¹⁵⁷Gilgamish , Enkidu. Unto the glorious Queen, (aye) to Nin-sun

¹⁵⁸Gilgamish came, and he enter’d in unto [the presence of Nin-sun]:

¹⁵⁹"Nin-sun, O fain would I tell thee [how] I a far journey [am going],

¹⁶⁰(Unto) the home [of Humbaba to counter a] warfare I know not,

¹⁶¹[Follow a road] which I [know] not, [(aye) from the time of my starting],

¹⁶²[Till my return, until I arrive at the Forest of Cedars,]

¹⁶³[Till I o’erthrow Humbaba, the Fierce, and destroy from the country.]

¹⁶⁴[All that the Sun-god abhorreth of evil]" . . . .

¹⁶⁵(The rest of the speech of Gilgamish is lost until the end of the Column, where we find him still addressing his mother, and apparently asking that she shall garb herself in festal attire to beg a favour of the Sun-god).

¹⁶⁶" . . . garb thyself; . . . in thy presence.

¹⁶⁷(So) to her offspring, to Gilgamish [Nin-sun] gave ear . . . -ly,

¹⁶⁸Column II.

¹⁶⁹Enter’d [her chamber] . . . [and deck’d herself] with the flowers of Tulal(?),

¹⁷⁰[Put on] the festal garb of her body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

¹⁷¹[Put on] the festal garb of her bosom . . ., her head [with a circlet]

¹⁷²Crown’d, and . . . the ground ipirani .

¹⁷³Climb’d [she the stairway], ascended the roof, and [the parapet(?)] mounted,

¹⁷⁴Offer’d her incense to Shamash, (her) sacrifice offer’d [to Shamash],

¹⁷⁵(Then) towards Shamash her hands she uplifted (in orison saying):

¹⁷⁶"Why didst thou give (this) restlessness of spirit

¹⁷⁷With which didst dower Gilgamish, [my] son?

¹⁷⁸That now thou touchest him, and (straight) he starteth

¹⁷⁹A journey far to where Humbaba (dwelleth),

¹⁸⁰To counter warfare which he knoweth not,

¹⁸¹Follow a pathway which he knoweth not,

¹⁸²(Aye), from the very day on which he starteth,

¹⁸³Till he return, till to the Cedar Forest

¹⁸⁴He reach; till he o’erthrow the fierce Humbaba,

¹⁸⁵And from the land destroy all evil things

¹⁸⁶Which thou abhor’st; the day which [thou hast set]

¹⁸⁷As term, of (that) strong man (who) feareth thee,

¹⁸⁸May Aa , (thy) bride, be [thy] remembrancer.

¹⁸⁹He the night-watches . . . . ."

¹⁹⁰(Columns III, IV, and V are much mutilated. There is the remnant of a passage in Assyrian, corresponding to the Third Tablet of the Old Babylonian Version, Column III, 15, which gives Enkidu's speech about "the mountains," "the cattle of the field," and how "he waited": then follows another fragment with a mention of the "corpse" [of Humbaba] and of the Anunnaki (the Spirits of Heaven), and a repetition of the line "that strong man (who) feareth [thee] ." Then a reference to "the journey" until [Gilgamish shall have overthrown the fierce Humbaba], be it after an interval of days, months, or years; and another fragment probably part of the previous text, where someone "heaps up incense" [to a god], and Enkidu again speaks with someone, but the mutilated text does not allow us much light on its connection, and although there is another fragment, the connection again is not obvious. The last column is a repetition of what the Elders said to Gilgamish):

¹⁹¹"(Aye, such an one) [would deliver his person] from out of the pitfalls.

¹⁹²[We, O King], in our conclave [have paid deep heed to thy welfare],

¹⁹³(Now), O King, in thy turn with an (equal) heed] shalt requite us."

¹⁹⁴Enkidu [open'd] his mouth [and spake unto Gilgamish, saying]:

¹⁹⁵"Turn, O my friend . . . . a road not . . . ."

¹(Of Column I about ll. 1-36 are mutilated or missing, there being actually the beginnings of only sixteen lines. When the text becomes connected the heroes have reached the Gate of the Forest).

²Column I.

³(Enkidu addresses the Gate).

⁴Enkidu lifted [his eyes] . . . and spake with the Gate as [’t were human(?)]:

⁵"O thou Gate of the Forest without understanding(? . . .

⁶Sentience which thou hast not, . . . .

⁷I for (full) forty leagues have admired thy [wonderful] timber,

⁸(Aye), till I sighted the towering Cedar . . . .

⁹(O but) thy wood hath no peer (in the country) . . .

¹⁰Six gar thy height, and two gar thy breadth . . .

¹¹(Sooth, but) thy stanchion (?), thy socket (?), thy pivot (?), thy lock (?), and thy shutter (?),

¹²[(All of them) must have been fashion’d for thee] in the City of Nippur!

¹³O, if I had but known, O Gate, that this was [thy grandeur],

¹⁴This, too, the grace [of thy structure], then either an axe had I lifted

¹⁵Or I had . . . or bound together . . . ."

¹⁶(Of the next Column remains a fragment, and that only presumed to belong to one of the above fragments from its appearance, which speaks of terror, a dream, and sorrow: "let me pray the gods . . . . may thy? god be . . . the father of the gods." Again, of the third Column there is only a small portion left of the right half (this fragment, too, being also presumed to belong to the same tablet as that above-mentioned), speaking of Gilgamish, the Forest, and Enkidu. The fourth Column is entirely lost. Of Column V the latter part survives, in this case without any uncertainty. After a few broken lines it runs as follows, the first speaker being probably Enkidu, and the scene the Gate of the Forest):

¹⁷". . . [O, haste] thee, withstand him, he will not [pursue(?) thee],

¹⁸[We will] go on down into the wood not daunted, together (?)].

¹⁹. . . Thou shall put on seven garments ..

²⁰. . . putting on, and six . . . (?) . . . "

²¹He like a mighty wild bull . . .

²²Flung he the Portal afar, and [his] mouth was fill’d (with his challenge),

²³Cried to the Guard of the Forest: "Up (?) . . . !

²⁴[’Tis I will challenge] Humbaba like to a . . ."

²⁵(A small gap.)

²⁶Column VI.

²⁷(Enkidu is speaking)

²⁸"Trouble (?) [I foresee(?)] wherever I go . . . .

²⁹O my friend, I have [seen] a dream which un- . . . ."

³⁰The day of the dream he had seen fulfilled . . . .

³¹(Enkidu is stricken with fear at thought of the combat).

³²Enkidu lay for a day, [yea, a second]—for Enkidu [lying]

³³(Prone) on his couch, was a third and a fourth day . . ., a fifth, sixth and seventh,

³⁴Eighth, ninth, [and tenth]. While Enkidu [lay in his] sickness . . ., th’ eleventh,

³⁵(Aye, till) the twelfth . . . on [his] couch was Enkidu [lying].

³⁶Call’d he to Gilgamish, . . . . . . . . .

³⁷"(O but), my comrade, . . . hateth me . . because within Erech

³⁸I was afraid of the combat, and . . . My friend, who in battle . . ."

³⁹(A small gap in which Gilgamish has answered. Enkidu replies):

⁴⁰[Enkidu open’d] his [mouth] and spake [unto Gilgamish, saying]:

⁴¹("Nay, but), [my friend, let us no wise] go down [to the depths of the Forest],

⁴²(For) ’tis my hands [have grown weak], and [my arms] are stricken with palsy."

⁴³________________________________

⁴⁴Gilgamish open’d his mouth and spake [unto Enkidu], saying:

⁴⁵"Shall we, O friend, [play] the coward? . . . . . .

⁴⁶. . . . thou shalt surpass them all(?) . . . .

⁴⁷[Thou, O] my friend, art cunning in warfare, art [shrewd(?)] in the battle,

⁴⁸(So) shalt thou touch the . . . and of [death] have no terror,

⁴⁹(Two difficult and mutilated lines).

⁵⁰[So that] the palsy (now striking) thine arms [may] depart, and the weakness

⁵¹Pass [from thy hands]! [Be brave(?)] and resist! O my comrade, together

⁵²We will go down—let the combat [in no wise diminish(?)] thy courage!

⁵³O forget death, and be fearful(?) of nothing(?) . . (for he who is) [valiant(?)],

⁵⁴Cautious (and) careful, by leading [the way] hath his own body guarded,

⁵⁵(He ’tis) will safeguard a comrade."

⁵⁶A name by their [valour(?)] . .

⁵⁷They will establish. (And now) they together arrive at the barrier(?),

⁵⁸[Still’d into silence(?)] their speech, and they themselves (suddenly) stopping.

¹Column I.

²(The Wonders of the Forest).

³Stood they and stared at the Forest, they gazed at the height of the Cedars,

⁴Scanning the avenue into the Forest: (and there) where Humbaba

⁵Stalk’d, was a path, (and) straight were his tracks, and good was the passage.

⁶(Eke) they beheld the Mount of the Cedar, the home of th’ Immortals,

⁷Shrine [of Irnini , the Cedar uplifting its pride ’gainst the mountain,

⁸Fair was its shade, (all) full of delight, with bushes (there) spreading,

⁹Spread, too, the . . . . the Cedar the incense . . . .

¹⁰(After a few mutilated lines the Column breaks: the upper part of Column II contains about twenty lines badly mutilated; then the lower part is more complete, beginning with visions granted to the hero).

¹¹Column II.

¹²(Gilgamish relates his dreams).

¹³"[ Then came another dream to me, comrade, and this second] vision

¹⁴[Pleasant, indeed], which I saw, (for) we (?) [twain were standing together]

¹⁵[High on (?) a] peak of the mountains, [and then did the mountain peak] topple,

¹⁶[Leaving us twain (?)] to be like . . . (?) which are born in the desert."

¹⁷Enkidu spake to his comrade the dream (?) [to interpret], (thus saying):

¹⁸"Comrade, (in sooth, this) vision [of thine unto us] good fortune (forbodeth),

¹⁹(Aye), ’tis a dream of great gain [thou didst see], (for, bethink you), O comrade,

²⁰(Surely) the mountain which thou hast beholden [must needs be Humbaba(?)].

²¹(Thus doth it mean) we shall capture Humbaba, (and) [throw down his] carcase,

²²[Leaving] his corpse in abasement—to-morrow 's (outcome) will I [shew thee]".

²³________________________________

²⁴(Now) at the fortieth league did they break their fast [with a morsel],

²⁵(Now) at the sixtieth rested, and hollow’d a pit in the sunshine . . .

²⁶Gilgamish mounted above [it] . . . (and) pour’d out his meal [for the mountain]:

²⁷"Mountain, a dream do thou grant . . . breathe on him . . ."

²⁸Column III.

²⁹Granted [the mountain] a dream . . . it breathed on him . . .

