The Epic of Gilgamesh (Complete Audiobook, Unabridged)

the epic of gilgamesh prologue Gilgamesh King and Erik I will proclaim to the world the deeds of Gilgamesh this was the man to whom all things were known this was the king who knew the countries of the world he was wise he saw mysteries and knew secret things he brought us a tale of the days before the flood he went on a long journey was weary worn out with the labor returning he rested he engraved on a stone the whole story when the gods created Gilgamesh they gave him the perfect body shamash the glorious Sun endowed him with beauty a dad the god of storm in doubt him courage the great gods made his beauty perfect surpassing all others terrifying like a great wild bull 2/3 they made in God and one third man in Erik he built walls a great rampart and the temple of blessed Yana for the God of the firmament anew and for Ishtar the goddess of love look at it still today the outer wall where the cornice runs it shines with the brilliance of copper and the inner wall it has no equal touch the threshold it is ancient approach Janna the dwelling of Ishtar Our Lady of love and war and like which no latter-day king no man alive can equal climb upon the wall of work walk along it I say regard the foundation terrace and examine the masonry is it's not burns brick and good the seven sages laid the foundations one the coming of Enkidu Gilgamesh went abroad in the world that he met with none who could withstand his arms till he came to Erik but the men of Erik muttered in their houses Gilgamesh sounds the toxin for his amusement his arrogance has no bounds by day all night no son is left with his father for Gilgamesh takes them all even the children yet the king should be a shepherd to his people his lust leaves no virgin to her lover neither the Warriors daughter nor the wife of a noble yet this is the Shepherd of the city wise comely and resolute the gods heard they lament the gods of heaven cried to the Lord of Iraq to a new the god of work a goddess made him strong as a savage Bowl none can withstand his arms no son is left with his father for Gilgamesh takes them all and this is the King the Shepherd of his people his lust leaves no virgin to her lover neither the Warriors daughter nor the wife of the noble when a new heard their lamentation to the gods cried to her oh the goddess of creation you made him Oh a rule now creates his equal let it be like him as his own reflection his second self stole my heart for stole be heart let them contend together and leave Herick in quiet so the goddess conceived an image in her mind and it was of the stuff of Anu of the firmament she dipped her hands in water and pinched off clay she let it fall in the wilderness and the noble Enkidu was created there was virtue in him of the God of War live an inert sir himself his body was rough he had long hair like a woman's it waved like the hair of nice ABBA the goddess of corn his body was covered with matted hair like samu Ganz the god of cattle he was innocent of mankind he knew nothing of the cultivated land Enkidu ate grass and the hills with the gazelle and lurked with the wild beasts at the waterholes he had the joy of the water with the herds of wild game but there was a trapper who met him one day face to face at the drinking hole for the wild game and entered his territory on three days he met him face to face and the trapper was frozen in fear he went back to his house with the game that he had caught and he was done benumbed with terror his face was altered like that of one who has made a long journey with all his hearts he spoke to his father father there is a man unlike any other who comes down from the hills he is the strongest in the world he is like an immortal from heaven he ranges over the hills with the wild beasts and eats grass the ranges through your land and comes down to the wells I am afraid and dare not go near him he fills the pits which I dig and tears up my traps I set for the game he helps the beasts to escape and now they slip through my fingers his father opened his mouth and said to the trapper my son in Eric lives Gilgamesh no one has ever prevailed against him he is as strong as a star from heaven go to work find Gilgamesh extol the strengths of this wild man ask him to give you a harlot a wanton from the temple of love return with her and let her woman's power overpower this man when next he comes down to drink the wells she will be there stripped naked and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her and then the wild beasts will reject him so the trapper set out on his journey to a rug and addressed himself to Gilgamesh saying a man unlike any other is now roaming in the pastures he is as strong as a star from heaven and I'm afraid to approach him he helps the wild game to escape he fills my pits and pulls up my traps Gilgamesh said trapper take back with your harlots a child of pleasure and the drinking hole she will strip and when he sees her beckoning he will embrace her and the game of the wilderness will surely reject him now the trapper returned taking the harlot with him after a three day's journey they came to the drinking hole and there they sat down the harlot and the trapper sat facing one another and waited for the game to come for the first day and the second day the two sat waiting but on the third day the herds came they came to it down to drink and then canoe was with them the small wild creatures of the plains were glad of the water and then can do with them who ate the grass with the gazelle and was born in the hills and she saw him the savage man come from the far off in the Hills the trapper spoke to her there he is now woman make your breasts bare and have no shame do not delay but welcome his love lets him see you new kid lets him possess your body when he comes near uncover yourself and lie with him teach him the savage man your woman's arse for when he murmurs love to you the wild beasts that shared his life in the Hills will reject him she was not ashamed to take him she made herself naked and welcomed his eagerness as he lay on her murmuring love she told him the woman's art for six days and seven nights they lay together for Enkidu had forgotten his home in the Hills but when he was satisfied he went back to the wild beasts then when the Gazelle saw him they bolted away when the wild creature saw him they fled Enkidu would have followed but his body was bound as though with a cord his knees gave way when he started to run his swiftness was gone and now the wild creatures had all fled away Enkidu is grown weak for wisdom was in him and the thoughts of a man were in his heart so he returned and sat down at the woman's feet and listened intently to what she said you are wise Enka do and now you have become like a god why do you want to run wild with the beasts of the Hills come with me I will take you to strong walled work to the Blessed temple of Ishtar and Avenue of love and of heaven there Gilgamesh lives who is very strong and like a wild bull he Lords it over men when she's spoken Enkidu was pleased he longed for a comrade for one who can understand his heart come woman and take me to that holy temple to the house of a new initiative and to the place where Gilgamesh Lords it over the people I will challenge him boldly I will cry out aloud in rook I am the strongest here I have come to change the old order I am he who was born in the hills I am he who is strongest of all she said let us go let him see your face I know very well where Gilgamesh is in great a rook Oh anchor do there all the people are dressed in their gorgeous robes every day is holiday the young men and girls are wonderful see how sweet they smell all the great ones are roused from their beds Oh Anka do you who love life I will show you Gilgamesh a man of many moods you shall look at him well in his radiant manhood his body is perfect in strength and maturity he never rests by night or day he is stronger than you so leave your boasting shamash the glorious Sun has given favors to Gilgamesh and a new of the heavens and Enlil an ear the wise has given him deep understanding tell you even before you have left the wilderness Gilgamesh will know in his dreams that you are coming now Gilgamesh got up to tell his dream to his mother ninh son one of the wise gods mother last night I had a dream I was full of joy the young heroes around me and I walked through the nights under the stars of the firmament and won a meteor of the stuff of a new fell down from heaven I tried to lift it but it proved too heavy all of the people of Uruk came around to see it the common people jostle dand the nobles thronged to kiss its feet and to me its attraction was like the love of a woman they helped me I braced my forehead and I raised it with thongs and I brought it to you and you yourself pronounced it my brother then in son who was well beloved and wise said to Gilgamesh this star of heaven which descended like a meteor from the sky which he tried to lift but found too heavy when you tried to move it it would not budge and so you brought it to my feet I made it for you a golden spur and you were drawn to it although to a woman this is the strong comrade the one who brings help to his friend in need he is the strongest of wild creatures the stuff of a new born in the grasslands and the wild hills reared him when you see him you'll be glad you will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you this is the meaning of the dream Gilgamesh said mother I have dreamed a second dream in the streets of strong world Erik valayan axe the shape of it was strange and the people formed around I saw it and was glad I bent down deeply drawn towards it I loved it like a woman and I wore it at my side ninh son answered that axe which you saw which drew so powerfully like the love of a woman that is the comrade who I've give to you and he will come in his strength like one of the hosts of heaven he is the brave companion who rescues his friend in necessity Gilgamesh said to his mother a friend a counselor has come to me from Enlil and now I shall befriend and counsel him so Gilgamesh told his dreams and the harlot retold them - Enkidu and now she said to Enkidu when I look at you you have become like a God why do you yearn to run wild again with the beasts in the hills get up from the ground the bed of a shepherd he listens her words with care it was good advice that she gave she divided her clothing into and with one half she clothed him and with the other herself and holding his hand she led him like a child to the sheep folds into the Shepherd's tents there all the shepherds crowded around see him they put down bread in front of him but Enkidu could only suck the milk of wild animals he fumbled and gaped at a loss what to do or how he should eat the bread and drink the strong wine then the woman said Enkidu eat bread it is the stuff of life drink the wine it is the custom of the land so he ate till he was full and drank strong wine seven gobblers he became merry his heart exalted and his face Sean he rubbed down the matted hair of his body and anointed himself with oil Enkidu had become a man but when he had put on man's clothing he appeared like a bridegroom he took arms to hunt the lion so the Shepherd's could rest at night he called wolves and lions and the herdsmen lay down in peace for Enkidu was their watchman that strong man who had no rival he was Mary