La nouvelle tablette de Gilgamesh

Via Prof. Akrasia, les vers de la tablette retrouvée de Gilgamesh, de 2000-1500 avant notre ère (avec le commentaire sur le PDF) :

1 They stood there marvelling at (?) the forest, 2 observing the height of the cedars, 3 observing the way into the forest. 4 Where Ḫumbaba came and went there was a track, 5 the paths were in good order and the way was well trodden. 6 They were gazing at the Cedar Mountain, 7 dwelling of gods, throne-dais of goddesses: 8 [on the] face of the land the cedar was proffering its abundance, 9 sweet was its shade, full of delight. 10 [All] tangled was the thorny undergrowth, the forest a thick canopy, 11 cedars (and) ballukku-trees were [so entangled,] it had no ways in. 12 For one league on all sides cedars [sent forth] saplings, 13 cypresses […] for two-thirds of a league. 14 The cedar was scabbed with lumps (of resin) [for] sixty (cubits’) height, 15 resin [oozed] forth, drizzling down like rain, 16 [flowing freely(?)] for ravines to bear away. 17 [Through] all the forest a bird began to sing: 18 […] were answering one another, a constant din was the noise, 19 [A solitary(?)] tree-cricket set off a noisy chorus, 20 […] were singing a song, making the … pipe loud. 21 A wood pigeon was moaning, a turtle dove calling in answer. 22 [At the call of] the stork, the forest exults, 23 [at the cry of] the francolin, the forest exults in plenty. 24 [Monkey mothers] sing aloud, a youngster monkey shrieks: 25 [like a band(?)] of musicians and drummers(?), 26 daily they bash out a rhythm in the presence of Ḫumbaba. 27 As the cedar [cast] its shadow, 28 [terror] fell on Gilgameš. 29 [Stiffness took] a grip of his arms, 30 and feebleness beset his legs.

31 [Enkidu] opened his mouth to speak, saying to Gilgameš:
32 “[Let us go] into the midst of the forest, 33 [set] to it and let us raise (our battle) cry!”

34 [Gilgameš] opened his mouth to speak, saying to Enkidu: 35 “[Why,] my friend, are we trembling like weaklings, 36 [we] who came across all the mountains? 37 [Shall …] … before us? 38 […] shall we see the light?”

Enkidu replies:
39 “My [friend] is one who is experienced in combat, 40 one who has been in battle has no fear of death. 41 You have been smeared in [blood,] so you need not fear death: 42 [wax] wrathful, and like a very dervish go into a frenzy. 43 Let [your shout] boom loud [like] a kettledrum! 44 Let stiffness leave your arms and feebleness arise [from] your legs!”

Gilgameš:
45 “Take hold of me, my friend, as one we shall […] 46 [Let] your mind dwell on combat!”

Lacuna

61 Ḫumbaba [talked with himself, speaking a word:] 62 “Did not a … go [. . . . . . ?] 63 Did not [. . . go . . . . . . ?] 64 Why are […] perturbed [and … ?] 65 Why are my own [. . . . . . ?] 66 In terror(?) for … [. . . . . .] 67 How indeed … [. . . . . . ?] 68 In my very bed [. . . . . .] 69 For sure Enkidu(?) [. . . . . .] 70 In goodwill he [. . . . . .] 71 If a word to [. . . . . .] 72 May Enlil curse [him . . . . . . !]”

73 Enkidu opened his mouth [to speak,] [saying to Gilgameš:]
74 “My friend, Ḫumbaba [. . . . . . ,] 75 one friend is one alone, but [two are two!] 76 Though they be weak, two [. . . . . . ,]1114 77 [though one alone cannot climb] a glacis slope, two […] 78 Two triplets [. . . . . . . . . .] 79 a three-ply rope [is not easily broken.] 80 As for a strong dog, [its] two pups [will overcome it(?).] 81 Fix firm your stance [. . . . . .] 82 My friend, an arrow’s dart [. . . . . .] 83 The journey that you are [making . . . . . .] 84 When we have departed [. . . . . .] 85 … is borne [. . . . . .] 86 Its . . . two [. . . . . .] 87 My friend, on the winds(?) that Šamaš […] 88 His rear is a tempest, [his front is wind.] 89 Speak to Šamaš, that he may [give you his thirteen winds(?)!]”