³⁰Then a chill wind-blast [up]-sprang (and) [a gust] passing over . . .

³¹[Made] him to cower, and . . . [thereat he sway’d] like the corn of the mountains . . .

³²Gilgamish, [squatting] bent-kneed, supported his haunches, (and straightway)

³³Sleep (such as) floweth on man descended upon him: [at] midnight

³⁴Ending his slumber (all sudden), he hied him to speak to his comrade:

³⁵"Didst thou not call me, O friend? (O), why am I waken’d (from slumber)?

³⁶Didst thou not touch me—(for), why am I fearful(?), (or) hath not some spirit

³⁷Pass’d (me)? (Or,) why is my flesh (all) a-quiver?

³⁸(The dream of the volcano, which probably represents Humbaba).

³⁹A third dream, O comrade,

⁴⁰I have beheld: but all awesome (this) dream which I have beholden:

⁴¹(Loud) did the firmament roar, (and) earth (with the echo) resounded,

⁴²Sombre the day, with darkness uprising, (and) levin bolts flashing,

⁴³Kindled were flames, [and there, too, was Pestilence (?)] fill’d to o’erflowing,

⁴⁴Gorgéd was Death! (Then) [faded] the glare, (then) faded the fires,

⁴⁵Falling, [the brands] turn’d to ashes—[Come, let us go] down to the desert,

⁴⁶That we may counsel together."

⁴⁷Enkidu (now) to interpret his dream unto Gilgamish speaketh:

⁴⁸(Remainder of Column III broken away).

⁴⁹(A variant version is found on one of the Semitic tablets from Boghaz Keui . Where the sense becomes connected it briefly describes how the heroes halt for the night and at midnight sleep departs from the hero who tells his dream to Enkidu, after asking much in the same way why he is frightened at waking from his dream. "Besides my first dream a second . . . In my dream, O friend, a mountain . . . he cast me down, seized my feet . . . The brilliance increased: a man . . ., most comely of all the land was his beauty . . . Beneath the mountain he drew me, and . . . water he gave me to drink, and my desire [was assuaged]; to earth he set [my] feet . . . Enkidu unto this god . . . unto Gilgamish

⁵⁰spake: "My friend, we will go . . . whatever is hostile . . . Not the mountain . . . Come, lay aside fear . . . " The rest after about mutilated seven lines is lost).

⁵¹(Column IV is all lost, and hardly anything of Column V remains. Column VI once contained the story of the great fight, but except for a few broken lines at the end it is all lost. But we can fortunately replace it from the Hittite version from Boghaz Keui )

⁵²Column VI.

⁵³(The Fight with Humbaba).

⁵⁴In the following manner . . . the Sun-god in heaven . . . the trees:

⁵⁵He saw [Gilgamish]: of the Sun-god in heaven in . . .

⁵⁶And [shew’d him] the dam on the ditches.

⁵⁷Gilgamish [spake] then [in orison] unto the Sun-god in heaven;

⁵⁸"Lo, on that day to the city . . . . which is in the city:

⁵⁹I in sooth [pray] to the Sun-god in heaven: I on a road have now started,

⁶⁰. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

⁶¹Unto th’ entreaty of Gilgamish hearken’d the Sun-god in heaven,

⁶²Wherefore against Humbaba he raised mighty winds: (yea), a great wind,

⁶³Wind from the North, (aye), [a wind from the South], yea [a tempest] (and) storm wind,

⁶⁴Chill wind, (and) whirlwind, a wind of (all) evil: ’twas eight winds he raiséd,

⁶⁵Seizing [Humbaba] before and behind, so that nor to go forwards,

⁶⁶Nor to go back was he able: and then Humbaba surrender’d.

⁶⁷Wherefore to Gilgamish spake (thus) Humbaba: "O Gilgamish, (pr’y thee),

⁶⁸Stay, (now, thy hand): be [thou] now my [master], and I'll be thy henchman:

⁶⁹[O disregard] (all) [the words which I spake [(so) boastfull against thee,

⁷⁰Weighty . . . I would lay me down . . . and the Palace.

⁷¹Thereat to [Gilgamish] Enkidu [spake]: "[Of the rede which] Humbaba

⁷²[Maketh to thee] thou darest in nowise offer acceptance.

⁷³(Aye, for) Humbaba [must] not [remain alive] . . . ."

⁷⁴(The Hittite Version here breaks off. The Assyrian Version ends with six badly mutilated lines of which the last tells the successful issue of the expedition).

⁷⁵. . . . [they cut off] the head of Humbaba.

¹Column I.

²(Gilgamish is removing the stains of combat).

³(Now) is he washing his stains, (and) is cleansing his garments in tatters,

⁴Braiding (?) (the locks of) his hair (to descend loose) over his shoulders,

⁵Laying aside his garments besmirchen, (and) donning his clean ones,

⁶Putting on armlets (?), and girding his body about with a baldric,

⁷Gilgamish bindeth his fillet, and girdeth himself with a baldric.

⁸(Ishtar sees him and seeks to wed him).

⁹(Now) Lady Ishtar espieth the beauty of Gilgamish: (saith she),

¹⁰"Gilgamish, come, be a bridegroom, to me of the fruit (of thy body)

¹¹Grant me largesse: (for) my husband shalt be and I'll be thy consort.

¹²O, but I'll furnish a chariot for thee, (all) azure and golden,

¹³Golden its wheel, and its yoke precious stones , each day to be harness'd

¹⁴Unto great mules: (O), enter our house with the fragrance of cedar.

¹⁵(So) when thou enterest into our house shall threshold and dais

¹⁶Kiss thy feet, (and) beneath thee do homage kings, princes, and rulers,

¹⁷Bringing thee yield of the mountains and plains as a tribute: thy she-goats

¹⁸Bring forth in plenty, thy ewes shall bear twins, thy asses attaining

¹⁹(Each) to the size of a mule, (and) thy steeds in thy chariot winning

²⁰Fame for their gallop: [thy mules ] in the yoke shall ne’er have a rival."

²¹________________________________

²²[Gilgamish] open’d his mouth in reply, Lady Ishtar [to answer]:

²³"Aye, but what must I give] thee, (if (?)) I should take thee in marriage?

²⁴[I must provide thee with oil] for (thy) body, and clothing: (aye, also)

²⁵[Give thee (thy)] bread and (thy) victual: (sooth), must be sustenance [ample]

²⁶Meet for divinity—[I, (too), must give thee (thy) drink] fit for royalty.

²⁷. . . . I shall be bound, . . . let us amass (?), . . . clothe with a garment.

²⁸[What, then, will be my advantage, supposing) I take thee in marriage?

²⁹[Thou’rt but a ruin which giveth no shelter (?) to man] from the weather,

³⁰Thou’rt but a back door [not] giving resistance to blast or to windstorm,

³¹Thou’rt but a palace which dasheth the heroes [within it to pieces],

³²Thou’rt but a pitfall (which letteth) its covering [give way (all treach’rous)],

³³Thou art but pitch which [defileth] the man who doth carry it with him,

³⁴Thou’rt but a bottle which [leaketh] on him who doth carry it with him,

³⁵Thou art but limestone which [letteth] stone ramparts [fall crumbling in ruin].

³⁶Thou’rt but chalcedony [failing to guard (?)] in an enemy's country,

³⁷Thou’rt but a sandal which causeth its owner [to trip (by the wayside)].

³⁸Who was ever [thy] husband [thou faithfully lovedst] for all time?

³⁹Who hath been ever thy lord who hath gain’d [over thee the advantage?

⁴⁰Come, and I will unfold thee [the endless tale] of thy husbands.

⁴¹________________________________

⁴²(Sooth), thou shalt vouch (?) for the truth (?) of (this) list—Thy maidenhood's consort,

⁴³Tammuz, each year dost make him the cause of Wailing , (then cometh

⁴⁴Next) the bird Roller gay-feather’d thou lovedst, and (yet) thou didst smite him

⁴⁵Breaking his wing: in the grove doth he stand, crying kappi 'my wing!'

⁴⁶Lovedst thou also a Lion, in (all) the full strength of (his) vigour,

⁴⁷(Yet) thou didst dig for him seven and seven (deep) pits (to entrap him).

⁴⁸Lovedst thou also a Stallion, magnificent he in the battle,

⁴⁹Thou wert the cause of a bridle, a spur, and a whip to him: (also)

⁵⁰Thou wert the cause of his fifty miles galloping; thou wert the cause, too,

⁵¹(Eke), of exhaustion and sweating (?); (thereafter), ’twas thou who didst (also)

⁵²Unto his mother Silili give cause for (her deep) lamentation.

⁵³Lovedst thou also a Shepherd, a neatherd, for thee without ceasing

⁵⁴Each day to sacrifice yeanlings for thee would heap thee his charcoal,

⁵⁵(Yet) thou didst smite him, transforming him into a jackal: his herd boy

⁵⁶Yea, his own herd boy drove him away, and his dogs tore his buttocks.

⁵⁷Lovedst thou, too, Ishullanu, the gardener he of thy sire,

⁵⁸Bringing delights (?) to thee ceaseless, while daily he garnish’d thy platter;

⁵⁹’Twas for thee only to cast thine eyes on him, and with him be smitten .

⁶⁰'O Ishullanu of mine, come, let me taste of thy vigour,

⁶¹Put forth thy hand, too, . . . . . . . . . . '

⁶²But he, Ishullanu,

⁶³Said to thee 'What dost thou ask me? Save only my mother hath baked (it),

⁶⁴Nought have I eaten—(and) what I should eat would be bread of transgression,

⁶⁵(Aye) and iniquity! (Further), the reeds are a cloak against winter. '

⁶⁶Thou this [his answer] didst hear, didst smite him and make him a spider(?) ,

⁶⁷Making him lodge midway up a [dwelling(?)] —not to move upwards

⁶⁸Lest there be drainage ; nor down, lest a crushing [o’erwhelm him].

⁶⁹So, too, me in my turn thou wouldst love and (then) [reckon] me like them."

⁷⁰________________________________

⁷¹[Heard] this (then) Ishtar: she burst into rage and [went up] to Heaven,

⁷²Hied her (thus) Ishtar to Anu, [her father], to Antu, her mother,

⁷³Came she [to tell (them)]: "O father, doth Gilgamish load me with insult,

⁷⁴Gilgamish tale of my sins, my sins and iniquities telleth."

⁷⁵________________________________

⁷⁶Anu made answer, (thus) speaking, and said unto Ishtar the Lady:

⁷⁷"Nay, thou didst ask him [to grant thee largesse of the fruit of his body],

⁷⁸(Hence) he the tale of thy sins, thy sins and iniquities telleth."

⁷⁹(The Creation of the Divine Bull which is to destroy the heroes).

⁸⁰Ishtar made answer (thus) speaking, and said unto [Anu, her father]:

⁸¹"Father, O make (me) a Heavenly Bull, which shall Gilgamish [vanquish],

⁸²Filling [its body] with flame . . . .

