![[MYTHHOME THUMBNAIL IMAGE]](tnmythtx.gif)
© 1995-2001 Untangle Incorporated
Last Updated: Friday February 15, 2002
Tablet III
A Friendship Forged and Plans to Do Great Deeds
Column I
Gilgamesh and Enkidu each with a shout hugged each other and then gripped each others hand, a convenant of newly forged friends.
Column II
So now as friends the days were short.
With each other did they sit and speak as friends do speak.
Together they did work, play and pray.
And in this way Gilgamesh did his people's trust once more regain
For they could see that friendship was greater than boredom's curse.
One day in Shamash temple where they went
A dire prophecy of future doom did they hear.
Shamash told them that common folk froze and ate meat and roots totally raw because of one demon.
Shamash told them of that demon who with howls and killing breath did protect the cedar forest from being felled.
Shamash did tell Gilgamesh to go to cedar forest far, and strike off a demon's head.
And on hearing this Enkidu did proclaim:
"I was a wild man of the woods, so about forest I do know.
In the cedar forest's to the west sits a demon, awesome Hawawa.
Great Enlil did fashion this guardian of his cedar forest far and wide.
His power is like the fire of the sun, like the flood of the ocean.
When Hawawa roars all before its noisy power falls.
Hawawa hears every fearful breath while his own breath is death."
But Gilgamesh shrugs and says,
A man's life is short, shall we live in shallow hole and cry?
Follow me to the cedar forest and urge me to take each step.
Each man does die, but my immortality is sure.
If Hawawa strikes me down most dead, it will be said I fought howling Hawawa. No shame!
If I do Hawawa strike down and slay him now and forever then I will have greater fame. No shame.
Whatever I try I shall succeed to brand my life upon the memory of my sons.
So Enkidu, you who have fought with lion and wolf, bring that courage with me now."
So Enkidu does reply,
"In fear I make me small, and smaller still would I make this friendship be.
So therefore let us plan this assault on fierce Hawawa and forge our friendship in tighter bonds
For death met with comrades true makes death less awesome to behold."
Column III
The pair to metal workers went
And watched them make solid implements of defence.
And also watched make awesome implements of death.
As they watched axes, and mauls and sharp swords too were forged true.
With greaves and helmet, breast plate and girdles thick.
And with this armour and these weopens did Gilgamesh cry out:
"Holy Eanna, Shamash great,Elders and People of Uruk, holy ground, attend!
I Gilgamesh shall to forest stride and like none before confront demon Hawawa.
With these deeds I shall ensure my everlasting memory in the mind of my sons.
Bless this quest, start a feast and when I return I will host the first toast to my fame.
The Elders did then stand and say,
"Young Gilgamesh, listen to this and slow your stride.
Your valiant heart sees death's danger not.
But mark our words.
Hawawa power is like the fire of the sun, like the flood of the ocean.
When Hawawa roars all before its noisy power falls.
Hawawa hears every fearful breath while his own breath is death."
So Gilgamesh said with his kingly power:
"It is I who walks into cedar forest far."
"Take Enkidu, who knows the forest ways, and put him first.", the Elders replied.
"Take Enkidu, who knows the wilderness, let him lead you there.", the Elders replied.
"Take Enkidu, who will not desert you, take him to find your way through mountain passes.", the Elders replied.
"Take Enkidu, who wild food knows, who can uncover deep water pure.", the Elders replied.
"Take Enkidu, who with water found can with you offer deed water pure to Mighty Shamash.", the Elders replied.
"Take Enkidu, who will protect you. For the sake of your father Lugalbanda, do remember his ways.", the Elders replied.
Then up spoke Enkidu to Gilgamesh mute,
"If young urges make you want to walk into cedar forest far, then take me, Gilgamesh
For I your companion will stay behind your back, at your side, before you as I need to guard you as a friend.
I, Enkidu who knows forest, and the wilderness, where the wild food lies, where deep water pure resides.
I, Enkidu will lead you to deep water pure to offer to Shamash to succeed in your quest.
I, Enkidu will protect you as my friend. I your friend shall led you to cedar forest far.
These words Gilgamesh did admire, and his thoughtful head did join with his wild heart and there was peace.
Column IV
Ninsun, virgin Lady Wild Cow, most serene
Heard what her only son did plan
and so straight to to Shamash's temple did she stride.
Ninsun purified herself, adorn herself with holy garments, and sprinkled holy water on the ground
Then she mounted staris to the temple's roof and at the altar burned
plants, sacred and fragrant to Shamash, while
With grief in her voice, with grief in her limbs, with grief in her eyes
Ninsun asked of Shamash:
"Why have you given my son a restless heart?
No one before has gone to cedar forest far.
And there he will face fire like the sun, flood like the ocean, a breath of death.
You Shamash ask for him to kill this demon far.
Protect him them when he lives this holy city ground.
Protect him in the wildness, through the mountains, when he enters the cedar forest far.
Protect him Shamash and keep him safe. Have your watchers, the heavenly stars watch him and Enkidu."
Then with the priests did Ninsun turn
And about Enkidu's wide neck did she place, adopting him like a son,
A sacred charm to protect him while he protected her womb born son.
So with these wishes did the two depart holy Eannu's ground, from Uruk did they go.
Click here if you want to drop us a line or two.
Return to main page