Epic of Gilgamesh

Document Text

Tablet I

He who has seen everything, I will make known (?) to the lands.

I will teach (?) about him who experienced all things … alike,

Anu granted him the totality of knowledge of all.

He saw the Secret, discovered the Hidden,

he brought information of (the time) before the Flood.

He went on a distant journey, pushing himself to exhaustion,

but then was brought to peace.

He carved on a stone stela all of his toils,

and built the wall of Uruk-Haven,

the wall of the sacred Eanna Temple, the holy sanctuary.

Look at its wall which gleams like copper (?),

inspect its inner wall, the likes of which no one can equal!

Take hold of the threshold stone—it dates from ancient times!

Go close to the Eanna Temple, the residence of Ishtar,

such as no later king or man ever equaled!

Go up on the wall of Uruk and walk around,

examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly.

Is not (even the core of) the brick structure made of kiln-fired brick,

and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plans?

One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area (?) of the Ishtar Temple,

three leagues and the open area (?) of Uruk it (the wall) encloses.

Find the copper tablet box,

open the … of its lock of bronze,

undo the fastening of its secret opening.

Take and read out from the lapis lazuli tablet

how Gilgamesh went through every hardship.

Supreme over other kings, lordly in appearance,

he is the hero, born of Uruk, the goring wild bull.

He walks out in front, the leader,

and walks at the rear, trusted by his companions.

Mighty net, protector of his people,

raging flood-wave who destroys even walls of stone!

Offspring of Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh is strong to perfection,

son of the august cow, Rimat-Ninsun; … Gilgamesh is awesome to perfection.

It was he who opened the mountain passes,

who dug wells on the flank of the mountain.

It was he who crossed the ocean, the vast seas, to the rising sun,

who explored the world regions, seeking life.

It was he who reached by his own sheer strength Utanapishtim, the Faraway,

who restored the sanctuaries (or: cities) that the Flood had destroyed!

. . . for teeming mankind.

Who can compare with him in kingliness?

Who can say like Gilgamesh: “I am King!”?

Whose name, from the day of his birth, was called “Gilgamesh”?

Two-thirds of him is god, one-third of him is human.

The Great Goddess [Aruru] designed (?) the model for his body,

she prepared his form …

. . .  beautiful, handsomest of men,

. . .  perfect

. . .

He walks around in the enclosure of Uruk,

Like a wild bull he makes himself mighty, head raised (over others).

There is no rival who can raise his weapon against him.

His fellows stand (at the alert), attentive to his (orders ?),

and the men of Uruk become anxious in …

Gilgamesh does not leave a son to his father,

day and night he arrogant[ly(?)] …

[The following lines are interpreted as rhetorical, perhaps spoken by the oppressed citizens of Uruk.]

Is Gilgamesh the shepherd of Uruk-Haven,

is he the shepherd …

bold, eminent, knowing, and wise!

Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother (?)

The daughter of the warrior, the bride of the young man,

the gods kept hearing their complaints, so

the gods of the heavens implored the Lord of Uruk [Anu]

“You have indeed brought into being a mighty wild bull, head raised!

There is no rival who can raise a weapon against him.

His fellows stand (at the alert), attentive to his (orders),

Gilgamesh does not leave a son to his father,

day and night he arrogantly …

Is he the shepherd of Uruk-Haven,

is he their shepherd. . .

bold, eminent, knowing, and wise,

Gilgamesh does not leave a girl to her mother (?)!”

The daughter of the warrior, the bride of the young man,

Anu listened to their complaints,

and (the gods) called out to Aruru:

“it was you, Aruru, who created mankind (?),

now create a zikru to it/him.

Let him be equal to his (Gilgamesh’s) stormy heart,

let them be a match for each other so that Uruk may find peace!”

When Aruru heard this she created within herself the zikrtt of Anu.

Aruru washed her hands, she pinched off some clay, and threw it into the wilderness.

In the wildness (?) she created valiant Enkidu,

born of Silence, endowed with strength by Ninurta.

His whole body was shaggy with hair,

he had a full head of hair like a woman,

his locks billowed in profusion like Ashnan.

He knew neither people nor settled living,

but wore a garment like Sumukan.

He ate grasses with the gazelles,

and jostled at the watering hole with the animals;

as with animals, his thirst was slaked with (mere) water.

