Tablet IX

1 For his friend Enkidu Gilgameš
2 was weeping bitterly as he roamed the wild:
3 ‘I shall die, and shall I not then be like Enkidu?
4 Sorrow has entered my heart.
5 I became afraid of death, so go roaming the wild,
6 to Ūta-napišti, son of Ubār-Tutu,
7 I am on the road and travelling swiftly.
8 I arrived one night at the mountain passes,
9 I saw some lions and grew afraid.
10 I lifted my head, praying to Sîn,
11 to [ … , the] light of the gods, my supplications went:
12 “O [Sîn and …,] keep me safe!'"
13 [Gilgameš] arose, he awoke with a start: it was a dream!
14 [ … in the] presence of the moon he grew happy to be alive.
15 He took up his axe in his hand,
16 he drew forth [the dirk from] his belt.
17 Like an arrow he fell among them,
18 he struck the [lions, he] killed (them), he scattered (them).
19 Then … […] …,
20 he cast off [ …]
21 He drew [two …,]
22 the name of the first [was …,]
23 the name of the second [was …]
24 He lifted [his head, praying to Sîn,]
25 to […, the light of the gods, his supplications went:]
26 ‘O [Sîn and …,]
27 let […]
28 How […?]'
29 [Sîn …]
30 [Missing text: 30–36.]
37 The name of the mountain was Māšu.
38 To Māšu’s twin mountains he came,
39 which daily guard the rising [of the sun,] –
40 their tops [abut] the fabric of the heavens,⁠a
41 their bases reach down to Hades –
42 there were scorpion-men guarding its gate,⁠b
43 whose terror was dread and glance was death,
44 whose radiance was terrifying, enveloping the uplands –
45 at both sunrise and sunset they guard the sun –
46 Gilgameš saw them and covered his face with fear and dread;
47 he collected his wits and drew near their presence.
48 The scorpion-man called to his female:
49 ‘He who has come to us, flesh of the gods is his body.’
50 The scorpion-man’s female answered him:
51 ‘Two-thirds of him are god but a third of him is human.’
52 The male scorpion-man called out,
53 saying a word [to King Gilgameš,] flesh of the gods:
54 '[How did you come here,] a far road?
55 [how did you get] here, into my presence?
56 [How did you ford the many rivers], whose crossing is perilous?
57 […] let me learn of your […]
58 [… where] your [face] is set,
59 [… let me] learn [of your journey.]'
60 [Missing text: 60–73.]
74 […] … […]
75 ‘[I am seeking] the [road] of my forefather, Ūta-napišti.
76 He who stood in the assembly of the gods, and [found life,]
77 of death and life [he will tell me the secret.]'
78 The scorpion-man opened his mouth [to speak,]
79 saying to [Gilgameš:]
80 ‘There was not [ever], O Gilgameš, […] like [you,]
81 never did anyone [travel the path] of the mountain.
82 For twelve double-hours its interior [extends,]
83 the darkness is dense and [light is] there none.
84 For the rising of the sun […,]
85 for the setting of the [sun …,]
86 For the setting of the […,]
87 they sent forth […]
88 … […]
89 and you, how [will you …?]
90 Will you go [in …?]'
91 … […]
92 … […]
93 … […]
94 [Missing text: 94–124.]
125 ‘Through sorrow […;]
126 by frost and sunshine [my face is burnt.]
127 Through exhaustion […:]
128 now you [must …]’
129 The scorpion-man [opened his mouth to speak,]
130 [saying a word] to King Gilgameš, [flesh of the gods:]
131 ‘Go, Gilgameš! […,]
132 May the mountains of Māšu [allow you to pass!]
133 ‘[May] the mountains and hills [watch over your going!]
134 Let [them help you] in safety [to continue your journey]
135 [May] the gate of the mountain [open before you!]'
136 [When] Gilgameš [heard this,]
137 to what [the scorpion-man] had told him […]
138 he [took] the path of the sun […]
139 One double-hour … […,]
140 the darkness was dense, [and light was there none:]
141 it did not [allow him to see what was behind him.]
142 Two double-hours […,]
143 the darkness was dense, [and light was there none:]
144 it did not [allow him to see what was behind him.]
145 Three double-hours […,]
146 [the darkness was dense, and light was there none:]
147 [it did not allow him to see what was behind him.]
148 Four double-[hours …,]
149 [the darkness] was dense, [and light was there none:]
150 it did not [allow him to see what was behind him.]
151 Five double-hours [ …,]
152 the darkness was dense, [and light was there none:]
153 it did not allow [him to see what was behind him.]
154 When [he reached] six double-hours,
155 the darkness was dense, [and light was there none:]
156 it did not allow [him to see what was behind him.]
157 On reaching seven double-hours […,]
158 the darkness was dense, and [light was there] none:
159 it did not allow him [to] see what was behind [him.]
160 At eight double-hours he was hurrying like […,]
161 the darkness was dense, and light was [there none:]
162 it did not [allow him to] see what was behind him.
163 Nine double-[hours …] the north wind,
164 […] … his face;
165 [the darkness was dense, and] light was [there none:]
166 [it did not allow him to] see what was behind him.
167 [When he] reached [ten double-hours,]
168 […] was very near.
169 [on reaching eleven double-hours a journey remained] of one double-hour,
170 [at twelve double-hours Gilgameš] emerged ahead of the Sun.
171 […] there was brilliance:
172 he went straight, as soon as he saw them, to… the trees of the gods.
173 A carnelian (tree) was in fruit,
174 hung with bunches of grapes, lovely to see.
175 A lapis lazuli (tree) bore foliage,
176 in full fruit and gorgeous to gaze on.
177 [Missing text: 177–183.]
184 […] cypress […]
185 […] cedar […,]
186 its leaf-stems were of pappardilû [stone and …] …
187 Sea coral […] sāsu-stone,
188 instead of thorns and briar [there grew] crystal vials.
189 He touched a carob, [(it was)] abašmu stone,
190 šubû stone and haematite […] …
191 Like […] and … […] … the plain,
192 like […] turquoise.
193 Of […] sea-shell,
194 it had […] …
195 As Gilgameš walked about [in wonder,]
196 she lifted up [her head to] watch him.