GILGAMESH went abroad in the world, but he met with none who could withstand his arms till be came to
Uruk. But the men of Uruk muttered in their houses, ‘Gilgamesh sounds the tocsin for his amusement, his arrogance
has no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father, for Gilgamesh takes them all, even the children; yet the
king should be a shepherd to his people. His lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor the
wife of the noble; yet this is the shepherd of the city, wise, comely, and resolute.'

The gods heard their lament, the gods of
heaven cried to the Lord of Uruk, to Anu the god of
Uruk: ‘A goddess made him, strong as a savage bull,
none can withstand his arms. No son is left with his
father, for Gilgamesh takes them all; and is this the
king, the shepherd of his people? His lust leaves no
virgin to her lover, neither the warrior's daughter nor
the wife of the noble. When Anu had heard their
lamentation the gods cried to Aruru, the goddess of
creation, ‘You made him, O Aruru; now create his
equal; let it be as like him as his own reflection, his
second self; stormy heart for stormy heart. Let them
contend together and leave Uruk 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
noble Enkidu was created. There was virtue in him
of the god of war, of Ninurta himself. His body was
rough, he had long hair like a woman's; it waved
like the hair of Nisaba, the goddess of corn. His
body was covered with matted hair like Samugan's,
the god of cattle. He was innocent of mankind; he
knew nothing of the cultivated land.

Enkidu ate grass in the hills with the gazelle
and lurked with wild beasts at the water-holes; he
had joy of the water with the herds of wild game.

But there was a trapper who met him one day face to
face at the drinking-hole, for the wild game had
entered his territory. On three days he met him face
to face, and the trapper was frozen with fear. He
went back to his house with the game that he had
caught, and he was dumb, benumbed with terror.

His face was altered like that of one who has made a long journey. With awe in his heart he spoke to his father:
‘Father, there is a man, unlike any other, who comes down from the hills. He is the strongest in the world, he is like
an immortal from heaven. He ranges over the hills with 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 in the pits which I dig and tears up-my traps
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 Uruk lives Gilgamesh; no one has ever pre-
vailed against him, he is strong as a star from heaven. Go to Uruk, find Gilgamesh, extol the strength of this wild
man. Ask him to give you a harlot, a wanton from the temple of love; return with her, and let her woman's power
overpower this man. When next he comes down to drink at 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 Uruk and addressed himself to Gilgamesh saying, ‘A man unlike any other is
roaming now in the pastures; he is as strong as a star from heaven and I am afraid to approach him. He helps the wild

King Ashurbampal. 669-62? B C The excavations of his
library provided a major souroe of Mesopotamian literature,
including a good portion of tire Epic of Gilgamesh

4

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

game to escape; he fills in my pits and pulls up my traps.' Gilgamesh said, ‘Trapper, go back, take with you a harlot, a
child of pleasure. At the drinking hole she will strip, and when, he sees her beckoning he will embrace her and the game
of the wilderness will, surely reject him.'

Now the trapper returned, taking the harlot with him. After a three days' 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 for the second day the two sat waiting, but on the third day the herds came; they came down to drink and Enkidu was
with them. The small wild creatures of the plains were glad of the water, and Enkidu with them, who ate grass with the
gazelle and was born in the hills; and she saw him, the savage man, come from far-off in the hills. The trapper spoke to
her: ‘There he is. Now, woman, make your breasts bare, have no shame, do not delay but welcome his love. Let him see
you naked, let him possess your body. When he comes near uncover yourself and lie with him; teach him, the savage man,
your woman's art, for when he murmurs love to you the wild’ 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 taught 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 creatures saw him they fled. Enkidu would have followed, but his body was bound a s 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 was grown weak, for wisdom was in him, and the thoughts of a man were in his heart. So he returned and sat
down at the woman's feet, and listened intently to what she said. ‘You are wise, Enkidu, and now you have become like a
god. Why do you want to run wild with the beasts in the hills? Come with me. I will take you to strong-walled Uruk, to the
blessed temple of Ishtar and of Anu, of love and of heaven there Gilgamesh lives, who is very strong, and like a wild bull
he lords it over men.'