living with the Shepherd's till one day lifting his eyes he saw a man approaching he said to the harlot woman fetch that man here why has he come I wish to know his name she went and called the man saying sir where are you going on this weary journey the man answers saying to Inka do Gilgamesh has gone to the Merrit house and shut out the people he does strange things in work the city of great streets at the role of the drum work begins for the men and work for the women Gilgamesh the king is about to celebrate marriage with the queen of love and he still demands to be the first with the bride the king to be first in the husband to follow for that was ordained by the gods from his birth from the time the umbilical cord was cut but now the drums roll for the choice of the bride and the city grows at these words Enkidu turned white in the face I will go to the place where Gilgamesh Lords it over the people I will challenge him boldly I will cry aloud in work I have come to change the old order for I am the strongest here now Enkidu strode in front and the woman followed behind he entered Berg that great market and all the folk thronged around him where he stood in the street in strong world crook the people jostle speaking of him that they said he is the spit of Gilgamesh he is shorter he is bigger of bone this is the one reared on the milk of the wild beasts his is the greatest strength the men rejoiced now Gilgamesh has met his match this great one this hero whose beauty is like a God he is a match even for Gilgamesh in Erik the bridal bed was made fit for the goddess of love the bride waited for the bridegroom but in the nights Gilgamesh got up and came to the house then Enkidu stepped out he stood in the street and blocked away mighty Gilgamesh came on and Enkidu met him at the gate he put out his foot and prevented Gilgamesh from entering the house so they grappled holding each other like bowls they broke the door posts in the walls shook they snorted like bulls locked together they shattered the door posts and the walls shook Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on the ground and with the turn Enkidu was thrown then immediately his fury died when Enkidu was thrown he said to Gilgamesh there is not another like you in the world ninh son who is as strong as a wild ox and the buyer said she was the mother who bore you so now you were raised above all men and Enlil has given you the kingship for your strength surpasses the strength of man so Enkidu and Gilgamesh embraced and their friendship was sealed to the forest journey in middle of the mountain the father of the gods had decreed the destiny of Gilgamesh so Gilgamesh dreamed and Enkidu said the meaning of the dream is this the father of the gods has given you kingship such as your destiny everlasting life is not your destiny because of this do not be sad at heart do not be grieved or oppressed he has given you power to bind and to loose to be the darkness and the light of mankind he has given you an example supremacy over the people victory in battle from which no fugitive returns in forays and assaults from which there is no going back but did not abuse this power deal justly with your servants in the palace guild just leave before shamash the eyes of Enkidu were full of tears and his heart was sick he sighed bitterly and Gilgamesh met his eye and said my friend why do you sigh so bitterly but Enkidu opened his mouth and said I am weak my arms have lost their strength the cry of sorrow sticks in my throat I am oppressed by idleness it was then the Lord Gilgamesh turned his thoughts to the country of the living on the land of Cedars the Lord Gilgamesh reflected he said to his servant Enkidu I have not established my name stamped on bricks as my destiny decreed therefore I will go to the country with a cedar is felled I will set up my name in the place where the names of famous men are written and where no man's name is written yet I will raise a monument to the gods because of the evil that is in the land we will go into the forest and an evil friend the forest lives Humbaba his name is hugeness a ferocious Giants but Enkidu side bitterly and said when I went with the wild beasts ranging through the wilderness I discovered the forest its length is ten thousand leagues in every direction ml has appointed him barber to guard it and armed him with Sevenfold terrors terrible to all flesh is him Baba when he roars it is like the torrent of a storm his breath is like fire his jaws are death itself he guards the cedars so well that when the wild heifer stirs in the forest though she is sixty leagues distant he hears her what man would willingly walk into that country and explore its depths I tell you weakness overpowers whoever goes near it is not an equal struggle when one fights with him Baba he is a great warrior a battering ram Gilgamesh the watchman of the forest never sleeps Gilgamesh replied where is the man who can clamber to heaven only the gods live forever with glorious shamash but as for us men our days are numbered our occupations are a breath of wind how is this already you are afraid I will go first although I'm your Lord and you may safely call out for word there is nothing to fear then if I fall I leave behind me a name that endures men will say of me Gilgamesh has fallen in fight with ferocious and barber long after the child has been born in my house they will say it and remember anchored who spoke again to Gilgamesh o my lord if you will enter that country go first to the hero's shamash tell the sun-god for the land is his the country where the cedar is cut belongs to shamash Gilgamesh took up a kid white without spots and a brown worm with it and held them against his breast he carried them into the presence of the Sun he took in his hand a silver scepter and he said two glorious shamash I'm going through that country OSHA mash I am going my hands supplicates so let it be well with my soul and bring me back to the give a rook grant I beseech your protection let the omen be good glorious shamash answered Gilgamesh you are strong but what is the country of the living to you OSHA Mash hear me hear me Chumash let my voice be heard here in the city man dies oppressed at heart man perishes with despair in his heart I have looked over the wall and I see the bodies floating on the river and that will be my loss also indeed I know that it is so for whoever is tallest among men cannot reach the heavens and the greatest cannot encompass the earth therefore I would enter that country because I have not established my name stamped on brick as my destiny decreed I will go to that country with the cedar as cut I will set up my name with the names of famous man arisen and when no man's name is written I will raise a monument to the gods the tears ran down his face he said alas it is a long journey I must take to the land of him barber if this enterprise is not to be accomplished why did you move me shamash with a restless desire to perform it how can I succeed if you will not succor me and if I die in that country I will die without rancor but if I return I will make a glorious offering of gifts and of praise to shamash so shamash accepted the sacrifice of his tears like the compassionate man he showed him mercy he appointed strong allies for Gilgamesh sons of one mother has stationed them in mountain caves great winds he appointed the north wind the whirlwind the stone and the icy wind The Tempest and the scorching wind like Vipers like dragons like scorching fire like a serpent that freezes the heart a destroying flood and the Lightning's fork such were they and Gilgamesh rejoiced he went to the forge and said I will give orders to the armourers they shall cast us our weapons while we watch them so they gave orders to the armourers and craftsmen and sat down in conference they went to the groves of the plain and cut willow and boxwood they cast for them axes of now SCOR pounds and great swords they cast with blades of six score pounds each one with pommels and hilts of 30 pounds they cast her Gilgamesh the axe mite of heroes and the birth and Shan and Gilgamesh was armed and Enkidu with the weight of the arms they carried was 30 score pounds the people collected and the counselors in the streets in the market place of a rook they came to the gates of seven bolts and Gilgamesh spoke to them in the marketplace I Gilgamesh go to see that creature of whom such things are spoken the rumor of whose name fills the world I will conquer him in his cedar wood and show the strength of the sons of a rook and all the world shall know I am committed to this enterprise to climb the mountain to cut down the cedar to leave behind me an enduring name the counselors Ulrich the great market answered him Gilgamesh you are young and your courage carries you far you cannot know what this enterprise means which you have planned we have heard that Humbaba is not like men who die his weapons are such that none can stand against them the forest stretches for 10,000 leeks in every direction who would willingly go down to explore its depths as for Humbaba when he roars it is like the torrent of a storm his breath is like fire and his jaws are death itself why do you crave to do this thing Gilgamesh it is no equal struggle when one fights with Humbaba that battering ram when he heard these words of the counselors Gilgamesh looked at his friend and laughed how shall I answer them shall I say I am afraid of Humbaba I will sit at home all the rest of my days then Gilgamesh opened his mouth again and said to anchor do my friend let us go to the Great Palace to AG alma and stand before nin son the Queen nin son is wise with deep knowledge she will give us counsel for the road that we must go they took each other by the hand and they went to El Gama and they went tune in son the great Queen Gilgamesh approached he entered the palace and spoke din din son nin son will you listen to me I have a long journey to go to the land of ham Baba and I must travel an unknown road and fight a strange battle from the day I go until I return till I reach the cedar forest and destroy the evil which shamash a boars pray for me to shamash nin son went into her room she put on a dress becoming to her body she put on jewels to make her breasts beautiful she placed the tiara on her head and her skirts swept the ground then she went up to the altar of the Sun standing upon the roof of the palace she burnt incense and lifted her arms to shamash as the smoke ascended OSHA Maj why do you give this restless heart to Gilgamesh my son why did you give it you have moved him and now he sets out on a long journey to the land of Humbaba to travel an unknown road and fight a strange battle therefore from the day that he goes till the day he returns until he reaches the cedar forest until he kills him Baba and destroys the evil thing which you shamash a boar do not forget him but let the dawn ire your dear bride remind you always and when the day is done give him to the watchman of the night to keep him from harm then in son the mother of Gilgamesh extinguished the incense and she called to anchor do with this exhortation strong anchor do you are not the child of my body but I will receive you as my dotted son you are my other child like the foundlings they bring to the temple serve Gilgamesh and as a foundling serves the temple and priestesses who reared him in the presence of my women any voter ease