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kingofallkings) wrote2015-07-04 02:40 pm
kingofallkings) wrote2015-07-04 02:40 pm
Epic II: The Taming of Enkidu❋
The Taming of Enkidu
Enkidu was sitting before her [...]
'Come, I will lead you to Uruk-the-Town-Square,
To the sacred temple, the home of Anu!
Enkidu, arise, let me take you to the temple Eanna, the home of Anu,
Where men are engaged in labors of skill,
you, too, like a man, will find a place for yourself.'
Her words he heard, her speech found favor:
The counsel of a woman struck home in his heart.
She stripped and clothed him in part of her garment,
The other part she put on herself.
By the hand she took him, like a god she led him
to the shepherds' camp, the site of the sheep-pen.
The band of shepherds was gathered around him,
Talking about him among themselves:
'This fellow - how like in build he is to Gilgamesh,
Tall in stature, proud as a battlement.
For sure it's Enkidu, born in the uplands,
His strength is as mighty as a rock from the sky.'
Bread they set before him, ale they set before him.
Enkidu ate not the bread, but looked askance.
How to eat bread Enkidu knew not,
How to drink ale he had never been shown.
The harlot opened her mouth, saying to Enkidu:
'Eat the bread, Enkidu, essential to life,
Drink the ale, the lot of the land!'
Enkidu ate the bread until he was sated,
He drank the ale, a full seven goblets.
His mood became free, he started to sing,
His heart grew merry, his face lit up.
The barber groomed his body so hairy,
Anointed with oil he turned into a man.
He put on a garment, became like a warrior,
He took up his weapon to do battle with lions.
When at night the shepherds lay sleeping,
He struck down wolves, he chased off lions.
Sleeping lay the senior shepherds,
Their shepherd boy Enkidu, a man wide awake.
A certain fellow had been invited to a wedding,
To Uruk-the-Sheepfold he was going for the banquet.
Enkidu was having his pleasure with Shamhat.
He lifted his eyes, caught sight of the man,
and thus he spoke to the harlot:
'Shamhat, bring the man over:
Why he came here, let me learn his reason.'
The harlot hailed the man, went up to him, spoke to him:
'Where do you hurry to, fellow?
What is your journey so toilsome?'
The fellow opened his mouth, saying to Enkidu:
'I was invited to a wedding banquet,
it is the lot of the people to contract a marriage.
I shall load the ceremonial table
with tempting foods for the wedding feast.
'For the king of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
The veil will be parted for the one who picks first;
For Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
The veil will be parted for the one who picks first.
'He will couple with the wife-to-be,
He first of all, the bridegroom after.
By divine consent it is so ordained:
When his navel-cord was cut, for him she was destined.'
At the fellow's words his face paled in anger.
Off goes Enkidu, with Shamhat following.
He entered the city of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
And a crowd gathered around.
He came to a halt in the street of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
All gathered about, the people discussed him:
'In build he is the image of Gilgamesh,
but shorter in stature, and bigger of bone.
For sure it's the one who was born in the uplands,
Animals' milk is what he was suckled on.'
In Uruk they held regular festivals of sacrifice,
Young men made merry, set up a champion:
For the fellow whose features were fair,
For Gilgamesh, like a god, was set up a rival.
For the goddess of weddings the bed was laid out,
Gilgamesh met with the maiden by night.
Forward came Enkidu, he stood in the street,
Blocking the path of Gilgamesh.
The land of Uruk was standing around him,
The land was gathered about him.
A crowd was milling about before him,
The menfolk were thronging around him.
Like a babe-in-arms they were kissing his feet,
For the goddess of weddings was ready the bed,
For Gilgamesh, like a god, was set up a substitute.
Enkidu with his foot blocked the door of the wedding house,
Not allowing Gilgamesh to enter.
They seized each other at the door of the wedding house,
In the street they joined combat, in the Square of the Land.
The door-jambs shook, the wall did shudder,
In the street Gilgamesh and Enkidu joined combat, in the Square of the Land.
The door-jambs shook, the wall did shudder.
Gilgamesh knelt, one foot on the ground,
His anger subsided, he broke off from the fight.
After he broke off from the fight,
said Enkidu to him, to Gilgamesh:
'As one unique your mother bore you,
The wild cow of the fold, the goddess Ninsun!
