http://www.unf.edu/classes/freshmancore/halsall/gilgamesh-kovacs.htm
The Epic of Gilgamesh
-Part II-
Edited by Carl Lenze (Jan. 2004)
1. Over his friend, Enkidu, Gilgamesh cried bitterly, roaming the wilderness.
"I am going to die!--am I not like Enkidu?! Deep sadness penetrates my core, I fear death, and now roam the wilderness--I will set out to the region of Utanapishtim, son of Ubartutu and will go with utmost dispatch! When I arrived at mountain passes at nightfall, I saw lions, and I was terrified! I raised my head in prayer to Sin, to the Moon, the Great Lady of the gods my supplications poured forth, 'Save me from death!"
2. He was sleeping in the night, but awoke with a start with a dream:
A warrior enjoyed his life--he raised his axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his sheath, and fell into their midst like an arrow. He struck ... and he scattered them. The name of the former ...
The name of the second ...
[26 lines are missing here, telling of the beginning of his quest.]
3. He came to the mountains that is called Mashu. The very gate to the underworld and home of the gods. When he reached Mount Mashu, which daily guards the rising and setting of the Sun, above which only the dome of the heavens reaches, and whose flank reaches as far as the Netherworld below, there were Scorpion-beings watching over its gate. Trembling terror they inspire, the sight of them is death, their frightening aura sweeps over the mountains. At the rising and setting they watch over the Sun. When Gilgamesh saw them, trembling terror blanketed his face, but he pulled himself together and drew near to them. The scorpion-being called out to his female:
"He who comes to us, his body is the flesh of gods!"
4. The scorpion-being, his female, answered him:
"(Only) two-thirds of him is a god, one-third is human." The male scorpion-being called out, saying to the offspring of the gods:
"Why have you traveled so distant a journey? Why have you come here to me, over rivers whose crossing is treacherous!?Ó
[16 lines are missing here. When the text resumes Gilgamesh is speaking.]
5. And Gilgamesh spoke to him saying:
"I have come on account of my ancestor Utanapishtim, who joined the Assembly of the Gods, and was given eternal life. About Death and Life I must ask him!"
6. The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Never has there been, Gilgamesh, a mortal man who could do that. No one has crossed through the mountains, for twelve leagues it is darkness throughout--dense is the darkness, and light there is none.
7. And Gilgamesh spoke to him saying:
"Though it be in deep sadness and pain, in cold or heat, gasping after breath, I will go on! Now! Open the Gate!"
[67 lines are missing, in which Gilgamesh convinces the scorpion-being to allow him passage.]
8. The scorpion-being spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Go on, Gilgamesh, fear not! The Mashu mountains I give to you freely! The mountains, the ranges, you may traverse, in safety may your feet carry you. The gate of the mountain ..."
To the rising of the sun ...
To the setting of the sun ...
To the setting of the sun ...
They caused to go out..."
9. As soon as Gilgamesh heard this he heeded the utterances of the scorpion-being. Along the Road of the Sun he journeyed--one league he traveled, dense was the darkness, light there was none. Neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Two leagues he traveled, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Four leagues he traveled, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Five leagues he traveled, dense was the darkness, light there was none,
neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Six leagues he traveled, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see. (not too redundant?!)
Seven leagues he traveled, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Eight leagues he traveled and he cried out, dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Nine leagues he traveled. He was met by the North Wind. It licked at his face.He was met by the East Wind. It too licked at him. Dense was the darkness, light there was none, neither what lies ahead nor behind does it allow him to see.
Ten leagues he traveled. He was met by the West Wind. It licked his face. He was met by the South Wind. It liked his face. Dense was the darkness, but he could bear it now. Now his goal was near,
Eleven leagues he traveled and came out before the sun rise.
Twelve leagues he traveled and it grew brilliant. The land changed and it bears lapis lazuli as foliage, bearing fruit, a delight to look upon. [25 lines are missing here, describing the garden in detail.] bearing cedar, bearing agate. The color of the sea reflected all the colors of the rainbow, the land bore lapis lazuli, rubies, hematite, and rich foliage like emeralds! And like emerald was the color of the sea,
10. Gilgamesh continued on walking onward, he raised his eyes and sawÉ.
1. The tavern-keeper Siduri who lives by the seashore, she lives by the pot-stand that was made for her, the golden fermenting vat was made for her. She is covered with a veil. Gilgamesh was roving about wearing a skin, having the flesh of the gods in his body but sadness deep within him. Looking like one who has been traveling a long distance.