When she had spoken Enkidu was pleased; he longed for a comrade, for one who would understand his heart.
Come, woman, and take me to that holy temple, to the house of Anu and of Ishtar, and to the place where Gilgamesh lords
it over the people. I will challenge him boldly, I will cry out aloud in Uruk, "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, and let him see your face. 1 know very well where Gilgamesh is in great Uruk. O Enkidu, there
all the people are dressed in their gorgeous robes, every day is holiday, the young men and the girls are wonderful to see.
How sweet they smell! All the great ones are roused from their beds. O Enkidu, you who love life, 1 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 favours to Gilgamesh, and Anu of the heavens, and Enlil, and Ea the wise has given him deep
understanding, f 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; Ninsun, one of the wise gods. ‘Mother, last night 1 had a
dream. I was full of joy, the young heroes were round me and I walked through the night under the stars of the
firmament, and one, a meteor of the stuff of Anu, fell down from heaven. I tried to lift it but it proved too heavy. All
the people of Uruk came round to see it, the common people jostled and the nobles thronged to kiss its feet; and to
me its attraction was like the love of woman. They helped me, I braced my forehead and I raised it with thongs and
brought it to you, and you yourself pronounced it my brother.'

Then Ninsun, who is well-beloved and wise, said to Gilgamesh, ‘This star of heaven which descended like a
meteor from the sky; which you tried to lift," but found too heavy, when you tried to move it it would not budge, and
so you brought it to my feet; I made it for you, a goad and spur, and you were drawn as though to a woman. This is
the strong comrade, the one who brings help to his friend in his need. He is the strongest of wild creatures, the stuff
of Anu; born in the grass-lands and the wild hills reared him; when you see him you will be glad; you will love him
as a woman and he will never forsake you. This is the meaning of the dream.'

Gilgamesh said, ‘Mother, I dreamed a second dream. In the streets of strong-walled Uruk there lay an axe; the
shape of it was strange and the people thronged round. I saw it and was glad. I bent down, deeply drawn towards it; I
loved it like a woman and wore it at my side.' Ninsun answered, ‘That axe, which you saw, which drew you so
powerfully like love of a woman, that is the comrade whom I give you, and he will come in his strength like one of
the host of heaven. He is the brave companion who rescues his friend in necessity.' Gilgamesh said to his mother, 'A
friend, a counsellor has come to me from Enlil, and now I shall befriend and counsel him.' So Gilgamesh told his
dreams; and the harlot retold them to Enkidu.

And now she said to Enkidu, ‘When 1 look at you you have become like a god. Why do you yearn to run wild
again with the beasts in the hills? Get up from the ground, the bed of a shepherd.' He listened to her words with care.
It was good advice that she gave. She divided her clothing in two and with the one half she clothed him and with the
other herself, and holding his hand she led him like a child to the sheepfolds, into the shepherds' tents. There all the

5

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

shepherds crowded round to 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 staff of life; drink the wine, it is the custom of the land.' So he ate
till he was full and drank strong wine, seven goblets. He became merry, his heart exulted and his face shone. 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 that the shepherds could rest at
night. He caught wolves and lions and the herdsmen lay down in peace; for Enkidu was their watchman, that strong man
who had no rival.