and higher offense I declare it she then placed the amulet for a pledge around his neck and said to him I entrust my son to you bring him back to me safely and now they brought to land the weapons they put in their hands the great swords in the golden scabbards and the bow and the quiver Gilgamesh took the axe he slung the quiver from his shoulder and the Bur van shun and buckled the sword to his belt so they were armed and ready for the journey now all the people came and pressed on them and said well when will you return to the city the councillors blast Gilgamesh and warned him do not trust too much in your own strength be watchful restrain your blows at first the one who goes in front protects his companion the good guide who knows the way guards his friend let Enkidu leads the way he knows the road to the forest he has seen Humbaba and is experienced in battles let's impress first into the passes lets him be watchful and look to himself let's Enkidu protect his friend and guard his companion and bring him safe through the pitfalls of the road we the counselors of Uruk entrust our king to you Oh Enkidu bring him back safely to us again to Gilgamesh they said may shamash give you a heart's desire may he let you see with your eyes the thing accomplished which your lips have spoken may he open a path for you where it is blocked and a road for your feets to tread may he open the mountains for your crossing and may the nighttime bring you the blessings of nights and Lagonda your guardian guard stand beside you for victory may you have victory in battle as though you fought with a child wash your feet in the river of Humbaba to which you are journeying in the evening dig a well and let there always be pure water in your water skin offer cold water to shamash and do not forget the gull Bandar then anchor do opened his mouth and said forward there is nothing to fear follow me for I know the place where him bubble lives and the paths where he walks but the counselors go back that here is no cause for fear when the council has heard this they spared the hero on his way go Gilgamesh may your guardian god protect you on the road and bring you safely back to the key of her oak after 20 leagues they broke her fast after another 30 leagues they stopped for the night fifty leagues they walked in one day and in three days they had walked as much of a journey as a month and two weeks they crossed seven mountains before they came to the gates of the forest an ink dude called out to Gilgamesh do not go down into the forest when I opened the gate my hand lost its strength Gilgamesh answered him dear friend do not speak like a coward we have got the better of so many dangers and traveled so far to turn back at last you who are tried in wars and battles hold close to me now and you will feel no fear of death keep beside me and your weakness will pass the trembling will leave your hand would my friend rather stay behind no we will go down together into the heart of the forest let your courage be roused by the battle to come forget death and follow me a man resolute in action but one who is not foolhardy when two go together each will protect himself and shield his companion and if they fall they leave an enduring name together they went down into the forest and they came to the Green Mountain there they stood still they were struck dumb they stood still in gazed at the forest they saw the height of the cedar they saw the way into the forest and the track where him Baba used to walk the way was broad and the going was good they gazed at the mountain of Cedars the dwelling place of the gods and the throne of Ishtar the hugeness of the cedar rose in front of the mountain its shade was beautiful full of comforts mountain and glade were green with brushwood their Gilgamesh dug a well before the Setting Sun he went up to the mountain and poured out a fine meal on the ground and said o mountain dwelling of the gods bring me a favorable dream then they took each other by the hand and lay down to sleep and sleep that follows from the night slapped over them Gilgamesh dreamed at the midnight sleep he left him and he told his dream to his friend Enkidu what was it that woke me up if you did not my friend I have dreamed a dream get up and look at the mountain precipice the sleep that the gods sent me is broken are my friend what a dream I have had terror and confusion I seized hold of a wild bull in the wilderness it bellowed and beat up the dust until the whole sky was dark my arm was seized and my tongue bitten I fell back on my knee then someone refreshed me with water from his water skin Enkidu said dear friend the god to whom we am traveling is no wild bull though his form is mysterious that wild bond which you saw is shamash the protector in our moment of peril he will take our hands the one who gave water from his water skin that is your own God who cares for your good name your lugal bandha United with him together will accomplish a work of Fame which will never die Gilgamesh said I dreamed again we stood in the deep gorge of the mountain and beside it we too were like the smallest of swamp flies and suddenly the mountain fell it struck me and caught my feet from under me then came an intolerable light blazing out and then it was one whose grace and whose beauty were greater than the beauty of this world he pulled me out from under the mountain he gave me water to drink and my heart was comforted and he sent my feet on the ground then Enkidu child's of the plains said let us get down from the mountain and talk this thing over together he said to Gilgamesh the young God your dream is good your dream is excellent the mountain which you saw is Humbaba now surely we will seize and kill him and throw his body down as the mountain fell on the plane the next day after 20 leagues they broke their fast and after another 30 they stopped for the night they dug a well before the Sun had set and Gilgamesh ascended the mountain he poured out fine meal on the ground and said o mountain dwelling of the gods sent a dream for Enkidu make him a favorable dream the mountain fashioned a dream for Anka do it came an ominous dream a cold shower passed over him it caused him to cower like the mountain barley under a storm of rain but Gilgamesh sat with his chin on his knees to the sleep which flows of all mankind lapped over him then at midnight sleep left him he got up and said to his friend did you call me or why did I wake did you touch me why am i terrified did not some God pass by for my limbs and number fear my friend I saw a third dream and this dream was altogether frightful the heavens roared and the earth roared again daylight failed and the darkness fell lightning flashed and fire blazed out the clouds lowered they rained down death then the brightness departed the fire went out and always turned to ashes fallen about us let us go down from the mountain and talk this over and consider what we should do when they had come down from the mountain Gilgamesh seized the axe in his hand he felled the cedar when Humbaba heard the noise from far off he was enraged he cried out who is this that has violated my words and cut down my cedar but glorious shamash calls to them out of heaven go forward do not be afraid but now Gilgamesh was overcome with weakness for sleep had seized him suddenly a profound sleep held him he lay on the ground stretched out speechless as though in a dream when Enkidu touched him he did not rise when he spoke to him he did not reply o Gilgamesh Lord of the plane of calleb the world grows dark the shadows have spread over it and now as the glimmer of dusk shamash has departed his bright head is quenched in the bosom of his mother Ning Gow Oh Gilgamesh how long will you lie like this and sleep never let the mother who gave you birth be forced into mourning in the city square at length Gilgamesh heard him and put on his breastplate the voice of heroes of thirty shekels weight he puts it on as though it was a light garment that he carried and it covered him altogether he straddled the earth like a bull that snuffs the ground and his teeth were clenched by the life of my mother nin son who gave me birth on the life of my father divine legal bandha let me live to be the wonder of my mother as when she nursed me on her lap a second time he said him by the life of nin son my mother who gave me birth and by the life of my father divine dugal bandha until we have fought this man if man he is this God if God he is the way I took to the country of the living will not turn back to the city an nkd the faithful companion pleaded answering him o my lord you do not know this monster and that is the reason that you are not afraid I know him I am terrified his teeth are dragons fangs his countenance is like a lion his charge is the rushing of the flood and with his look he crushes a like the trees of the forest and the reeds of the swamp o my lord you may go on if you choose into thus land but I will go back to the city I will tell the lady your mother all your glorious deeds until she shouts for joy and then I will tell the death that followed until she weeps for bitterness but Gilgamesh said immolation and sacrifice are not yet for me the boat of the dead shall not go down nor the three ply cloth be cut for my shrouding not yet will my people be desolate nor the pie be lit in my house and my dwelling burns on the fire today give me your aid and you shall have mine what then can go amiss with us to all living creatures born of the flesh shall sit in the last boat of the West and when it sinks the boat of MAG Liam sinks and they are gone but we shall go forward and fix our eyes on the monster if your heart is fearful for a Wayfarer if there is terror in it throw away terror take your axe in your hand and attack he who leaves the fight unfinished is not at peace Imbaba came out of his strong house of cedar then anchored who called out o Gilgamesh remember your boasts and work forward attack son of a rook there is nothing to fear when he heard those words his courage rallied he answered make haste close in if the watchman is there do not let him escape the woods when he will vanish he has put on the first of his seven splendors but not yet the other six let us trap him before he is armed like a raging wild bull he snuffed the ground the watchman of the woods turned for threatenings he cried out and barber came from his house a strong cedar he nodded his head and shook it menacing Gilgamesh and on him he fastened his eye the eye of death then Gilgamesh called out to shamash and his tears were flowing Oh glorious shamash I have followed the road you've commanded but now if you send no sucker how shall I escape glorious shamash heard his prayer and he summoned the great wind the north wind the whirlwind the storm the icy wind the tempest and the scorching wind they came like dragons like a scorching fire like a serpent that freezes the heart a destroying flood and a lightnings Fork the eight winds rose up against Humbaba they beat against his eyes he was gripped unable to go forward or back Gilgamesh shouted by the life of ninh son my mother and deveined legal bond and my father in the country of the living in this land I have discovered your dwelling my weak arms of my small weapons I have brought into this land against you and now I will enter your house and so he felled the first cedar they cut the branches and laid them at the foot of the