Epic of Gilgamesh

Gish sought to interpret the dream; Spoke to his mother: "My mother, during my night I became strong and moved about among the heroes; And from the starry heaven A meteor(?) of Anu fell upon me: I bore it and it grew heavy upon me, I became weak and its weight I could not endure. The land of Erech gathered about it. The heroes kissed its feet. It was raised up before me. They stood me up. I bore it and carried it to thee." The mother of Gish, who knows all things, Spoke to Gish: "Some one, O Gish, who like thee In the field was born and Whom the mountain has reared, Thou wilt see (him) and [like a woman(?)] thou wilt rejoice. Heroes will kiss his feet. Thou wilt spare [him and wilt endeavor] To lead him to me." He slept and saw another Dream, which he reported to his mother: ["My mother,] I have seen another [Dream.] My likeness I have seen in the streets [Of Erech] of the plazas. An axe was brandished, and They gathered about him; And the axe made him angry. I saw him and I rejoiced, I loved him as a woman, I embraced him. I took him and regarded him As my brother." The mother of Gish, who knows all things, [Spoke to Gish]: ["O Gish, the man whom thou sawest,] [Whom thou didst embrace like a woman].

(means) that he is to be associated with thee." Gish understood the dream. [As] Enki[du] was sitting before the woman, [Her] loins(?) he embraced, her vagina(?) he opened. [Enkidu] forgot the place where he was born. Six days and seven nights Enkidu continued To cohabit with [the courtesan]. [The woman] opened her [mouth] and Spoke to Enkidu: "I gaze upon thee, O Enkidu, like a god art thou! Why with the cattle Dost thou [roam] across the field? Come, let me lead thee into [Erech] of the plazas, to the holy house, the dwelling of Anu, O, Enkidu arise, let me conduct thee To Eanna, the dwelling of Anu, The place [where Gish is, perfect] in vitality. And thou [like a wife wilt embrace] him. Thou [wilt love him like] thyself. Come, arise from the ground (that is) cursed." He heard her word and accepted her speech. The counsel of the woman Entered his heart. She stripped off a garment, Clothed him with one. Another garment She kept on herself. She took hold of his hand. Like [a god(?)] she brought him To the fertile meadow, The place of the sheepfolds. In that place they received food; [For he, Enkidu, whose birthplace was the mountain,] [With the gazelles he was accustomed to eat herbs,] [With the cattle to drink water,] [With the water beings he was happy.] (Perhaps one additional line missing.)

Milk of the cattle He was accustomed to suck. Food they placed before him, He broke (it) off and looked And gazed. Enkidu had not known To eat food. To drink wine He had not been taught. The woman opened her mouth and Spoke to Enkidu: "Eat food, O Enkidu, The provender of life! Drink wine, the custom of the land!" Enkidu ate food Till he was satiated. Wine he drank, Seven goblets. His spirit was loosened, he became hilarious. His heart became glad and His face shone. [The barber(?)] removed The hair on his body. He was anointed with oil. He became manlike. He put on a garment, He was like a man. He took his weapon; Lions he attacked, (so that) the night shepherds could rest. He plunged the dagger; Lions he overcame. The great [shepherds] lay down; Enkidu was their protector. The strong man, The unique hero, To [the shepherds(?)] he speaks: (About five lines missing.)

(About eight lines missing.) Making merry. He lifted up his eyes, He sees the man. He spoke to the woman: "O, courtesan, lure on the man. Why has he come to me? His name I will destroy." The woman called to the man Who approaches to him and he beholds him. "Away! why dost thou [quake(?)] Evil is the course of thy activity." Then he opened his mouth and Spoke to Enkidu: "[To have (?)] a family home Is the destiny of men, and The prerogative(?) of the nobles. For the city(?) load the workbaskets! Food supply for the city lay to one side! For the King of Erech of the plazas, Open the hymen(?), perform the marriage act! For Gish, the King of Erech of the plazas, Open the hymen(?), Perform the marriage act! With the legitimate wife one should cohabit. So before, As well as in the future. By the decree pronounced by a god, From the cutting of his umbilical cord (Such) is his fate." At the speech of the hero His face grew pale. (About three lines missing.)