High over warriors you are exalted,
To be king of the people Enlil made it your destiny!'
They kissed each other and formed a friendship.
Enlil of the mountain, the father of the gods,
Had decreed the destiny of Gilgamesh.
So Gilgamesh dreamed and Enkidu said,
'The meaning of the dream is this:
'The father of the gods has given you kingship.
Such is your destiny. Everlasting life is not your destiny.
Because of this do not be sad at heart;
Do not be grieved or oppressed.
'He has given you power to bind and to loose,
To be the darkness and the light of mankind.
He has given you unexampled supremacy over the people
Victory in battle from which no fugitive returns.
In forays and assaults from which there is no going back.
'But do not abuse this power.
Deal justly with your servants in the palace.
Deal justly before Shamash.'
[Lost portions; Gilgamesh introduces Enkidu to his mother, Ninsun.]
'The mightiest [in the land, strength he possesses.
His strength is as mighty as a] rock from the sky,
he is tall in stature, proud as a battlement.'
The mother of Gilgamesh opened her mouth to speak, saying to her son
Wild-Cow Ninsun opened her mouth to speak, saying to Gilgamesh:
'My son, [...] he was born in the wild and has no brother.'
Standing there, Enkidu heard what she said,
And thinking it over, he sat down weeping.
His eyes brimmed with tears,
His arms fell limp, his strength ebbed away.
Gilgamesh made his voice heard and spoke, [...]
'Let us slay [Humbaba], so his power is no more!
In the Forest of Cedar, where Humbaba dwells,
Let us frighten him in his lair!'
Enkidu opened his mouth, saying to Gilgamesh:
'I knew him, my friend, in the uplands,
When I roamed here and there with the herd.
For sixty leagues the forest is a wilderness,
Who is there would venture inside it?
'Humbaba, his voice is the Deluge,
His speech is fire, his breath is death,
He hears the forest murmur at sixty leagues' distance.
Who is there would venture into his forest?
Adad ranks first, and Humbaba second.
'Who is there would oppose him among the Igigi?
So to keep safe the cedars, Enlil made it his lot to terrify men;
if you penetrate his forest you are seized by the tremors.'
Gilgamesh opened his mouth to speak, saying to Enkidu:
'Why, my friend, do you speak like a weakling?
With your spineless words you make me despondent.
'As for man, his days are numbered,
whatever he may do, it is but wind.
You were born and grew up in the wild:
Even lions were afraid of you, you experienced all.
Grown men fled away from your presence,
Your heart is tried and tested in combat.
'Come, my friend, [let us hie] to the forge!
Let them cast hatches in our presence!'
They took each other by the hand and hied to the forge,
Where the smiths were sitting in consultation.
Great hatchets they cast, and axes weighing three talents apiece.
Great daggers they cast: two talents apiece were the blades,
One half of a talent the crests of their handles,
Half a talent apiece the daggers' gold mountings.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu bore ten talents each.
He bolted the sevenfold gates of Uruk,
He convened the assembly, the crowd gathered round.
In the street of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
Gilgamesh [seated himself on] his throne.
In the street of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
the crowd was sitting before him.
Thus Gilgamesh spoke to the elders of Uruk-the-Town-Square:
'Hear me, O elders of Uruk-the-Town-Square!
I would tread the path to ferocious Humbaba,
I would see the god of whom men talk,
Whose name the lands do constantly repeat.
'I will conquer him in the Forest of Cedar:
Let the land learn Uruk's offshoot is mighty!
Let me start out, I will cut down the cedar,
I will establish forever a name eternal!'
Then Gilgamesh spoke to the young men of Uruk-the-Sheepfold:
'Hear me, O young men of Uruk-the-Sheepfold,
O young men of Uruk, who understand combat!
Bold as I am I shall tread the distant path to the home of Humbaba,
I shall face a battle I know not.
'I shall ride a road I know not:
Give me your blessing as I go on my journey,
So I may see again] your faces in safety,
And return glad at heart through Uruk's gate!
'On my return I will celebrate New Year twice over,
I will celebrate the festival twice in the year.
Let the festival take place, the merriment begin,
Let the drums resound before Wild-Cow Ninsun!'
Enkidu offered counsel to the elders,
And the young men of Uruk, who understood combat:
'Tell him not to go to the Forest of Cedar!