He was merry living with the shepherds, till one day lifting his eyes he saw a man approaching. He said to the harlot,
‘Woman, fetch that man here. Why has he come? 1 wish to know his name.' She went and called the man saying, ‘Sir,
where are you going on this weary journey?' The man answered, saying to Enkidu, ‘Gilgamesh has gone into the
marriage-house and shut out the people. He does strange things in Umk, the city of great streets. At the roll of the drum
work begins for the men, and work for the women. Gilgamesh the king is about to celebrate marriage with the Queen of
Love, and he still demands to be first with the bride, the king to be first and the husband to follow, for that was ordained
by the gods from his birth, from the time the umbilical cord was cut. But now the drums roll for the choice of the bride and
the city groans.' At these words Enkidu turned white in the face. ‘I will go to the place where Gilgamesh lords it over the
people, I will challenge him boldly, and I will cry aloud in Uruk, "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 Umk, that great market, and all the folk
thronged round him where he stood in the street in strong-walled Umk. The people jostled; speaking of him they said, ‘He
is the spit of Gilgamesh. ‘He is shorter.’ ‘He is bigger of bone.’ This is the one who was reared on the milk of 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 Umk the bridal bed was made, fit for the goddess of love. The bride waited for the bridegroom, but in the night
Gilgamesh got up and came to the house. Then Enkidu stepped out, he stood in the street and blocked the way. 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 bulls. They broke the doorposts and the walls shook, they snorted like
bulls locked together. They shattered the doorposts and the walls shook. Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on
the ground and with a 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. Ninsun, who is as strong as a wild ox in the byre, she was the
mother who bore you, and now you are raised above all men, and Enlil has given you the kingship, for your strength sur-
passes the strength of men.’ So Enkidu and Gilgamesh embraced and their friendship was sealed.

6

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

2

THE FOREST JOURNEY

ENLIL 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 is 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 unexampled supremacy
over the people, victory in battle from which no fugitive returns, in forays and assaults from which there is no going back.
But do not abuse this power, deal justly with your servants in the palace, deal jusdy 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 that 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 where the 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
wise a monument to the gods. Because o£ the evil that
is in the land, we will go to the forest and destroy the
evil; for in the forest lives Humbaba whose name is
"Hugeness", , a ferocious giant. But Enkidu sighed
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.

Enlil has appointed Humbaba to guard it and armed
him iii sevenfold terrors, terrible to all flesh is
Humbaba. When he roars it is like the torrent of the
storm, his breath is like fire, and 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; it is not an
equal struggle when one fights with Humbaba; he is a
great warrior, a battering-ram. Gilgamesh, the
watchman of the forest never sleeps.'

Gilgamesh replied: 'Where is the man who can clamber to heaven? Only the gods live for ever 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 am your lord, an4.youmay safely call out, "Forward, there is nothing to fear!" Then if I
fall I leave behind me a name that endures; men - will say of me, "Gilgamesh has fallen in fight with ferocious Humbaba."
Long after the child has been bony in my house, they will say it, and remember.' Enkidu spoke again to Gilgamesh, 'O
my lord, if you will enter that country, go first to the hero 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 spot, and a brown one with it; he held them against his breast, and he
carried them into the presence of the sun. He took i n his hand his silver sceptre and he said to glorious Shamash, Tam
going to that country, O Shamash, I am going; my hands supplicate, so let it be well with my soul and bring me back to

7

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

the quay of Uruk. Grant, I beseech, your protection, and let the omen be good.' Glorious Shamash answered, ‘Gilgamesh,
you are strong, but what i s the Country of the Living to you?

'O Shamash, hear me, hear me, Shamash, let my voice be heard. Here in the city man dies oppressed at heart, man
perishes with despair in his heart. I have looked over the wall and I see the bodies floating on the river, and that will be my
lot also. Indeed I know 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 the country where the cedar is cut. 1 will set up my name where the names of famous men
are written; and where no man's name is written I will raise a monument to the gods.' The tears, ran down his face and he
said, ‘Alas, it is a long journey that I must take to the Land of Humbaba. If this enterprise is not to be accomplished,
why did you move me, Shamash, with the restless desire to perform it? How can I succeed if you will not succour
me? If I die in that country I will die without rancour, 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, and stationed them in the mountain caves. The 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 a 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 the craftsmen sat down in conference. They went into the groves of the
plain and cut willow and box-wood; they cast for them axes of nine score pounds, and great swords they cast with blades
of six score pounds each one, with pommels and hilts of thirty pounds. They cast for Gilgamesh the axe ‘Might of Heroes'
and the bow of Anshan; and Gilgamesh was armed and Enkidu; and the weight of the arms they carried was thirty score
pounds.