2. The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance, puzzling to herself, she said, wondering to herself:
"That fellow is surely a murderer! Where is he heading!" As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door, bolted her gate, bolted the lock.
3. But at her noise Gilgamesh pricked up his ears, lifted his chin (to look about) and then laid his eyes on her. Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:
"Tavern-keeper, what have you seen that made you bolt your door,
bolt your gate, bolt the lock! If you do not let me in I will break your door, and smash the lock!
4. The tavern-keeper Siduri who lives by the seashore, she lives by the pot-stand that was made for her, the golden fermenting vat was made for her. She is covered with a veil. Gilgamesh was roving about wearing a skin, having the flesh of the gods in his body but sadness deep within him. Looking like one who has been traveling a long distance. The tavern-keeper was gazing off into the distance, puzzling to herself, she said, wondering to herself:
"That fellow is surely a murderer! Where is he heading!" As soon as the tavern-keeper saw him, she bolted her door, bolted her gate, bolted the lock.
5. Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:
"Tavern-keeper, what have you seen that made you bolt your door, bolt your gate, bolt the lock! I am Gilgamesh, I killed the Guardian! I destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, I slew lions in the mountain passes! I grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, and I killed him."
6. The tavern-keeper spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"lf you are Gilgamesh, who killed the Guardian, who destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, who slew lions in the mountain passes, who grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, and truly he that killed him, why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate? Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard? Why is there such sadness deep within you? Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distance so that ice and heat have seared your face? Why do you roam the wilderness?"
7. Gilgamesh spoke to her, to the tavern-keeper he said:
"Tavern-keeper, should not my cheeks be emaciated? Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard? Should there not be sadness deep within me! Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance? and should ice and heat not have seared my face! should I not roam the wilderness? My friend, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness, Enkidu, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness, we joined together, and went up into the mountain. We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven, we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes! My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me, Enkidu, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me, the fate of mankind has overtaken him. Six days and seven nights I mourned over him and would not allow him to be buried until a maggot fell out of his nose. I was terrified by his appearance, I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness. The issue of my friend oppresses me, so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness. The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me,
so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness. How can I stay silent, how can 1 be still! My friend whom I love has turned to clay. Am I not like him? Will I lie down, never to get up again?"
8. Gilgamesh spoke to the tavern-keeper, saying:
"So now, tavern-keeper, what is the way to Utanapishtim? What are its markers? Give them to me! Give me the markers! If possible, I will cross the sea: if not, I will roam through the wilderness."
9. The tavern-keeper spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"There has never been, Gilgamesh, any passage whatever, there has never been anyone since days of yore who crossed the sea. The (only) one who crosses the sea is valiant Shamash, except for him who can cross! The crossing is difficult, its ways are treacherous--and in between are the Waters of Death that bar its approaches! And even if, Gilgamesh, you should cross the sea, when you reach the Waters of Death what would you do! Gilgamesh, over there is Urshanabi, the ferryman of Utanapishtim. 'The Stone Things' are with him, he is in the woods picking mint. Go on, let him see your face. If possible, cross with him; if not, you should turn back."
10. When Gilgamesh heard he traveled to the woods where Urshanabi was gathering mint. He raised the axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his belt, and slipped into UrshanabiÕs hut. Stealthily he went in after the ÒStone ThingsÓ. Like an arrow he fell among them, the ÒStone Things", smashing them and they cried out! From the middle of the woods their noise could be heard. Urshanabi, the sharp-eyed, saw all. He came to Gilgamesh and asked:
ÒWho are you, and why do you take what is not yours?Ó
11. And Gilgamesh spoke to him saying:
ÒI am Gilgamesh. Take me across the sea.Ó
12. And Urshanabi questioned him saying:
"lf you are Gilgamesh, who killed the Guardian, who destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, who slew lions in the mountain passes, who grappled with the Bull that came down from heaven, and truly he that killed him, why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate? Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard? Why is there such sadness deep within you? Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distance so that ice and heat have seared your face? Why do you roam the wilderness?"
13. Gilgamesh spoke to him , to Urshanabi and he said:
"Should not my cheeks be emaciated? Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard? Should there not be sadness deep within me! Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance? and should ice and heat not have seared my face! should I not roam the wilderness? My friend, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness, Enkidu, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness, we joined together, and went up into the mountain. We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven, we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes! My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me, Enkidu, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me, the fate of mankind has overtaken him. Six days and seven nights I mourned over him and would not allow him to be buried until a maggot fell out of his nose. I was terrified by his appearance, I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness. The issue of my friend oppresses me, so I have been roaming long trails through the wilderness. The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me, so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness. How can I stay silent, how can 1 be still! My friend whom I love has turned to clay. Am I not like him? Will I lie down, never to get up again?"
"Urshanabi, should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expression desolate! Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard? Should there not be sadness deep within me? Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance, and should ice and heat not have seared my face? Should I not roam the wilderness? My friend, my friend whom I love has turned to clay; Enkidu, my friend whom I love, has turned to clay! Am I not like him! Will I lie down, never to get up again!"
"Now, Urshanabi! What is the way to Utanapishtim? What are its markers! Give them to me! Give me the markers! If possible, I will cross the sea; if not, I will roam through the wilderness!"
14. Urshanabi spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"It is your hands, Gilgamesh, that prevent the crossing! You have smashed the ÒStone Things,Ó you have pulled out their retaining ropes . ÒThe Stone ThingsÓ have been smashed, their retaining ropes pulled out! Gilgamesh, take the axe in your hand, go down into the woods, and cut down 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length. Strip them, attach caps, and bring them to the boat!"
15. When Gilgamesh heard this he took up the axe in his hand, drew the dagger from his belt, and went down into the woods, and cut 300 punting poles each 60 cubits in length. He stripped them and attached caps, and brought them to the boat.
Gilgamesh and Urshanabi bearded the boat, Gilgamesh launched the magillu-boat and they sailed away. By the third day they had traveled a stretch of a month and a half, and
Urshanabi arrived at the Waters of Death. Urshanabi put down a smaller craft into the waters and left Gilgamesh. As he left him there he said to Gilgamesh:
"Hold back, Gilgamesh, take a punting pole, but your hand must not pass over the Waters of Death! Take a second, Gilgamesh, a third, and a fourth pole, take a fifth, Gilgamesh, a sixth, and a seventh pole, take an eighth, Gilgamesh, a ninth, and a tenth pole, take an eleventh, Gilgamesh, and a twelfth pole!"
16. In twice 60 rods Gilgamesh had used up the punting poles. Then he loosened his waist-cloth, Gilgamesh stripped off his garment and held it up on the mast with his arms. Utanapishtim was gazing off into the distance, puzzling to himself he said, wondering to himself:
"Why are the ÒStone ThingsÓ of the boat smashed to pieces! And why is someone not its master sailing on it? The one who is coming is not a man of mine. I keep looking but not, I keep looking but not, I keep looking..."
17. And the waters brought Gilgamesh safely across them. To the lands where Utanapishtim dwells they brought him. Seeing him coming who was not the ferryman Urshanabi, Utanapishtim said to Gilgamesh:
"Why are your cheeks emaciated, your expression desolate? Why is your heart so wretched, your features so haggard? Why is there such sadness deep within you? Why do you look like one who has been traveling a long distance so that ice and heat have seared your face? Why do you roam the wilderness?"
18. Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim saying:
"Should not my cheeks be emaciated? Should my heart not be wretched, my features not haggard? Should there not be sadness deep within me! Should I not look like one who has been traveling a long distance? and should ice and heat not have seared my face! should I not roam the wilderness? My friend, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness, Enkidu, the wild ass who chased the wild donkey, panther of the wilderness, we joined together, and went up into the mountain. We grappled with and killed the Bull of Heaven, we destroyed Humbaba who lived in the Cedar Forest, we slew lions in the mountain passes! My friend, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me, Enkidu, whom I love deeply, who went through every hardship with me, the fate of mankind has overtaken him. Six days and seven nights I mourned over him and would not allow him to be buried until a maggot fell out of his nose. I was terrified by his appearance, I began to fear death, and so roam the wilderness. The issue of my friend oppresses me, so I have been roaming long trails
through the wilderness. The issue of Enkidu, my friend, oppresses me, so I have been roaming long roads through the wilderness. How can I stay silent, how can 1 be still! My friend whom I love has turned to clay. Am I not like him? Will I lie down, never to get up again?""Should not my cheeks be emaciated, my expression desolate!
19. Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, saying:
"That is why I must go on, to see Utanapishtim whom they call ÒThe Faraway.Ó I went circling through all the mountains. I traversed treacherous mountains, and crossed all the seas-- that is why sweet sleep has not mellowed my face, through sleepless striving I am strained, my muscles are filled with pain. I had not yet reached the tavern-keeper's area before my clothing gave out. I killed bear, hyena, lion, panther, tiger, stag, red-stag, and beasts of the wilderness; I ate their meat and wrapped their skins around me. ÒThe Gate of GriefÓ must be bolted shut, sealed with pitch and bitumen!Ó
20. Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Why, Gilgamesh, do you dispair? Why such sadness? You who were created from the flesh of gods and mankind. Who made you like your father and mother? The gods gave you a gift of life. They placed a chair in their Assembly. But to the fool they gave beer dregs instead of butter, bran and cheap flour. Clothed with a loincloth in place of a sash, because he does not have, does not have words of counsel. Take care about it, Gilgamesh. The gods are sleepless. They are troubled, restless. Long ago it has been established. You trouble yourself.
ÒYou have toiled without cease, and what have you got! Through toil you wear yourself out, you fill your body with grief, your long lifetime you are bringing near to a premature end. Mankind, whose offshoot is snapped off like a reed in a canebreak, the fine youth and lovely girl. No one can see death, no one can see the face of death, no one can hear the voice of death, yet there is savage death that snaps off mankind.
For how long do we build a household?
For how long do we seal a document?
For how long do brothers share the inheritance?
For how long is there to be jealousy in the land?
For how long has the river risen and brought the overflowing waters, so that dragonflies drift down the river? The face that could gaze upon the face of the Sun has never existed ever.
How alike are the sleeping and the dead?
The image of Death cannot be depicted.
Yes, you are a human being, a man !
ÒGilgamesh, know yout that:
After Enlil had pronounced the blessing, the Anunnaki, the Great Gods, assembled. Mammetum, she who forms destiny, determined destiny with them. They established Death and Life, but they did not make known 'the days of death'.
1. Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, the Faraway:
"I have been looking at you, but your appearance is not strange--you are like me! You yourself are not different--you are like me! My mind was resolved to fight with you, but instead my arm lies useless over you. Tell me, how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods, and have found eternal life!"
2. Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"I will reveal to you, Gilgamesh, a thing that is hidden, a secret of the gods I will tell you! Shuruppak, a city that you surely know, situated on the banks of the Euphrates, that city was very old, and there were gods inside it. The hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the Flood. Their Father Anu uttered the oath of secrecy, Valiant Enlil was their Adviser, Ninurta was their Chamberlain, Ennugi was their Minister of Canals. But Ea, the Clever Prince, was under oath with them yet he repeated their talk to the reed house:
ÒReed house, reed house! Wall, wall!
O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu:
Tear down the house and build a boat!
Abandon wealth and seek living beings!
Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings!
Make all living beings go up into the boat.
The boat which you are to build,
its dimensions must measure equal to each other:
its length must correspond to its width.
Roof it over like the Apsu.Ó
3. I understood and spoke to my lord, Ea:
ÒMy lord, thus is the command which you have uttered I will heed and will do it. But what shall I answer the city, the populace, and the Elders!'
4. Ea spoke, commanding me, his servant:
ÒYou, well then, this is what you must say to them:
ÒIt appears that Enlil is rejecting me
so I cannot reside in your city ,
nor set foot on Enlil's earth.
I will go down to the Apsu to live with my lord, Ea,
and upon you he will rain down abundance,
a profusion of fowl, myriad(!) fishes.
He will bring to you a harvest of wealth,
in the morning he will let loaves of bread shower down,
and in the evening a rain of wheat!Ó
5. Just as dawn began to glow the land assembled around me- the carpenter carried his hatchet, the reed worker carried his (flattening) stone. The child carried the pitch, the weak brought whatever else was needed.
On the fifth day I laid out her exterior. It was a field in area, its walls were each 10 times 12 cubits in height, the sides of its top were of equal length, 10 times It cubits each. I laid out its interior structure and drew a picture of it. I provided it with six decks, thus dividing it into seven levels. The inside of it I divided into nine compartments. I drove plugs to keep out water in its middle part. I saw to the punting poles and laid in what was necessary. Three times 3,600 units of raw bitumen I poured into the bitumen kiln,É
[Here I edited out the details.]