That is a journey which must not be made,
That is a man who must not be looked on.
He who guards the Forest of Cedar, his reach is wide.
'This Humbaba, his voice is the Deluge,
His speech is fire, his breath is death!
He hears the forest murmur at sixty leagues' distance:
Who is there would venture into his forest?
'Adad ranks first, and Humbaba second:
Who is there would oppose him among the Igigi?
So to keep safe the cedars,
Enlil made it his lot to terrify men;
If you penetrate his forest you are seized by the tremors.'
The senior advisers rose, good counsel they offered Gilgamesh:
'You are young, Gilgamesh, borne along by emotion,
All that you talk of you don't understand.
'This Humbaba, his voice is the Deluge,
His speech is fire, his breath is death!
He hears the forest murmur at sixty leagues' distance:
Who is there would venture into his forest?
'Adad ranks first, and Humbaba second:
Who is there would oppose him among the Igigi?
So to keep safe the cedars,
Enlil made it his lot to terrify men.'
Gilgamesh heard the words of the senior advisers,
He looked with a laugh at Enkidu:
'Now, my friend, how frightened I am!
In fear of him shall I change my mind?'
SYNOPSIS: Enkidu learns to be a man by living amongst shepherds for a time and protecting them, until a man comes by on his way to Uruk for a wedding. He tells Enkidu that Gilgamesh sleeps with the brides on their wedding day before the bridegrooms do, and Enkidu is horrified. He rushes to Uruk where he blocks Gilgamesh from entering the bridal chamber, and they fight in the streets until Enkidu acknowledges Gilgamesh's right to sovereignty and they become friends. Enkidu advises Gilgamesh on his destiny and how to behave.
Gilgamesh introduces Enkidu to his mother Ninsun, but Enkidu is upset for some reason (unclear) and Gilgamesh decides they should go fight Enlil's servant Humbaba, guardian of the Cedar Forest. Enkidu, who has seen Humbaba during his time in the wild, is skeptical that this is a good idea, to say the least, but Gilgamesh gathers the men of Uruk and announces his intentions anyway. Enkidu urges the elders to talk Gilgamesh down from this potentially suicidal decision, but Gilgamesh just laughs off their warnings.
'Come, I will lead you to Uruk-the-Town-Square,
To the sacred temple, the home of Anu!
Enkidu, arise, let me take you to the temple Eanna, the home of Anu,
Where men are engaged in labors of skill,
you, too, like a man, will find a place for yourself.'
Her words he heard, her speech found favor:
The counsel of a woman struck home in his heart.
She stripped and clothed him in part of her garment,
The other part she put on herself.
By the hand she took him, like a god she led him
to the shepherds' camp, the site of the sheep-pen.
The band of shepherds was gathered around him,
Talking about him among themselves:
'This fellow - how like in build he is to Gilgamesh,
Tall in stature, proud as a battlement.
For sure it's Enkidu, born in the uplands,
His strength is as mighty as a rock from the sky.'
Bread they set before him, ale they set before him.
Enkidu ate not the bread, but looked askance.
How to eat bread Enkidu knew not,
How to drink ale he had never been shown.
The harlot opened her mouth, saying to Enkidu:
'Eat the bread, Enkidu, essential to life,
Drink the ale, the lot of the land!'
Enkidu ate the bread until he was sated,
He drank the ale, a full seven goblets.
His mood became free, he started to sing,
His heart grew merry, his face lit up.
The barber groomed his body so hairy,
Anointed with oil he turned into a man.
He put on a garment, became like a warrior,
He took up his weapon to do battle with lions.
When at night the shepherds lay sleeping,
He struck down wolves, he chased off lions.
Sleeping lay the senior shepherds,
Their shepherd boy Enkidu, a man wide awake.
A certain fellow had been invited to a wedding,
To Uruk-the-Sheepfold he was going for the banquet.
Enkidu was having his pleasure with Shamhat.
He lifted his eyes, caught sight of the man,
and thus he spoke to the harlot:
'Shamhat, bring the man over:
Why he came here, let me learn his reason.'
The harlot hailed the man, went up to him, spoke to him:
'Where do you hurry to, fellow?
What is your journey so toilsome?'
