(translation by Nikolai Gumilyov)
Crowds of people among the streets of Uruk,
He is plotting a matter of power,
Does not allow King Gilgamesh to leave.
The whole country rose up against the ruler,
The whole country gathered at the walls of Uruk,
Does not allow King Gilgamesh to leave.
But he jumped on them like a wild buffalo,
Knocked over the people blocking the exit,
And he cried over the fallen like a weak child.
Then the wonderful man Eabani,
Eabani, worthy of the goddess's bed,
Before Gilgamesh, like a beautiful god,
Locked the gate leading to the field,
Gilgamesh is prevented from leaving them.
Together they approach the gate,
They quarrel loudly among the noisy streets,
But Gilgamesh pacifies the rebels,
He makes the stones crumble
He makes the wall shake.
Here is Gilgamesh with Eabani in the field,
Together they go to Humbaba's forest,
They reproach each other bitterly.
Eabani does not have the same strength,
Strands of curls are soaked with sweat,
He was born in the desert and is afraid of the desert.
He slows down, Eabani,
His face has darkened, and he himself is trembling,
Salty tears come to my eyes.
Now he lies down on his side without any strength,
I can’t move my arm or my leg,
He opens his mouth and says to Gilgamesh:
“To keep the cedars unharmed,
Bel intended him to frighten people,
Destined for Humbaba, whose voice is like a storm,
Whose larynx is like that of a god, whose breath is like a storm.
He listens to screams and footsteps in the thicket,
And everyone who comes into his thicket,
Whoever enters under the cedars suffers from illness.”
Gilgamesh says to his wonderful friend, says Eabani:
“Like the army of Anu, great is your strength,
You were born in the desert and you are afraid of Humbaba!
My heart is not afraid of the keeper of the cedars.”
Eabani opened his mouth and said to Gilgamesh:
“My friend, let’s not go under the cedars,
My hands are weak, my limbs are taken away.”
Gilgamesh speaks to his friend again, says Eabani:
“My friend, you are crying like a little child,
God did not pass here, he did not throw you to the ground.
There is still a long way ahead of us,
I will go alone, experienced in battle,
You will return home and you will no longer be afraid,
Drums and songs will delight your ears,
And weakness will leave your arms and legs.
But I see you're up, we'll go together
Your heart wanted a battle: forget about death and don’t be afraid!
A careful, decisive, strong person
Saves himself in battle, saves his friend!
And for distant days they will keep their name!
So they reach the green mountain,
They lower their voice and stand next to him.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru