View source for Epic of Gilgamesh (full text)/Tablet 2

{{header2
 | title    = [[../]]
 | author   = 
 | section  = Tablet 2: Of the Meeting of Gilgamish and Enkidu
 | previous = Tablet 1: Of the Tyranny of Gilgamish, and the Creation of Enkidu
 | next     = [[../Tablet 3|Tablet 3: The Expedition to the Forest of Cedars against Humbaba]]
 | notes    = Translated by [[Author:Maureen Gallery Kovacs|Maureen Gallery Kovacs]]
}}

'''Tablet 2: Of the Meeting of Gilgamish and Enkidu'''<br />

Enkidu sits in front of her.

'''The next 30 lines are missing; some of the fragmentary lines from 35 on are restored
from parallels in the Old Babylonian.'''

"Why ..."(?)<br />
His own counsel ...<br />
At his instruction ...<br />
Who knows his heart...<br />
Shamhat pulled off her clothing,<br />
and clothed him with one piece<br />
while she clothed herself with a second.<br />
She took hold of him as the gods do'<br />
and brought him to the hut of the shepherds.<br />
The shepherds gathered all around about him,<br />
they marveled to themselves:<br />
"How the youth resembles Gilgamesh--<br />
tall in stature, towering up to the battlements over the wall!<br />
Surely he was born in the mountains;<br />
his strength is as mighty as the meteorite(!) of Anu!"<br />
They placed food in front of him,<br />
they placed beer in front of him;<br />
Enkidu knew nothing about eating bread for food,<br />
and of drinking beer he had not been taught.<br />
The harlot spoke to Enkidu, saying:<br />
	"Eat the food, Enkidu, it is the way one lives.<br />
	Drink the beer, as is the custom of the land."<br />
Enkidu ate the food until he was sated,<br />
he drank the beer-seven jugs!-- and became expansive and sang with joy!<br />
He was elated and his face glowed.<br />
He splashed his shaggy body with water,<br />
and rubbed himself with oil, and turned into a human.<br />
He put on some clothing and became like a warrior(!).<br />
He took up his weapon and chased lions so that the shepherds could eat<br />
He routed the wolves, and chased  the lions.<br />
With Enkidu as their guard, the herders could lie down.<br />
A wakeful man, a singular youth, he was twice as tall (?) (as normal men<br />

'''The next 33 lines are missing in the Standard Version; lines 57-86 are taken from the
Old Babylonian.'''<br />

Then he raised his eyes and saw a man.<br />
He said to the harlot:<br />
	"Shamhat, have that man go away!<br />
	Why has he come'? I will call out his name!"<br />
The harlot called out to the man<br />
and went over to him and spoke with him.<br />
	"Young man, where are you hurrying!<br />
	Why this arduous pace!"<br />
The young man spoke, saying to Enkidu:<br />
	"They have invited me to a wedding,<br />
	as is the custom of the people.<br />
	... the selection(!) of brides(!) .. <br />
	I have heaped up tasty delights for the wedding on the ceremonial(!) platter.<br />
	For the King of Broad-Marted Uruk,<br />
	open is the veil(!) of the people for choosing (a girl).<br />
	For Gilgamesh, the King of Broad-Marted Uruk,<br />
	open is the veil(?) of the people for choosing.<br />
	He will have intercourse with the 'destined wife,'<br />
	he first, the husband afterward.<br />
	This is ordered by the counsel of Anu,<br />
	from the severing of his umbilical cord it has been destined<br />
	for him."<br />
At the young man's speech his (Enkidu's) face flushed (with anger).<br />
[Several lines are missing.]<br />
Enkidu walked in front, and Shamhat after him.<br />
[The Standard Version resumes.]<br />
 He (Enkidu) walked down the street of Uruk-Haven,<br />
... mighty...<br />
He blocked the way through Uruk the Sheepfold.<br />
The land of Uruk stood around him,<br />
the whole land assembled about him,<br />
the populace was thronging around him,<br />
the men were clustered about him,<br />
and kissed his feet as if he were a little baby(!).<br />
Suddenly a handsome young man ...<br />
For Ishara the bed of night(?)/marriage(?) is ready,<br />
for Gilgamesh as for a god a counterpart(!) is set up.<br />
Enkidu blocked the entry to the marital chamber,<br />
and would not allow Gilgamreh to be brought in.<br />
They grappled with each other at the entry to the marital chamber,<br />
in the street they attacked each other, the public square of the land.<br />
The doorposts trembled and the wall shook,<br />

'''About 42 lines are missing from the Standard Version; lines 103-129 are taken from<br />
the Old Babylonian version.'''<br />