The fellow opened his mouth, saying to Enkidu:
'I was invited to a wedding banquet,
it is the lot of the people to contract a marriage.
I shall load the ceremonial table
with tempting foods for the wedding feast.
'For the king of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
The veil will be parted for the one who picks first;
For Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
The veil will be parted for the one who picks first.
'He will couple with the wife-to-be,
He first of all, the bridegroom after.
By divine consent it is so ordained:
When his navel-cord was cut, for him she was destined.'
At the fellow's words his face paled in anger.
Off goes Enkidu, with Shamhat following.
He entered the city of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
And a crowd gathered around.
He came to a halt in the street of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
All gathered about, the people discussed him:
'In build he is the image of Gilgamesh,
but shorter in stature, and bigger of bone.
For sure it's the one who was born in the uplands,
Animals' milk is what he was suckled on.'
In Uruk they held regular festivals of sacrifice,
Young men made merry, set up a champion:
For the fellow whose features were fair,
For Gilgamesh, like a god, was set up a rival.
For the goddess of weddings the bed was laid out,
Gilgamesh met with the maiden by night.
Forward came Enkidu, he stood in the street,
Blocking the path of Gilgamesh.
The land of Uruk was standing around him,
The land was gathered about him.
A crowd was milling about before him,
The menfolk were thronging around him.
Like a babe-in-arms they were kissing his feet,
For the goddess of weddings was ready the bed,
For Gilgamesh, like a god, was set up a substitute.
Enkidu with his foot blocked the door of the wedding house,
Not allowing Gilgamesh to enter.
They seized each other at the door of the wedding house,
In the street they joined combat, in the Square of the Land.
The door-jambs shook, the wall did shudder,
In the street Gilgamesh and Enkidu joined combat, in the Square of the Land.
The door-jambs shook, the wall did shudder.
Gilgamesh knelt, one foot on the ground,
His anger subsided, he broke off from the fight.
After he broke off from the fight,
said Enkidu to him, to Gilgamesh:
'As one unique your mother bore you,
The wild cow of the fold, the goddess Ninsun!
High over warriors you are exalted,
To be king of the people Enlil made it your destiny!'
They kissed each other and formed a friendship.
Enlil of the mountain, the father of the gods,
Had decreed the destiny of Gilgamesh.
So Gilgamesh dreamed and Enkidu said,
'The meaning of the dream is this:
'The father of the gods has given you kingship.
Such is your destiny. Everlasting life is not your destiny.
Because of this do not be sad at heart;
Do not be grieved or oppressed.
'He has given you power to bind and to loose,
To be the darkness and the light of mankind.
He has given you unexampled supremacy over the people
Victory in battle from which no fugitive returns.
In forays and assaults from which there is no going back.
'But do not abuse this power.
Deal justly with your servants in the palace.
Deal justly before Shamash.'
[Lost portions; Gilgamesh introduces Enkidu to his mother, Ninsun.]
'The mightiest [in the land, strength he possesses.
His strength is as mighty as a] rock from the sky,
he is tall in stature, proud as a battlement.'
The mother of Gilgamesh opened her mouth to speak, saying to her son
Wild-Cow Ninsun opened her mouth to speak, saying to Gilgamesh:
'My son, [...] he was born in the wild and has no brother.'
Standing there, Enkidu heard what she said,
And thinking it over, he sat down weeping.
His eyes brimmed with tears,
His arms fell limp, his strength ebbed away.
Gilgamesh made his voice heard and spoke, [...]
'Let us slay [Humbaba], so his power is no more!
In the Forest of Cedar, where Humbaba dwells,
Let us frighten him in his lair!'
Enkidu opened his mouth, saying to Gilgamesh:
'I knew him, my friend, in the uplands,
When I roamed here and there with the herd.
For sixty leagues the forest is a wilderness,
Who is there would venture inside it?
'Humbaba, his voice is the Deluge,
His speech is fire, his breath is death,
He hears the forest murmur at sixty leagues' distance.
Who is there would venture into his forest?
Adad ranks first, and Humbaba second.
'Who is there would oppose him among the Igigi?
So to keep safe the cedars, Enlil made it his lot to terrify men;
if you penetrate his forest you are seized by the tremors.'
Gilgamesh opened his mouth to speak, saying to Enkidu:
'Why, my friend, do you speak like a weakling?
