Tablet III, Section 1b

Proffereth nothing of substance thy courage—I, I'll be thy va ward! ’Tis thine own mouth shall tell thou didst fear the onslaught (of battle), (I, forsooth), if I should fall, my name will have stablish’d (for ever). 15. Gilgamish ’twas, who fought with Humbaba, the Fierce! (In the future), After my children are born to my house, and climb up thee, (saying): 'Tell to us all that thou knowest' . . . . . . . [(Yea), when thou] speakest [in this wise], thou grievest my heart (for) the Cedar 25. [I am] determined [to fell], that I may gain [fame] everlasting. . (Now), O my friend, [my charge] to the craftsmen I fain would deliver, So that they cast in our presence [our weapons]." [The charge] they deliver’d 30. Unto the craftsmen: the mould (?) did the workmen prepare, and the axes Monstrous they cast: (yea), the celts did they cast, each (weighing) three talents; Glaives, (too,) monstrous they cast, with hilts each (weighing) two talents, 35. Blades, thirty manas to each, corresponding to fit them: [the inlay(?)], Gold thirty manas (each) sword: (so) were Gilgamish , Enkidu laden Each with ten talents. . (And now) [in] the Seven Bolt [Portal of Erech] Hearing [the bruit(?)] did the artisans gather, [assembled the people(?)] , 40. (There) in the streets of broad-marketed Erech, [in] Gilgamish’ honour(?)] , [So did the Elders of Erech] broad-marketed take seat before him. [Gilgamish] spake [thus: "O Elders of Erech] broad-marketed, [hear me!] 45. [I go against Humbaba, the Fierce, who shall say, when he heareth] , '(Ah), let me look on (this) Gilgamish, he of whom (people) are speaking, He with whose fame the countries are fill’d'—’Tis I will o’erwhelm him, 5. (There) in the Forest of Cedars—I'll make the land hear (it) (How) like a giant the Scion of Erech is—(yea, for) the Cedars I am determined to fell, that I may gain fame everlasting." Gilgamish (thus) did the Elders of Erech broad-marketed answer: 10. "Gilgamish, ’tis thou art young, that thy valour (o’ermuch) doth uplift thee, Nor dost thou know to the full what thou dost seek to accomplish. Unto our ears hath it come of Humbaba, his likeness is twofold. 15. Who (of free will) then would [seek to] oppose [in encounter] his weapons? Who for a distance of two hours’ march from the skirts of the Forest Unto its depths would [go] down? Humbaba, his roar is a whirlwind, Flame (in) his jaws, and his very breath Death! (O), why hast desired. This to accomplish? To meet(?) with Humbaba were conflict unequall’d." 20. Gilgamish unto the rede of his counsellors hearken’d and ponder’d, Cried to [his] friend: "Now, indeed, O [my] fried, [will I] thus [voice opinion].