164 - Enkidu confessed this dream to Gilgamesh: "The gods all gathered round last night and Anu told Enlil that one of us should die because of what we've done against their names.

165 - Though Shamash intervened for us, saying we had slain Humbaba and the bull with his consent, the others sought revenge."

166 - Then Enkidu fell ill and soon lost his full strength. Saying words like these as his friend lay dying, Gilgamesh intoned: "Why should you be so condemned and why should I go right on living?

167 -Will my own sad eyes soon never look on you again? Shall I descend to depths beneath this earth to visit worlds reserved for those who've died?"

168 - Enkidu glanced up, addressing the entryway on which his hand was morbidly crushed: "Door of all forests, that confuses wind and rain, deaf, dumb, and blind portal; I admired your firm texture before I first saw the mighty trees aloft that gave force to you.

170 - At two hundred feet in height, at forty feet around are your mighty posts, your priceless hinge cut and crafted in Nippur's holy ground.

171 - If I had guessed that you'd become this, I would have shattered you to pieces with my ax and have been more careful not to wound my hand so badly on your frame."

172 - Then cursing the hunter whom he first met and the girl whom he first loved, Enkidu raged: "Slash him. Cut half his face. Raise up floods beneath his feet so that no animal is safe."

174 - I'd break your teeth with stones and let your mouth hang open until you'd say thanks to your killer who would favor you by letting you lie homeless on an open road in some foul ditch. May all and any who can hurt you now often cross the paths you take.

175 - I hope you live in fright, unsure of hope and starved always for the touch of love. food and drink almost divine so that you were taken for a god.

176 - The fine lover, my thoughtless boy, invested you with robes of gold, robes of blue and, more important, gave your dear friend the thought that he should do whatever need be done and still more too.

177 - Did your brother, Gilgamesh, give you as fine a bed as any on earth or any there in heaven? Did he promote the likes of you to fame unrivaled, so that rulers kneel to kiss the ground you walk upon?

178 - He will also show the Uruk people how to mourn for you. An entire people will cry upon your death and he will go in tears ignoring the dirt and dust and mud that stain his hands and hair.

179 - So in despair will his mind be as off he roams in lonely woods wearing rags."

180 - Shamash responded from on high: "The fine lover, my Enkidu, is cursed by you who gave you bread and meat and stew, the same who offered you some wine.

181 - When Enkidu heard these sad words he was speechless and in his heart he knew that Shamash spoke the truth. His anger fled and Enkidu resolved to die in peace.

182 - With these last words the dying Enkidu did pray and say to his beloved companion: "In dreams last night the heavens and the earth poured out great groans while I alone stood facing devastation.

184 - There is darkness which lets no person again see light of day. There is a road leading away from bright and lively life. There dwell those who eat dry dust and have no cooling water to quench their awful thirst.

185 - As I stood there I saw all those who've died and even kings among those darkened souls have none of their remote and former glory.

186 - All earthly greatness was forfeit and I entered then into the house of death. Others who have been there long did rise to welcome me."

187 - Hearing this, great Gilgamesh said to his handsome mother: "My friend, dear Enkidu, has seen his passing now and he lies dying here upon a sad and lonely cot.

188 - Each day he weakens more and wonders how much more life may yet belong to his hands and eyes and tongue."

190 - I lie now in slow disgrace, withering day by day, deprived as I am of the peace that comes to one who dies suddenly in a swift clash of arms."