The Epic of GilgameshTablet IITranslated by Maureen Gallery Kovacs |
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Summary: In the second tablet Gilgamesh meets Enkidu; they fight; they become BFFs. Gilgamesh decides that between the two of them they can go after the monster Humbaba who guards the cedar forest. The city elders try to discourage them. |
{The next 30 lines are missing; some of the fragmentary lines from 35 on are restored from parallels in the Old Babylonian.}“What you say .. .”“Why ...”(?)His own counsel ... {About 42 lines are missing here in the Standard Version; lines 228-249 are taken from the Old Babylonian.}
“Who, my Friend, can ascend to the heavens!” I will undertake it and I will cut down the Cedar.Holding each other by the hand they went over to the forge. {The Standard Version resumes at this point.} The craftsmen sat and discussed with one another. “We should fashion the axe...Gilgamesh said to the men of Uruk: “Listen to me, men... ”{5 lines are missing here.} You, men of Uruk, who know ...Enkidu spoke to the Elders: “What the men of Uruk...”Say to him that he must not go to the Cedar Forest— the journey is not to be made! A man who... The Guardian of the Cedar Forest ... The Noble Counselors of Uruk arose and delivered their advice toGilgamesh: “You are young, Gilgamesh, your heart carries you off you do not know what you are talking about! ...gave birth to you. Humbaba's roar is a Flood, his mouth is Fire, his breath Death! He can hear any rustling(!) in his forest 100 leagues away! Who would go down into his forest! Who among (even!) the Igigi gods can confront him? In order to keep the Cedar safe, Enlil assigned him as a terror to human beings.” Gilgamesh listened to the statement of his Noble Counselors. {About 5 lines are missing to the end of Tablet II.} |
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