(About six lines missing.) [Enkidu] went [in front], And the courtesan behind him. He entered into Erech of the plazas. The people gathered about him. As he stood in the streets Of Erech of the plazas, The men gathered, Saying in regard to him: "Like the form of Gish he has suddenly become; shorter in stature. [In his structure high(?)], powerful, .......... overseeing(?) In the land strong of power has he become. Milk of cattle He was accustomed to suck." Steadily(?) in Erech ..... The heroes rejoiced. He became a leader. To the hero of fine appearance, To Gish, like a god, He became a rival to him. For Ishhara a couch Was stretched, and Gish [lay down, and afterwards(?)] In the night he fled. He approaches and [Enkidu stood] in the streets. He blocked the path of Gish. At the exhibit of his power, (About three lines missing.)

(About four lines missing.) Strong(?) ... Gish Against him [Enkidu proceeded], [His hair] luxuriant. He started [to go] Towards him. They met in the plaza of the district. Enkidu blocked the gate With his foot, Not permitting Gish to enter. They seized (each other), like oxen, They fought. The threshold they demolished; The wall they impaired. Gish and Enkidu Seized (each other). Like oxen they fought. The threshold they demolished; The wall they impaired. Gish bent His foot to the ground, His wrath was appeased, His breast was quieted. When his breast was quieted, Enkidu to him Spoke, to Gish: "As a unique one, thy mother bore thee. The wild cow of the stall, Ninsun, Has exalted thy head above men. Kingship over men Enlil has decreed for thee. Second tablet, enlarged beyond [the original(?)]. 240 lines.

.................. (my friend?) [Something] that is exceedingly difficult, [Why] dost thou desire [to do this?] .... something (?) that is very [difficult (?)], [Why dost thou] desire [to go down to the forest]? A message [they carried] among [men] They carried about. They made a .... .............. they brought .............................. .............................. (About 17 lines missing.) ............................. ................... my friend ................ they raised ..... answer [they returned.] [To] the woman They proceeded to the overthrowing

(About eleven lines missing.) .......... name(?) ............. [The one who is] a rival [to him] subdue and ................ Wailing ................ The mother [of Gish, who knows everything] Before [Shamash raised her hand] Who Now(?) [why] hast thou stirred up the heart for my son, [Restlessness imposed upon him (?)] ............................ (About four lines missing.) The eyes [of Enkidu filled with tears]. [He clutched] his heart; [Sadly(?)] he sighed. [The eyes of En]kidu filled with tears. [He clutched] his heart; [Sadly(?)] he sighed. The face [of Gish was grieved]. [He spoke] to Enkidu: ["My friend, why are] thy eyes [Filled with tears]? Thy [heart clutched] Dost thou sigh [sadly(?)]?" [Enkidu opened his mouth] and spoke to Gish: "Attacks, my friend, have exhausted my strength(?). My arms are lame, my strength has become weak." Gish opened his mouth and spoke to Enkidu: (About four lines missing.)

..... [until] Huwawa, [the terrible], ........................ ............ [I destroyed]. [I will go down to the] cedar forest, ................... the jungle ............... tambourine (?) ................ I will open it. Enkidu opened his mouth and spoke to Gish: "Know, my friend, in the mountain, when I moved about with the cattle to a distance of one double hour into the heart of the forest, [Alone?] I penetrated within it, [To] Huwawa, whose roar is a flood, whose mouth is fire, whose breath is death. Why dost thou desire To do this? To advance towards the dwelling(?) of Huwawa?" Gish opened his mouth and [spoke to Enkidu: "... [the covering(?)] I will destroy. ....[in the forest] .................... .................... To ................. The dwelling [of Huwawa] The axe .......... Thou .......... I will [go down to the forest]." Enkidu opened his mouth and spoke to [Gish:] "When [together(?)] we go down To the [cedar] forest, whose guardian, O warrior Gish, a power(?) without [rest(?)], Huwawa, an offspring(?) of .... Adad ...................... He ........................