mountain at the first stroke Imbaba blazed out but still they advanced they felled seven Cedars and cut and bound branches and laid through at the foot of the mountain and seven times Imbaba loosed his glory upon them as the seventh blaze died out they've reached his lair he slapped his thigh in scorn he approached like a noble wild bull roped on the mountain a warrior whose elbows are bound together the tears started to his eyes and he was pale Gilgamesh let me speak I have never known a mother nor father who reared me I was born of the mountain he read me an EM mill made me the keeper of this forest let me go free Gilgamesh and I'll be your servant you shall be my lord and all the trees of the forest that I've tended on the mountain shall be yours I will cut them down and build your Palace he took him by the hand and led him to his house so the heart of Gilgamesh was moved with compassion he swore by the heavenly life by the earthly life by the underworld itself Oh Enkidu should not snared bird returned to its nest and the captive man returned to his mother's arms and kid who answered the strongest of men will fall to fate if he has no judgment namtar the evil fate that knows no distinction between men will devour him if the snare bird returns to its nest if the captive man returns to his mother's arms the new my friend will never return to the city where the mother is waiting who gave you birth he will bar the mountain road against you and make all the pathways impassable and baba said anchor do what you have spoken is evil you are hireling dependent for your bread in envy and for fear of a rival you have spoken evil words Enkidu said do not listen Gilgamesh this Humbaba must die kill him barber first and his servants after but Gilgamesh said if we touch him the blaze and the glory of the light will be put out in confusion the glory and glam all vanish its rays will be quenched Enkidu said to Gilgamesh not so my friend first entrap the bird and where shall the chicks run then afterwards we can search out the glory in the glamour when the chicks run distracted through the grass Gilgamesh listens to the word of his companion he took the ax in his hand he drew the sword from his belt and he struck Humbaba with the thrust of the sort of the neck and Enkidu his comrade struck the second blow at the third blow hum barber fell then they're followed confusion for this was the guardian of the forest whom they had felled to the ground for as far as two leagues the cedars shivered when Enkidu felled the water of the forest he at whose voice Hermon and Lebanon used to tremble now the mountains were moved and all the hills for the guardian of the forest was killed they attacked the Cedars the seven splendors of Humbaba were extinguished so they pressed onto the forest bearing the sword of eight talons they uncovered the sacred dwellings of the Anunnaki and while Gilgamesh felled the first of the trees of the forest Enkidu cleared the roots as far as the banks of the Euphrates they set some barber before the gods before Enlil they kiss the ground and drop the shroud and set the head before him when he saw the head of Humbaba and lille raged at them why did you do this thing from henceforth may the fire be on your faces may eat the bread that you eat may drink where you drink then Enlil took again the blaze and the seven splendors that had been hum barbers he gave the first to the river and he gave to the lion to the stone of execration to the mountain and to the dreaded daughter of the Queen of Hell o Gilgamesh king and Conqueror of the dreadful blaze wild bull who plunders the mountain who crosses the sea glory to him and from the brave the crater gloria zenki's three Ishtar and Gilgamesh and the death of Enkidu Gilgamesh washed out his long locks and cleaned his weapons he flung his hair back from his shoulders he threw off his stained clothes and changed them for new he put on his royal robes and made them fast when Gilgamesh had put on the crown glorious Ishtar lifted her eyes seeing the beauty of Gilgamesh she said come to me Gilgamesh and be my bridegroom grant me the seed of your body let me be your bride and you shall be my husband I will harness for you a chariot of lapis lazuli and of gold with wheels of golden horns of copper and you shall have mighty demons of the storm for draught mules when you enter our house in the fragrance of cedar wood threshold and throne will kiss your feet Kings rulers and princes will bow down before you they shall bring you tribute from the mountains and the plain you'll use she'll drop twins and your goats triplets your pack ass shall outrun mules your oxen shall have no rivals and your chariot horses shall be famous far off for their swiftness Gilgamesh opened his mouth and glorious Ishtar if I take you in marriage what gifts can I give in return what owns mints and clothing for your body I would gladly give you bread and all sorts of food fit for a god I would give you wine to drink fit for a queen I'd pour out barley to stuff your granary but as for making you my wife that I will not how would it go with me your lovers have found you like a brassiere which smolders in the cold a backdoor which neither keeps out a squall of wind nor storm a castle always crushes the garrison pitch the blackens the bearer a water skin that chase the carrier a stone which falls from the parapet a battering ram turned back from the enemy a sandal that rips the wearer which of your lovers did you ever love forever what Shepherd of yours has pleased you for all time listen to me while I tell the tale of your lovers there was Tammuz the lover of your youth for him you decreed whaling year after year you loved the many-colored Roller but still you struck and broke his wing now in the growth he sits and cries Cappy Cappy my wing my wing you have loved the lion tremendous and strength seven pits you dug for him and seven you loved the Magnificent stallion in battle and for him you decreed the whip and spur and a thong to gallop seven leagues by force and to muddy the water before he drinks and for his mother silly lamentations you have loved the Shepherd of the flock he made meal cake for you day off the day he killed kids for your sake you struck and turned him into a wolf now his own herd boys chase him away his own hounds worried his flanks and did you not love a shallow new the gardener of your father's Palm Grove he brought you baskets filled with dates without end every day he loaded your table and you turned your eyes on him and said dearest is shallow new come here let's enjoy your manhood come forward and take me I am yours is Shallon who answered what are you asking from me my mother has bathed and I have eaten why should I come to such as you for food that is tainted and rotten for when was a screen of rushes sufficient protection from Frost's but when you had heard this answer you struck him he was changed to a blind mole deep in the earth one whose desire is always beyond reach and if you and I should be lovers should not I be served in the same fashion as all of these others whom you have once loved when ished I heard this she fell into a bitter rage she went up into high heaven the tears poured down in front of her father anew and anthem her mother she said father Gilgamesh has heaped insults on me he is told all over my Bominable behavior my foul and hideous acts and who opened his mouth and said are you a father of gods did you not quarrel with Gilgamesh the king so now he has related your abominable behavior your foul and hideous acts each star opened her mouth and said again my father give me the bull of heaven to destroy Gilgamesh fill Gilgamesh I say with arrogance to his destruction but if you refuse to give me the bull of heaven I will break in the doors of Hell and smash the bolts and there will be confusion of people those above with those from the lower depths I shall bring up the dead to eat the food like the living and the hosts of the Dead will outnumber the living and who said two great Ishtar if I do what you desire there there will be seven years of drought throughout Erik when corn will be seedless husks have you saved grain enough for the people and grass for the cattle Ishtar replied I have saved grain for the people and grass for the cattle for seven years of seedless husks there is grain and grass enough when Annie heard what Ishtar had said he gave her the bull of heaven to lead by the halter down to Erik when they reached the gates of Uruk the bull went into the river with his first snort cracks opened in the earth and a hundred young men fell down to death with his second snort cracks opened and two hundred fell down to death and with this third snort cracks opened and could who doubled over but instantly recovered he dodged aside and lepton the bull and seized it by the horns the bull of heaven foamed in his face in Ashtyn with the thickest tail anchor dude cried to Gilgamesh my friend we boasted that we would leave enduring names behind us now thrust your sword between the nape and the horns so Gilgamesh followed the bull he seized the thick of its tail he thrust the sword between the name from the horns and slew the ball when they had killed the bull of heaven they cut out its heart and gave it to shamash and the brothers rested but Ishtar rose tip and mounted the Great Wall of Uruk she sprang on the tower and uttered a curse whoa - Gilgamesh for he has scorned me in killing the bull of heaven when anchored who heard these words he tore out the bull's right thigh and tossed it in her face saying if I could lay my hands on you it is this I should do to you and lash the entrails to your side when Ishtar called together her people the dancing and singing girls the prostitutes of the temple the courtesans over the fire of the bull of heaven she sat up lamentation but Gilgamesh called The Smiths and the armourers all of them together they admired the identity of the horns they were plated with lapis lazuli two fingers thick they were 30 pounds each in weight and their capacity in oil was six measures which he gave to his guardian God lugal bandha but he carried the horns into the palace and hung them on the wall there they wash their hands in the Euphrates they embraced each other and went away they drove through the streets of Erik where the heroes would gather to see them and Gilgamesh called to the singing girls who is most glorious of the heroes who is the most eminent among man Gilgamesh is the most glorious of heroes Gilgamesh is the most eminent among men and now though was feasting and celebrations and join the palace till the heroes lay down saying now we will rest for the night when the daylight came Enkidu got up and cried to Gilgamesh o my brother such a dream I had last night Anu Enlil ear and heavenly shamash took counsel together and a new scent Enlil because they have killed the bull of heaven and because they have killed an barber who guarded the cedar mountain one of the two must die then glorious shamash answered the hero Enlil it was by your command that they killed the bull of heaven and killed him Baba and must anchor do die although innocent and will flung around in rage glorious shamash you dare to say this you who went about them every day like one of themselves so Enkidu lay stretched out before Gilgamesh his tears ran down his streams and he said to Gilgamesh o my brother so dear as you answer me brother yes they will take me from