n
his mortal covering he is a man.' The scorpion-man spoke and said:
'It is as the father of the gods, has commanded, he has travelled over
distant regions before joining us, thee and me.'" Gilgames learns
that the guardians are not evilly disposed towards him, and becomes
reassured, tell them his misfortunes and implores permission to pass
beyond them so as to reach "Sha-mashnapishtim, his father, who was
translated to the gods, and who has at his disposal both life and
death." The scorpion-man in vain shows to him the perils before him, of
which the horrible darkness enveloping the Mashu mountains is not the
least: Gilgames proceeds through the depths of the darkness for long
hours, and afterwards comes out in the neighbourhood of a marvellous
forest upon the shore of the ocean which encircles the world. One tree
especially excites his wonder: "As soon as he sees it he runs towards
it. Its fruits are so many precious stones, its boughs are splendid
to look upon, for the branches are weighed down with lapis, and their
fruits are superb." When his astonishment had calmed down, Gilgames
begins to grieve, and to curse the ocean which stays his steps. "Sabitu,
the virgin who is seated on the throne of the seas," perceiving him
from a distance, retires at first to her castle, and barricades herself
within it. He calls out to her from the strand, implores and threatens
her in turn, adjures her to help him in his voyage. "If it can be done,
I will cross the sea; if it cannot be done, I will lay me down on the
land to die." The goddess is at length touched by his tears. "Gilgames,
there has never been a passage hither, and no one from time immemorial
has been able to cross the sea. Shamash the valiant crossed the sea;
after Shamash, who can cross it? The crossing is troublesome, the way
difficult, perilous the Water of Death, which, like a bolt, is drawn
between thee and thy aim. Even if, Gilgames, thou didst cross the
sea, what wouldest thou do on arriving at the Water of Death?" Arad-Ea,
Shamashnapishtim's mariner, can alone bring the enterprise to a happy
ending: "if it is possible, thou shalt cross the sea with him; if it is
not possible, thou shalt retrace thy steps."

* We must not forget that Gilgames is covered with leprosy; this is the
disease with which the Chaldaean gods mark their enemies when they wish
to punish them in a severe fashion.

[Illustration: 073.jpg GILGAMES AND ARAD-EA NAVIGATING THEIR VESSEL.]