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 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LATUM SHIL GILGAMESH
EPIC OF GILGAMESH

Tablet 1:66
Tablet 1:96

of Uruk, Gilgamesh.
67 He worked his open country.
68 His strength is very hard, like a sky-bolt of ANU, go set your face towards Uruk.
69 You have the strength of a man, take control lead her forth, and make her life the strong man.
70 When he approaches the cattle at the watering place, she must take off her clothes and reveal her attractions.
71 He will see her and go close to her.
72 Then his cattle, who has grown up in open country with him, will become alien to him.
73 He listened to the advice of his father. The hunter went off to see Gilgamesh.
74 He took the road, set his face towards Uruk, entered the presence of Gilgamesh.
75 Gilgamesh spoke to him, to the hunter, go, hunter, lead forth the harlot Shamhat,
76 And when he approaches the cattle at the watering place, she must take off her clothes and reveal her attractions.
77 He will see her and go close to her.
78 Then his cattle, who has grown up in open country with him, will become alien to him.
79 The hunter, Gilgamesh went, he led forth the harlot Shamhat with him, and they took the road, they made the journey.
80 In three days they reached the appointed place.
81 Hunter and harlot sat down in their hiding place for one day. Then a second, they sat at the watering place. Then cattle arrived at the watering place; they drank.
82 Then wild beasts arrived at the water; they satisfied their need. And he, Enkidu, whose origin is the mountain,
83 Who eats vegetation with gazelles, drinks at the watering place with cattle, satisfied his need for water with wild beasts.
84 Shamhat looked at the primitive man, the murderous youth from the depths of open country.
85 Here he is, Shamhat, bare your bosom, open your legs and let him take in your attractions!
86 Do not pull away, take wind of him!
87 He will see you and come close to you. Spread open your garments, and let him lie upon you, do for him, the primitive man, as women do.
88 Then his cattle, who has grown up in open country with him, will become alien to him. His love-making he lavished upon her.
89 For six days and seven shadow hours, Enkidu was aroused and poured himself into Shamhat.
90 When he was full with her charms, he set his face towards the open country of his cattle. The gazelles saw Enkidu and scattered,
91 The cattle of the open country kept away from his body.
92 For Enkidu had stripped; his body was too clean. His legs, which used to keep pace with his cattle, were at a standstill.
93 Enkidu had been diminished, he could not run as before. Yet, he had acquired judgment he, had become wiser. He turned back, he sat at the harlot's feet. The harlot was looking at his expression, and he listened attentively to what the harlot said. The harlot spoke to him, to Enkidu, you have become profound Enkidu, you have become like a Baal.
94 Why should you roam open country with wild beasts? Come, let me take you into Uruk, the sheepfold,
95 To the pure house, the dwelling of ANU and Ishtar, where Gilgamesh is perfect in strength, and is like a wild bull, more powerful that any of the people.
96 She spoke to him, and her speech was acceptable. Knowing in his own mind now, he would seek for a friend. Enkidu spoke to