A notorious trapper came face-to-face with him opposite the watering hole.

A first, a second, and a third day

he came face-to-face with him opposite the watering hole.

On seeing him the trapper’s face went stark with fear,

and he (Enkidu?) and his animals drew back home.

He was rigid with fear; though stock-still

his heart pounded and his face drained of color.

He was miserable to the core,

and his face looked like one who had made a long journey.

The trapper addressed his father saying:

“Father, a certain fellow has come from the mountains.

He is the mightiest in the land,

his strength is as mighty as the meteorite (?) of Anu!

He continually goes over the mountains,

he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals,

he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place.

I was afraid, so I did not go up to him.

He filled in the pits that I had dug,

wrenched out my traps that I had spread,

released from my grasp the wild animals.

He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!”

The trapper’s father spoke to him saying:

“My son, there lives in Uruk a certain Gilgamesh.

There is no one stronger than he,

he is as strong as the meteorite (?) of Anu.

Go, set off to Uruk,

tell Gilgamesh of this Man of Might.

He will give you the harlot Shamhat, take her with you.

The woman will overcome the fellow (?) as if she were strong.

When the animals are drinking at the watering place

have her take off her robe and expose her sex.

When he sees her he will draw near to her,

and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him.”

He heeded his father’s advice.

The trapper went off to Uruk,

he made the journey, stood inside of Uruk,

and declared to … Gilgamesh:

“There is a certain fellow who has come from the mountains—

he is the mightiest in the land,

his strength is as mighty as the meteorite (?) of Anu!

He continually goes over the mountains,

he continually jostles at the watering place with the animals,

he continually plants his feet opposite the watering place.

I was afraid, so I did not go up to him.

He filled in the pits that I had dug,

wrenched out my traps that I had spread,

released from my grasp the wild animals.

He does not let me make my rounds in the wilderness!”

Gilgamesh said to the trapper:

“Go, trapper, bring the harlot, Shamhat, with you.

When the animals are drinking at the watering place

have her take off her robe and expose her sex.

When he sees her he will draw near to her,

and his animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will be alien to him.”

The trapper went, bringing the harlot, Shamhat, with him.

They set off on the journey, making direct way.

On the third day they arrived at the appointed place,

and the trapper and the harlot sat down at their posts (?).

A first day and a second they sat opposite the watering hole.

The animals arrived and drank at the watering hole,

the wild beasts arrived and slaked their thirst with water.

Then he, Enkidu, offspring of the mountains,

who eats grasses with the gazelles,

came to drink at the watering hole with the animals,

with the wild beasts he slaked his thirst with water.

Then Shamhat saw him—a primitive,

a savage fellow from the depths of the wilderness!

“That is he, Shamhat! Release your clenched arms,

expose your sex so he can take in your voluptuousness.

Do not be restrained—take his energy!

When he sees you he will draw near to you.

Spread out your robe so he can lie upon you,

and perform for this primitive the task of womankind!

His animals, who grew up in his wilderness, will become alien to him,

and his lust will groan over you.”

Shamhat unclutched her bosom, exposed her sex, and he took in her voluptuousness.

She was not restrained, but took his energy.

She spread out her robe and he lay upon her,

she performed for the primitive the task of womankind.

His lust groaned over her;

for six days and seven nights Enkidu stayed aroused,

and had intercourse with the harlot

until he was sated with her charms.

But when he turned his attention to his animals,

the gazelles saw Enkidu and darted off,

the wild animals distanced themselves from his body.

Enkidu …  his utterly depleted (?) body,

his knees that wanted to go off with his animals went rigid;

Enkidu was diminished, his running was not as before.

But then he drew himself up, for his understanding had broadened.

Turning around, he sat down at the harlot’s feet,

gazing into her face, his ears attentive as the harlot spoke.

The harlot said to Enkidu:

“You are beautiful, Enkidu, you are become like a god.

Why do you gallop around the wilderness with the wild beasts?

Come, let me bring you into Uruk-Haven,

to the Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar,

the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection,

but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull.”

What she kept saying found favor with him.

Becoming aware of himself, he sought a friend.

Enkidu spoke to the harlot:

“Come, Shamhat, take me away with you

to the sacred Holy Temple, the residence of Anu and Ishtar,

the place of Gilgamesh, who is wise to perfection,

but who struts his power over the people like a wild bull.