6. The boat was finished by sunset. The launching was very difficult. They had to keep carrying a runway of poles front to back, until two-thirds of it had gone into the water. Whatever I had I loaded on it: whatever silver I had 1 loaded on it, whatever gold I had I loaded on it. All the living beings that I had I loaded on it, I had all my kith and kin go up into the boat, all the beasts and animals of the field and the craftsmen I had go up.
7. Shamash had set a stated time: In the morning I will let loaves of bread shower down, and in the evening a rain of wheat! Go inside the boat, seal the entry!' That stated time had arrived. In the morning he let loaves of bread shower down, and in the evening a rain of wheat. I watched the appearance of the weather-- the weather was frightful to behold! I went into the boat and sealed the entry. For the caulking of the boat, to Puzuramurri, the boatman, I gave the palace together with its contents. Just as dawn began to glow there arose from the horizon a black cloud. Adad rumbled inside of it, before him went Shullat and Hanish, heralds going over mountain and land. Erragal pulled out the mooring poles, forth went Ninurta and made the dikes overflow. The Anunnaki lifted up the torches, setting the land ablaze with their flare. Stunned shock over Adad's deeds overtook the heavens, and turned to blackness all that had been light.
All day long the South Wind blew, blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water,
overwhelming the people like an attack. No one could see his fellow, they could not recognize each other in the torrent. The gods were frightened by the Flood, and retreated, ascending to the heaven of Anu. The gods were cowering like dogs, crouching by the outer wall. Ishtar shrieked like a woman in childbirth, the sweet-voiced Mistress of the Gods wailed:
8. Six days and seven nights came the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land. When the seventh day arrived, the storm was pounding, the flood was a war--struggling with itself like a woman writhing in labor. The sea calmed, fell still, the whirlwind (and) flood stopped up. I looked around all day long--quiet had set in and all the human beings had turned to clay! The terrain was as flat as a roof.
9. I opened a vent and fresh air (daylight!) fell upon the side of my nose.
I fell to my knees and sat weeping, tears streaming down the side of my nose. I looked around for coastlines in the expanse of the sea, and at twelve leagues there emerged a region of land. On Mt. Nimush the boat lodged firm, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway. One day and a second Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway. A third day, a fourth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway. A fifth day, a sixth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.
10. When a seventh day arrived I sent forth a dove and released it. The dove went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. I sent forth a swallow and released it. The swallow went off, but came back to me; no perch was visible so it circled back to me. I sent forth a raven and released it. The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back. It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me. Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed a sheep. I offered incense in front of the mountain-ziggurat. Seven and seven cult vessels I put in place, and (into the fire) underneath (or: into their bowls) I poured reeds, cedar, and myrtle.
11. The gods smelled the savor, the gods smelled the sweet savor, and collected like flies over a (sheep) sacrifice. Just then Beletili arrived. She lifted up the large flies beads which Anu had made for his enjoyment:
ÒYou gods, as surely as I shall not forget this lapis lazuli around my neck, may I be mindful of these days, and never forget them! The gods may come to the incense offering, but Enlil may not come to the incense offering, because without considering he brought about the Flood and consigned my people to annihilation.Ó
12. Just then Enlil arrived. He saw the boat and became furious, he was filled with rage at the Igigi gods:
ÒWhere did a living being escape?
No man was to survive the annihilation!Ó
13. Ninurta spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:
'Who else but Ea could devise such a thing?
It is Ea who knows every machination!'
14. La spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:
'It is yours, O Valiant One, who is the Sage of the Gods.
How, how could you bring about a Flood without consideration
Charge the violation to the violator,
charge the offense to the offender,
but be compassionate lest (mankind) be cut off,
be patient lest they be killed.
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that a lion had appeared to diminish the people!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that a wolf had appeared to diminish the people!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that famine had occurred to slay the land!
Instead of your bringing on the Flood,
would that (Pestilent) Erra had appeared to ravage the land!
It was not I who revealed the secret of the Great Gods,
I (only) made a dream appear to Atrahasis, and (thus) he
heard the secret of the gods.
Now then! The deliberation should be about him!'
Enlil went up inside the boat
and, grasping my hand, made me go up.
He had my wife go up and kneel by my side.
He touched our forehead and, standing between us, he
blessed us:
'Previously Utanapishtim was a human being.
But now let Utanapishtim and his wife become like us,
the gods!
Let Utanapishtim reside far away, at the Mouth of the Rivers.'