The people collected and the counsellors in the streets and in the market-place of Uruk; they came through the gate
of seven bolts and Gilgamesh spoke to them in the market-place: ‘I, Gilgamesh, go to see that creature of whom such
things are spoken, the rumour of whose name fills the world. I will conquer him in his cedar wood and show the
strength of the sons of Uruk, all the world shall, know of it. I am committed to this enterprise: to climb the mountain, to cut
down the cedar, and leave behind me an enduring name.' The counsellors of Uruk; the great market, answered him,
‘Gilgamesh, you are young, your courage carries you too far, you cannot know what this enterprise means which you
plan. 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 ten thousand leagues in every direction; who would willingly go down to explore its depths? As
for Humbaba, when he roars it is like the torrent of the 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 counsellors 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 Enkidu, ‘My friend, let us go to the Great Palace, to Egalmah, and stand before Ninsun
the queen. Ninsun is wise with deep knowledge, she will give us counsel for the road we must go.' They took each
other by the hand as they went to Egalmah, and they went to Ninsun the great queen. Gilgamesh approached, he
entered the palace and spoke to Ninsun. ‘Ninsun, will you listen to me; I have a long journey to go, to the Land of
Humbaba, 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 abhors, pray for me to Shamash.'

Ninsun went into her room, she put on a dress becoming to her body, she put on jewels to make her breast
beautiful, she placed a tiara on her head and her skirts swept the ground. Then she went up to the altar of the Sun,
standing upon the roof of the palace; she burnt incense and lifted her arms to Shamash as the smoke ascended: ‘O
Shamash, why did you give this restless heart to Gilgamesh, my son; why did you give it? You have moved him and
now he sets out on a long journey to the Land of Humbaba, to travel an unknown road and fight a strange battle.
Therefore from the day that he goes till the day he returns, until he reaches the cedar forest, until he kills Humbaba
and destroys the evil thing which you, Shamash, abhor, do not forget him; but let the dawn, Aya, your dear bride,
remind you always, and when day is done give him to the watchman of the night to keep him from harm.' Then
Ninsun the mother of Gilgamesh extinguished the incense, and she called to Enkidu with this exhortation: ‘Strong
Enkidu, you are not the child of my body, but I will receive you as my adopted son; you are my other child like the
foundlings they bring to the temple. Serve Gilgamesh as a foundling serves the temple and the priestess who reared
him. In the presence of my women, any votaries and hierophants, I declare it.' Then she placed - the amulet for a
pledge round his neck, and she said to him, ‘I entrust my son to you; bring him back to me safely.’

And now they brought to them the weapons, they put in their hands the great swords in their golden scabbards,
and the bow and the quiver. Gilgamesh took the axe, he slung the quiver from his -shoulder, and the bow of Anshan,

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

and buckled the sword to his belt; and so they were armed and ready for the journey. Now all the people came and
pressed on them and said, ‘When will you return to the city? The counsellors blessed Gilgamesh and warned him,
‘Do not trust too much in your own strength, be watchful, restrain your blows at first. The one who goes in front
protects his companion; the good guide who knows the way guards his friend. Let Enkidu lead the way, he knows
the road to the forest, he has seen Humbaba and is experienced in battles; let him press first into the passes, let him be
watchful and look to himself. Let-Enkidu protect his friend, and guard his companion, and bring him safe through the
pitfalls of the road. We, the counsellors of Uruk entrust our king to you, O Enkidu; bring him back safely to us.' Again to
Gilgamesh, they said, ‘May Shamash give you your heart's desire, may he let you see with your eyes the thing
accomplished which your lips have spoken; may he open a path for you where it is blocked, and a road for your feet to
tread. May he open the mountains for your crossing, and may the nighttime bring you the blessings of night, and
Lugulbanda, your guardian god, stand beside you for victory. May y ou have victory in the 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 Lugulbanda.'

Then Enkidu opened his mouth and said, ‘Forward, there is nothing to fear. Follow me, for I know the place where
Humbaba lives and the paths where he walks. Let the counsellors go back. Here is no cause for fear.' When the counsellors
heard this they sped the hero on his way. ‘Go, Gilgamesh, may your guardian god protect you on the road and bring you
safely back to the quay of Uruk.'

