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1. u4 re-a u4 su3-ra2 re-a
 en: In those days, in those distant days,
2. ge6 re-a ge6 ba9-ra2 re-a
 en: in those nights, in those remote nights,
3. mu re-a mu su3-ra2 re-a
 en: in those years, in those distant years,
4. u4 ul nig2-du7-e pa e3-a-ba
 en: in days of yore, when the necessary things had been brought into manifest, existence
5. u4 ul nig2-du7-e mi2 zi du11-ga-a-ba
 en: in days of yore, when the necessary things had been for the first time properly cared for,
6. esz3 kalam-ma-ka ninda szu2-a-ba
 en: when bread had been tasted for the first time in the shrines of the Land,
7. {im}szu-rin-na kalam-ma-ka nig2-tab ak-a-ba
 en: when the ovens of the Land had been made to work,
8. an ki-ta ba-da-ba9-ra2-a-ba
 en: when the heavens had been separated from the earth,
9. ki an-ta ba-da-sur-ra-a-ba
 en: when the earth had been delimited from the heavens,
10. mu nam-lu2-u18-lu ba-an-gar-ra-a-ba
 en: when the fame of mankind had been established,
11. u4 an-ne2 an ba-an-de6-a-ba
 en: when An had taken the heavens for himself,
12. {d}en-lil2-le ki ba-an-de6-a-ba
 en: when Enlil had taken the earth for himself,
13. {d}eresz-ki-gal-la-ra kur-ra sag rig7-bi-sze3 im-ma-ab-rig7-a-ba
 en: when the nether world had been given to Ereškigal as a gift,
14. ba-u5-a-ba ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when he set sail, when he set sail,
15. a-a kur-sze3 ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when the father set sail for the nether world,
16. {d}en-ki kur-sze3 ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when Enki set sail for the nether world—
17. lugal-ra tur-tur ba-an-da-ri
 en: against the king a storm of small hailstones arose,
18. {d}en-ki-ra gal-gal ba-an-da-ri
 en: against Enki a storm of large hailstones arose,
19. tur-tur-bi na4 szu-kam
 en: The small ones were light hammers,
20. gal-gal-bi na4 gi gu4-u4-da-kam
 en: the large ones were like stones from catapults (?).
21. ur2 {gesz}ma2 tur-re {d}en-ki-ka3-ke4
 en: The keel of Enki’s little boat
22. nig2-bun2-na du7-am3 mi-szu2-szu2
 en: as if it were being butted by turtles was trembling,
23. lugal-ra a {gesz}ma2-sag-ga2-ke4
 en: against the king the waves at the bow of the boat
24. ur-bar-ra-gin7 tesz2 mu-na-gu7-e
 en: like wolves were eating together,
25. {d}en-ki-ra a {gesz}ma2-egir-ra-ke4
 en: against Enki the waves at the stern of the boat
26. ur-mah-gin7 sag gesz im-ra-ra
 en: like a lion were attacking.
27. u4-bi-a gesz 1(disz)-am3 {gesz}ha-lu-ub2 1(disz)-am3 gesz 1(disz)-am3
 en: At that time, there was a single tree, a single ḫalub tree, a single tree,
28. gu2 i7 buranun-na ku3-ga-ka du3-a-bi
 en: growing on the bank of the pure Euphrates,
29. i7 buranun-na a na8-na8-da-bi
 en: being watered by the Euphrates.
30. a2 u18-lu ur2-ba mu-ni-in-bur12 pa-ba mu-ni-in-suh
 en: The force of the south wind uprooted it and stripped its branches,
31. i7 buranun-na a im-ma-ni-ib-ra
 en: and the Euphrates picked it up and carried it away.
32. munus-e inim an-na-ta ni2 te-a du
 en: A woman, respectful of An’s words, was walking along;
33. inim {d}en-lil2-la2-ta ni2 te-a du
 en: respectful of Enlil’s words, was walking along,
34. gesz szu-na mu-un-dab5 unu{ki}-sze3 ba-ni-in-ku4-re
 en: and took the tree and into Unug,
35. {gesz}kiri6 gi-rin {d}inanna-sze3 im-ma-ni-in-ku4-ku4-re
 en: into Inanna’s luxuriant garden brought it.
36. munus-e gesz szu-na li-bi2-in-du giri3-ni-ta bi2-in-du
 en: The woman planted the tree not with her hands, but with her feet.
37. munus-e gesz szu-na a li-bi2-in-du11 giri3-ni-ta bi2-in-du11
 en: The woman planted the tree not with her hands, but with her feet planted it.
38. me-na-am3 {gesz}gu-za gi-rin ba-ni-tusz-de3-en bi2-in-du11
 en: “When will this be a luxuriant chair on which I can take a seat?” she said;
39. me-na-am3 gesz-nu2 gi-rin ba-ni-nu2-de3-en bi2-in-du11
 en: “When this will be a luxuriant bed on which I can lie down?” she said;
40. mu 5(disz)-am3 mu 1(u)-am3 ba-e-zal-la re
 en: 5 years, 10 years went by,
41. gesz ba-gur4 kusz-bi nu-mu-un-da-dar
 en: the tree grew massive; its bark, however, did not split.
42. ur2-bi-a musz tu6 nu-zu-e gu4 im-ma-ni-ib-us2
 en: At its roots, a snake immune to incantations made itself a nest.
43. pa-bi-a muszen anzu4{muszen}-de3 amar im-ma-ni-ib-gar
 en: In its branches, the Anzud bird settled its young.
44. szab-bi-a ki-sikil lil2-la2-ke4 e2 im-ma-ni-ib-du3
 en: In its trunk, the phantom maid built herself a dwelling,
45. ki-sikil zu2 li9-li9 sza3 hul2-hul2
 en: the maid who laughs with a joyful heart.
46. ku3 {d}inanna-ke4 er2 e-ne ba-sze8-sze8
 en: But silver Inanna cried!
47. u4 zal-le-da an-ur2 zalag-ge-da
 en: When dawn was breaking, when the horizon became bright,
48. buru5 u4 zal-le szeg10 gi4-gi4-da
 en: when the little birds, at the break of dawn, began to clamor,
49. {d}utu agrun-ta e3-a-ni
 en: when Utu had left his bedchamber,
50. nin9-a-ni ku3 {d}inanna-ke4
 en: his sister silver Inanna
51. ur-sag szul {d}utu-ra
 en: to the young warrior Utu: said
52. szesz-gu10 u4 re-a na-ag2 ba-tar-ra-a-ba
 en: “My brother, in those days when destiny was determined,
53. u4 he2-ma-al-la ka-na-ag2-ga2 ba-e-zal-la re
 en: when abundance overflowed in the Land,
54. u4 an-ne2 an ba-an-ir-ra-a-ba
 en: when An had taken the heavens for himself,
55. {d}mu-ul-lil2-le ki ba-an-ir-ra-a-ba
 en: when Enlil had taken the earth for himself,
56. {d}ga-sza-an-ki-gal-la-ra kur-ra sag rig7-ga-sze3 im-ma-ab-rig7-ga-a-ba
 en: when the nether world had been given to Ereškigala as a gift;
57. ba-u5-a-ba ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when he set sail, when he set sail,
58. a-a kur-sze3 ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when the father set sail for the nether world,
59. {d}am-an-ki kur-sze3 ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when Enki set sail for the nether world—
60. u3-mu-un-ra tur-tur ba-an-da-ri
 en: against the lord a storm of small hailstones arose,
61. {d}am-an-ki-ra gal-gal ba-an-da-ri
 en: against Enki a storm of large hailstones arose.
62. tur-tur-bi na4 szu-a-kam
 en: The small ones were light hammers,
63. gal-gal-bi na4 gi gu4-u4-da-kam
 en: the large ones were like stones from catapults (?).
64. ur2 {gesz}ma2 tur-re {d}am-an-ki-ka3-ke4
 en: The keel of Enki’s little boat was trembling
65. sze-en-bun2-na du7-am3 i3-szu2-szu2
 en: as if it were being butted by turtles,
66. u3-mu-un-ra a {gesz}ma2-sag-ga2-ke4
 en: against the lord the waves at the bow of the boat
67. ur-bar-ra-gin7 tesz2 mu-un-na-gu7-e
 en: like wolves together were eating,
68. {d}am-an-ki-ra a {gesz}ma2-egir-ra-ke4
 en: against Enki the waves at the stern of the boat were attacking Enki like a lion.”
69. ur-mah-gin7 sag gesz im-ra-ra
 en: like a lion were attacking.”
70. u4-bi-a mu di-ta-am3 {gesz}ha-lu-ub2 di-ta gesz TUG2 di-ta-am3
 en: “At that time, there was a single tree, a single ḫalub tree, a single tree (?),
71. gu2 i7 buranun-na ku3-ga-ka du3-a-ba
 en: growing on the bank of the pure Euphrates,
72. i7 buranun-na a na8-na8-da-bi
 en: being watered by the Euphrates.
73. a2 {tum9}u18-lu ur2-ba mu-ni-in-bur12 pa-ba mu-ni-in-suh
 en: The force of the south wind uprooted it and stripped its branches,
74. i7 buranun-na a im-ma-ni-ib-ra
 en: and the Euphrates picked it up and carried it away.
