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 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LATUM SHIL GILGAMESH
EPIC OF GILGAMESH

Tablet 1:228
Tablet 1:274

228 A great rock fell and hit me.
229 We were like flies scattered.
230 He who was born in open country, and Enkidu explained the dream to his friend.
231 My friend, your dream is favorable.
232 The dream is very significant
233 My friend, the mountain which you saw was a sign means:
234 We shall seize Humbaba, slay him, and cast his corpse on to waste ground.
235 At the light of dawn we shall hear the favorable word of Shamash.
236 At twenty leagues they are their ration.
237 At thirty leagues they stopped for the shadow hour.
238 There they dug a pit in front of Shamash.
239 My friend, this is the explanation of your dream that you dreamt.
240 Humbaba like a great beast fell and his star fell and he is no more, his power is finished,
241 Until flared up again by his seed.
242 We shall place on top of him a seal.
243 We were furious at the evils of Humbaba, the great beast called Tarnush we stood over him.
244 And in the daylight hour the word of Shamash was favorable.
245 Heaven cried out, Earth groaned.
246 Day grew silent, darkness emerged, lightning flashed, fire broke out.
247 Flames crackled, death rained down.
248 Then the coals which kept falling turned to embers.
249 Let us go back down to open country where we can get advice.
250 Enkidu listened, and made him accept his dream;
251 He spoke to Gilgamesh,
252 Alone they cannot do this they are strangers, they don't know.
253 It is a slippery path, and one does not travel alone but two or more than two can.
254 A three-stranded cord is hardest to break it must be used.
255 A strong lion cannot prevail over it even to save two of its own cubs.
256 Enkidu made his voice heard and spoke; he said to Gilgamesh,
257 How can I go down into pine forest, or open up the path, when my arms are paralyzed?
258 Gilgamesh made his voice heard and spoke; he said to Enkidu,
259 Why, my friend, experienced in conflict, who has won battle,
260 You shall have a double mantle of radiance like the great Anunnagi.
261 Your shout shall be as loud as a kettledrum.
262 Paralysis shall leave your arms, and impotence shall leave your loins.
263 Hold my hand, my friend, let us set off!
264 Your heart shall soon burn in delight for conflict; forget death and think only of life and success.
265 Man is strong, prepared to fight, responsible.
266 He who goes in front and guards his friend's body, shall keep the comrade safe.
267 They shall have established fame for their future.
268 So in time they arrived together.
269 Enforcers of their words, they stood.
270 They stood and admired pine forest.
271 Gazed and gazed at the height of the pines,
272 Gazed and gazed at the entrance to the pines, where Humbaba made tracks as he went to and fro.
273 The paths were well trodden and the road was excellent.
274 They beheld the pine mountain, dwelling-place of the Anunnagi, shrine of Irnini.