Tablet XI, Section 1f

(So) into their vessel embarkéd Gilgamish, (aye), and Ur-Shanabi, launching (their) craft [on the billow], They themselves riding aboard (her). . To Uta-Napishtim, the Distant , Spake (then) his wife: "Came Gilgamish (hither) aweary with rowing, 260. What wilt thou give wherewith he return to his land?" and the meanwhile Gilgamish, lifting his pole, was pushing the boat at the seashore. (Then answer'd) Uta-Napishtim to him, (yea), [to] Gilgamish [spake he]: "Gilgamish, (hither) didst come (all) aweary with rowing; (O, tell me), 265. What shall I give thee (as gift) wherewith to return to thy country? Gilgamish, I will reveal thee a hidden matter . . . I'll tell thee: There is a plant like a thorn with its root (?) [deep down in the ocean], Like unto those of the briar (in sooth) its prickles will scratch [thee], 270. (Yet) if thy hand reach this plant, [thou’lt surely find life (everlasting)] ." (Then), when Gilgamish heard this, he loosen’d) [his girdle about him], Bound heavy stones [on his feet], which dragg’d him down to the sea-deeps, [Found he the plant]; as he seized on the plant, (lo), [its prickles did scratch him]. 275. Cut he the heavy stones [from his feet] that again it restore him Unto its shore. ________________________________ Gilgamish spake to him, (yea), to the boatman Ur-Shanabi (this wise): "(Nay, but) this plant is a plant of great wonder(?), Ur-Shanabi," said he, "Whereby a man may attain his desire—I'll take it to Erech, 280. (Erech), the high-wall’d, and give it to eat [unto . . . .]. 'Greybeard-who-turneth-to-man-in-his-prime' is its name and I'll eat it I myself, that again I may come to my youthful condition." . Broke they their fast at the fortieth hour: at the sixtieth rested. 285. Gilgamish spied out a pool of cool water, (and) therein descending Bathed in the water. (But here was) a serpent who snuff’d the plant's fragrance, Darted he up [from the water (?)], and snatch’d the plant, uttering malison 290. As he drew back. Then Gilgamish sate him, (and) burst into weeping. Over his cheeks flow’d his tears: to the boatman Ur -Shanabi [spake he(?)] "(Pr’ythee), [for] whom have toiléd mine arms, O Ur-Shanabi, (tell me), 295. (Pr’ythee), for whom hath my heart's blood been spent? (yea), not for mine own self, Have I the guerdon achieved; (no), ’tis for an earth-lion (only) Have I the guerdon secured—(and) now at the fortieth hour (Such an) one reiveth (it)—O, when I open’d the sluice and . . .ed the attachment, (Aye), I noted the sign (?) which to me was vouchsafed as a warning, 300.