ƓιƖgαмєѕн | Ƙιηg σf Hєяσєѕ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kingofallkings) wrote2015-07-04 02:41 pm
kingofallkings) wrote2015-07-04 02:41 pm
Epic III: Preparations for the Expedition to the Forest of Cedar❋
Preparations for the Journey
The elders of Uruk-the-Sheepfold spoke to Gilgamesh:
'To Uruk's quay come back in safety,
Do not rely, O Gilgamesh, on your strength alone,
Look long and hard, land a blow you can count on!
'"Who goes in front saves his companion,
who knows the road protects his friend."'
Let Enkidu go before you,
He knows the journey to the Forest of Cedar.
He is tested in battle and tried in combat,
He shall guard his friend and keep safe his companion,
Enkidu shall bring him safe home to his wives!'
To Enkidu: 'In our assembly we place the King in your care:
You bring him back and replace him in ours!'
Gilgamesh opened his mouth to speak,
Saying to Enkidu:
'Come, my friend, let us go to the Palace Sublime,
Into the presence of the great Queen Ninsun.
Ninsun is clever and wise, well versed in everything,
She will set our feet in steps of good counsel.'
Taking each other hand in hand,
Gilgamesh and Enkidu went to the Palace Sublime.
Into the presence of the great Queen Ninsun,
Gilgamesh rose and entered before her.
Said Gilgamesh to her, to Ninsun:
'I shall tread, O Ninsun, bold as I am,
The distant path to the home of Humbaba,
I shall face a battle I know not,
'I shall ride a road I know not:
I beseech you, give me your blessing for my journey!
Let me see your face again 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 in your presence!'
Wild-Cow Ninsun listened long and with sadness
to the words of Gilgamesh, her son, and Enkidu.
Into the bath-house she went seven times,
She bathed herself in water of tamarisk and soapwort.
She donned a fine dress to adorn her body,
She chose a jewel to adorn her breast.
Having put on her cap, she donned her tiara,
She climbed the staircase and went up on the roof,
on the roof she set up a censer to Shamash.
Scattering incense she lifted her arms in appeal to the Sun
'Why did you afflict my son Gilgamesh with so restless a spirit?
'For now you have touched him and he will tread
The distant path to the home of Humbaba.
He will face a battle he knows not,
He will ride a road he knows not.
'During the days of his journey there and back,
Until he reaches the Forest of Cedar,
Until he slays ferocious Humbaba,
And annihilates from the land the Evil Thing you abhor,
'Each day when you travel the circuit of the earth,
May Aya the Bride unfearing remind you:
"Entrust him to the care of the watches of the night!'"
'You opened, O Shamash, the gates for the herd to go out,
The uplands took shape, the heavens grew bright,
The beasts of the wild [...] your ruddy glow.
'At the coming forth of your light is gathered the crowd,
The divine Anunnaki await your brilliance.
May Aya the Bride unfearing remind you:
"Entrust him to the care of the watches of the night!"
'Also while Gilgamesh travels to the Forest of Cedar,
Let the days be long, let the nights be short,
Let his loins be girt, let his stride be sure!
'Let him pitch at nightfall a camp for the night,
May Aya the Bride unfearing remind you:
"The day Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter Humbaba,
"O Shamash, rouse against Humbaba the mighty gale-winds:
South Wind, North Wind, East Wind and West Wind,
Blast, Counterblast, Typhoon, Hurricane and Tempest,
Devil-Wind, Frost-Wind, Gale and Tornado.
'''Let rise thirteen winds and Humbaba's face darken,
Let the weapons of Gilgamesh then reach Humbaba!"
After your very own fires are kindled,
At that time, 0 Shamash, turn your face to the supplicant!
'Your fleet-footed mules shall bear you onwards.
A restful seat, a bed for the night shall be what awaits you.
The gods, your brothers, shall bring food to delight you,
Aya the Bride shall wipe your face dry with the fringe of her garment.'
Again Wild-Cow Ninsun made her request before Shamash:
'O Shamash, will not Gilgamesh sit with the gods?
Will he not share the heavens with you?
Will he not share with the moon a sceptre and crown?
'Will he not grow wise with Ea of the Ocean Below?
Will he not rule with Irnina the black-headed people?
Will he not dwell with Ningishzida in the Land-of-No-Return?
'Let me make him, O Shamash, [...],
Lest he [fall], lest he [fall] in the Forest of Cedar.'
After Wild-Cow Ninsun had charged Shamash thus,
Wild-Cow Ninsun was clever [and wise, well versed in everything,
She smothered the censer and came down from the roof,
she summoned Enkidu and declared her will:
'O mighty Enkidu, you are not sprung from my womb,
But henceforth your brood will belong with the votaries of Gilgamesh,
The priestesses, the hierodules and the women of the temple.'