⁸³But if thou’lt [not] make [this Bull], then . . . .

⁸⁴I'll smite . . . ., I'll put . . . ., I'll . . . .

⁸⁵More than the . . . will be the . . . . . . .

⁸⁶________________________________

⁸⁷Anu [made answer, (thus) speaking, and said unto] Ishtar, the Lady:

⁸⁸"[If I the Heavenly Bull shall create, for which] thou dost ask me,

⁸⁹(Then) seven years of (leer) husks [must needs follow after his onslaught (?)].

⁹⁰Wilt thou [for man] gather [corn (?)], and increase [for the cattle(?)] the fodder (?)."

⁹¹[Ishtar made answer, (thus) speaking [and said unto] Anu, her father:

⁹²"[Corn for mankind] have I hoarded, have grown [for the cattle the fodder],

⁹³[If seven] years of (leer) husks [must needs follow after his onslaught (?)]

⁹⁴[I will for man] gather [corn and increase for the cattle] the fodder."

⁹⁵(Perhaps a small gap.)

⁹⁶(About seven lines are so badly mutilated that little can be gleaned from them except that the fight with the Heavenly Bull is about to take place in Erech. After these [a hundred men] descend [upon the Bull], but with his (fiery) breath [he annihilates them]. Then come two hundred with the same result, and then three hundred more, again to be overcome).

⁹⁷Enkidu girded (?) his middle; (and straightway) Enkidu, leaping,

⁹⁸Seized on the Heavenly Bull by [his] horns, and (headlong) before him

⁹⁹Cast down the Heavenly Bull his full length, . . . .

¹⁰⁰(Aye), by the thick of his tail.

¹⁰¹(Gap of thirteen mutilated lines.)

¹⁰²Chased him did Enkidu, . . . the Heavenly Bull . . .

¹⁰³Seized him and by [the thick] of his tail . . . .

¹⁰⁴(Gap of about fourteen mutilated lines in which the Bull is slain.)

¹⁰⁵(So), what time they the Bull of the Heavens had kill’d, its heart they removéd,

¹⁰⁶Unto the Sun-god they offer’d in sacrifice; when the libation

¹⁰⁷Unto the Sun they had voided, they sate them down, the two brothers.

¹⁰⁸________________________________

¹⁰⁹(The Frenzy of Ishtar).

¹¹⁰(Then) mounted Ishtar (the crest of) the ramparts of Erech, the high-wall’d,

¹¹¹(So) to the roof-top ascended, (and there) gave voice to her wailing;

¹¹²"Woe unto Gilgamish—he who by killing the Bull of the Heavens,

¹¹³Made me lament." When Enkidu heard this, the shrieking of Ishtar,

¹¹⁴Wrenching the member from out of the Bull, he toss’d (it) before her;

¹¹⁵"If I could only have reach’d thee, i’faith, I’d ha’ served thee the same way,

¹¹⁶I’d ha’ let dangle his guts on thy flanks (as a girdle about thee)."

¹¹⁷Ishtar assembled the girl-devotees, the hetaerae and harlots,

¹¹⁸Over the member (torn out) from the Bull she led the lamenting.

¹¹⁹(The Triumph of Gilgamish).

¹²⁰Gilgamish call’d to the masters of craft, the artists, (yea), all of them,

¹²¹That at the size of its horns (all) the guilds of the crafts speak their praises

¹²²Each had of azure in weight thirty minas to be as their setting,

¹²³Two fingers their . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . .

¹²⁴Both of them held six measures of oil; to his god Lugal-banda

¹²⁵He for (his) unguent devoting, brought in, and (thus) let them hang (there),

¹²⁶(There) in the shrine of his forbears.

¹²⁷(And now) in the River Euphrates

¹²⁸Washing their hands, they start (on their progress) and come (to the city);

¹²⁹(Now) are they striding the highway of Erech, the heroes of Erech

¹³⁰Thronging (about them) to see them. (Then) Gilgamish utter’d a riddle

¹³¹Unto the notables (?):

¹³²Who, pr’ythee, is most splendid of heroes,

¹³³Who, pr’ythee, is most famous of giants?

¹³⁴Gilgamish—he is most splendid of heroes,

¹³⁵[Enkidu—he is most] famous of giants.

¹³⁶(Three mutilated lines follow.)

¹³⁷________________________________

¹³⁸So in his palace did Gilgamish hold high revel: (thereafter),

¹³⁹(While all) the heroes asleep, on their nightly couches were lying

¹⁴⁰Enkidu, too, was asleep, and a vision beheld, and (so) coming

¹⁴¹Enkidu (now) his dream to reveal: (thus) spake he unto his comrade.

¹Column I.

²(Enkidu's dream).

³"Why, O my friend, do the great gods (now) take counsel together?"

⁴(The remainder of the Column is lost in the Assyrian, but it can be partially supplied from the Hittite Version: " . . . Then came the day . . . [Enkidu] answered Gilgamish: '[Gilgamish, hear the] dream which I [saw] in the night: [Now Enlil], Ea, and the Sun-god of heaven . . . .[the Sun-god (?)] Enlil spake in

⁵return: "[These who the heavenly] Bull have kill’d [and Humbaba have smitten]:. . . which help’d at the cedar . . . [Enlil hath said (?)] 'Enkidu shall die: [but Gilgamish] shall not die.'" Then answer’d Enlil boldly '[O Sun-god], at thy behest did they slay the Heavenly Bull and Humbaba. But now shall Enkidu die.' But Enlil turn’d angrily to the Sun-god: 'What dost thou them as befitting . . .? With his comrade thou settest out daily. '" But Enkidu laid himself down to rest before Gilgamish, and by the dam . . . him the ditch: 'My brother, of (great) worth is my [dream].'" It breaks off after a few mutilated lines more).

⁶(Column II entirely lost. From the Hittite it is clear that Enkidu has dreamt that the gods have taken counsel together, that Enkidu is to die, but Gilgamish remain alive. It would appear from the succeeding material that Enkidu, stricken presumably by fever, attributes all his misfortunes to the hetaera whom he loads with curses. The first part of the next fragment begins "destroy his power, weaken his strength," probably referring to Enkidu. Then says Enkidu, after three broken lines: ". . . . the hetaera . . . . who has brought (?) a curse, 'O hetaera, I will decree (thy) [fate(?)] for thee—thy woes(?)] . . . shall never end for all eternity. [Come], I will curse thee with a bitter curse, . . . with desolation shall its curse come on thee: [may there never be] satisfaction of thy desire' —and then follow the broken ends of six lines and then—"'[May . . .] fall on thy house, may the . . of the street be thy dwelling, [may the shade of the wall be thy] abode, . . . for thy feet, [may scorching heat and thirsty smite thy strength'" The rest of the curse is badly broken, but it is exceeding probable that the following are the fragments which should be assigned here).

⁷(The End of Enkidu's curse on the Hetaera).

⁸"Of want . . . . since me it is that . . .hath . . . .

⁹And me the fever [hath laid] on my back."

¹⁰________________________________

¹¹(The Answer of Shamash).

¹²Heard him the Sun-god, and open’d his mouth, and from out of the heavens

¹³(Straightway) he call’d him: "O Enkidu, why dost thou curse the hetaera?

¹⁴She ’twas who made thee eat bread, for divinity proper: (aye), wine (too),

¹⁵She made thee drink, (’twas) for royalty proper: a generous mantle

¹⁶Put on thee, (aye), and for comrade did give to thee Gilgamish splendid.

¹⁷Now on a couch of great size will he, (thy) friend (and) thy brother

¹⁸Gilgamish, grant thee to lie, on a handsome couch will he grant thee

¹⁹Rest, and to sit on a throne of great ease, a throne at (his) left hand,

²⁰So that the princes of Hades may kiss thy feet (in their homage);

²¹He, too, will make (all) the people of Erech lament in thy (honour),

²²Making them mourn thee, (and) damsels (and) heroes constrain to thy service,

²³[While he himself for thy sake will cause his body to carry

²⁴Stains, [(and) will put on] the skin of a lion , and range o’er the desert."

²⁵________________________________

²⁶Enkidu [(then) giving ear] to the words of the valiant Shamash

²⁷Speaking . . . . . . . . . his wrath was appeased.

²⁸(One or two lines missing).

²⁹Column IV.

³⁰(Enkidu, relenting, regrets his curse, and blesses the Hetaera).

³¹" . . . . . . . . . . . may . . . restore to thy place!

³²[(So, too), may monarchs and princes] and chiefs be with love [for thee] smitten;

³³[None smite (?)] his breech [in disgust (?); against thee; and for thee may the hero]

³⁴Comb out his locks; . . . who would embrace [thee],

³⁵Let him his girdle unloose . . . and thy [bed] be azure and golden;

³⁶May . . . entreat thee kindly (?), . . . . are heap’d his ishshikku

³⁷May the gods make thee enter . . . . . . . . . . .

³⁸[Mayst thou] be left as the mother of seven brides . . ."

³⁹(Enkidu, sorrowful at his approaching end, sleeps alone and dreams).

⁴⁰[Enkidu] . . . woe in his belly . . . sleeping alone,

⁴¹[Came] in the night [to discover] his heaviness unto his comrade:

⁴²"[Friend], (O) a dream I have seen in my night-time: the firmament [roaring],

⁴³Echo’d the earth, and I [by myself was standing(?) . . .

⁴⁴[When perceived I a man (?)], (all) dark was his face, [and] was liken 'd

⁴⁵[Unto] . . .his face, . . . [and] his nails like claws of a lion.

⁴⁶Me did he overcome . . . climbing up . . . press’d me down,

⁴⁷Upon me . . . my (?) body . . . . . .

⁴⁸(Here follows a gap of perhaps three lines, until what is still presumably the dream is again taken up by the other half of the Column at l. 31 (?) with a description of the Underworld which is being shewn to Enkidu in premonition of his death).

⁴⁹. . . . . . . . like birds my hands: (and) he seized (?) me,

⁵⁰Me did he lead to the Dwelling of Darkness, the home of Irkalla,

⁵¹Unto the Dwelling from which he who entereth cometh forth never!

⁵²(Aye), by the road on the passage whereof there can be no returning,

⁵³Unto the Dwelling whose tenants are (ever) bereft of the daylight,

⁵⁴Where for their food is the dust, and the mud is their sustenance: bird-like

⁵⁵Wear they a garment of feathers: and, sitting (there) in the darkness,

⁵⁶Never the light will they see. On the Gate . . . . when I enter’d

⁵⁷On the house (?) . . . . was humbled the crown,

⁵⁸For . . . those who (wore) crowns, who of old ruled over the country,

⁵⁹. . . . of Anu and Enlil ’twas they set the bakemeats,

⁶⁰Set . . . ., cool was the water they served from the skins. When I enter’d

⁶¹Into (this) House of the Dust, were High Priest and acolyte sitting,

⁶²Seer and magician , the priest who the Sea of the great gods anointed ,

⁶³(Here) sat Etana , Sumuqan; the Queen of the Underworld (also),

⁶⁴Ereshkigal , in whose presence doth bow the Recorder of Hades,

⁶⁵[Belit]-seri, and readeth before her; [she lifted] her head (and) beheld me,

⁶⁶. . . and took this . . . . . . . . . . . . .