I will challenge him …

Let me shout out in Uruk: ‘I am the mighty one!’

Lead me in and I will change the order of things;

he whose strength is mightiest is the one born in the wilderness!”

[Shamhat to Enkidu:]

“Come, let us go, so he may see your face.

I will lead you to Gilgamesh—I know where he will be.

Look about, Enkidu, inside Uruk-Haven,

where the people show off in skirted finery,

where every day is a day for some festival,

where the lyre (?) and drum play continually,

where harlots stand about prettily,

exuding voluptuousness, full of laughter

and on the couch of night the sheets are spread.”

Enkidu, you who do not know, how to live,

I will show you Gilgamesh, a man of extreme feelings.

Look at him, gaze at his face—

he is a handsome youth, with freshness,

his entire body exudes voluptuousness

He has mightier strength than you,

without sleeping day or night!

Enkidu, it is your wrong thoughts you must change!

It is Gilgamesh whom Shamhat loves,

and Anu, Enlil, and La have enlarged his mind.

Even before you came from the mountain

Gilgamesh in Uruk had dreams about you.”

Gilgamesh got up and revealed the dream, saying to his mother:

“Mother, I had a dream last night.

Stars of the sky appeared,

and some kind of meteorite (?) of Anu fell next to me.

I tried to lift it but it was too mighty for me,

I tried to turn it over but I could not budge it.

The Land of Uruk was standing around it,

the whole land had assembled about it,

the populace was thronging around it,

the Men clustered about it,

and kissed its feet as if it were a little baby.

I loved it and embraced it as a wife.

I laid it down at your feet,

and you made it compete with me.”

The mother of Gilgamesh, the wise, all-knowing, said to her Lord;

Rimat-Ninsun, the wise, all-knowing, said to Gilgamesh:

“As for the stars of the sky that appeared

and the meteorite (?) of Anu which fell next to you,

you tried to lift but it was too mighty for you,

you tried to turn it over but were unable to budge it,

you laid it down at my feet,

and I made it compete with you,

and you loved and embraced it as a wife.”

“There will come to you a mighty man, a comrade who saves his friend—

he is the mightiest in the land, he is strongest,

his strength is mighty as the meteorite of Anu!

You loved him and embraced him as a wife;

and it is he who will repeatedly save you.

Your dream is good and propitious!”

A second time Gilgamesh said to his mother: “Mother, I have had another dream:

At the gate of my marital chamber there lay an axe,

and people had collected about it.

The Land of Uruk was standing around it,

the whole land had assembled about it,

the populace was thronging around it.

I laid it down at your feet,

I loved it and embraced it as a wife,

and you made it compete with me.”

The mother of Gilgamesh, the wise, all-knowing, said to her son;

Rimat-Ninsun, the wise, all-knowing, said to Gilgamesh:

“The axe that you saw (is) a man.

. . . (that) you love him and embrace as a wife,

but (that) I have compete with you.”

“There will come to you a mighty man,

“a comrade who saves his friend—

“he is the mightiest in the land, he is strongest,

“he is as mighty as the meteorite of Anu!”

Gilgamesh spoke to his mother saying:

“By the command of Enlil, the Great Counselor, so may it to pass!

“May I have a friend and adviser, a friend and adviser may I have!

“You have interpreted for me the dreams about him!”

After the harlot recounted the dreams of Gilgamesh to Enkidu

the two of them made love.…

Tablet XI

The Story of the Flood

Gilgamesh spoke to Utanapishtim, the Faraway:

“I have been looking at you,

but your appearance is not strange—you are like me!

You yourself are not different—you are like me!

My mind was resolved to fight with you,

(but instead?) my arm lies useless over you.

Tell me, how is it that you stand in the Assembly of the Gods, and have found life!”

Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:

“I will reveal to you, Gilgamesh, a thing that is hidden,

a secret of the gods I will tell you!

Shuruppak, a city that you surely know,

situated on the banks of the Euphrates,

that city was very old, and there were gods inside it.

The hearts of the Great Gods moved them to inflict the Flood.

Their Father Anu uttered the oath (of secrecy),

Valiant Enlil was their Adviser,

Ninurta was their Chamberlain,

Ennugi was their Minister of Canals.

Ea, the Clever Prince (?), was under oath with them

so he repeated their talk to the reed house:

’Reed house, reed house! Wall, wall!

O man of Shuruppak, son of Ubartutu:

Tear down the house and build a boat!

Abandon wealth and seek living beings!

Spurn possessions and keep alive living beings!

Make all living beings go up into the boat.

The boat which you are to build,

its dimensions must measure equal to each other:

its length must correspond to its width.

Roof it over like the Apsu.’

I understood and spoke to my lord, Ea:

’My lord, thus is the command which you have uttered

I will heed and will do it.

But what shall I answer the city, the populace, and the Elders!’

Ea spoke, commanding me, his servant:

’You, well then, this is what you must say to them:

“It appears that Enlil is rejecting me

so I cannot reside in your city (?),

nor set foot on Enlil’s earth.

I will go down to the Apsu to live with my lord, Ea,

and upon you he will rain down abundance,

a profusion of fowl, myriad fishes.

He will bring to you a harvest of wealth,

in the morning he will let loaves of bread shower down,

and in the evening a rain of wheat!”’

Just as dawn began to glow

the land assembled around me—

the carpenter carried his hatchet,

the reed worker carried his (flattening) stone,

. . . the men …

The child carried the pitch,

the weak brought whatever else was needed.

On the fifth day I laid out her exterior.

It was a field in area,

its walls were each 10 times 12 cubits in height,

the sides of its top were of equal length, 10 times 12 cubits each.

I laid out its (interior) structure and drew a picture of it (?).

I provided it with six decks,

thus dividing it into seven (levels).

The inside of it I divided into nine (compartments).

I drove plugs (to keep out) water in its middle part.

I saw to the punting poles and laid in what was necessary.

Three times 3,600 (units) of raw bitumen I poured into the bitumen kiln,

three times 3,600 (units of) pitch … into it,

there were three times 3,600 porters of casks who carried (vegetable) oil,

apart from the 3,600 (units of) oil which they consumed

and two times 3,600 (units of) oil which the boatman stored away.

I butchered oxen for the meat,

and day upon day I slaughtered sheep.

I gave the workmen (?) ale, beer, oil, and wine, as if it were river water,

so they could make a party like the New Year’s Festival.

. . . and I set my hand to the oiling.

The boat was finished by sunset.

The launching was very difficult.

They had to keep carrying a runway of poles front to back,

until two-thirds of it had gone into the water (?).

Whatever I had I loaded on it:

whatever silver I had I loaded on it,

whatever gold I had I loaded on it.

All the living beings that I had I loaded on it,

I had all my kith and kin go up into the boat,

all the beasts and animals of the field and the craftsmen I had go up.

Shamash had set a stated time:

’In the morning I will let loaves of bread shower down,

and in the evening a rain of wheat!

Go inside the boat, seal the entry!’

That stated time had arrived.

In the morning he let loaves of bread shower down,

and in the evening a rain of wheat.

I watched the appearance of the weather—

the weather was frightful to behold!

I went into the boat and sealed the entry.

For the caulking of the boat, to Puzuramurri, the boatman,

I gave the palace together with its contents.

Just as dawn began to glow

there arose from the horizon a black cloud.

Adad rumbled inside of it,

before him went Shullat and Hanish,

heralds going over mountain and land.

Erragal pulled out the mooring poles,

forth went Ninurta and made the dikes overflow.

The Anunnaki lifted up the torches,

setting the land ablaze with their flare.

Stunned shock over Adad’s deeds overtook the heavens,

and turned to blackness all that had been light.

The … land shattered like a … pot.

All day long the South Wind blew … ,

blowing fast, submerging the mountain in water,

overwhelming the people like an attack.

No one could see his fellow,

they could not recognize each other in the torrent.

The gods were frightened by the Flood,

and retreated, ascending to the heaven of Anu.

The gods were cowering like dogs, crouching by the outer wall.

Ishtar shrieked like a woman in childbirth,

the sweet-voiced Mistress of the Gods wailed:

’The olden days have alas turned to clay,

because I said evil things in the Assembly of the Gods!

How could I say evil things in the Assembly of the Gods,

ordering a catastrophe to destroy my people!!

No sooner have I given birth to my dear people

than they fill the sea like so many fish!’

The gods—those of the Anunnaki—were weeping with her,

the gods humbly sat weeping, sobbing with grief (?),

their lips burning, parched with thirst.