To keep safe [the cedar forest], [Enlil has decreed for it] seven-fold terror." Gish [opened] his mouth and spoke to [Enkidu]: "Whoever, my friend, overcomes (?) [terror(?)], it is well (for him) with Shamash for the length of [his days]. Mankind will speak of it at the gates. Wherever terror is to be faced, Thou, forsooth, art in fear of death. Thy prowess lacks strength. I will go before thee. Though thy mouth calls to me; "thou art afraid to approach." If I fall, I will establish my name. Gish, the corpse(?) of Huwawa, the terrible one, has snatched (?) from the time that My offspring was born in ...... The lion restrained (?) thee, all of which thou knowest. ........................ .............. thee and ................ open (?) ........ like a shepherd(?) ..... [When thou callest to me], thou afflictest my heart. I am determined [to enter] the cedar forest. I will, indeed, establish my name. [The work(?)], my friend, to the artisans I will entrust. [Weapons(?)] let them mould before us." [The work(?)] to the artisans they entrusted. A dwelling(?) they assigned to the workmen. Hatchets the masters moulded: Axes of 3 talents each they moulded. Lances the masters moulded; Blades(?) of 2 talents each, A spear of 30 mina each attached to them. The hilt of the lances of 30 mina in gold Gish and [Enki]du were equipped with 10 talents each .......... in Erech seven its .... ....... the people heard and .... [proclaimed(?)] in the street of Erech of the plazas. ..... Gis [brought him out(?)] [In the street (?)] of Erech of the plazas [Enkidu(?)] sat before him ..... [thus] he spoke: "........ [of Erech] of the plazas ............ [before him]

Gish of whom they speak, let me see! whose name fills the lands. I will lure him to the cedar forest, Like a strong offspring of Erech. I will let the land hear (that) I am determined to lure (him) in the cedar (forest) . A name I will establish." The elders of Erech of the plazas brought word to Gish: "Thou art young, O Gish, and thy heart carries thee away. Thou dost not know what thou proposest to do. We hear that Huwawa is enraged. Who has ever opposed his weapon? To one [double hour] in the heart of the forest, Who has ever penetrated into it? Huwawa, whose roar is a deluge, whose mouth is fire, whose breath is death. Why dost thou desire to do this? To advance towards the dwelling (?) of Huwawa?" Gish heard the report of his counsellors. He saw and cried out to [his] friend: "Now, my friend, thus [I speak]. I fear him, but [I will go to the cedar forest(?)]; I will go [with thee to the cedar forest]. (About five lines missing.) .............................. May ................... thee Thy god may (?) ........ thee; On the road may he guide [thee in safety(?)]. At the rampart of [Erech of the plazas], Gish kneeled down [before Shamash(?)], A word then he spoke [to him]: "I will go, O Shamash, [thy] hands [I seize hold of]. When I shall have saved [my life], Bring me back to the rampart [in Erech]. Grant protection [to me ?]!" Gish cried, "[my friend] ...... His oracle .................. ........................ ........................ ........................ When (?) (About two lines missing.)

"[I(?)] Gish, the strong one (?) of the land. ...... A road which I have never [trodden]; ........ food ...... do not (?) know. [When] I shall have succeeded, [I will praise] thee in the joy of my heart, [I will extol (?)] the superiority of thy power, [I will seat thee] on thrones." .................. his vessel(?) The masters [brought the weapons (?)]; [bow] and quiver They placed in hand. [He took] the hatchet. ................. his quiver. ..... [to] the god(?) a second time [With his lance(?)] in his girdle, ......... they took the road. [Again] they approached Gish! "[How long] till thou returnest to Erech?" [Again the elders] approached him. [For] the road they counselled Gis: "Do [not] rely, O Gish, on thy strength! Provide food and save thyself! Let Enkidu go before thee. He is acquainted with the way, he has trodden the road [to] the entrance of the forest. of Huwawa all of them his ...... [He who goes] in advance will save the companion. Provide for his [road] and [save thyself]! (May) Shamash [carry out] thy endeavor! May he make thy eyes see the prophecy of thy mouth. May he track out (for thee) the closed path! May he level the road for thy treading! May he level the mountain for thy foot! During thy night the word that wilt rejoice may Lugal-banda convey, and stand by thee in thy endeavor! Like a youth may he establish thy endeavor! In the river of Huwawa as thou plannest, wash thy feet! Round about thee dig a well! May there be pure water constantly for thy libation Goblets of water pour out to Shamash! [May] Lugal-banda take note of it!" [Enkidu] opened his mouth and spoke to Gish: "[Since thou art resolved] to take the road. Thy heart [be not afraid,] trust to me! [Confide] to my hand his dwelling(?)!" [on the road to] Huwawa they proceeded. ....... command their return (Three lines missing.)