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 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LATUM SHIL GILGAMESH
EPIC OF GILGAMESH

Tablet 1:155
Tablet 1:186

155 I shall face unknown opposition, I shall ride along an unknown road.
156 Give me your blessing, since I have decided on the course, that I may enter the city-gate of Uruk again in future times and celebrate the new year festival once again in future years, and take part in the new year festival in years to come.
157 Let the new year festival be performed, let joy resound, let illuru-cries ring out in the sight of all.
158 Enkidu gave advice to the elders, the young men of Uruk said tell him not to go to the pine forest, that journey is not to be undertaken!
159 A man must know the way, the guardian of the pine forest knows the great counselors of Uruk and rose up and gave an opinion to Gilgamesh:
160 You are still young, Gilgamesh, you are impetuous too, but you do not know,
161 What you will find out there Humbaba, who is known as Huwawa and Tarnush, whose shout is the flood-weapon, whose utterance is fire and whose breath is death, can hear.
162 For up to 60 leagues through the deep forests.
163 Whoever goes down to his forest one or two.
164 Who, even among the Igigi, can face him?
165 Enlil destined him to keep the pine forest safe, to be the terror of people.
166 Gilgamesh listened to the speech of the great counselors. Do not trust entirely, Gilgamesh, in your own strength.
167 When you have looked long enough, trust to your first blow.
168 He who leads the way will save his comrade.
169 He who knows the paths, he will guide and guard his friend.
170 Let Enkidu go in front of you, he knows the way of the pine forest.
171 He can look at the fight and instruct in the battle.
172 Let Enkidu guard the friend, keep the comrade safe, bring him back safe in person for brides, so that we in our assembly may rely on you as ruler,
173 And that you in turn as ruler may rely on us again.
174 Gilgamesh made his voice heard and spoke,
175 He said to Enkidu, come my friend, let us go to the great palace, to Ninsun, the great queen.
176 Gilgamesh rose up and entered into the city.
177 Ninsun, I am adamant. I shall take the distant path to where Humbaba lives.
178 I shall face unknown opposition, I shall ride along an unknown road until the day when, having traveled far and wide, I finally reach the pine forest, until I slay ferocious Humbaba, and exterminate him from the land something evil, came into your presence.
179 Ninsun paid attention to all the words of Gilgamesh, her son.
180 Now, your offspring shall be dedicated to Shamash came with the oblates of Gilgamesh.
181 Priestesses, devotees, and votaresses. It has put an obligation on Enkidu's shoulders:
182 He Enkidu, has taken a wife from the Aluhum.
183 And he shall bring up daughters of Aluhum!
184 I and Enkidu he took to the city.
185 Enkidu addressed his words to Ninsun and made his voice heard,
186 Gilgamesh is going to the pine forest, whether a month, week or day, whether a year, month or day.