75. nu-nus e-ne-eg3 an-na-ta ni2 te-a du
 en: I, a woman, respectful of An’s words, was walking along;
76. e-ne-eg3 {d}mu-ul-lil2-la2-ta ni2 te-a du
 en: respectful of Enlil’s words, was walking along,
77. mu szu-ga2 mu-un-dab5 unu{ki}-sze3 ba-ni-in-ku4
 en: and took the tree and brought it into Unug,
78. {gesz}kiri6 gi-rin ku3 ga-sza-an-na-sze3 im-ma-ni-in-ku4-ku4
 en: into silver Inanna’s luxuriant garden.”
79. nu-nus-gen mu szu-ga2 li-bi2-in-du me-ri-gu10-ta bi2-in-du
 en: “I, the woman, planted the tree not with my hands, but with my feet.
80. {d}ga-sza-an-na-gen mu szu-ga2 a li-bi2-in-de2 me-ri-gu10-ta a bi2-du
 en: I, Inanna, planted the tree not with my hands, but with my feet.
81. me-na-am3 {gesz}gu-za gi-rin ba-ni-tusz-u3-de3-en bi2-in-du11
 en: “When will this be a luxuriant chair on which I can take a seat?”
82. me-na-am3 gesz-nu2 gi-rin ba-ni-nu2-de3-en bi2-in-du11
 en: “When will this be a luxuriant bed on which I can lie down?” she said;
83. mu 5(disz)-am3 mu 1(u)-am3 ba-e-zal-la re
 en: 5 years, 10 years had gone by,
84. mu ba-gur4 kusz-bi nu-mu-un-da-dar
 en: the tree had grown massive; its bark, however, did not split.
85. ur2-bi-a musz tu6 nu-zu-e gu4 im-ma-ni-ib-us2
 en: At its roots, a snake immune to incantations made itself a nest.
86. pa-bi-a muszen anzu4{muszen} amar im-ma-ni-ib-gar
 en: In its branches, the Anzu bird settled its young.
87. szab-ba-bi-a ki-sikil lil2-la2-ke4 e2 im-ma-ni-in-us2
 en: In its trunk, the phantom maid built herself a dwelling,
88. ki-sikil zu2 li9-li9 sza3 hul2-hul2
 en: the maid who laughs with a joyful heart.
89. ku3 {d}inanna-ke4 er2 e-ne ba-sze8-sze8
 en: But silver Inanna cried!”
90. szesz-a-ni ur-sag szul {d}utu inim-bi nu-mu-de3-gub
 en: Her brother, the young warrior Utu, however, did not stand by her in the matter.
91. u4 zal-le-da an-ur2 zalag-ge-de3
 en: When dawn was breaking, when the horizon became bright,
92. muszen buru5{muszen} u4 zal-le szeg10 gi4-gi4-da
 en: when the little birds, at the break of dawn, began to clamor,
93. {d}utu agrun-ta e3-a-ni
 en: when Utu had left his bedchamber,
94. nin9-a-ni ku3 {d}inanna-ke4
 en: his sister silver Inanna
95. ur-sag {d}gilgamesz2 gu3 mu-na-de2-e
 en: to the warrior Gilgameš speaks:
96. szesz-gu10 u4 re-a na-ag2 ba-tar-ra-a-ba
 en: “My brother, in those days when destiny was determined,
97. u4 he2-ma-al-la ka-na-ag2 ba-e-zal-la re
 en: when abundance overflowed in the Land,
98. u4 an-ne2 an ba-an-ir-ra-a-ba
 en: when An had taken the heavens for himself,
99. {d}mu-ul-lil2-le ki ba-an-ir-ra-a-ba
 en: when Enlil had taken the earth for himself,
100. {d}ga-sza-an-ki-gal-la-ra kur-ra sag rig7-ga-sze3 im-ma-ab-rig7-ga-a-ba
 en: when the nether world had been given to Ereškigala as a gift;
101. ba-u5-a-ba ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when he set sail, when he set sail,
102. a-a kur-sze3 ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when the father set sail for the nether world,
103. {d}am-an-ki kur-sze3 ba-u5-a-ba
 en: when Enki set sail for the nether world—
104. u3-mu-un-ra tur-tur ba-an-da-ri
 en: against the lord a storm of small hailstones arose,
105. {d}am-an-ki-ra gal-gal ba-an-da-ri
 en: against Enki a storm of large hailstones arose.
106. tur-tur-bi na4 szu-kam
 en: The small ones were light hammers,
107. gal-gal-bi na4 gi gu4-u4-da-kam
 en: the large ones were like stones from catapults (?).