you again he said I must sit down on the threshold of the dead and never again will I see my dear brother with my eyes while lenka do lay alone in his sickness he cursed the gates as though it were living flesh you there would have the gates dull and insensible witless I searched for you over twenty leagues until I saw the towering cedar there is no wood like you in our land seventy two cubits high and 24 wide the pivot and the ferrule and the jams are perfect a master craftsman from napur has made you but oh if I had known the conclusion if I'd known that this was all the good that would come of it I would have raised the axe and split you into little pieces and set up here a gate of wattle instead I phony some future King had brought you here or some God had fashioned you let him obliterate my name and write his own and curse the fall on him instead of anchor do with the brightening of the dawn Enkidu raised his head and wept before the Sun God in the brilliance of the sunlight his tears streamed down Sun God I beseech you about that vile trapper that trapper of nothing because of whom I was to catch less than my comrade let's him catch least make his game scarce make him feeble taking the smaller of every share let his quarry escape from the nets when he had cursed the trapper to his heart's content he turned on the harlot he was roused to curse her also as for you woman with a great curse I curse you I will promise you a destiny to all eternity my curse shall come upon you soon and sudden for you shall be without a roof for your commerce for you shall not keep house with other girls in the tavern but do your business in places fouled by the vomit of the drunkard your higher will be the Potters earth your thieving x' will be flung into the hovel you will sit the crossroads and the dust of the Potters quarter you will make your bed on the dung Hill at night and by day take your stand in the walls shadow brambles and thorns will tear at your feet the drunk and the dry will strike your cheek and your mouth will ache let you be stripped of your purple dyes for I too once in the wilderness with my wife had all of the treasure I wished when shamash heard these words of ankor do he called to him from heaven Enkidu why are you cursing the woman the mistress who taught you to eat bread fit for gods and drink wine of kings she who put upon you of magnificent garment did she not give you the glorious Gilgamesh for your companion and has not Gilgamesh your own brother made you rest on a royal bed and recline on a couch at his left hand he has made the princes of the earth kiss your feet and now all the people of Oracle lament and wail over you when you are dead he will let his hair grow long for your sake he will wear a lion's pelt and wander through the desert when Enkidu heard glorious shamash his angry hearts grew quiet he called back the curse and said woman I promise you another destiny the mouth which cursed you shall bless you Kings princes and Nobles shall adore you on your accounts a man through 12 miles off we'll clap his hand to his thigh and if hair will twitch for you he will undo his belt and open his treasure and he shall have your desire lapis lazuli gold and carnelian from the heap in the Treasury a ring for your hand and a robe shall be yours the priest will lead you into the presence of the gods on your account a wife a mother of seven was forsaken as Enkidu slept alone in his sickness in bitterness of spirit he poured his heart out to his friend it was I who cut down the cedar who leveled the forest who slew Humbaba and now see what has become of me listen my friend this is the dream I dreamed last night the heavens roared on the earth rumbled back an answer between them stood i before an awful being a somber faced man bird he had directed me on his purpose his was a vampire face his foot was a lion's foot and his hand was an eels Talon he fell on me and his claws were in my hair he held me fast and I smothered he then transformed me so that my arms became wings covered with feathers he turned his stare towards me and he led me away to the palace of a kala the queen of Darkness to the house from which none who enters ever returns down the road from which there is no coming back there is the house whose people sit in darkness dust is their food and clay their meat they are clothed like birds with wings for covering they see no lights they sit in darkness I entered the house of dust and I saw the kings of the earth put their crowns away forever rulers and princess all those who once walked kingly crowns and ruled the earth in the days of old they who stood in the place of gods like Anu and Enlil stood now like servants to fetch baked meat and house of dust to carry cooked meat in cold water from the water skin in the house of dust which I entered were high priests and acolytes priests of the incantation and of ecstasy and there were servers of the temple and there was Itano that king of dish whom the eagle carried to heaven in the days of old I also saw sama Quan God of cathal and there was a Reschke girl the queen of the underworld and Beth it Cherie squatted in front of her she whose recorder of the gods and keeps the book of death she held the tablet from which she read she raised her head and she saw me and spoke who has brought this one here then I awoke like a man drained of blood who wanders alone in a waste of rashes like one whom the bailiff has seized and his heart pounds with terror Gilgamesh peeled off his clothes as he listened to his words and wept quick tears Gilgamesh listened and his tears flowed he opened his mouth and spoke to anchor do who is there in strong world of rock who has wisdom like this strange things have been spoken why does your heart speak so strangely the dream was marvelous but the terror was great we must treasure the dream whatever the terror for the dream has shown that misery comes at last to the healthy man and the end of life is sorrow and Gilgamesh lamented now I will pray to the great gods for my friend had an ominous dream this day on which Enkidu dreamed came to an end and he lay stricken with sickness one whole day he lay on his bed and his suffering increased he said to Gilgamesh the friend on on whose account he had left the wilderness once I ran for you for the water of life and now I have nothing a second day he lay on his bed and Gilgamesh watched over him but the sickness increased a third day he lay on his bed he called out to Gilgamesh rousing him up now he was weak and his eyes were blind with weeping ten days he lay and his suffering increased eleven and twelve days he lay on his bed of pain then he called to Gilgamesh my friend the Great Goddess cursed me and I must die in shame I shall not die like a man fallen in battle I feared to fall but happy is the man who falls in battle for I must die in shame and Gilgamesh wept over Enkidu with the first light of dawn he raised his voice and said to the counselors a rook hear me great ones of a rook I weep for Ankur do my friend bitterly moaning like a woman morning I weep for my brother oh anchor do my brother you were the ax at my side my hand strength the sword in my belt the shield before me a glorious rope my fairest ornament and evil fate has robbed me the wild ass and the Gazelle were father and mother all long-tailed creatures that nourished you weep for you all the wild things of the plain and pastures the paths that you loved in the forest of cedars night and day murmur let the great ones of strong walled or oak weep for you let the finger of blessing be stretched out in morning anchor do young brother hark there is an echo through all all the country like a mother mourning weep all the paths where we walked together and the beasts we hunted the bear and the hyena the tiger and Panther the leopard and lion the stag and the IBEX the bull in the doe the river along whose banks we used to walk weeps for you who love a lamb and deer Euphrates where once we drew water for water skins the mountains we climbed where we slew the Watchmen weeps for you the Warriors of strong walled baroque where the bull of heaven was killed weep for you all the people of era do weep for you anchor do those who brought grain for your eating mourn for you now who rubbed oil on your back mourn for you now who poured beer filled drinking mourn for you now the harlots who anointed you with fragrant oil and laments for you now the women of the palace who brought you a wife a chosen ring of good advice lament for you now and the young men your brothers as though there were women go long-haired in mourning what is this sleep which holds you now you are lost in the dark and cannot hear me he touched his hearts but it did not beat nor did he lift his eyes again when Gilgamesh touched his heart it did not beat so Gilgamesh laid a veil as one veils a bride over his friend he began to rage like a lion like a lioness robbed of his whelps this way and that he paced around the bed he tore out his hair and strewed it about he dragged off his splendid robes and flung them down as if there were abominations in the first light of dawn Gilgamesh cried out I made you rest on a royal bed you reclined on a couch at my left hand the princes of the earth kissed your feet I will cause all the people of Uruk to weep over you and raise the dirge of the dead the joyful people was stoop with sorrow and when you have gone to the earth I will let my hair grow long for your sake I will wander through the wilderness in the skin of a lion the next day also in the first light Gilgamesh lamented seven days and seven nights he wept for anchor due until the worm fastened on him only then he gave him up to the earth for the Anunnaki the judges had seized him then Gilgamesh issued a proclamation throughout the land he summoned them all the coppersmith the Goldsmith's the stone workers and commanded them make a statue of my friend the statue was fashioned with a great weight of lapis lazuli for the breasts and of gold for the body a table of hard wood was set out and on its a bowl of carnelian filled with honey a bowl of lapis lazuli filled with butter he exposed and offered to the son weeping as he went away for the search for everlasting life bitterly Gilgamesh wept for his friend Anka do he wandered over the wilderness as a hunter he roamed over the plains in his bitterness he cried how can I rest how can I be at peace despair is in my heart what my brother is now I shall be when I am dead because I'm afraid of death I will go as best I can to find it snaps his Shem who may is called the far away for he has entered the Assemblies of the gods so Gilgamesh travelled over the wilderness he wandered over grasslands on a long journey in search of fat to Shem whom the gods took after the deluge and they set him to live in the land of Dilmun in the Garden of the Sun and to him alone of men they gave everlasting life at night when he came to the mountain passes Gilgamesh prayed in these mountain passes long ago I saw lions I was afraid I lifted my eyes to the moon I prayed and my prayers went up to the gods so now o moon god sin protect me when he had prayed he laid down to sleep until he was awoken out of a dream he saw the Lions round him glorifying in life and he took his axe in his hand he drew his sword from his belt and he fell upon them like an arrow from the string and struck and destroyed and scattered them so at length Gilgamesh came to masu the