⁶⁷(The text here breaks off).

¹(The first Column is badly mutilated, and all we can glean from it is that "as soon as something of morning has dawned," Gilgamish addressing Enkidu, compares him to a gazelle, and promises to glorify him. Then follows apparently a recital by Gilgamish of their exploits together, "mountains [we ascended,

²we reach’d] the Forest of Cedars, [travelling] night and day . . . [with wild beasts (?)] drawing nigh after us." Enkidu is lying dying or dead, and Column II begins with Gilgamish keening over his dead friend before the Elders of Erech):

³"Unto me hearken, O Elders, to me, aye, me [shall ye listen],

⁴’Tis that I weep for my [comrade] Enkidu, bitterly crying

⁵Like to a wailing woman: my grip is [slack’d] on the curtleaxe

⁶(Slung at) my thigh, (and) the brand at my belt from my sight [is removed].

⁷(Aye, and) my festal attire [lends nought of its aid for] my pleasure,

⁸Me, me hath [sorrow] assailed, and [cast] me [down in affliction].

⁹________________________________

¹⁰Comrade (and) henchman, who chased the wild ass , the pard of the desert,

¹¹Comrade (and) henchman, who chased the wild ass , the pard of the desert,

¹²Enkidu—we who all [haps] overcame, ascending [the mountains].

¹³Captured the Heavenly Bull, and [destroy’d (him)]: we o’erthrew Humbaba,

¹⁴He who [abode] in the Forest [of Cedars —O, what is this slumber

¹⁵Now hath o’ercome [thee], (for now) art thou dark, nor art able to hear [me]?"

¹⁶Natheless he raised not [his eyes, and] his heart, (when Gilgamish) felt (it),

¹⁷Made no beat.

¹⁸Then he veil’d (his) friend like a bride ..

¹⁹Lifted his voice like a lion . . . . . . . .

²⁰[Roar’d] like a lioness robb’d of [her] whelps. In front of his [comrade]

²¹Paced he backwards and forwards, tearing and casting his ringlets(?),

²²Plucking and casting away (all) the grace of his . . . .

²³________________________________

²⁴Then when something of morning had dawn’d, did Gilgamish . . . .

²⁵(Column II here breaks off. Column III begins with Gilgamish still mourning, telling his dead friend all he will do for him in the words of Shamash in the preceding tablet, so that we may supply the last two (?) lines of Column II as follow):

²⁶Column II.

²⁷(The Lament of Gilgamish).

²⁸"[O, on a couch of great size will I, thy friend and thy brother,

²⁹Column III.

³⁰[Gilgamish, grant thee to lie], on [a handsome] couch [will I grant thee

³¹Rest, and] to sit on [a throne of great size, a throne at (my) left hand],

³²So that the princes of Hades [may kiss thy feet (in their homage)];

³³I, too, will make (all) [the people of Erech] lament in thy (honour),

³⁴[Making them mourn thee], (and) damsels(and)heroes[constrain to thy service],

³⁵While I myself for thy sake [will cause my body to carry]

³⁶[Stains], (and) will put on the skin of a [lion , and range o’er the desert]."

³⁷________________________________

³⁸Then when something of morning had dawn’d did [Gilgamish] . . . .

³⁹Loosing his girdle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

⁴⁰(Column IV has only five fragmentary lines at the end, mentioning "to my friend," "thy sword," "likeness," and "to the god Bibbu," i.e., a planet or Mercury. Column V has only a bare dozen fragmentary lines at the end):

⁴¹Column V.

⁴²" . . . Judge of the Anunnaki . . ."

⁴³(Then), when Gilgamish heard this, he form’d of the slaying a concept .

⁴⁴________________________________

⁴⁵(Then), with the dawn of the morning did Gilgamish fashion a . . .

⁴⁶Brought out also a mighty platter of wood from the highlands .

⁴⁷Fill’d he with honey a bowl of (bright) ruby , a bowl (too) of azure,

⁴⁸Fill’d he with cream; (and) adorn’d he the . . ., and Shamash instructed ..

⁴⁹(One line lost at end of Column. Column VI is all lost).

¹Column I.

²(Gilgamish determines to seek Eternal Life).

³Gilgamish bitterly wept for his comrade, (for) Enkidu, ranging

⁴Over the desert: "I, too—shall I not die like Enkidu also?

⁵Sorrow hath enter’d my heart; I fear death as I range o’er the desert,

⁶I will get hence on the road to the presence of Uta-Napishtim ,

⁷—Offspring of Ubara-Tutu is he—and with speed will I travel.

⁸(If) ’tis in darkness that I shall arrive at the Gates of the Mountains,

⁹Meeting with lions, then terror fall on me, I'll lift my head (skywards),

¹⁰Offer my prayer to the Moon-god, (or else) to . . the gods let my orison

¹¹Come . . . 'O deliver me!'" . . . He slept . . . (and) a dream . . .

¹²[Saw he] . . . which were rejoicing in life,

¹³Poised he [his] axe . . . in his hand, (and) drew [his glaive from] his baldric,

¹⁴Lance-like leapt he amongst them . . . smiting, . . . (and) crushing.

¹⁵(The rest of the Column is mutilated).

¹⁶Column II.

¹⁷(The hero reaches the Mountains of Mashu).

¹⁸Mashu the name of the hills; as he reach’d the Mountains of Mashu,

¹⁹Where ev’ry day they keep watch o’er [the Sun-god's] rising [and setting],

²⁰Unto the Zenith of Heaven [uprear’d are] their summits, (and) downwards

²¹(Deep) unto Hell reach their breasts: (and there) at their portals stand sentry

²²Scorpion-men, awful in terror, their (very) glance Death: (and) tremendous,

²³Shaking the hills, their magnificence; they are the Wardens of Shamash,

²⁴Both at his rising and setting. (No sooner) did Gilgamish see them"

²⁵(Than) from alarm and dismay was his countenance stricken with pallor,

²⁶Senseless, he grovell’d before them.

²⁷(Then) unto his wife spake the Scorpion:

²⁸"Lo, he that cometh to us—’tis the flesh of the gods is his body."

²⁹(Then) to the Scorpion-man answer]d his wife: "Two parts of him god-(like),

³⁰(Only) a third of him human."

³¹(Eight broken lines remain, in which the Scorpion-man addresses presumably Gilgamish, asking him [why he has goner a far journey, and telling him how hard the traverse is. Column III begins with the third line in which Gilgamish is evidently telling the Scorpion-man that he proposes to cask(?)] Uta-Napishtim about death and life. But the Scorpion-man says that [the journey has never before been made, that none [has crossed] the mountains. The traverse is by the Road of the Sun by a journey of twenty-four hours, beginning with deep darkness. The last half of this Column and the first half of Column IV are lost, but it would appear that the Scorpion-man describes the journey hour by hour, and that Gilgamish accepts the trial of his strength "[even though it be] in pain . ., [though my face be weather]d] with cold [and heat]

³²[paragraph continues] (and) in grief [I go] . . ." Then the Scorpion-man, with a final word about the mountains of Mashu, farewells him, wishing him success. "[(Then) when] Gilgamish [heard this], [he set off] at the word of the Scorpion-man, taking] the Road of the Sun . . ." The first two hours are in deep darkness, without light, which did not allow [him to see . . . behind him] . . ." Each succeeding period of two hours is the same until the eighth is reached and passed, and by the ninth he apparently comes to the first glimmer of light. Finally, with the twelfth double hour, he reaches the full blaze of the sun, and there he beholds the Tree of the Gods, the description of which is given in the only four complete lines, 48-51, of Column V. It is conceivable that this is the Vine, the Tree of Life, whence Siduri, the Maker of Wine, plucks the fruit for her trade).

³³Bearing its fruit (all) ruby, and hung about with (its) tendrils.

³⁴Fair for beholding, and azure the boskage it bore; (aye), ’twas bearing

³⁵Fruits (all) desirable unto the eye.

³⁶(Column VI in the Assyrian is nearly all lost, and it is uncertain what part the Tree plays: but at this point a third Old Babylonian tablet helps us out. At this point, according to this early version the Sun-god takes pity on the hero).

³⁷"[He of the wild things hath dresséd] their pelts and the flesh of them eateth.

³⁸Gilgamish, [never] a crossing [shall be (?)] where none hath been ever,

³⁹(No), [so long] as the gale driveth water."

⁴⁰Shamash was touch’d, that he summon’d him, (thus) unto Gilgamish speaking:

⁴¹"Gilgamish, why dost thou run, (forasmuch as) the life which thou seekest

⁴²Thou shalt not find?" (Whereat) Gilgamish answer’d the warrior Shamash:

⁴³"Shall I, after I roam up and down o’er the waste as a wand’rer,

⁴⁴Lay my head in the bowels of earth, and throughout the years slumber

⁴⁵Ever and aye? Let mine eyes see the Sun and be sated with brightness,

⁴⁶(Yea, for) the darkness is (banish’d) afar, if wide be the brightness.

⁴⁷When will the man who is dead (ever) look on the light of the Sunshine?"

⁴⁸(With this ends all our connected text of Column VI, the Assyrian Version ending with about a dozen mutilated lines containing a mention of numerous minerals and stones, and evidently Gilgamish has now come to the girl Siduri the sabitu, which last word is generally taken to mean a provider of strong waters).

¹Column I.

²(Gilgamish meets Siduri).

³Dwelt Siduri, the maker of wine . . . .

⁴Wine(?) was her trade, her trade was . . . . . . . . .

⁵Cover’d she was with a veil and . . . . . . . . .

⁶Gilgamish wander’d [towards her] . . . . . . . . .

⁷Pelts was he wearing . . . . . . . . .

⁸Flesh of the gods in [his body] possessing, but woe in [his belly],

⁹(Aye), and his countenance like to a (man) who hath gone a far journey.

¹⁰Look’d in the distance the maker of wine, (and) a word in her bosom

¹¹Quoth she, in thought with herself: "This is one who would ravish (?) [a woman],

¹²Whither doth he advance in . . . ?" As soon as the Wine-maker saw him,

¹³Barr’d she [her postern], barr’d she her inner door, barr’d she [her chamber(?)].

¹⁴Straightway did Gilgamish, too, in his turn catch the sound [of her shutting(?)],

¹⁵Lifted his chin, and so did he let [his attention fall on her].