90 Gilgameš lifted up his head, [weeping before Šamaš,] 91 [his tears] flowing before the rays of the sun. 92 “[Do not forget] that day, O Šamaš, that I placed my trust in you! 93 Now come to my aid and [. . . . . .] 94 Upon Gilgameš, scion from Uruk’s midst, [place your protection!]”

95 Šamaš heard what [he] had spoken, 96 straight away a voice [cried to him from the heavens:]
97 “Fear not, stand against him! He must not [enter his dwelling,] 98 he must not go into the grove, he must not [. . . ,] 99 before he has wrapped himself in his seven cloaks [of radiance!] 100 One he is wrapped in, six he has divested.” 101 They [. . . . . . . . . . . . ,] 102 like a fierce wild bull, ready to charge [. . .] 103 He bellowed once, and it was (a bellow) full of terror,

(Long lacuna)

249 Enkidu [opened his mouth to speak, saying to Gilgameš:]
250 “My friend, [catch a bird,] 251 and where [can its hatchlings go?] 252 Ḫumbaba [. . . . . . . . .] 253 whither will [they go . . . . . . ?] 254 Whither will [they go . . . . . . ?]” 255 [Ḫumbaba] heard [what Enkidu said,] 256 Ḫumbaba lifted up his head, [weeping before Šamaš,] 257 [his tears flowing] before the rays of the sun: 258 “You did enter, O Enkidu, [. . . . . .] 259 in the clashing of weapons a prince [. . .] 260 But for his palace retainer hostilities [are . . .] 261 you sit before [him] like (a sheep before) a shepherd, 262 and like one at his beck and call you [. . .] 263 Now, Enkidu, [my release] rests with you, and [. . . ,] 264 speak to Gilgameš so he [spares] my life!”

265 Enkidu opened his mouth to speak, saying [to Gilgameš:] 266 “My friend, Ḫumbaba, guardian of the Forest [of Cedar,] 267 finish him, slay him, do [away with his power!] 268 Ḫumbaba, the forest guardian: finish [him, slay him, do away with his power,1517 269 before [Enlil] the foremost learns (about it), 270 and the great gods become angry with us: 271 Enlil in Nippur, Šamaš in [Larsa . . .] Establish an eternal [. . . ,] 272 how Gilgameš slew [the fearsome(?)] Ḫumbaba!”

273 Ḫumbaba heard . . . [. . .] and . . . [. . .] 274 Ḫumbaba lifted [up his head, weeping before Šamaš,] 275 [his tears flowing] before the [rays of the sun:] 276 “[O Šamaš, . . . ”

Lacuna

300 […] Gilgameš […] forest(?), 301 […] aromatics from that cedar they were taking [for the … of] Enlil. 302 [Enkidu] opened his mouth to speak, saying to Gilgameš: 303 “[My friend,] we have reduced the forest [to] a wasteland, 304 [how] shall we answer Enlil in Nippur? 305 ‘[In] your might you slew the guardian, 306 what was this wrath of yours that you went trampling the forest?’ ”

307 After they had slain his seven sons, 308 Cricket, Screecher, Typhoon, Screamer, Crafty, … , Storm-Demon— 309a Hatchets of two talents each were their axes, 309b [. . . . . . .] … they cut off, 310 three and a half cubits (long) were the woodchips made by the strokes (of their axes). 311 Gilgameš was cutting down the tree, 312 Enkidu was seeking out the best timber.

313 Enkidu opened his mouth to speak, saying to Gilgameš:
314 “My friend, we have cut down a lofty cedar, 315 whose top abutted the heavens. 316 Make a door—six rods its height, two rods its breadth, one cubit its thickness, 317 its pole, its top pivot and its bottom pivot shall be all of a piece. 318 Let the river Euphrates carry (it) to [Enlil in] Nippur, 319 [let Nippur’s] sanctuary [rejoice over it!]”

320 . . . . . . branches […] cypress together with [… ,] 321 they lashed together a raft, they laid […] 322 [. . . . . .] was sitting(?).

323 Enkidu was riding [. . . . . . ,] 324 and Gilgameš rode along, [bearing(?)] the head of Ḫumbaba.
He washed his matted hair, he cleaned [his equipment.]