Six days and seven nights

came the wind and flood, the storm flattening the land.

When the seventh day arrived, the storm was pounding,

the flood was a war—struggling with itself like a woman writhing (in labor).

The sea calmed, fell still, the whirlwind (and) flood stopped up.

I looked around all day long—quiet had set in

and all the human beings had turned to clay!

The terrain was as flat as a roof.

I opened a vent and fresh air (daylight) fell upon the side of my nose.

I fell to my knees and sat weeping,

tears streaming down the side of my nose.

I looked around for coastlines in the expanse of the sea,

and at twelve leagues there emerged a region (of land).

On Mt. Nimush the boat lodged firm,

Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.

One day and a second Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.

A third day, a fourth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.

A fifth day, a sixth, Mt. Nimush held the boat, allowing no sway.

When a seventh day arrived

I sent forth a dove and released it.

The dove went off, but came back to me;

no perch was visible so it circled back to me.

I sent forth a swallow and released it.

The swallow went off, but came back to me;

no perch was visible so it circled back to me.

I sent forth a raven and released it.

The raven went off, and saw the waters slither back.

It eats, it scratches, it bobs, but does not circle back to me.

Then I sent out everything in all directions and sacrificed (a sheep).

I offered incense in front of the mountain-ziggurat.

Seven and seven cult vessels I put in place,

and (into the fire) underneath (or: into their bowls) I poured reeds, cedar, and myrtle.

The gods smelled the savor,

the gods smelled the sweet savor,

and collected like flies over a (sheep) sacrifice.

Just then Beletili arrived.

She lifted up the large flies (beads) which Anu had made for his enjoyment:

’You gods, as surely as I shall not forget this lapis lazuli around my neck,

may I be mindful of these days, and never forget them!

The gods may come to the incense offering,

but Enlil may not come to the incense offering,

because without considering he brought about the Flood

and consigned my people to annihilation.’

Just then Enlil arrived.

He saw the boat and became furious,

he was filled with rage at the Igigi gods:

’Where did a living being escape?

No man was to survive the annihilation!’

Ninurta spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:

’Who else but Ea could devise such a thing?

It is Ea who knows every machination!’

Ea spoke to Valiant Enlil, saying:

’It is yours, O Valiant One, who is the Sage of the Gods.

How, how could you bring about a Flood without consideration

Charge the violation to the violator,

charge the offense to the offender,

but be compassionate lest (mankind) be cut off,

be patient lest they be killed.

Instead of your bringing on the Flood,

would that a lion had appeared to diminish the people!

Instead of your bringing on the Flood,

would that a wolf had appeared to diminish the people!

Instead of your bringing on the Flood,

would that famine had occurred to slay the land!

Instead of your bringing on the Flood,

would that (Pestilent) Erra had appeared to ravage the land!

It was not I who revealed the secret of the Great Gods,

I (only) made a dream appear to Atrahasis, and (thus) he heard the secret of the gods.

Now then! The deliberation should be about him!’

Enlil went up inside the boat

and, grasping my hand, made me go up.

He had my wife go up and kneel by my side.

He touched our forehead and, standing between us, he blessed us:

’Previously Utanapishtim was a human being.

But now let Utanapishtim and his wife become like us, the gods!

Let Utanapishtim reside far away, at the Mouth of the Rivers.’

They took us far away and settled us at the Mouth of the Rivers.”

“Now then, who will convene the gods on your behalf, that you may find the life that you are seeking!

Wait! You must not lie down for six days and seven nights.”

soon as he sat down (with his head) between his legs

sleep, like a fog, blew upon him.

Utanapishtim said to his wife:

“Look there! The man, the youth who wanted (eternal) life!

Sleep, like a fog, blew over him.”

his wife said to Utanapishtim the Faraway:

“Touch him, let the man awaken.

Let him return safely by the way he came.

Let him return to his land by the gate through which he left.”

Utanapishtim said to his wife:

“Mankind is deceptive, and will deceive you.

Come, bake loaves for him and keep setting them by his head

and draw on the wall each day that he lay down.”

She baked his loaves and placed them by his head

and marked on the wall the day that he lay down.

The first loaf was dessicated,

the second stale, the third moist (?), the fourth turned white, its …,

the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.

The seventh—suddenly he touched him and the man awoke.

Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim:

“The very moment sleep was pouring over me

you touched me and alerted me!”

Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:

“Look over here, Gilgamesh, count your loaves!

You should be aware of what is marked on the wall!

Your first loaf is dessicated,

the second stale, the third moist, your fourth turned white, its …

the fifth sprouted gray (mold), the sixth is still fresh.

The seventh—at that instant you awoke!”

Gilgamesh said to Utanapishtim the Faraway:

“O woe! What shall I do, Utanapishtim, where shall I go!

The Snatcher has taken hold of my flesh,

in my bedroom Death dwells,

and wherever I set foot there too is Death!”

Home Empty-Handed

Utanapishtim said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:

“May the harbor reject you, may the ferry landing reject you!

May you who used to walk its shores be denied its shores!

The man in front of whom you walk, matted hair chains his body,

animal skins have ruined his beautiful skin.

Take him away, Urshanabi, bring him to the washing place.

Let him wash his matted hair in water like ellu.

Let him cast away his animal skin and have the sea carry it off,

let his body be moistened with fine oil,

let the wrap around his head be made new,

let him wear royal robes worthy of him!

Until he goes off to his city,

until he sets off on his way,

let his royal robe not become spotted, let it be perfectly new!”

Urshanabi took him away and brought him to the washing place.

He washed his matted hair with water like ellu.

He cast off his animal skin and the sea carried it oh.

He moistened his body with fine oil,

and made a new wrap for his head.

He put on a royal robe worthy of him.

Until he went away to his city,

until he set off on his way,

his royal robe remained unspotted, it was perfectly clean.

Gilgamesh and Urshanabi bearded the boat,

they cast off the magillu-boat, and sailed away.

The wife of Utanapishtim the Faraway said to him:

“Gilgamesh came here exhausted and worn out.

What can you give him so that he can return to his land (with honor)!”

Then Gilgamesh raised a punting pole

and drew the boat to shore.

Utanapishtim spoke to Gilgamesh, saying:

“Gilgamesh, you came here exhausted and worn out.

What can I give you so you can return to your land?

I will disclose to you a thing that is hidden, Gilgamesh,

a … I will tell you.

There is a plant … like a boxthorn,

whose thorns will prick your hand like a rose.

If your hands reach that plant you will become a young man again.”

Hearing this, Gilgamesh opened a conduit (to the Apsu)

and attached heavy stones to his feet.

They dragged him down, to the Apsu they pulled him.

He took the plant, though it pricked his hand,

and cut the heavy stones from his feet,

letting the waves (?) throw him onto its shores.

Gilgamesh spoke to Urshanabi, the ferryman, saying:

“Urshanabi, this plant is a plant against decay by which a man can attain his survival.

I will bring it to Uruk-Haven,

and have an old man eat the plant to test it.

The plant’s name is ‘The Old Man Becomes a Young Man.’

Then I will eat it and return to the condition of my youth.”

At twenty leagues they broke for some food,

at thirty leagues they stopped for the night.

Seeing a spring and how cool its waters were,

Gilgamesh went down and was bathing in the water.

A snake smelled the fragrance of the plant,

silently came up and carried off the plant.

While going back it sloughed off its casing.’

At that point Gilgamesh sat down, weeping,

his tears streaming over the side of his nose.

“Counsel me, O ferryman Urshanabi!

For whom have my arms labored, Urshanabi!

For whom has my heart’s blood roiled!

I have not secured any good deed for myself,

but done a good deed for the ‘lion of the ground’!

Now the high waters are coursing twenty leagues distant,

as I was opening the conduit (?) I turned my equipment over into it.

What can I find (to serve) as a marker (?) for me!

I will turn back (from the journey by sea) and leave the boat by the shore!”

At twenty leagues they broke for some food,

at thirty leagues they stopped for the night.

They arrived in Uruk-Haven.

Gilgamesh said to Urshanabi, the ferryman:

“Go up, Urshanabi, onto the wall of Uruk and walk around.

Examine its foundation, inspect its brickwork thoroughly—

is not (even the core of) the brick structure of kiln-fired brick,

and did not the Seven Sages themselves lay out its plan!

One league city, one league palm gardens, one league lowlands, the open area (?) of the Ishtar Temple,

three leagues and the open area (?) of Uruk it encloses.”