¹⁶________________________________

¹⁷Unto her (therefore) did Gilgamish speak, to the Wine-maker saying]:

¹⁸"Wine-maker, what didst thou see, that [thy postern (now)] thou hast barréd,

¹⁹Barréd thine inner door, [-barréd thy chamber(?)]? O, I'll smite [thy] portal,

²⁰[Breaking the bolt] . . . . . . . . . . .

²¹(About nine lines mutilated, after which it is possible to restore l. 32—Column II, 8).

²²[Unto him (answer 'd) the Wine-maker, speaking to Gilgamish, (saying):

²³"Why is thy vigour (so) wasted, (or why) is thy countenance sunken,

²⁴(Why) hath thy spirit a sorrow (?), (or why) hath thy cheerfulness surcease?

²⁵(O, but) there's woe in thy belly! Like one who hath gone a far journey

²⁶(So) is thy face—(O,) with cold and with heat is thy countenance weather’d,

²⁷. . . that thou shouldst range over the desert."

²⁸Gilgamish unto her (answer’d and) spake to the Wine-maker, saying:

²⁹"Wine-maker, ’tis not my vigour is wasted, nor countenance sunken,

³⁰Nor hath my spirit a sorrow (?), (forsooth), nor my cheerfulness surcease,

³¹No, ’tis not woe in my belly: nor doth my visage resemble

³²One who hath gone a far journey—nor is my countenance weather'd

³³Either by cold or by heat . . . that (thus) I range over the desert.

³⁴Comrade (and) henchman, who chased the wild ass, the pard of the desert,

³⁵Comrade (and) henchman, who chased the wild ass, the pard of the desert,

³⁶Enkidu—we who all haps overcame, ascending the mountains,

³⁷Captured the Heavenly Bull, and destroy’d him]: we [o’erthrew Humbaba,

³⁸He who abode in the Forest of Cedars; we slaughter’d the lions

³⁹Column II.

⁴⁰There in the Gates (?) of the mountains (?); with me enduring all hardships,

⁴¹Enkidu, (he was) my comrade—the lions we slaughter’d (together),

⁴²(Aye), enduring all hardships—and him his fate hath o’ertaken.

⁴³(So) did I mourn him six days, (yea), a se’nnight, until unto burial

⁴⁴I could consign (?) him . . . . (then) did I fear . . . . .

⁴⁵Death did I dread, that I range o’er the desert]: the hap of my comrade

⁴⁶[Lay on me heavy(?)—O ’tis a long road that I range o’er] the desert!

⁴⁷Enkidu, (yea), [of my comrade the hap lay heavy (?) upon me]—

⁴⁸[’Tis a long road] that I range o’er the desert—O, how to be silent],

⁴⁹(Aye, or) how to give voice? [(For) the comrade I ha’ (so) lovéd]

⁵⁰Like to the dust [hath become]; O Enkidu, (he was) my comrade,

⁵¹He whom I loved hath become alike the dust]—[I,] shall I not, also,

⁵²Lay me down [like him], throughout all eternity [never returning]?"

⁵³________________________________

⁵⁴(Here may be interpolated, for convenience, the Old Babylonian Version of this episode in the Berlin tablet of 2000 B.C. Column II, 1,-III, 14):

⁵⁵Column II.

⁵⁶"He who enduréd all hardships with me, whom I lovéd dearly,

⁵⁷Enkidu,—he who enduréd all hardships with me (is now perish’d),

⁵⁸Gone to the common lot of mankind! (And) I have bewail’d him

⁵⁹Day and night long: (and) unto the tomb I have not consign’d him.

⁶⁰(O but) my friend cometh not (?) to my call—six days, (yea), a se’nnight

⁶¹He like a worm hath lain on his face—(and) I for this reason

⁶²Find no life, (but must needs) roam the desert like to a hunter,

⁶³(Wherefore), O Wine-maker, now that (at last) I look on thy visage,

⁶⁴Death which I dread I will see not!"

⁶⁵(The Philosophy of the Wine-maker).

⁶⁶The Wine-maker Gilgamish answer’d:

⁶⁷Column III.

⁶⁸"Gilgamish, why runnest thou, (inasmuch as) the life which thou seekest,

⁶⁹Thou canst not find? (For) the gods, in their (first) creation of mortals,

⁷⁰Death allotted to man, (but) life they retain’d in their keeping.

⁷¹Gilgamish, full be thy belly,

⁷²Each day and night be thou merry, (and) daily keep holiday revel,

⁷³Each day and night do thou dance and rejoice; (and) fresh be thy raiment,

⁷⁴(Aye), let thy head be clean washen, (and) bathe thyself in the water,

⁷⁵Cherish the little one holding thy hand; be thy spouse in thy bosom

⁷⁶Happy—(for) this is the dower [of man] . . . . .

⁷⁷(Here the Old Babylonian Version breaks off and we must return to the Assyrian).

⁷⁸(Gilgamish, dissatisfied with a Wine-maker's philosophy, would seek further afield).

⁷⁹[Gilgamish] (thus) continued his speech to the Wine-maker, (saying),

⁸⁰"[Pr’ythee, then], Wine-maker, which is the way unto Uta-Napishtim?

⁸¹[What (is)] its token, I pr’ythee, vouchsafe me, vouchsafe me its token.

⁸²If it be possible (even) the Ocean (itself) will I traverse,

⁸³(But) if it should be impossible, (then) will I range o’er the desert."

⁸⁴________________________________

⁸⁵(The Wine-maker, in accordance with tradition, attempts to dissuade him).

⁸⁶(Thus) did the Wine-maker answer to him, unto Gilgamish (saying),

⁸⁷"There hath been never a crossing, O Gilgamish: never aforetime

⁸⁸Anyone, coming thus far, hath been able to traverse the Ocean:

⁸⁹Warrior Shamash doth cross it , ’tis true, but who besides Shamash

⁹⁰Maketh the traverse? (Yea), rough is the ferry, (and) rougher its passage,

⁹¹(Aye), too, ’tis deep are the Waters of Death, which bar its approaches .

⁹²Gilgamish, if perchance thou succeed in traversing the Ocean,

⁹³What wilt thou do, when unto the Waters of Death thou arrivest?

⁹⁴Gilgamish, there is Ur-Shanabi, boatman to Uta-Napishtim,

⁹⁵He with whom sails (?) are, the urnu of which in the forest he plucketh,

⁹⁶(Now) let him look on thy presence, (and) [if it be] possible with him

⁹⁷Cross—(but) if it be not, (then) do thou retrace thy steps (homewards)."

⁹⁸[paragraph continues] Gilgamish, hearing this, [taketh] (his) axe in his [hand], awhile he draweth Glaive from his baldric (?)].

⁹⁹(The remainder of this Column in the Assyrian Version is so much mutilated that little can be made out, but what is obviously essential is that Gilgamish meets Ur-Shanabi, but destroys the sails (?) of the boat for some reason. Before going on with the restoration of the Assyrian Version, we can interpolate Column IV from the Old Babylonian Version of the Berlin Tablet)

¹⁰⁰(Then) did Ur-Shanabi speak to him (yea), unto Gilgamish, (saying):

¹⁰¹"Tell to me what is thy name, (for) I am Ur-Shanabi, (henchman),

¹⁰²(Aye), of far Uta-Napishtim ." To him did Gilgamish answer:

¹⁰³"Gilgamish, (that) is my name, come hither from Erech(?), E-Anni (?),

¹⁰⁴(One) who hath traversed the Mountains, a wearisome journey of Sunrise,

¹⁰⁵Now that I look on thy face, Ur-Shanabi—Uta-Napishtim

¹⁰⁶Let me see also—the Distant one!" Him did Ur-Shanabi [answer],

¹⁰⁷Gilgamish: . . . . . . . . ."

¹⁰⁸(In the Assyrian Version Ur-Shanabi presently addresses Gilgamish in exactly the same words as Siduri, the Wine-maker, with the same astonishment at his weather-beaten appearance):

¹⁰⁹Column III.

¹¹⁰(Thus) did Ur-Shanabi speak to him, (yea), unto Gilgamish, (saying)

¹¹¹"Why is thy vigour all wasted . . ."

¹¹²(It continues thus, to be supplied for ll. 2-31 from Columns I, 33-II, 14 with due bracketing for the last words, and then the text goes on):

¹¹³Gilgamish (thus) continued his speech to Ur-Shanabi, (saying)

¹¹⁴"Pr’ythee, Ur-Shanabi, which is [the way unto Uta-Napishtim ?

¹¹⁵What is its token, I pr’ythee, vouchsafe me, vouchsafe me nits token].

¹¹⁶If it be possible (even) the Ocean (itself) will I traverse,

¹¹⁷But if it should be impossible, [(then) will I range o’er the desert]."

¹¹⁸________________________________

¹¹⁹(Thus) did Ur-Shanabi speak to him, (yea), unto Gilgamish, (saying):

¹²⁰"Gilgamish, ’tis thine own hand hath hinder’d [thy crossing the Ocean],

¹²¹Thou hast destroyéd the sails(?), (and) hast piercéd (?) the . . .

¹²²(Now) destroy’d are the sails(?), and the urnu not . . . . .

¹²³Gilgamish, take thee thy axe in [thy] hand; O, descend to the forest,

¹²⁴[Fashion thee] poles each of five gar in length; make (knops of) bitumen,

¹²⁵Sockets, (too), add (to them) : bring [them me]." (Thereat), when Gilgamish [heard this],

¹²⁶Took he the axe in his hand, (and) [the glaive] drew forth [from his baldric],

¹²⁷Went to the forest, and poles each of five gar in length [did he fashion],

¹²⁸(Knops of) bitumen he made, and he added (their) sockets: and brought them . . ,

¹²⁹Gilgamish (then), and Ur-Shanabi fared them forth [in their vessel],

¹³⁰Launch’d they the boat on the billow, and they themselves [in her embarking].

¹³¹After the course of a month and a half he saw on the third day

¹³²How that Ur-Shanabi (now) at the Waters of Death had arrivéd.

¹³³Column IV.

¹³⁴(Thus) did Ur-Shanabi [answer] him, [(yea), unto Gilgamish, (saying)]:

¹³⁵"Gilgamish, take the . . . . away . . . . . . . . . . .

¹³⁶Let not the Waters of Death touch thy hand . . . . . .

¹³⁷Gilgamish, take thou a second, a third, and a fourth pole (for thrusting),

¹³⁸Gilgamish, take thou a fifth, (and) a sixth, and a seventh (for thrusting),

¹³⁹Gilgamish, take thou an eighth, (and) a ninth, and a tenth pole (for thrusting),

¹⁴⁰Gilgamish, take an eleventh, a twelfth pole!" He ceased from (his) poling,

¹⁴¹(Aye) with twice-sixty (thrusts); (then) ungirded his loins . . . .

¹⁴²Gilgamish . . . . (?), and set up the mast in its socket.