great mountains about which he had heard many things which guard the rising and the Setting Sun it's Twin Peaks are as high as the wall of heaven and it's perhaps reached down into the underworld at its gates scorpions stand guard half man/half dragon they glories terrifying they stare strikes death into man and shimmering halos sweeps the mountains the guard the Rising Sun when Gilgamesh saw them he shielded his eyes for the length of a moment only then he took courage and approached when they saw him so undismayed the man scorpion called to his mate this one who comes into us now is flesh of the gods the mate of the man scorpion answered two-thirds is God but one-third is man then he called to the man Gilgamesh then he called to the man Gilgamesh he called to the child of the gods why have you come so great a journey for what have you traveled so far crossing dangerous waters tell me the reason for your coming Gilgamesh answered for Enkidu I loved him dearly together we endured all kinds of hardships on his account I have come for the common lots of man has taken him I have wept for him day and night I would not give up his body for burial I thought my friend would come back because of my weeping since he went my life is nothing that is why I've traveled here in search of it now pushed him my father for men say he has entered the Assembly of the gods and has found everlasting life I have a desire to question him concerning the living and the dead the man scorpion opened his mouth and said speaking to Gilgamesh no man born of woman has done what you have asked no mortal man has gone to the mountain the length of it is twelve leagues of darkness in it there is no light but the heart is oppressed with darkness from the rising of the Sun to the setting of the Sun there is no light Gilgamesh said although I could go in sorrow and in pain with sighing and with weeping still I must go open the gates of the mountain and the man scorpion said go Gilgamesh I permit you to pass through the mountain of my shoe and through the high ranges may your feet carry safely home the gate of the mountain is open when Gilgamesh heard this he did as the man scorpion had said he followed the sun's road to his rising through the mountain when he had gone one league the darkness became thick around him for there was no light he could see nothing behead and nothing behind him after two leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after three leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after four leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him at the end of five leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him at the end of six leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him when he had gone seven leagues the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him when he had gone eight leagues Gilgamesh gave a great cry for the darkness was thick and he could see nothing ahead had nothing behind him after nine leagues he felt the north wind on his face but the darkness was thick and there was no light he could see nothing ahead and nothing behind him after 10 weeks the end was near after 11 Lee's the dawn light appeared at the end of 12 leagues the Sun streamed out there was the garden of the gods all around him stood bushes bearing gems seeing it he went down at once for there was fruit of carnelian with the vine hanging from it beautiful to look at lapis lazuli leaves are thick with fruits sweet to see for thorns and thistles they were hematite and rare stones agate and pearls from out of the sea while Gilgamesh walked in the garden by the edge of the sea shamash saw him and he saw that he was dressed in the skins of animals and ate their flesh he was distressed and he spoke and said no mortal man has gone this way before nor will as long as the winds drive over the sea and to Gilgamesh she said you will never find the life for which you were searching Gilgamesh said to Gloria Chumash now that I have toiled and strayed so far of the wilderness I might just sleep and let the earth cover my head forever let my eyes see the Sun until they are dazzled with looking although I am no better than a dead man still let me see the light of the Sun beside the sea she lives the woman of the vine the maker of wine sadder II sits in the garden at the edge of the sea with a golden bowl of the golden vats that the gods gave her she is covered with a veil and where she says she sees Gilgamesh coming towards her wearing skins the flesh of the gods in his body but despair in his heart his face like the face of one who has made a long journey she looked as she scanned the distance she said in her own heart surely this is some fellow where is he going now and she barred the gate against him with a crossbar and shot home the bolt but Gilgamesh hearing the sound of the bolt threw up his head dislodged his foot in the gate and he called to her young woman maker of wine why do you bolt your door what did you see that made you buy you gate I will break in your door and burst in your gate for I am Gilgamesh who seized and killed the bull of heaven I killed the watchman of the cedar forest I overthrew Humbaba who lived in the forest and had killed the Lions at the passes of the mountain Mensa Dury said to him if you on that Gilgamesh who seized and killed the bull of heaven who killed the watchman of the cedar forest who overthrew him Baba that lived in the forest and killed the Lions of the passes of the mountain why are your cheeks so starved and you why is your face so drawn why is despairing your hearts and your face like one of the face of one who's made a long journey yes why is your face burned from heat and cold why do you come here wandering over the pastures in search of the wind Gilgamesh answered her and why should not my cheeks be starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart and my face is the face of one who has made a long journey it was burned with heat and with cold why should I not wander of the pastures in search of the wind my friend my younger brother he who hunted the wild ass of the wilderness and the panther of the plains nae friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven overthrew him Barbara in the cedar forest my friend who was very dear to me and who endured dangers beside me and to my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I went for him for seven days and nights till the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I stray through the wilderness and cannot rest but now young woman maker of wine since I have seen your face do not let me see the face of death which I dread so much she answered Gilgamesh where are you hurrying to you will never find that life for which you are looking when the gods created man they allotted to him death but life they retained for their own keeping as for you Gilgamesh fill your belly with good things day and night night and day dance and be merry feast and rejoice let your clothes be fresh bathe yourself in water cherish the little child that holds your hand and make your wife happy in your embrace this too is the lot of man but Gilgamesh said to Sidora the young woman how can I be silent how can I rest when Enkidu whom I love is dust and I too shall die and be laid in the earth you live by the seashore and look into the heart of it young woman tell me now which is the way to Edna pitched in the Sun of you bara to - what directions are there for passage give me Oh give me directions I will cross the ocean if it's possible if it is not I will wonder still father in the wilderness the wine maker said to him Gilgamesh there is no crossing the ocean whoever has come since the days of old has not been able to pass that see the Sun in his glory crosses the ocean but - besides shamash has ever crossed it the place and the passage difficult and the waters of death are deep which flow between Gilgamesh how will you cross the ocean when you've come to the waters of death what will you do but Gilgamesh down in the woods you will find ocean ah be the ferryman of now pitched him with him the holy things the things of stone he is fashioning the serpent prow of the boat look at him well and if it's possible perhaps you will cross the waters with him but it is not possible then you must go back when Gilgamesh heard this he was seized with anger he took his axe in his hand his dagger from his belt he crept forward and he fell on them like a javelin then he went into the forest and sat down ocean nabi saw the dagger flash and heard the axe and he beats his head for Gilgamesh had shattered the tackle of the boat in his rage Ocean avi said to him tell me what is your name I am Ocean Abby the ferryman of etna pushed him the far away he replied to him Gilgamesh is my name I am from Erick from the house of our new then urged Nabi said to him why are you cheeks so starved and your face drawn why is despair in your heart and your face like the face of one who has made a long journey yes why is your face burned with heat and with cold and why'd you come here wandering of the pastures in search of the wind Gilgamesh said to him why should my cheeks not be starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart and my face is the face of the one who has made a long journey I was burned with heat and cold why should I not wander over the past years my friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew him barber in the cedar forest my friend who was very dear to me and injured dangers beside me and could do my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for him for seven days and nights until the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I stray through wilderness his fate lies heavy upon me how can I be silent how can I rest he is dust and I too shall die and be laid in the earth forever I'm afraid of death therefore ocean avi tell me which is the road to it 'no pitched in if it is possible I will cross the waters of death if not I will wonder still father through the wilderness ocean ah be sent him Gilgamesh your own hands have prevented you from crossing the ocean when you destroyed the tackle of the boat you destroyed it safety then the Turan talked it over and Gilgamesh said why are you so angry with me ocean rb4 you yourself cross the sea by day and night all of the seasons you cross it Gilgamesh those things you destroyed their property is to carry me over the water to prevent the waters and death from touching me it was for that reason that I preserve them but you have destroyed them and the urn ooh snakes with them but now go into the forest Gilgamesh with your axe cut poles 120 cut them 60 cubits long paint them with bitumen set them on Farrell's and bring them back when Gilgamesh heard this he went into the forest he cuts poles 120 he cut them 60 cubits long and he painted them with bitumen he set them on four rules and he bought them to OSHA Nobby then they boarded the boat Gilgamesh and ocean are be together launching it out on the waves of the ocean for three days they ran on it as where a journey of a month and 15 days and at last ocean army brought the boats to the waters of death then Oh should I be said to Gilgamesh press on take a long pole and thrust it in but do not let your hands touch the waters Gilgamesh take a second Pole take a third take a fourth Pole now Gilgamesh take a fifth take a sixth and seventh Pole Gilgamesh taken eighth and the ninth and the tenth Pole