Tablet II
So Gilgamesh saw a walking giant approaching. The giant’s body was covered with hair; and the hair was on his head, like Nisaba has. His shoulders and arms were wide and his legs were powerful, like cedars that are delivered from the mountains of far Lebanon. And where was the harlot? She followed the giant, like a lamb on shaky legs, like a foal in the field behind the mother.
There was a roar heard everywhere in Uruk. When husbands usually heard it, they locked the doors so that the wives would not come to Gilgamesh’s eyes, the fathers would take away and hide their daughters. Now the doors were open. The previous fears were forgotten. The people run to the walls to see the battle of great heroes from above. Many wished the victory to the stranger in the heart. Perhaps he would succeed in releasing them from the fear and the new ruler of Uruk will be calmer than the former one?
Meanwhile, the heroes grabbed, trying to fail each other. Their feet entered the ground knee-deep. The earth groaned in pain, which it had not known from its creation. The fighters’ veins bloated and their breathing became heavy. Drops of salty sweat was covering their forehead and cheeks.
– Why are we stubborn like sheeps? – the king exhaled first and loosened his muscles. And now they stand facing another, drying out in the sun. Not only the people of Uruk, but even Shamash, who has been going around the world from the beginning, have not seen such a fight.
– You delight me with your power, – Gilgamesh told Enkid. – I thought before that I would defeat anyone. But we were equal. Why do we need a quarrel?
Seeing the heroes walking in an embrace, the people of Uruk ran to meet them, bowing and bringing the baskets with bread and the jugs with sikera.
– What is it? – Asked Enkidu, turning his face to the harlot. – What is it, like a stone that is smoothed by water?
– This is bread, human food! – Shakhmat said, – Taste, the born in the desert, and you will be like people.
– And this? – Asked Enkidu, touching the jug.
– Drink it! – answered the harlot. “And you will immediately forget the desert, in which you graze with gazelles. This is a drink that pleases the soul. Who drinks it is equal to immortal gods.
Enkidu ate the bread to satiety. He drank seven jugs of sikera. His soul was pleased and his face was beaming. He touched his hairy body and put oil on like people do. And he got dressed. So he became a man.
The days passed. Gilgamesh showed the beauty of Uruk, its houses and temples to his friend. But Enkidu was not surprised at anything. His face expressed boredom. Suddenly tears flowed from his eyes as a flood.
– What is the matter with you, my brother? – Gilgamesh asked.
– Tears choke me,- Enkidu answered. – I’m sitting idle. Power is running out.
Gilgamesh thought and said, – There is a case.
– What’s the case? – Asked Enkidu. His tears dried immediately, like dew from the eyes of Shamash.
– I heard that somewhere near the sea in the cedar forest there lives a fierce Humbaba, the guardian of the forest. If we destroy it, we will cast out all evil from the world.
– I know that forest,- Enkidu answered,- I was near around when I wandered with animals. There the moat is dug around the forest. Who might enter into its middle? Humbaba’s voice is stronger than the storm. His mouth is a flame. The battle is not equal in the home of Humbaba.
– I want to climb the cedar’s mountain, – Gilgamesh said, – Together we will defeat Humbaba.
Then the king called the masters, for whom Uruk, fenced with walls, is famous, and said them:
– Oh, masters! Inflate the crucible with furs! Let it burn with a hot fire! Throw green stones which are delivered from the islands. And when the copper spills out, make swords and big daggers that we can hold.
The masters worshiped to the king. And fire rose over Uruk, and the city seemed a fiery furnace from afar. When knowing what their king has intended, the people of Uruk left their houses. Ahead, the elders walked sedately. The noise of the voices was like a cribble during the spill of the Euphrates. The king went out of the palace with Enkidu. Raising his hand, he turned to the people: – Listen, the elders of Uruk! The people of Uruk, listen! I want to see the one whose name, like fire, burns the whole world. In the cedar forest, I want to defeat Humbaba. I will chop the cedar and glorify my name.
The elders answered all together: “You are still young, Gilgamesh, and follow the call of your heart. Humbaba is strong. The moats surround his forest. Who may defeat Humbaba? The fight with him is unequal.
Hearing these words, Gilgamesh looked at Enkida: “Am I now afraid of Humbaba, the elders?” Where one cannot climb, there two will do. A twisted rope will not be broken so quickly. Two lion cubs will overcome one lion. I have gained a strong friend and I am ready to go with him against any enemy.