¹⁴³(He reaches Uta-Napishtim).

¹⁴⁴Uta-Napishtim look’d into the distance and, inwardly musing,

¹⁴⁵Said to himself: "(Now), why are [the sails(?)] of the vessel destroyéd,

¹⁴⁶Aye, and one who is not of my . . . (?) doth ride on the vessel?

¹⁴⁷(This) is no mortal who cometh: nor . . . .

¹⁴⁸I look, but (this) is no [mortal] . . . . . .

¹⁴⁹I look, but . . . . . I look but . . . . .

¹⁵⁰(Remainder of Column lost, but about l. 42 it becomes apparent that Uta-Napishtim is asking Gilgamish in exactly the same words as Siduri, the Wine-maker, and Ur-Shanabi "Why is thy vigour (all) wasted?" and so on, down to Column V, l. 22 "[I], shall I not also lay me down like him, throughout all eternity never returning?"):

¹⁵¹Gilgamish (thus) continued his speech unto Uta-Napishtim,

¹⁵²"Then [I bethought me], I'll get hence and see what far Uta-Napishtim

¹⁵³Saith (on the matter) . (And so), again (?) I came through all countries,

¹⁵⁴Travell’d o’er difficult mountains, (aye), [and] all seas have I traversed,

¹⁵⁵Nor hath (ever) my face had its fill of gentle sleep (?): (but) with hardship

¹⁵⁶Have I exhausted myself, (and) my flesh have I laden with sorrow.

¹⁵⁷Ere I had come to the [House(?)] of the Wine-Maker, spent were my garments,

¹⁵⁸. . . Owl, bat, lion, pard, wild cat, deer, ibex, and . . . . . .

¹⁵⁹[Flesh] of them (all) have I eaten, (and eke) their pelts have I dress’d (?) [me]."

¹⁶⁰(The remainder of the Column is mutilated: there is some mention of "let them bolt her gate . . .; with pitch and bitumen . . . ." in l. 33, and then nothing which gives connected sense until Column VI, ll. 26-39):

¹⁶¹Column VI.

¹⁶²"Shall we for ever build house(s), for ever set signet (to contract),

¹⁶³Brothers continue to share, or among [foes (?)] always be hatred?

¹⁶⁴(Or) will for ever the stream (that hath risen) in spate bring a torrent,

¹⁶⁵Kulilu-bird [to] Kirippu-bird . . . . . . . . . ?

¹⁶⁶Face which doth look on the sunlight . . . presently (?) shall not be . . .

¹⁶⁷Sleeping and dead [are]r alike, from Death they mark no distinction

¹⁶⁸Servant and master, when once thy have reach’d [their full span allotted],

¹⁶⁹Then do the Anunnaki, great gods, . . . . . .

¹⁷⁰Mammetum, Maker of Destiny with them, doth destiny settle,

¹⁷¹Death, (aye), and Life they determine; of Death is the day not revealéd."

¹Column I.

²(The Cause of the Flood).

³Gilgamish unto him spake, to Uta-Napishtim the Distant:

⁴"Uta-Napishtim, upon thee I gaze, (yet) in no wise thy presence

⁵Strange is, (for) thou art like me, and in no wise different art thou;

⁶Thou art like me; (yea) a stomach for fighting doth make thee consummate,

⁷[Aye, and to rest (?)] on thy back thou dost lie. [O tell me (?)], how couldst thou

⁸Stand in th’ Assemblage of Gods to petition for life (everlasting)?"

⁹Uta-Napishtim (addressing him thus) unto Gilgamish answer'd:

¹⁰"Gilgamish, I unto thee will discover the (whole) hidden story,

¹¹Aye, and the rede of the Gods will I tell thee.

¹²The City Shurippak —

¹³(O ’tis) a city thou knowest!—is set [on the marge] of Euphrates,

¹⁴Old is this city, with gods in its midst. (Now), the great gods a deluge

¹⁵Purposed to bring: . . . . . . there was Anu, their sire; their adviser

¹⁶Warrior Enlil; Ninurta , their herald; their leader(?) Ennugi;

¹⁷Nin-igi-azag—’tis Ea—, (albeit) conspirator with them,

¹⁸Unto a reed-hut their counsel betray’d he: "O Reed-hut, O Reed-hut!

¹⁹Wall, wall! Hearken, O Reed-hut, consider, O Wall! O thou Mortal,

²⁰Thou of Shurippak, thou scion of Ubara-Tutu, a dwelling

²¹Pull down, (and) fashion a vessel (therewith); abandon possessions,

²²Life do thou seek, (and) thy hoard disregard, and save life; every creature

²³Make to embark in the vessel. The vessel, which thou art to fashion,

²⁴Apt be its measure; its beam and its length be in due correspondence,

²⁵(Then) [on] the deep do thou launch it." And I—sooth, I apprehending,

²⁶(This wise) to Ea, my lord, did I speak: '[See], Lord, what thou sayest

²⁷Thus, do I honour, I'll do—(but) to city, to people, and elders

²⁸Am I, forsooth, to explain?' (Then) Ea made answer in speaking,

²⁹Saying to me—me, his henchman!—'Thou mortal, shalt speak to them this wise:

³⁰"’Tis me alone (?) whom Enlil so hateth that I in your city

³¹No (more) may dwell, nor turn my face unto the land which is Enlil's.

³²[I will go] down to the Deep, (there) dwelling with Ea, my [liege] lord,

³³(Wherefore) [on] you will he shower down plenty, yea, fowl [in great number(?)],

³⁴Booty of fish . . . . [and big] the harvest.

³⁵. . . . . . . . causing a plentiful rainfall (?) to come down upon you."'

³⁶________________________________

³⁷[(Then) when something] of morning had dawn’d . . . .

³⁸(Five lines mutilated).

³⁹Pitch did the children provide, (while) the strong brought [all] that was needful.

⁴⁰(Then) on the fifth day (after) I laid out the shape (of my vessel),

⁴¹Ten gar each was the height of her sides, in accord with her planning(?),

⁴²Ten gar to match was the size of her deck (?), and the shape of the forepart (?)

⁴³Did I lay down, (and) the same did I fashion; (aye), six times cross-pinn’d her,

⁴⁴Sevenfold did I divide her . . . ., divided her inwards

⁴⁵Ninefold: hammer’d the caulking within her, (and) found me a quant-pole,

⁴⁶(All) that was needful I added; the hull with six shar of bitumen

⁴⁷Smear’d I, (and) three shar of pitch [did I smear] on the inside; some people,

⁴⁸Bearing a vessel of grease, three shar of it brought (me); (and) one shar

⁴⁹(Out of this) grease did I leave, which the tackling (?) consumed; (and) the boatman

⁵⁰Two shar of grease stow’d away; (yea), beeves for the . . . I slaughter’d,

⁵¹Each day lambs did I slay: mead, beer, oil, wine, too, the workmen

⁵²[Drank] as though they were water , and made a great feast like the New Year,

⁵³(Five mutilated lines "I added salve for the hand(s)," "the vessel was finish’d . . . Shamash the great." "was difficult," " . . ? I caused to bring above and below," "two-thirds of it"):

⁵⁴________________________________

⁵⁵[All I possess’d I] laded aboard her; the silver I laded

⁵⁶All I possess'd; gold, all I possess’d I laded aboard her,

⁵⁷All I possess’d of the seed of all living [I laded aboard] her.

⁵⁸Into the ship I embark’d all my kindred and family (with me),

⁵⁹Cattle (and) beasts of the field (and) all handicraftsmen embarking.

⁶⁰(Then) decreed Shamash the hour: " . . . . (?)

⁶¹Shall in the night let a plentiful rainfall(?) pour down . . . .

⁶²(Then) do thou enter the vessel, and (straightway) shut down thy hatchway."

⁶³Came (then) that hour (appointed), . . . . . . (?)

⁶⁴Did in the night let a plentiful rainfall(?) pour down . . . . (?)

⁶⁵View’d I the aspect of day: to look on the day bore a horror,

⁶⁶(Wherefore) I enter’d the vessel, and (straightway) shut down my hatchway,

⁶⁷(So, too) to shut down the vessel to Puzur-Amurri (?), the boatman,

⁶⁸Did I deliver the poop (of the ship), besides its equipment.

⁶⁹________________________________

⁷⁰(Then), when something of dawn had appear’d, from out the horizon

⁷¹Rose a cloud darkling; (lo), Adad (the storm-god) was rumbling within it,

⁷²Nabu and Sharru were leading the vanguard, and coming as heralds

⁷³Over the hills and the levels: (then) Irragal wrench’d out the bollards;

⁷⁴Havoc Ninurta let loose as he came, th’ Anunnaki their torches

⁷⁵Brandish’d, and shrivell’d the land with their flames; desolation from Adad

⁷⁶Stretch’d to (high) Heaven, (and) all that was bright was turn’d into darkness.

⁷⁷(Four lines mutilated "the land like . . .," "for one day the st[orm] . . ., " "fiercely blew . . . . " "like a battle . . . ").

⁷⁸Nor could a brother distinguish his brother; from heaven were mortals

⁷⁹Not to be spied. O, were stricken with terror the gods at the Deluge,

⁸⁰Fleeing, they rose to the Heaven of Anu, and crouch’d in the outskirts,

⁸¹Cow 'ring like curs were the gods (while) like to a woman in travail

⁸²Ishtar did cry, she shrieking aloud, (e’en) the sweet-spoken Lady

⁸³(She of the gods): 'May that day turn to dust, because I spake evil

⁸⁴(There) in th’ Assemblage of Gods! O, how could I utter (such) evil

⁸⁵(There) in the Assemblage of Gods, (so) to blot out my people, ordaining

⁸⁶Havoc! Sooth, then, am I to give birth, unto (these) mine own people

⁸⁷Only to glut (with their bodies) the Sea as though they were fish-spawn?'

⁸⁸Gods—Anunnaki—wept with her, the gods were sitting (all) humbled,

⁸⁹(Aye), in (their) weeping, (and) closed were their lips amid(?)]the Assemblage.

⁹⁰Six days, a se’nnight the hurricane, deluge, (and) tempest continued

⁹¹Sweeping the land: when the seventh day came, were quelléd the warfare,

⁹²Tempest (and) deluge which like to an army embattail’d were fighting.

⁹³Lull’d was the sea, (all) spent was the gale, assuaged was the deluge,

⁹⁴(So) did I look on the day; (lo), sound was (all) still’d; and all human

⁹⁵Back to (its) clay was return’d, and fen was level with roof-tree.

⁹⁶(Then) I open’d a hatchway, and down on my cheek stream’d the sunlight,

⁹⁷Bowing myself, I sat weeping, my tears o’er my cheek(s) overflowing,

⁹⁸Into the distance I gazed, to the furthest bounds of the Ocean,

⁹⁹Land was uprear’d at twelve (points), and the Ark on the Mountain of Nisir

¹⁰⁰Grounded; the Mountain of Nisir held fast, nor gave lease to her shifting.

¹⁰¹One day, (nay,) two, did Nisir hold fast, nor give lease to her shifting.

¹⁰²Three days, (nay), four, did Nisir hold fast, nor give lease to her shifting,

¹⁰³Five days, (nay,) six, did Nisir hold fast, nor give lease to her shifting.

¹⁰⁴(Then), when the seventh day dawn’d, I put forth a dove, and released (her),

¹⁰⁵(But) to and fro went the dove, and return’d (for) a resting-place was not.

¹⁰⁶150 (Then) I a swallow put forth and released; to and fro went the swallow,

¹⁰⁷She (too) return’d, (for) a resting-place was not; I put forth a raven,

¹⁰⁸Her, (too,) releasing; the raven went, too, and th’ abating of waters

¹⁰⁹Saw; and she ate as she waded (and) splash’d, (unto me) not returning.

¹¹⁰Unto the four winds (of heaven) I freed (all the beasts), and an off’ring

¹¹¹Sacrificed, and a libation I pour’d on the peak of the mountain,

¹¹²Twice seven flagons devoting, (and) sweet cane, (and) cedar, and myrtle,

¹¹³Heap’d up beneath them; the gods smelt the savour, the gods the sweet savour

¹¹⁴Smelt; (aye,) the gods did assemble like flies o’er him making the off’ring.

¹¹⁵Then, on arriving, the Queen (of the gods) the magnificent jewels

¹¹⁶Lifted on high, which Anu had made in accord with her wishes;

¹¹⁷'O ye Gods! I will (rather) forget (this) my necklet of sapphires,

¹¹⁸Than not maintain these days in remembrance, nor ever forget them.

¹¹⁹(So), though (the rest of) the gods may present themselves at the off’ring,

¹²⁰Enlil (alone of the gods) may (himself) not come to the off’ring,

¹²¹Because he, unreasoning, brought on a deluge, and therefore my people

¹²²Unto destruction consign’d.'

¹²³Then Enlil, on his arrival,

¹²⁴Spied out the vessel, and (straightway) did Enlil burst into anger,

¹²⁵Swollen with wrath ’gainst the gods, the Igigi : 'Hath any of mortals

¹²⁶’Scaped? Sooth, never a man could have lived through (the welter of) ruin.'

¹²⁷(Then) did Ninurta make answer and speak unto warrior Enlil,

¹²⁸Saying: 'O, who can there be to devise such a plan, except Ea?

¹²⁹Surely, ’tis Ea is privy to ev’ry design.' Whereat Ea

¹³⁰Answer’d and spake unto Enlil, the warrior, saying: 'O chieftain

¹³¹Thou of the gods, thou warrior! How, forsooth, how (all) uncounsell’d

¹³²Couldst thou a deluge bring on? (Aye,) visit his sin on the sinner

¹³³Visit his guilt on the guilty, (but) O, have mercy, that (thereby)

¹³⁴He shall not be cut off; be clement, that he may not [perish].

¹³⁵O, instead of thy making a flood, let a lion come, man to diminish;

¹³⁶O, instead of thy making a flood, let a jackal come, man to diminish;

¹³⁷O, instead of thy making a flood, let a famine occur, that the country

¹³⁸May be [devour’d(?)]; instead of thy making a flood, let the Plague-god

¹³⁹Come and the people [o’erwhelm];

¹⁴⁰Sooth, indeed ’twas not I of the Great Gods the secret revealéd,

¹⁴¹(But) to th’ Abounding in Wisdom vouchsafed I a dream, and (in this wise)

¹⁴²He of the gods heard the secret. Deliberate, now, on his counsel'.

¹⁴³(Then) to the Ark came up Enlil; my hand did he grasp, and uplifted

¹⁴⁴Me, even me, and my wife, too, he raised, and, bent-kneed beside me,

¹⁴⁵Made her to kneel; our foreheads he touch’d as he stood there between us,

¹⁴⁶Blessing us; 'Uta-Napishtim hath hitherto only been mortal,

¹⁴⁷Now, indeed, Uta-Napishtim and (also) his wife shall be equal

¹⁴⁸Like to us gods; in the distance afar at the mouth of the rivers

¹⁴⁹Uta-Napishtim shall dwell'. (So) they took me and (there) in the distance

¹⁵⁰Caused me to dwell at the mouth of the rivers.

¹⁵¹But thee, as for thee, pray,

¹⁵²Who will assemble the gods for thy (need), that the life which thou seekest

¹⁵³Thou mayst discover? Come, fall not asleep for six days, aye, a se’nnight!"

¹⁵⁴(But Gilgamish is too mortal to resist even sleep).

¹⁵⁵(Then), while he sat on his haunches a sleep like a breeze breathed upon him.

¹⁵⁶Spake to her, Uta-Napishtim, yea, unto his wife: "O, behold him,

¹⁵⁷E’en the strong fellow who asketh for life, (how) hath breathéd upon him

¹⁵⁸Sleep like a breeze!" (Then) his wife unto Uta-Napishtim the Distant

¹⁵⁹Answer 'd: "O, touch him, and let the man wake, that the road he hath traversed

¹⁶⁰He may betake himself homeward in peace, that he by the portal

¹⁶¹Whence he fared forth may return to his land." Spake Uta-Napishtim,

¹⁶²(Yea), to his wife: "(How) the troubles of mortals do trouble thee also!

¹⁶³Bake then his flour (and) put at his head, but the time he is sleeping

¹⁶⁴On the house-wall do thou mark it. " (So straightway) she (did so), his flour

¹⁶⁵Baked she (and) set at his head, but the time he was sleeping she noted

¹⁶⁶On the house-wall. (So), first was collected his flour, (then) secondly sifted,

¹⁶⁷Thirdly, ’twas moisten’d, and fourthly she kneaded his dough, and so fifthly

¹⁶⁸Leaven she added, and sixthly ’twas baked; (then) seventh—he touch’d him,

¹⁶⁹All on a sudden, and (so from his slumber) awoke the (great) fellow!

¹⁷⁰________________________________

¹⁷¹Gilgamish unto him spake, (yea) to Uta-Napishtim the Distant:

¹⁷²"(Tell me), I pr’ythee (?), was 't thou, who when sleep was shower’d upon me

¹⁷³All on a sudden didst touch me, and (straightway) rouse me (from slumber)?"

¹⁷⁴Uta-Napishtim to Gilgamish [spake, (yea), unto him spake he]:

¹⁷⁵"Gilgamish, told was the tale of thy meal . . . and (then) did I wake thee:

¹⁷⁶['One'—was collected] thy flour: [(then) 'two']—it was sifted; (and) 'thirdly'—

¹⁷⁷Moisten’d: (and) 'fourthly'—she kneaded thy dough [(and) 'fifthly'] the leaven

¹⁷⁸Added: (and) 'sixthly'—’twas baked: [(and) 'seventh'] —’twas I on a sudden

¹⁷⁹Touch’d thee and thou didst awake." To Uta-Napishtim, the Distant,

¹⁸⁰Gilgamish answer'd: "O, [how] shall I act, (or) where shall I hie me,

¹⁸¹Uta-Napishtim? A Robber (from me) hath ravish’d my [courage,]

¹⁸²Death [in] my bed-chamber broodeth, and Death is wherever I [listen] ."

¹⁸³________________________________

¹⁸⁴[Spake] to [him, (yea),] to the boatman Ur-Shanabi Uta-Napishtim:

¹⁸⁵"’Tis thou, Ur-Shanabi . . . the crossing, will hate thee,

¹⁸⁶(Sooth), to all those who come to its marge, doth its marge set a limit:

¹⁸⁷(This) man for whom thou wert guide—are stains to cover his body,

¹⁸⁸Or shall a skin hide the grace of his limbs? Ur-Shanabi, take him,

¹⁸⁹Lead him to where he may bathe, that he wash off his stains in the water

¹⁹⁰(White) as the snow: let him cast off his pelt(s) that the sea may remove (them);

¹⁹¹Fair let his body appear: of his head be the fillet renewéd,

¹⁹²Let him, as clothes for his nakedness, garb himself in a mantle,

¹⁹³Such that, or ever he come to his city, and finish his journey,

¹⁹⁴No (sign of) age shall the mantle betray, but preserve (all) its freshness."

¹⁹⁵Wherefore Ur-Shanabi took him, and where he might bathe did he lead him,

¹⁹⁶Washing his stains in the [water] like snow, his pelt(s), [too], discarding,

¹⁹⁷So that the sea might bear them away; (and) his body appearéd

¹⁹⁸Fair; [of] his head he [the fillet] renewed, and himself in a mantle

¹⁹⁹Garb’d, as the clothes for his nakedness, [such that or ever his city

²⁰⁰Reach he], or ever he finish his journey, [the mantle betray not

²⁰¹Age, but] preserve [(all) its freshness].

²⁰²(So) into their vessel embarkéd

²⁰³Gilgamish, (aye), and Ur-Shanabi, launching (their) craft [on the billow],

²⁰⁴They themselves riding aboard (her).

²⁰⁵(The magic gift of restored youth).

²⁰⁶To Uta-Napishtim, the Distant ,

²⁰⁷Spake (then) his wife: "Came Gilgamish (hither) aweary with rowing,

²⁰⁸What wilt thou give wherewith he return to his land?" and the meanwhile

²⁰⁹Gilgamish, lifting his pole, was pushing the boat at the seashore.

²¹⁰(Then answer'd) Uta-Napishtim to him, (yea), [to] Gilgamish [spake he]:

²¹¹"Gilgamish, (hither) didst come (all) aweary with rowing; (O, tell me),

²¹²What shall I give thee (as gift) wherewith to return to thy country?

²¹³Gilgamish, I will reveal thee a hidden matter . . . I'll tell thee:

²¹⁴There is a plant like a thorn with its root (?) [deep down in the ocean],

²¹⁵Like unto those of the briar (in sooth) its prickles will scratch [thee],

²¹⁶(Yet) if thy hand reach this plant, [thou’lt surely find life (everlasting)] ."

²¹⁷(Then), when Gilgamish heard this, he loosen’d) [his girdle about him],

²¹⁸Bound heavy stones [on his feet], which dragg’d him down to the sea-deeps,

²¹⁹[Found he the plant]; as he seized on the plant, (lo), [its prickles did scratch him].

²²⁰Cut he the heavy stones [from his feet] that again it restore him

²²¹Unto its shore.

²²²________________________________

²²³Gilgamish spake to him, (yea), to the boatman Ur-Shanabi (this wise):

²²⁴"(Nay, but) this plant is a plant of great wonder(?), Ur-Shanabi," said he,

²²⁵"Whereby a man may attain his desire—I'll take it to Erech,

²²⁶(Erech), the high-wall’d, and give it to eat [unto . . . .].

