EPIC OF GILGAMESH TABLET II

Kenneth Sublett, Piney.com, Hohenwald, Tennessee

 

The Meeting of Gilgamesh and Enkidu

Columns I - VI

Column I

Then Gilgamesh explained his dream to Ninsun:

"Last night a vision filled my head

with sights of stars and one sent down from heaven.

At first I tried and failed to carry forth

these signs with me. Then all citizens

of Uruk here assisted in my efforts.

So I was able then to bring these omens near to you."

And she said in reply:

"Wisely done, fair son, and rightly so

 

10. for one well reared as you were.

All others too will soon acclaim

this god-sent gift to you."

Then Gilgamesh concluded:

"In another dream I saw an ax

and bent toward it with manly interest;

so fair was its appearance

that it seemed wholesome, young and

ready as a woman."

 

Column II

Soon the day came when the fine lover of Enkidu said:

20. "Now come with me to enter into Uruk

where we shall meet the mighty king,

enormous Gilgamesh.

Now you are as if a god, my boy,

with no more need of dumb beasts, however fair.

We can ascend the road to Uruk's palace,

the immaculate domicile, where Anu and Ishtar dwell

and there we will see Gilgamesh, the powerful,

who rides over the herd like any great king.

You will see in him a power rare

 

30. and fairly learn to love him like yourself."

They journeyed from the forest far and wide

to venture on toward Uruk.

The girl led forth the naked boy

as gently as a mother would,

tearing her garment right in two

to hide their native beauty

and clothed his splendid body then

with her own cloak as they approached.

 

Column III

Along the way he learned new human ways

40. tracking down the gentle sheep

and using weapons for the first time

to fight away the savage beasts

that do attack the herds and

farms of men.

 

Column IV

Along the way he also learned to eat and drink

as men and women do. The girl did

teach all these things too for Enkidu's first lessons.

And with a man upon the road they spoke

to learn of customs new. to one from

 

50. far off woods. So Enkidu came then

to know of Gilgamesh who harshly

ruled and was not loved by those men whose girls

he often played with all night long.

And before they entered through the

gates of Uruk's mighty, walls, Enkidu

was hailed as one who might

be sent to rival any king who

might treat gentle folk unfairly.

 

Column V

In the alleys of Uruk

60. during a display of force

the approach of Enkidu stopped everything.

Uruk rose before him.

The mountain beyond stretched skyward.

All creatures worshiped him.

Youths rallied round.

People adored him as they adore a newborn babe.

For so it is when one comes from nowhere

to do what no one thought could be done.

For Ishara then a wedding bed is set this night

 

70. because a guest has come who is as strong as any king.

And Enkidu stood before the gate where new lovers go

and stopped Gilgamesh from coming with nighttime girls.

It is there where they first fight

throughout the night and round about Urukís walls

which they chipped and wrecked in places.

 

Column VI

So the mighty brothers fought at first

pushing and shoving each other

for hours and hours enraged.

Then a calm force gently soothed

 

80. then well-matched spirits

to bring a peace and rest their strife.

It was Enkidu who sued for rest saying:

"Gilgamesh, enough! I am here to

match some fate with you, not

to destroy or rival any king."

 

Tablet I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII

 

Babylonia Index

Babylonia Glossary

Home Page