Gilgamesh take an 11th take a 12th Pole after 120 thrusts Gilgamesh had used the last Pole then he stripped himself held his arms up for a mast and cut is covering for a sail so that urged Nobby the ferryman brought skilled mesh to Etna pitched him whom they call the far away who lives in Dillman at the place of the sun's transit eastward of the mountain to him alone of men the gods had given everlasting life now aDNA pitched him where he lay a tea looked into the distance and he said in his heart musing to himself why does the boat sail here without tackle and mast why are the sacred stones destroyed and why does the master not sail the boat the man who comes is none of mine where I look I see a man whose body is covered with the skins of beasts who is this who walks up the shore behind ocean rb4 surely he is no man of mine so it 'no pitched him looked at him and said what is your name you who come here wearing the skins of beasts with your cheeks starved and your face drawn where are you hurrying to now for what reason have you made this great journey crossing the Seas whose passage is difficult tell me the reason for your coming he replied Gilgamesh is my name I am from Erick from the house of Anu then the pish Tim said to him if your guild Mesh why your cheeks are starved and your face drawn why is despairing your heart and your face like the face of one who has made a long journey yes why is your face burned with heat and cold why do you come here wandering over the wilderness in search of the wind Gilgamesh said to him why should my cheeks not be starved and my face drawn despair is in my heart my face is the face of one who has made a long journey it was burned with heat and cold why should I not wander up the pastures my friend my younger brother who seized and killed the bull of heaven and overthrew him barber in the cedar forest my friend who is very dear to me and into your dangers beside me Enkidu my brother whom I loved the end of mortality has overtaken him I wept for seven days and nights until the worm fastened on him because of my brother I am afraid of death because of my brother I stray through the wilderness his fate lies heavy upon me how can I be silent how can I rest he is dust and I shall die also and be laid in the earth forever again Gilgamesh said speaking to Edna pitched him it is to see at least him whom we call the far away that I have come on this journey for this I have wondered the whole world I have crossed many difficult ranges I have crossed the Seas I we read myself of traveling my joints are aching I have lost acquaintance with sleep which is sweet my clothes were worn outs before I came to the house of surgery I've killed the bear the hyena the lion and the Panther the tiger the stag the ibex all sorts of wild game and the small creatures of the pastures I ate their flesh and wore their skin and that is how I came to the gate of the young woman the maker of wine who barred her gate of pitch and bitumen against me but from her I had news of the journey so I came to ich Nobby the ferryman and with him I crossed over the waters of death Oh father accomplished him you who have entered the Assembly of the gods I wish to question you consenting the living and the dead how shall I find the life for which I am searching Etna pitched him said there is no permanence do we build a house to stand forever do we seal a contract to hold for all time do brothers divide an inheritance to keep forever does the flood time of rivers endure it is only the nymph of the Dragonfly who sheds her larva and sees the Sun in his glory from the days of old there is no permanence the sleeping and the dead how alike they are they are painted with death what is there between the master and the servant when both have fulfilled their doom when the Anunnaki the judges come together and may Merton the mother of destinies together they decree the fates of men life and death they are Lots but the day of death they do not disclose then Gilgamesh said Edna pitched in the faraway I look at you now at lippisch dim and your appearance is no different than mine there is nothing strange in your features I thought I should find you like a hero prepared for battle but here you are taking ease on your bag tell me truly how was it that you came to enter the company of the gods and to possess everlasting life Edna pushed him said to Gilgamesh I will reveal to you a mystery I will tell you a secret of the gods five the story of the flood you know the city sure a pack and it stands on the banks of the affray t's that city grew old and the gods that were in its were old there was a new Lord of the firmament their father and warrior Enlil their counselor and inner to the helper and energy the watcher over canals and also with them as ear in those days the world teamed the people multiplied and the world bellowed like a wild bull and the Great God was aroused by the clamor and they'll heard the clamor and he said to the gods in the council the uproar of mankind is intolerable and sleep is no longer possible by reason of the Babel so the gods agreed to exterminate mankind and lyl did this but ear because of his oath warned me in a dream he whispered their words to my house of reeds read house read house a wall hearken read house will reflect a man of shuruppak son of bubar to to tear down your house and build a boat abandoned possessions and looked for life despised worldly goods and save your soul alive tear down your house I say and build boats these are the measurements of the bark as you shall build her let's hex beam equal her length let her deck be roofed but like the vault that covers the abyss then take up to the boat the seed of all living creatures when hired understood I said to my lord behold what you have commanded I will honor and perform but how shall I answer the people the city the elders then ear opened his mouth and said to me his servant tell them this I've learnt that Enlil is wrathful against me I dare no longer walk in his land nor live in his city I will go down to the Gulf to dwell with ear my lord but on you he will rain down abundance rare fish and shy wild fowl and a rich harvest tied in the evening the rider of the storm will bring you wheat in torrents in the first light of dawn all my household gathered around me the children brought pitch and the men whatever was necessary on the fifth day I laid the keel in the ribs and then I made fast the plank the ground space was one acre each side of the deck measured one hundred and twenty cubits making square I built six decks below seven and all I divided them into nine sections with bulkheads between I drove in wedges where needed I saw to the punt poles and laid in supplies the carrier's brought oil and baskets I poured pitch into the furnace and asphalt and oil more oil was consumed in the caulking and again the master of the boat took tin to his stores I slaughtered Bullock's for the people and every day I killed sheep I gave to the shipwrights wine to drink although it were river water raw wine and red wine and oil and white wine there was feasting as then as there is at the time of the New Year's festival i anointed my head on the seventh day the boat was complete then was the launching full of difficulty there was a shifting of balanced above and below until two thirds were submerged I loaded into her all that I had of gold and of living things my family my kin the beasts of the field both wild and tame all the craftsmen I sent them on board for the time that shamash had ordained was already fulfilled when he said in the evening when the rider of the storm sends down the destroying rain enter the boat and batten her down the time was fulfilled the evening came the rider of the storm sent down the rain I looked out at the weather and it was terrible so I too boarded the boat and battened her down all was now complete the battening caulking so I handed the tiller to preserve a Murray the steersman with the navigation and the care of the whole boat with the first light of dawn a black cloud came upon the horizon it thundered within where dad Lord of the storm was rising in front of the hill and plain shalat and haneish heralds of the storm led on then the gods of the abyss rose up no girl pulled out the dams of the nether waters Nanoha the warlord threw down the dikes and seven judges of Hell the Anunnaki raised their torches lighting the land with their livid flame a stupor of despair went up to heaven and where the god of the storm turned the daylight to darkness when he smashed the land like a cup one whole day the tempest raged gathering fury as it went it poured over the people like the tides of battle a man could not see his brother north the people be seen from heaven even the gods were terrified at the flood they fled to the highest heaven the firmament of a new they crouched against the walls cowering like curse then Ishtar the sweet-voiced Queen of Heaven cried out like a woman in travail alas the days of older turned to dust because I commanded evil why did I command this evil in Council of all the gods I commanded Wars to destroy the people but they are not my people for I brought and forth now like the spawn of fish they float in the ocean the great gods of heaven and hell wept they covered their mouths for six days and six nights the wind blew torrent and tempest and flood overwhelmed the world tempest and flood raced together like warring hosts when the seventh day dawned the storm from the south subsided and the sea grew calm and the flood was stilled I looked into the face of the world and there was silence all mankind was turned to clay the surface of the sea stretched flat as a rooftop opened a hatch and light fell on my face then I bowed low i sat down and I wept the tears streamed down my face for on every side was the waste of water I looked for land in vain but 14 leagues distant there appeared a mountain and there the boat grounded on the mountain of mesilla the boat held fast she held fast but did not budge one day she held a second day on the mountain of Nasir she held fast and did not budge a third day and the fourth day she held fast on the mountain and did not budge a fifth day a sixth day she held fast in the mountain when the seventh day dawned I loose the Dove and let her go she flew away but finding no resting place she returned then I loosed the swallow and she flew away but finding no resting place she wrote and I loosed a raven she saw that the waters had retreated she ate and flew around she called and she did not come back then I threw everything open to the four winds I made a sacrifice and poured out a libation on the mountain top seven and against seven cauldrons I set up on their stands I heaped up wood like Cain and cedar and myrtle when the gods smelled the sweet savour they gathered like flies over the sacrifice then at last Ishtar also came she lifted her necklace with the jewels of heaven the once a new hood made to please her o you gods our presence by the lapis lazuli around my neck I shall remember these days as I remember the jewels of my throats these last days I shall not forget let's all the gods gather round the sacrifice accept Enlil he shall not approach this offering for without reflection he brought the flood he consigned my people to destruction when Enlil had come when he saw the boat he was wroth and swelled with Agra the gods the hosts of heaven has any of these mortals escaped