²²⁷'Greybeard-who-turneth-to-man-in-his-prime' is its name and I'll eat it

²²⁸I myself, that again I may come to my youthful condition."

²²⁹(The Quest ends in Tragedy).

²³⁰Broke they their fast at the fortieth hour: at the sixtieth rested.

²³¹Gilgamish spied out a pool of cool water, (and) therein descending

²³²Bathed in the water. (But here was) a serpent who snuff’d the plant's fragrance,

²³³Darted he up [from the water (?)], and snatch’d the plant, uttering malison

²³⁴As he drew back. Then Gilgamish sate him, (and) burst into weeping.

²³⁵Over his cheeks flow’d his tears: to the boatman Ur -Shanabi [spake he(?)]

²³⁶"(Pr’ythee), [for] whom have toiléd mine arms, O Ur-Shanabi, (tell me),

²³⁷(Pr’ythee), for whom hath my heart's blood been spent? (yea), not for mine own self,

²³⁸Have I the guerdon achieved; (no), ’tis for an earth-lion (only)

²³⁹Have I the guerdon secured—(and) now at the fortieth hour

²⁴⁰(Such an) one reiveth (it)—O, when I open’d the sluice and . . .ed the attachment,

²⁴¹(Aye), I noted the sign (?) which to me was vouchsafed as a warning,

²⁴²Would I had turn’d and abandon’d the boat at the marge (of the ocean)!"

²⁴³Broke they their fast at the fortieth hour: at the sixtieth rested,

²⁴⁴(So in the end) to the middle of Erech, the high-wall’d, arrivéd.

²⁴⁵________________________________

²⁴⁶(The Pride of the Architect).

²⁴⁷Gilgamish spake to him, (yea), to the boatman Ur-Shanabi (this wise):

²⁴⁸"Do thou, Ur-Shanabi, go up and walk on the ramparts of Erech,

²⁴⁹Look on its base, and take heed of its bricks, if its bricks be not kiln-burnt,

²⁵⁰(Aye), and its ground-work be not bitumen, e’en seven courses,

²⁵¹One shar the city, (and) one shar the gardens, and one shar the (2)

²⁵². . . . the Temple of Ishtar, amass’d I three shar and . . . (?) of Erech .

¹Column I.

²(How the dead haunt the living).

³(Then), what time that the seine had pass’d through the Architect 's dwelling,

⁴(Aye, and) the net [had taken its toll] . . . . [said he]:

⁵"Lord, what [is’t I may do] . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

⁶(Now, what time that) the seine hath [pass’d through the Architect's dwelling],

⁷(Aye and) the net [hath taken its toll] . . . . . . . . . . . ."

⁸Gilgamish [unto him spake] . . . . . . . . . . . .

⁹"If unto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

¹⁰(About two lines wanting, in which Gilgamish presumably asks how the dead may be made to haunt the mourner).

¹¹"Gilgamish, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

¹²(The Mourner's Duty).

¹³"If to the . . . [thou drawest], unto the temple . . . . . . . . . .

¹⁴Raiment clean [shalt not don], (but) like to a townsman shalt . . . .

¹⁵Nor with sweet oil from the cruse be anointed, (lest) at its fragrance

¹⁶Round thee they gather: nor mayst thou set bow to the earth, (lest) around thee

¹⁷Circle those shot by the bow; nor a stick in thy hand mayst thou carry,

¹⁸(Lest) (stricken) ghosts should gibber against thee: nor shoe to thy footsole

¹⁹Put on, nor make on the ground a (loud) echo: thy wife, whom thou lovest,

²⁰Kiss (her) thou mayst not, thy wife whom thou hatest—thou mayst not chastise (her),

²¹(Aye, and) thy child whom thou lovest not kiss, nor thy child whom thou hatest

²²Mayst not chastise, (for) the mourning of earth doth hold thee enthralléd.

²³"She who dead lieth,

²⁴She who dead lieth,

²⁵Mother of Ninazu,

²⁶She who dead lieth,

²⁷No more with mantle are

²⁸Veil’d her fair shoulders,

²⁹No more her bosom

³⁰Drawn , like the lard cruse!"

³¹(Gilgamish by contravening these customs attempts to raise Enkidu).

³²(So) did he draw [the . . . to . . ., and came to the temples,

³³[Put on clean raiment] . . . (and) like to a townsman . . .

³⁴(Aye), with [sweet] oil from the cruse [was] anointed: (then) at [its] fragrance

³⁵Round him they gather 'd: the bow did he set (?) [to the earth], and around him

³⁶Circled the spirits, (yea,) those who were [shot] by the bow at him gibber’d,

³⁷[Carried] a stick in his hand [and the (stricken) ghosts at him gibber’d(?)].

³⁸[Put on] a shoe to [his foot-sole, and made on the ground a (loud)] echo.

³⁹[Kiss’d he] his wife [whom he lovéd, chastiséd his] wife whom he hated,

⁴⁰[Kiss’d he his child] whom he lovéd, chastiséd [his] child whom he hated.

⁴¹(Aye, in good sooth, ’twas) the mourning of earth which did hold him enthralléd:

⁴²"She who (dead) lieth,

⁴³[She who] (dead) lieth,

⁴⁴Mother of Ninazu,

⁴⁵She who (dead) lieth,

⁴⁶No (more) with mantle are

⁴⁷Veil’d [her] fair shoulders,

⁴⁸No (more) her bosom

⁴⁹Drawn, like the lard cruse."

⁵⁰Cried(?) [he] (for) Enkidu out of the earth to ascend: "[Not] (the Plague-god),

⁵¹Namtar, hath [seized] him, nor fever, (but only) the earth: nor the Croucher,

⁵²[Nergal], the ruthless, hath seized him, (but only) the earth: neither fell he

⁵³There where was [battle] of mortals; ’twas only the earth [which hath seized him.] "3

⁵⁴(So) . . . for his servitor Enkidu sorrow’d the offspring of Nin-sun,

⁵⁵(Aye), as he went all alone unto [Ekur], the temple of Enlil:

⁵⁶"[Enlil], (my) Father, (’tis now) that the seine hath stricken me also,

⁵⁷Down to the earth—the net to the earth hath stricken me also.

⁵⁸Enkidu ’tis—whom [I pray thee] to raise [from the earth]—not (the Plague-god),

⁵⁹Namtar, hath seized him, nor fever, [but only the earth]: nor the Croucher,

⁶⁰Nergal, the ruthless, hath seized shim, but only the earth]: [neither fell he]

⁶¹There where was battle of mortals: [’twas only the earth which hath seized him]."

⁶²(But) no answer did Enlil, the father vouchsafe.

⁶³[To the Moon-god he hied him (?)]:

⁶⁴"Moon-god, (my) Father, (’tis now) that the seine [hath stricken me also,

⁶⁵Down to the earth]—the net [to the earth hath stricken me also].

⁶⁶Enkidu ’tis—whom [I pray thee] to raise [from the earths—not (the Plague-god),

⁶⁷Namtar, hath seized him, [nor] fever, [but only the earth: nor] the Croucher,

⁶⁸Nergal, [the ruthless, hath seized him, but only the earth]: [neither fell he]

⁶⁹There where [was battle of mortals: ’twas only the earth which hath seized him."

⁷⁰[(But) no answer the Moon-god vouchsafed:

⁷¹(Then) to Ea he hied him:]

⁷²["Ea, (my) Father, ’tis now that the seine hath stricken me also,]

⁷³[Down to the earth—the net to the earth hath stricken me also.]

⁷⁴[Enkidu ’tis,—whom I pray thee to raise from the earth—not (the Plague-god),]

⁷⁵Nam[tar, hath seized him, nor fever, but only the earth: nor] the Croucher,

⁷⁶Nergal, the ruthless, [hath seized him, but only the earth: neither fell he]

⁷⁷There where was battle of mortals: [’twas only the earth which hath seized him]."

⁷⁸Ea, the father, [gave ear (and) to Nergal], the warrior-hero,

⁷⁹[Spake he]: "O Nergal, O warrior-hero, [give ear to my speaking(?)]!

⁸⁰[Ope now,] a hole [in the earth], that the spirit of [Enkidu, (rising)],

⁸¹[May from the earth issue forth, and so have speech] with [his] brother."

⁸²Nergal, the warrior-hero, [gave ear to the speaking of Ea],

⁸³Oped, then, a hole in the earth, and the spirit of Enkidu issued

⁸⁴Forth from the earth like a wind. They embraced and . . . . .

⁸⁵Communed together, mourning.

⁸⁶"Tell, O my friend, O tell, O my friend, (O) tell (me, I pr’y thee),

⁸⁷What thou hast seen of the laws of the Underworld?" "(Nay, then,) O comrade;

⁸⁸I will not tell thee, (yea,) I will not tell thee—(for), were I to tell thee,

⁸⁹What I have seen of the laws of the Underworld,—sit thee down weeping!"

⁹⁰"(Then) let me sit me down weeping."

⁹¹(The wretched lot of all who must die).

⁹²"(So be it): [the friend(?)] thou didst fondle

⁹³(Thereby) rejoicing thee—[into his body(?), as though ’twere a] mantle

⁹⁴Old, hath the worm made its entry: (in sooth, then) [the bride(?)] thou didst fondle,

⁹⁵(Thereby) rejoicing thee—fill’d with the dust [is her body] . . . .

⁹⁶. . . . he hath spoken and [into the"' ground (?) is he sunken,

⁹⁷. . . he hath spoken and [into the ground (?) is he sunken."

⁹⁸"[He who fell in . . . .]

⁹⁹[Didst thou see him?]." "(Aye), I saw . . . ."

¹⁰⁰(About seventeen lines missing).

¹⁰¹"As a pillar beautiful

¹⁰²[Props?] an inner por[tico (?)] . . .

¹⁰³(About twenty-five lines missing).

¹⁰⁴"He who falleth from a pole

¹⁰⁵Didst thou see him? "(Aye), I saw]:

¹⁰⁶Straightway for . . . .

¹⁰⁷By removal of a plug . . . . . ."

¹⁰⁸"He whom death . . . . . . . . .

¹⁰⁹"Didst thou see him?" "[(Aye) I saw]:

¹¹⁰He's at rest upon a couch,

¹¹¹Limpid water doth he drink."

¹¹²"(Then, the hero) slain in fight,

¹¹³Didst thou see him?" "(Aye) I saw:

¹¹⁴Father, mother raise his head,

¹¹⁵O’er him wife [in bitter woe]."

¹¹⁶"He whose corpse in desert lieth,

¹¹⁷Hast thou seen him?" "(Aye), I saw;

¹¹⁸Not in earth doth rest his spirit."

¹¹⁹"He whose ghost hath none to tend,

¹²⁰Didst thou see him?" "(Aye), I saw,

¹²¹Lees of cup, and broken bread

¹²²Thrown into the street he eateth."