With your spineless words you make me despondent.
'As for man, his days are numbered,
whatever he may do, it is but wind.
You were born and grew up in the wild:
Even lions were afraid of you, you experienced all.
Grown men fled away from your presence,
Your heart is tried and tested in combat.
'Come, my friend, [let us hie] to the forge!
Let them cast hatches in our presence!'
They took each other by the hand and hied to the forge,
Where the smiths were sitting in consultation.
Great hatchets they cast, and axes weighing three talents apiece.
Great daggers they cast: two talents apiece were the blades,
One half of a talent the crests of their handles,
Half a talent apiece the daggers' gold mountings.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu bore ten talents each.
He bolted the sevenfold gates of Uruk,
He convened the assembly, the crowd gathered round.
In the street of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
Gilgamesh [seated himself on] his throne.
In the street of Uruk-the-Town-Square,
the crowd was sitting before him.
Thus Gilgamesh spoke to the elders of Uruk-the-Town-Square:
'Hear me, O elders of Uruk-the-Town-Square!
I would tread the path to ferocious Humbaba,
I would see the god of whom men talk,
Whose name the lands do constantly repeat.
'I will conquer him in the Forest of Cedar:
Let the land learn Uruk's offshoot is mighty!
Let me start out, I will cut down the cedar,
I will establish forever a name eternal!'
Then Gilgamesh spoke to the young men of Uruk-the-Sheepfold:
'Hear me, O young men of Uruk-the-Sheepfold,
O young men of Uruk, who understand combat!
Bold as I am I shall tread the distant path to the home of Humbaba,
I shall face a battle I know not.
'I shall ride a road I know not:
Give me your blessing as I go on my journey,
So I may see again] your faces in safety,
And return glad at heart through Uruk's gate!
'On my return I will celebrate New Year twice over,
I will celebrate the festival twice in the year.
Let the festival take place, the merriment begin,
Let the drums resound before Wild-Cow Ninsun!'
Enkidu offered counsel to the elders,
And the young men of Uruk, who understood combat:
'Tell him not to go to the Forest of Cedar!
That is a journey which must not be made,
That is a man who must not be looked on.
He who guards the Forest of Cedar, his reach is wide.
'This Humbaba, his voice is the Deluge,
His speech is fire, his breath is death!
He hears the forest murmur at sixty leagues' distance:
Who is there would venture into his forest?
'Adad ranks first, and Humbaba second:
Who is there would oppose him among the Igigi?
So to keep safe the cedars,
Enlil made it his lot to terrify men;
If you penetrate his forest you are seized by the tremors.'
The senior advisers rose, good counsel they offered Gilgamesh:
'You are young, Gilgamesh, borne along by emotion,
All that you talk of you don't understand.
'This Humbaba, his voice is the Deluge,
His speech is fire, his breath is death!
He hears the forest murmur at sixty leagues' distance:
Who is there would venture into his forest?
'Adad ranks first, and Humbaba second:
Who is there would oppose him among the Igigi?
So to keep safe the cedars,
Enlil made it his lot to terrify men.'
Gilgamesh heard the words of the senior advisers,
He looked with a laugh at Enkidu:
'Now, my friend, how frightened I am!
In fear of him shall I change my mind?'
SYNOPSIS: Enkidu learns to be a man by living amongst shepherds for a time and protecting them, until a man comes by on his way to Uruk for a wedding. He tells Enkidu that Gilgamesh sleeps with the brides on their wedding day before the bridegrooms do, and Enkidu is horrified. He rushes to Uruk where he blocks Gilgamesh from entering the bridal chamber, and they fight in the streets until Enkidu acknowledges Gilgamesh's right to sovereignty and they become friends. Enkidu advises Gilgamesh on his destiny and how to behave.
Gilgamesh introduces Enkidu to his mother Ninsun, but Enkidu is upset for some reason (unclear) and Gilgamesh decides they should go fight Enlil's servant Humbaba, guardian of the Cedar Forest. Enkidu, who has seen Humbaba during his time in the wild, is skeptical that this is a good idea, to say the least, but Gilgamesh gathers the men of Uruk and announces his intentions anyway. Enkidu urges the elders to talk Gilgamesh down from this potentially suicidal decision, but Gilgamesh just laughs off their warnings.