not one was to have survived the destruction then the god of wells and canals Nenita opened his mouth and said to the warrior Enlil who is there in the gods that can devise for that ear it his ear alone who knows all things then ear opened his mouth and spoke to the warrior Enlil wisest of gods hero and lyl how could you so senselessly bring down the flood lay upon the sinner his sin lay upon the transgressor his transgression punish him a little when he breaks loose do not drive him too hard or he perishes would that a lion had ravaged mankind rather than the flood would that a wolf had ravished mankind rather than the flood would that a famine had wasted the world rather than the flood would the pestilence had wasted mankind rather than the flood it was not I that revealed the secrets of the gods the wise man learned it in a dream now take your counsel and what shall be done with him then Enlil went up to the boat he took me by the hand and my wife made us enter the boat and kneel down on either side he's standing between us he touched our foreheads to bless us saying in time past but no pitch dim was a mortal man henceforth he and his wife shall live in the distance at the mouth of the rivers thus it was the gods took me and placed me here to live in the distance at the mouth of the rivers 6 the return but no pitched him said as for you Gilgamesh who will assemble the gods for your sake so that you may find a life for which you were searching but if you wish come and put it to the test only prevail against sleep for 6 days and 7 nights but while Gilgamesh sat there resting on his haunches a mist of sleep like soft wool teased from the fleece drifted over him and the pitched him said to his wife look at him now the strong man who would have everlasting life even now the mists of sleep are drifting over him his wife replied touched the man to wake him so that we may return to his own land in peace going back through the gate by which he came burden a pitched him said to his wife all men are deceivers even you he will attempt to deceive therefore baked loaves of bread each day one loaf and put it beside his head and make a mark on the wall for the number of days that he has slept so she baked loaves of bread each day one loaf and put it beside his head and she marked on the wall the days that he'd slept and there came a day when the first live was hard the second loaf was like leather the third was soggy the crust of the fourth had mould and the fifth was mildewed the six were fresh and the seventh was still on the embers then put in a pitched him touched him and he woke Gilgamesh said sir Edna pitched him the faraway I hardly slept when he touched and roused me but Edna pitched him said count these loaves and learn how many days that you slept for your first is hard your second is like leather the third is soggy and the crust of your fourth has mould your fifth has mildewed the sixth is fresh and the seventh is still over on the glowing embers when I touched and awoke you Gilgamesh said what shall I do ten where shall I go already the thief and the nice is hold of my limbs death inhabits my room where over my foot rests there I find death then Edna pushed him spoke to ash knobby the ferryman woe to you o shinobi now and forevermore you have become hateful to this harborage it is not for you nor for you are the crossings of the sea go now banished from the shore but this man before whom you have walked bringing him here whose body is covered with foul nurse and the grace of whose limb has been spoiled by wild skins take him to the washing place there he shall wash his long hair clean as snow in the water he shall then throw off his skins and let the sea carry them away and the beauty of his body shall be shown the Filat on his forehead shall be renewed then he shall be given clothes to cover his nakedness till he reaches his own City and his journey is accomplished these clothes will show no sign of age they will wear like a new garment so OSHA nabhi took Gilgamesh and led him to the washing place he washed his long hair as cleanest snow in the water he threw off his skins which the sea carried away and he showed the beauty of his body he renewed the fill it's on his head and cover his nakedness gave him clothes which would show no sign of age but would wear like a new garment until he reached his own City and his journey was accomplished then Gilgamesh and her shinobi launched the boat onto the water and boarded it and they made ready to sail away but the wife of an epistle the faraway said to him Gilgamesh came here weary doubts he is worn out what will you give to him to carry back to his own country so in the pitch Tim spoke and Gilgamesh took a pole and brought the boats to the bank Gilgamesh you came here a man wearied out you have worn your cellphone's what should I give you to carry back to your own country Gilgamesh I shall reveal a secret thing is a mystery of the gods and I am Telling You but there is a plant that grows under the water it has a prickle like a thorn like a rose it will wound your hands but if you succeed in taking it then your hands will hold that which restores lost youth to a man when Gilgamesh heard this he opened the sluices so that sweet water currents might carry him out to the deepest channel he tied heavy stones to his feet and they dragged him down to the water bed there he saw the plants growing although it pricked him he took it in his hands and he cupped the heavy stones from his feet and the sea carried him and threw him on the shore Gilgamesh said to er shanaar be the ferryman come here and see this marvelous plant by its virtue a man may win back all his former strength I will take it work of the strong walls and there I will give it to old men to eat its name shall be the old men are young again and at last I shall eat it myself and have back all of my lost youth so Gilgamesh returned by the gate through which he had come Gilgamesh an ocean Abbey went together they traveled there twenty leagues then they broke their fast after thirty leagues they stopped for the night Gilgamesh saw a well of cool water and he went down and bathed but deep in the pool there was lying a serpent the serpent scents the sweetness of the flower it rose out of the water and snatched it away and immediately slept off its skin and returned to the well then Gilgamesh sat down and wept tears ran down his face and he took the hand of ocean rb/o ocean obby was it for this that i toiled with my hands is it for this that I've run out my heart's blood for on myself I have gained nothing for the beasts of the earth has joy of it now already the stream has carried it twenty leagues back to the channels where I found it I found a sign and now I've lost it lets us leave the boat on the bank and go after twenty leagues they broke their fast after thirty weeks they stopped for the night in three days they'd walked as much as a journey of a month and fifteen days when the journey was accomplished they arrived at work the strong walled city Gilgamesh spoke to him to urge Nabi the ferryman Hirsch Nabi climb up onto the wall of a rope inspect its foundation terrace examine weld the brickwork see if it is not of burnt bricks and did not the seven wise men lay the foundations one third of the whole is City one third is Garden and one third is filled with the precinct of the goddess ishtar these parts and the precinct are all a rook this too was the work of Gilgamesh the king who knew the countries of the world he was wise he saw mysteries and knew secret things he brought us the tale of the days before this flood and he went on a long journey was weary worn out with labour and returning engraved on a stone the whole story seven the death of Gilgamesh the destiny was fulfilled which the father of the gods and lyl of the mountain had decreed for gild mesh in nether earth the darkness will show him a light of mankind all the so known none will leave a monument for generations to come to compare with his the heroes the wise men like the new moon have their waxing and waning men will say who has ever ruled with might and power like him as in the dark month the month of shadows so without him there is no light Oh Gilgamesh this was the meaning of your dream you were given the kingship such was your destiny everlasting life was not your destiny because of this do not be sad at heart do not be grieved or oppressed he has given you power to bind it too loose to be the darkness and the light of mankind he has given an example supremacy of the people victory in battle from which no fugitive returns in forays and assaults from which there is no going back but did not abuse this power deal justly with your servants in your palace deal justly before the face of the Sun the king has laid himself down and will not rise again the Lord of calleb will not rise again he overcame evil he will not come again though he was strong of arm he will not rise again he had wisdom and a comely face he will not come again he has gone into the mountain he will not come again on the bed of fate he lies he will not rise again from the couch of many colors he will not come again the people of the city great and small are not silent they lift up the lament all men of flesh and blood lift up the lament fate spoken like a hooked fish he lies stretched on the bed like a gazelle that has caught up an ax noose inhuman Nanta is heavy upon him namtar that has neither hand nor foot the drinks no water and eats no need for Gilgamesh son of nin son they weighed out their offerings his dear wife his son his concubine his musicians his jester and all his household his servants his stewards all those who lived in the palace weighed out their offerings for Gilgamesh the son of nin son the heart of a rogue they weighed out their offerings to Hruska gal the queen of death to all the gods of the Dead to namtar whose fate they weighed out the offering Breton aid the keeper of the gate bread fern ink is de the god of the serpent the Lord of the Tree of Life fordham Uzi also the young shepherd for Enki and ninki for n do cougar an in do cougar for M mil and nimble all the ancestral gods the forebears of Enlil a feast for shal pay the god of feasting for summer quand the god of the herds for the mother in her sag and the gods of creation in the place of creation for the hosts of heaven priests priestesses wait out the offering of the dead Gilgamesh the son of nin son lies in the tomb at the place of offerings he waived the bread offering the place of libation he poured out the wine in those days the Lord Gilgamesh departed the son of nin son the king peerless without an equal among man who did not neglect and lyl his master o Gilgamesh Lord of calleb great is thy praise

Channel: Ancient Recitations

Views: 754,962

Rating: 4.8330936 out of 5

Keywords: sumerian, sumer, akkad, gilgamesh, Epic Of Gilgamesh (Book), Audiobook (Industry), recitation, Poetry (Literary Genre), Ancient, Egypt, Mesopotamia (Literature Subject), Mesopotamia (City/Town/Village), Consciousness, ancient text, Heroic Fantasy (Literary Genre), epic, Battle

Id: IPYf8AwNvKg

Length: 103min 32sec (6212 seconds)

Published: Mon May 18 2015

Reddit Comments

[u/bonerwashington]

It's about the human condition. The futility of grief, the absurdism of mortality, the irony of achieving your goals only to find out they were the wrong goals. Also there is the bit the Noah story blatantly plagiarizes.