The Yale Tablet
Column I
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………… [my friend(?)] ………… [some great task(?)] so precious [Why] do you desire [to do this] thing? ……………… some [precious thing(?)] greatly [why] do you [desire] it? They came down [to the for]est, a work they carried out among [the people], they assembled and performed a rite, ……………… they convened. ………… missing ………… ………… missing …………
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………… fate ………… ……………… and my [friend] ……… ……………… they admonished ……… [words] they [gave back] [to the] great lady, they made ready for [over]throw.
Column II
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…… name ……… “A rival [for him who draws near] create for him, and …” lamentation ……… The mother of [Gilgamesh, wise in all things,] be[fore Shamash lifted her hands,] ……………… “Why, [now,] [have you set upon my son a heart that will not] [sleep, you have laid this upon him?]” ………………
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[While Enkidu’s eyes filled] with [tears,] he [struck his] heart and [grievously] sighed. [While Enkidu’s] eyes filled with tears, [he struck] his heart, [grievously] he sighed. [Gilgamesh] turned his face, [spoke] to Enkidu: “[My friend, why] are your eyes [filled with tears,] [why is your heart] stricken, [why do you sigh so grie]vously?” [Enkidu opened his mouth] and spoke [to Gilgamesh:] “The tidings, my friend, have torn my [sinews;] my arms hang limp, my strength is sapped.” Gilgamesh opened his mouth and spoke to Enkidu:
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Column III
…… [even Hu]wawa the mighty ……………… [the ce]dar ………… [he destroyed.] [I will go down to the forest of] cedar, ………… before the hidden … ………… its drum … ………… I will open it.” Enkidu opened his mouth and spoke to Gilgamesh: “Know, my friend, in the highlands, when I roamed among the herds, for a single double-hour the forest’s border— [who can] go down into its heart alone? Huwawa—his roar is the flood, his [mouth] is Girra, his breath is death. Why do you desire to do this thing, to engage in battle against the onslaught of Huwawa?” Gilgamesh opened his mouth and [spoke] to Enkidu: “…… the thicket of his … …… [in the fo]rest …” …………………… …………… to … the dwelling [of Huwawa] … axes … you shall be … I will [go down to the forest.]” Enkidu opened his mouth and spoke to [Gilgamesh:] “When we [go together] to the forest [of cedar,] its guardian, Gilgamesh, the [fighter,] the mighty one who does not [sleep,] Huwawa, [offspring of] ………… Adad is ……… he …………………
Column IV
For the protection [of the cedar forest,] seven terrors [Enlil assigned to him.] Gilgamesh opened [his mouth] and spoke to [Enkidu:] “Who, my friend, can ascend to [heaven?] Only the gods dwell forever with [Shamash.] Mankind numbers its days; whatever he does is but wind. Here and now, you fear death— your heroic strength comes to nothing. Let me go before you, let your mouth cry out ‘Fear not!’ If I fall, let me set up my name. Gilgamesh, [against] Huwawa the mighty, I shall ……………… He who was born in the wild ……… you grew up among the grass ……… you have known the lion, you know all. ……………………… ……………………… …………………… like the shepherd(?) … offerings. … [you cry out,] you trouble my heart. [I will set my hand] and [go up and] fell the cedar. [A name] that is written I shall set down. [Cast,] my friend, for the kilns let me smelt— [let the bellows] pour the metal before us.” [They cast] for the kilns, they smelted, the craftsmen sat working: they poured great axes, hatchets of three talents each they poured; they poured great daggers, two-edged swords of two talents each, thirty-mina hafts for their sides, the bosses of the daggers, thirty minas of gold. Gilgamesh and Enkidu were laden with ten talents each. …… the gate of [Uruk] ……… seven ……… …… the people heard and gathered, they assembled [in the square of] Uruk-of-the-market. …… [Gilgamesh sat down] [in the square of Uruk] of the market, [Enkidu] sat before him. …… [thus] he [spoke:] [“…… of Uruk of the mar]ket [before him”]
Column V
“Gilgamesh, the one whom they speak of, let me see him! He whose name fills the lands— I will hem him in among the cedar forest, like a mighty youngling of Uruk I will make the land hear. I will set my hand and cut down the cedar, a name that is written I shall establish.” The elders of Uruk of the marketplace gave word back to Gilgamesh: “You are young, Gilgamesh, your heart bears you away; you do not know what you are doing. We have heard of Huwawa—strange is his form. Who can confront his weapons? For a single double-hour the forest’s border— who can go down into its heart? Huwawa—his roar is the flood, his mouth is Girra, his breath is death. Why do you desire to do this thing, to engage in battle against the onslaught of Huwawa?” Gilgamesh heard the words of his [counsellors,] he looked and laughed [at his friend.] “Now, my [friend,] thus I [speak:] I fear him, but [I will go to the forest;] [I will go with you to the cedar forest.”]
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………………………… may ………… your … may your god ………… you, [may he guide] your path to [safety.] At the quay of [Uruk of the marketplace] Gilgamesh bowed down [before Shamash,] the word [he spoke:] “I go, Shamash, [I take hold of] your hands. Thereafter, may I be preserved alive; bring me back to the quay in [Uruk.] Cast [a shadow (of protection) over me.]” Gilgamesh called his [friend …] his instructions …………… ………………… ……………………… …………………… when …………………
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Column VI
“[I am] Gilgamesh, [the foremost] of the land, ………… the path I have never [travelled,] ………… provisions I do not know. [Thereafter] may I safely [return,] [may I praise] you with a joyful heart. …… [in splendour] your finery [may I seat] you upon thrones.” …………………… its gear, [the great lords brought him] [bow] and quiver, [into] his hand they placed them. He took the axe; …… his belt … …… [to the] god, another … [with] his [dagger] at his side, …… they prepared to go. [Once] again they brought Gilgamesh near: “[Until when] will you turn again to the heart of Uruk?” [The elder]s blessed him. [For the jou]rney they counsel Gilgamesh: “Do not rely, Gilgamesh, on your strength alone; let your provisions suffice, and guard yourself. Let Enkidu go before you— [the wagon-rut] he marks, the road he has travelled. [To the] entrance of the forest, [Huwawa’s] all are scattered. [Let the one who goes] first protect his companion, [let him guard] his [road, let him guard his own.] [May Shamash] grant you [your desire.] [May] the utterances of your mouth be [made real before your eyes,] may he open for you the blocked path, may he smooth the road for your tread, the mountain for your foot. May the night bring you a word of joy; may Lugalbanda stand by you in your quest. Like a child may your quest come to full growth. In the river of Huwawa that you aspire to, wash your feet; in your resting places, dig a well, let clear water flow in your water-skin. [Chilled] water, pour out to Shamash, [and remember] Lugalbanda.” [Enkidu] opened his mouth and spoke to Gilgamesh: “[Since] you have resolved, proceed to go; [do not] fear, set your trust in me. [Set your] hand on its onslaught, [on the road] that Huwawa has travelled. …… speak and instruct them.”
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Left Edge
………… as much as ……… ………… they went with me. ………… they weep for you. ………… [there]after in joy [when they heard] this speech of his, alone [he set] the road: “Go, Gilgamesh, [I will go before you.] Let your god go ………… let [him] show you [the road.]” Gilgamesh and [Enkidu] ……… ……………… between [them] …………