Gilgamesh bent his knees, with his other foot on the ground,<br />
his anger abated and he turned his chest away.<br />
After he turned his chest Enkidu said to Gilgamesh:<br />
	"Your mother bore you ever unique(!),<br />
	the Wild Cow of the Enclosure, Ninsun,<br />
	your head is elevated over (other) men,<br />
	Enlil has destined for you the kingship over the people."<br />
'''19 lines are missing here.'''<br />

 They kissed each other and became friends.<br />
[The Old Babylonian becomes fragmentary. The Standard Version resumes]<br />
	"His strength is the mightiest in the land!<br />
	His strength is as mighty as the meteorite(?) of Anu,<br />
The mother of Gilgamesh spoke to Gilgamesh, saying;<br />
Rimat-Ninsun said to her son:<br />
	"(I!), Rimar-Ninsun...<br />
	My son...<br />
	Plaintively ...<br />
 She went up into his (Shamash's) gateway,<br />
plaintively she implored ...:<br />
	"Enkidu has no father or mother,<br />
	his shaggy hair no one cuts.<br />
	He was born in the wilderness, no one raised him."<br />
Enkidu was standing there, and heard the speech.<br />
He ... and sat down and wept,<br />
his eyes filled with tears,<br />
his arms felt limp, his strength weakened.<br />
They took each other by the hand,<br />
and.., their hands like ...<br />
 Enkidu made a declaration to (Gilgamesh').<br />
'''32 lines are missing here.'''<br />
	"in order to protect the Cedar Forest<br />
	Enlil assigned (Humbaba) as a terror to human beings,<br />
	Humbaba's roar is a Flood, his mouth is Fire, and his breath is Death!<br />
	He can hear 100 leagues away any rustling(?) in his forest!<br />
	Who would go down into his forest!<br />
	Enlil assigned him as a terror to human beings,<br />
	and whoever goes down into his forest paralysis(?) will strike!"<br />
Gilgamesh spoke to Enkidu saying:<br />
	"What you say .. ."<br />
[About 42 lines are missing here in the Standard Version; lines 228-249 are taken from
the Old Babylonian.]<br />
	"Who, my Friend, can ascend to the heavens!"<br />
	(Only) the gods can dwell forever with Shamash.<br />
	As for human beings, their days are numbered,<br />
	and whatever they keep trying to achieve is but wind!<br />
	Now you are afraid of death--<br />
	what has become of your bold strength!<br />
	I will go in front of you,<br />
	and your mouth can call out: 'Go on closer, do not be afraid!'<br />
	Should I fall, I will have established my fame.<br />
	(They will say:)'It was Gilgamesh who locked in battle with Humbaba the Terrible!'<br />
	You were born and raised in the wilderness,<br />
	a lion leaped up on you, so you have experienced it all!'<br />
'''5 lines are fragmentary'''<br />
	I will undertake it and I will cut down the Cedar.<br />
	It is I who will establish fame for eternity!<br />
	Come, my friend, I will go over to the forge<br />
	and have them cast the weapons in our presence!"<br />
Holding each other by the hand they went over to the forge.<br />
[The Standard Version resumes at this point.]<br />
The craftsmen sat and discussed with one another.<br />
	"We should fashion the axe...<br />
	The hatchet should he one talent in weight ...<br />
	Their swords should be one talent...<br />
	Their armor one talent, their armor ..."<br />
Gilgamesh said to the men of Uruk:<br />
	"Listen to me, men...<br />
'''5 lines are missing here.'''<br />
You, men of Uruk, who know ...<br />
	I want to make myself more mighty, and will go on a distant(!) journey!<br />
	I will face fighting such as I have never known,<br />
	I will set out on a road I have never traveled!<br />
	Give me your blessings! ...<br />
	I will enter the city gate of Uruk ...<br />
	I will devote(?) myself to the New Year's Festival.<br />
	I will perform the New Year's (ceremonies) in...<br />
	The New Year's Festival will take place, celebrations ...<br />
	They will keep shouting 'Hurrah!' in...""<br />
Enkidu spoke to the Elders:<br />
	"What the men of Uruk...<br />
Say to him that he must nor go to the Cedar Forest--<br />
the journey is not to be made!<br />
A man who...<br />
The Guardian of the Cedar Forest ...<br />
The Noble Counselors of Uruk arose and <br />
delivered their advice toGilgamesh:<br />
"You are young, Gilgamesh, your heart carries you off<br />
you do not know what you are talking about!<br />
...gave birth to you.<br />
Humbaba's roar is a Flood,<br />
his mouth is Fire, his breath Death!<br />
He can hear any rustling(!) in his forest 100 leagues away!<br />
Who would go down into his forest!<br />
Who among (even!) the Igigi gods can confront him?<br />
In order to keep the Cedar safe, Enlil assigned him as a terror<br />
to human beings."<br />
Gilgamesh listened to the statement of his Noble Counselors.<br />
'''About 5 lines are missing to the end of Tablet II.'''<br />