15. They took us far away and settled us at the Mouth of the Rivers."
16. Then Utanapishtim said to Gilgamesh:
ÒNow then, who will convene the gods on your behalf, that you may find the life that you are seeking! Wait! You must not lie down for six days and seven nights." As soon as he sat down, Gilgamesh, was overcome and sleep, like a fog, blew upon . Utanapishtim said to his wife:
"Look there! The man, the youth who wanted (eternal) life! Sleep, like a fog, blew over him."
17. His wife said to Utanapishtim the Faraway:
"Touch him, let the man awaken. Let him return safely by the way he came. Let him return to his land by the gate through which he left."
18. Utanapishtim said to his wife:
"Mankind is deceptive, and will deceive you. Come, bake leaves for him and keep setting them by his head and draw on the wall each day that he lay down." She baked his leaves and placed them by his head and marked on the wall the day that he lay down. The first loaf was dessicated, the second stale, the third moist, the fourth turned white, the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh. the seventh--suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.
19. Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim:
"The very moment sleep was pouring over me you touched me and alerted me!"
20. Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Look over here, Gilgamesh, count your loaves! You should be aware of what is marked on the wall! Your first loaf is dessicated, the second stale, the third moist, your fourth turned white, the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh. The seventh--suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.
21. Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim:
"The very moment sleep was pouring over m you touched me and alerted me! O woe! What shall I do, Utanapishtim, where shall I go! The Snatcher has taken hold of my flesh, in my bedroom Death dwells, and wherever I set foot there too is Death!" Home Empty-Handed
22. Utanapishtim said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:
"May the harbor reject you, may the ferry landing reject you! May you who used to walk its shores be denied its shores! The man in front of whom you walk, matted hair chains his body, animal skins have ruined his beautiful skin. Take him away, Urshanabi, bring him to the washing place. Let him wash his matted hair in water like ellu. Let him cast away his animal skin and have the sea carry it off, let his body be moistened with fine oil, let the wrap around his head be made new, let him wear royal robes worthy of him! Until he goes off to his city, until he sets off on his way, let his royal robe not become spotted, let it be perfectly new!"
23. Urshanabi took him away and brought him to the washing place. He washed his matted hair with water like ellu. He put on a royal robe worthy of him. Gilgamesh and Urshanabi bearded the boat, they cast off the magillu-boat, and sailed away.
24. The wife of Utanapishtim the Faraway said to him:
"Gilgamesh came here exhausted and worn out. What can you give him so that he can return to his land with honor!" Then Gilgamesh raised a punting pole
and drew the boat to shore.
25. Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:
"Gilgamesh, you came here exhausted and worn out. What can I give you so you can return to your land? I will disclose to you a thing that is hidden, Gilgamesh, I will tell you. There is a plant... like a boxthorn, whose thorns will prick your hand like a rose. If your hands reach that plant you will become a young man again."
26. Hearing this, Gilgamesh opened a conduit to the Apsu and attached heavy stones to his feet. They dragged him down, to the Apsu they pulled him. He took the plant, though it pricked his hand, and cut the heavy stones from his feet, letting the waves throw him onto its shores. Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, the ferryman, saying:
"Urshanabi, this plant is a plant against decay by which a man can attain his survival! I will bring it to Uruk-Haven, and have an old man eat the plant to test it. The plant's name is ÒThe Old Man Becomes a Young Man.Ó Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth.Ó
27. At twenty leagues they broke for some food, at thirty leagues they stopped for the night. Seeing a spring and how cool its waters were, Gilgamesh went down and was bathing in the water. A snake smelled the fragrance of the plant, silently came up and carried off the plant. While going back it sloughed off its casing.' At that point Gilgamesh sat down, weeping, his tears streaming over the side of his nose.
"Counsel me, O ferryman Urshanabi! For whom have my arms labored, Urshanabi! For whom has my heart's blood roiled! I have not secured any good deed for myself, but done a good deed for the 'lion of the ground'!"
28. At twenty leagues they broke for some food, at thirty leagues they stopped for the night. They arrived in Uruk-Haven. Gilgamesh said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:
"Go up, Urshanabi, onto the wall of Uruk and walk around. Examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly-- is not (even the core of) the brick structure of kiln-fired brick, and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plan! One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area of the Ishtar Temple,
three leagues and the open area of Uruk it encloses.Ó
29. This was the tale of Gilgamesh. The god-man Gilgamesh. He was one who truly attained wisdom.Ó