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Last Updated: Monday February 18, 2002
Tablet VIII
Gilgamesh Laments, Fears Death, Says Goodbye to Enkidu
Column I
The Elders of Uruk stood in the dawn's early light
Hearing Gilgamesh weeping say:
"It is for my friend Enkidu that I weep.
He brought joy to the feast.
He was a shield before me in the confusion of battle.
He was a weopen by my side attacking my foes, defending me from my foes.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkidu first roamed the hills with the bests living with them as one.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
He led me through the mountain passes to cedar forest far.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
He found me water in the desert to quench my thirst as we went to cedar forest far.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
He fought Hawawa together; together we killed Hawawa demon of cedar forest far.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
He fought the bellowing Bull of Heaven with me; with me he killed the bellowing Bull of Heaven.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkidu you are asleep. What has made you sleep?
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkidu your flesh is rotting. Why is that?
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkidu your eyes no longer move. Why is that?
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkidu I cannot feel the beat of your heart. Why is that?
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkidu I cover your face now innocent of life.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend.
Enkdiu I will stand as a mountain lion over your body, protecting it from vultures.
Great evil has taken Enkidu my friend."
Column II
Gilgamesh on him looked and fell to weeping like a child.
"May every wild beast mourn for Enkidu, both predator and prey.
May the mountain, the hill, the valley, the very fertile earth mourn for Enkidu.
May the trees, and the grass and moss on every rock mourn for Enkidu.
May the water in the sea, in the lake, in the rivers, in the dew mourn for Enkidu.
May old men, may young men who fought the Bull, may children and women of every kind mourn for Enkidu.
May the farmers sing and works in his fields mourn for Enkidu.
May his nuturing foster-parent,creatures though they were, mourn for Enkidu.
May the shepherds who brought you cooked food and beer mourn for Enkidu.
May Shamhat, sacred temple girl, who brought civilizing ways mourn for Enkidu.
May you Elders hear my words, I weep and I mourn for Enkidu.
Enkidu was my friend."
Column III
In the next morning's early dawn
Gilgamesh did order artisans of every kind to make a statue of Enkidu.
"You, Enkidu, wore as princes do.
You, Enkidu, sat in honor with the king.
You, Enkidu, every person did bow to.
You, Enkidu, had me as a friend.
You, Enkidu, how has this statue to live on your fame.
You, Enkidu, receive these tears of Gilgamesh.
You, Enkidu, receive the tears of Uruk.
You, Enkidu, now are gone.
You, Enkidu, for you I will wear animal skins and wander in wilderness lost.
You, Enkidu, look on this altar, look on this carnelian bowl filled with honey.
You, Enkidu, look on this altar, look on this lapis lazuli bowl filled with butter.
You, Enkidu, look on this altar, look on these offerings to the god."
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