Gilgamesh Chen Translation.pdf

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Tablet VIII
40
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 farmer [who] works in his fields mourn for Enkidu.
May his nurturing foster-parents, creatures though they were, mourn for Enkidu.
May the shepherds who brought [him] 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.”
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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, now 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.”