She put the symbols on Enkidu's neck.
'The priestesses took in the foundling,
And the Divine Daughters brought up the foster-child.
Enkidu, whom I love, I take for my son,
Enkidu in brotherhood, Gilgamesh shall favour him!'
'Also while you travel together to the Forest of Cedar,
Let the days be long, let the nights be short,
Let your loins be girt, let your stride be sure!
'At nightfall pitch a camp for the night.'
[Gilgamesh and Enkidu perform rituals for a safe journey. Then, Gilgamesh leaves instructions for running Uruk while he's gone:]
'During the days of our journey there and back,
Until we reach the Forest of Cedar,
Until we slay ferocious Humbaba,
And annihilate from the land the Evil Thing Shamash abhors,
'The officers must not assemble young men in the street.
Judge the lawsuit of the weak, seek out [...]
While we attain our desire like babes-in-arms,
And plant our weapons in Humbaba's gate!'
The officers stood there wishing him well,
The young men of Uruk ran behind in a mob,
And the officers kissed his feet:
'To Uruk's quay come back in safety!
'Do not rely, 0 Gilgamesh, on your strength alone,
Look long and hard, land a blow you can count on!
"Who goes in front will save his comrade,
Who knows the road shall [guard] his friend."
'Let Enkidu go before you, he knows the journey to the Forest of Cedar.
He is tested in battle and tried in combat,
Through the mountain passes he often has journeyed.
'He shall guard his friend and keep safe his companion,
Enkidu shall bring him safe home to his wives!
To Enkidu: 'In our assembly we place the King in your care:
You bring him back and replace [him in ours!'
[...]
Enkidu opened his mouth, saying to Gilgamesh:
'Where you've set your mind begin the journey,
let your heart have no fear, keep your eyes on me!
'In the forest I knew his lair, and the ways, too, that Humbaba wanders.'
SYNOPSIS: Unable to dissuade Gilgamesh from his journey, the Elders advise him not to rely on his strength alone. Gilgamesh then goes to his mother, the goddess Ninsun, to ask for her favor. She worries for him and speaks to Shamash, asking him why he's afflicted her son with such a restless spirit and asking him to keep Gilgamesh safe. She then accepts Enkidu as her son and urges him to protect Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu perform rituals for their safety and Gilgamesh leaves instructions on ruling in his absence. The men of Uruk celebrate his bravery and entrust his safety to Enkidu as they depart.
'To Uruk's quay come back in safety,
Do not rely, O Gilgamesh, on your strength alone,
Look long and hard, land a blow you can count on!
'"Who goes in front saves his companion,
who knows the road protects his friend."'
Let Enkidu go before you,
He knows the journey to the Forest of Cedar.
He is tested in battle and tried in combat,
He shall guard his friend and keep safe his companion,
Enkidu shall bring him safe home to his wives!'
To Enkidu: 'In our assembly we place the King in your care:
You bring him back and replace him in ours!'
Gilgamesh opened his mouth to speak,
Saying to Enkidu:
'Come, my friend, let us go to the Palace Sublime,
Into the presence of the great Queen Ninsun.
Ninsun is clever and wise, well versed in everything,
She will set our feet in steps of good counsel.'
Taking each other hand in hand,
Gilgamesh and Enkidu went to the Palace Sublime.
Into the presence of the great Queen Ninsun,
Gilgamesh rose and entered before her.
Said Gilgamesh to her, to Ninsun:
'I shall tread, O Ninsun, bold as I am,
The distant path to the home of Humbaba,
I shall face a battle I know not,
'I shall ride a road I know not:
I beseech you, give me your blessing for my journey!
Let me see your face again 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 in your presence!'
Wild-Cow Ninsun listened long and with sadness
to the words of Gilgamesh, her son, and Enkidu.
Into the bath-house she went seven times,
She bathed herself in water of tamarisk and soapwort.
She donned a fine dress to adorn her body,
She chose a jewel to adorn her breast.
Having put on her cap, she donned her tiara,
She climbed the staircase and went up on the roof,
on the roof she set up a censer to Shamash.
Scattering incense she lifted her arms in appeal to the Sun
'Why did you afflict my son Gilgamesh with so restless a spirit?
'For now you have touched him and he will tread
The distant path to the home of Humbaba.
He will face a battle he knows not,
He will ride a road he knows not.
'During the days of his journey there and back,
Until he reaches the Forest of Cedar,
Until he slays ferocious Humbaba,
And annihilates from the land the Evil Thing you abhor,
'Each day when you travel the circuit of the earth,
May Aya the Bride unfearing remind you:
"Entrust him to the care of the watches of the night!'"