After twenty leagues they broke their fast; after another thirty leagues they stopped for the night. Fifty leagues they
walked in one day; in three days they had walked as much as a journey of a month and two weeks. They crossed seven
mountains before they came to the gate of the forest. Then Enkidu called out to Gilgamesh, ‘Do not go down into the
forest; when 1 opened the gate my hand lost its strength.' Gilgamesh answered him, ‘Dear friend, do not speak like a
coward. Have we got the better of so many dangers and travelled so far, to turn back at last? You, who are tried in wars
and battles, hold dose 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 and gazed at the forest. They saw the height of the cedar, they saw the way into the forest and
the track where Humbaba was 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 comfort; mountain and glade were green with brushwood:

There Gilgamesh dug a well before the setting sun. He went up the mountain and poured out fine meal on the
ground and said, ‘O mountain, dwelling of the gods, bring me a favourable dream.' Then they took each other' by the hand
and lay down to sleep; and sleep that flows from the night lapped over them. Gilgamesh dreamed, and at midnight sleep
left him, and he told his dream to his friend. ‘Enkidu, what was it that woke me if you did not? My friend, 1 have dreamed
a dream. Get up, look at the mountain precipice. The sleep that the gods sent me is broken. Ah, my friend, what a dream I
have had ! Terror and confusion; I seized hold of a wild bull in the wilderness. It bellowed and beat up the dust till 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 are travelling is no wild bull, though his form is mysterious.
That wild bull which you saw is Shamash the Protector; in our moment of peril he will take our hands. The one who
gave water from his water-skin, that is your own god who cares for your good name, your Lugulbanda. United with
him, together we will accomplish a work the fame of which will never die.'

Gilgamesh said, ‘I dreamed again. We stood in a deep gorge of the mountain, and beside it we two were like
the smallest of swamp flies; and suddenly the mountain fell, it struck me and caught my feet from under me. Then
came an intolerable light blazing out, and in it was one whose grace and whose beauty were greater than the beauty
of this world. He pulled me out from under the mountain, he gave me water to drink and my heart was comforted,
and he set my feet on theground.'

Then Enkidu the child of the plains said, ‘Let us go down from the mountain and talk this thing over together.'
He said to Gilgamesh the young god, ‘Your dream is good, your dream is excellent, the mountain which you saw is
Humbaba. Now, surely, we will seize and kill him, and throw his body down as the mountain fell on the plain.'

The next day after twenty leagues they broke their fast, and after another thirty 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, send a dream for Enkidu, make him a favourable dream.' The mountain
fashioned a dream for Enkidu; it came, an ominous dream; a cold shower passed over him, it caused him to cower

9

The Epic Of Gilgamesh

tike the mountain barley under a storm of rain. But Gilgamesh sat with his chin on his knees till the sleep which
flows over all mankind lapped over him. Then, at midnight, sleep left him; he got up and said to his friend, ‘Did you
call me, or why did I wake? Did you touch me, or why am I terrified? Did not some god pass by, for my limbs are
numb with fear? My friend, I saw a third dream and this dream was altogether frightful. The heavens roared and the
earth roared again, daylight failed and darkness fell, lightnings flashed, fire blazed out, the clouds lowered, they
rained down death. Then the brightness departed, the fire went out, and all was turned to ashes fallen about us. Let
us go down from the mountain and talk this over, and consider what we should do.'

When they had come down from the mountain Gilgamesh seized the axe in his hand: he felled the cedar. When
Humbaba heard the noise far off he was enraged; he cried out, ‘Who is this that has violated my woods and cut
down my cedar?' But glorious Shamash called to them out of heaven, ’Go forward, do not be afraid.’ But now’
Gilgamesh was overcome by 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 plain of Kullab, the world grows dark, the shadows have spread
over it, now is the glimmer of dusk. Shamash has departed, his bright head is quenched in the bosom of his mother
Ningal. O Gilgamesh, how long will you lie like this, asleep? Never let the mother who gave you birth be forced in
mourning into the city square.’