'You opened, O Shamash, the gates for the herd to go out,
The uplands took shape, the heavens grew bright,
The beasts of the wild [...] your ruddy glow.
'At the coming forth of your light is gathered the crowd,
The divine Anunnaki await your brilliance.
May Aya the Bride unfearing remind you:
"Entrust him to the care of the watches of the night!"
'Also while Gilgamesh travels to the Forest of Cedar,
Let the days be long, let the nights be short,
Let his loins be girt, let his stride be sure!
'Let him pitch at nightfall a camp for the night,
May Aya the Bride unfearing remind you:
"The day Gilgamesh and Enkidu encounter Humbaba,
"O Shamash, rouse against Humbaba the mighty gale-winds:
South Wind, North Wind, East Wind and West Wind,
Blast, Counterblast, Typhoon, Hurricane and Tempest,
Devil-Wind, Frost-Wind, Gale and Tornado.
'''Let rise thirteen winds and Humbaba's face darken,
Let the weapons of Gilgamesh then reach Humbaba!"
After your very own fires are kindled,
At that time, 0 Shamash, turn your face to the supplicant!
'Your fleet-footed mules shall bear you onwards.
A restful seat, a bed for the night shall be what awaits you.
The gods, your brothers, shall bring food to delight you,
Aya the Bride shall wipe your face dry with the fringe of her garment.'
Again Wild-Cow Ninsun made her request before Shamash:
'O Shamash, will not Gilgamesh sit with the gods?
Will he not share the heavens with you?
Will he not share with the moon a sceptre and crown?
'Will he not grow wise with Ea of the Ocean Below?
Will he not rule with Irnina the black-headed people?
Will he not dwell with Ningishzida in the Land-of-No-Return?
'Let me make him, O Shamash, [...],
Lest he [fall], lest he [fall] in the Forest of Cedar.'
After Wild-Cow Ninsun had charged Shamash thus,
Wild-Cow Ninsun was clever [and wise, well versed in everything,
She smothered the censer and came down from the roof,
she summoned Enkidu and declared her will:
'O mighty Enkidu, you are not sprung from my womb,
But henceforth your brood will belong with the votaries of Gilgamesh,
The priestesses, the hierodules and the women of the temple.'
She put the symbols on Enkidu's neck.
'The priestesses took in the foundling,
And the Divine Daughters brought up the foster-child.
Enkidu, whom I love, I take for my son,
Enkidu in brotherhood, Gilgamesh shall favour him!'
'Also while you travel together to the Forest of Cedar,
Let the days be long, let the nights be short,
Let your loins be girt, let your stride be sure!
'At nightfall pitch a camp for the night.'
[Gilgamesh and Enkidu perform rituals for a safe journey. Then, Gilgamesh leaves instructions for running Uruk while he's gone:]
'During the days of our journey there and back,
Until we reach the Forest of Cedar,
Until we slay ferocious Humbaba,
And annihilate from the land the Evil Thing Shamash abhors,
'The officers must not assemble young men in the street.
Judge the lawsuit of the weak, seek out [...]
While we attain our desire like babes-in-arms,
And plant our weapons in Humbaba's gate!'
The officers stood there wishing him well,
The young men of Uruk ran behind in a mob,
And the officers kissed his feet:
'To Uruk's quay come back in safety!
'Do not rely, 0 Gilgamesh, on your strength alone,
Look long and hard, land a blow you can count on!
"Who goes in front will save his comrade,
Who knows the road shall [guard] his friend."
'Let Enkidu go before you, he knows the journey to the Forest of Cedar.
He is tested in battle and tried in combat,
Through the mountain passes he often has journeyed.
'He shall guard his friend and keep safe his companion,
Enkidu shall bring him safe home to his wives!
To Enkidu: 'In our assembly we place the King in your care:
You bring him back and replace [him in ours!'
[...]
Enkidu opened his mouth, saying to Gilgamesh:
'Where you've set your mind begin the journey,
let your heart have no fear, keep your eyes on me!
'In the forest I knew his lair, and the ways, too, that Humbaba wanders.'
SYNOPSIS: Unable to dissuade Gilgamesh from his journey, the Elders advise him not to rely on his strength alone. Gilgamesh then goes to his mother, the goddess Ninsun, to ask for her favor. She worries for him and speaks to Shamash, asking him why he's afflicted her son with such a restless spirit and asking him to keep Gilgamesh safe. She then accepts Enkidu as her son and urges him to protect Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh and Enkidu perform rituals for their safety and Gilgamesh leaves instructions on ruling in his absence. The men of Uruk celebrate his bravery and entrust his safety to Enkidu as they depart.