108. ur2 {gesz}ma2 tur-re {d}am-an-ki-ka3-ke4
 en: The keel of Enki’s little boat
109. sze-en-bun2-na du7-am3 i3-szu2-szu2
 en: as if it were being butted by turtles was trembling,
110. u3-mu-un-ra a {gesz}ma2-sag-ga2-ke4
 en: against the lord the waves at the bow of the boat
111. ur-bar-ra-gin7 tesz2 mu-un-na-gu7-e
 en: like wolves rose to devour
112. {d}am-an-ki-ra a {gesz}ma2-egir-ra-ke4
 en: against Enki the waves at the stern of the boat
113. ur-mah-gin7 sag gesz im-ra-ra
 en: like a lion were attacking.”
114. u4-bi-a mu di-ta-am3 {gesz}ha-lu-ub2 di-ta-am3 gesz TUG2 di-ta-am3
 en: “At that time, there was a single tree, a single ḫalub tree, a single tree (?),
115. gu2 i7 buranun-na ku3-ga-ka du3-a-ba
 en: growing on the bank of the pure Euphrates,
116. i7 buranun-na a na8-na8-da-bi
 en: being watered by the Euphrates.
117. a2 {tum9}u18-lu ur2-ba mu-ni-in-bur12 pa-ba mu-un-ni-in-suh
 en: The force of the south wind uprooted it and stripped its branches,
118. i7 buranun-na a im-ma-ni-ib-ra
 en: and the Euphrates picked it up and carried it away.
119. nu-nus-e e-ne-eg3 an-na-ta ni2 te-a du
 en: I, a woman, respectful of An’s words, was walking along;
120. e-ne-eg3 {d}mu-ul-lil2-la2-ta ni2 te-a du
 en: respectful of Enlil’s words, was walking along,
121. mu szu-ga2 mu-un-dab5 unu{ki}-sze3 ba-an-ni-ku4
 en: and took the tree and brought it into Unug,
122. {gesz}kiri6 gi-rin ga-sza-an-an-na-sze3 im-ma-ni-in-ku4-ku4-re
 en: into Inanna’s luxuriant garden.”
123. nu-nus-e mu szu-na li-bi2-du11 giri3-ni-ta bi2-in-du
 en: “The woman planted the tree not with her hands, but with her feet.
124. {d}ga-sza-an-na-ke4 mu szu-na a li-bi2-de2 giri3-ni-ta bi2-in-du
 en: Inanna watered it using not her hands, but her feet.
125. me-na-am3 {gesz}gu-za gi-rin ba-ni-tusz-u3-de3-en bi2-in-du11
 en: “When will this be a luxuriant chair on which I can take a seat?” she said;
126. me-na-am3 gesz-nu2 gi-rin ba-ni-nu2-de3-en bi2-in-du11
 en: “When will this be a luxuriant bed on which I can lie down?” she said;
127. mu 5(disz)-am3 mu 1(u)-am3 ba-e-zal-la re
 en: 5 years, 10 years had gone by,
128. mu ba-gur4 kusz-bi nu-mu-un-da-dar
 en: the tree had grown massive; its bark, however, did not split.
129. ur2-bi-a musz tu6 nu-zu-e gu4 im-ma-ni-ib-us2
 en: At its roots, a snake immune to incantations made itself a nest.
130. pa-bi-a muszen anzu4{muszen}-de3 amar-bi im-ma-ni-ib-gar
 en: In its branches, the Anzu bird settled its young.
131. szab-ba-bi-a ki-sikil lil2-la2-ke4 e2 im-ma-ni-in-du3
 en: In its trunk, the phantom maid built herself a dwelling,
132. ki-sikil zu2 li9-li9 sza3 hul2-hul2
 en: the maid who laughs with a joyful heart.
133. ku3 {d}inanna-ke4 er2 e-ne ba-sze8-sze8
 en: I, silver Inanna, cried!”
134. nin9-a-ni inim in-na-an-du11-ga
 en: In the matter which his sister had told him about,
135. szesz-a-ni ur-sag {d}gilgamesz2 inim-bi ba-de3-gub
 en: her brother, the warrior Gilgamesh, stood by her.
136. {tug2}ib2-ba-ru sza3-ba 5(u) ma-na-am3 ib2-ba-na ba-an-du3
 en: to his waist his ... belt of 50 minas weight he strapped—
137. 5(u)-am3 3(u) gin2 ba-szi-in-ak
 en: 50 minas were to him as 30 shekels.
138. {uru4}ha-zi-in-na-ni har-ra-an-na-ka-ni
 en: His bronze axe used for expeditions,
139. 7(asz) gun2 7(disz) ma-na-ka-ni szu-ni-a ba-an-dab5
 en: which weighs 7 talents and 7 minas, in his hand he took;
140. ur2-bi-a musz tu6 nu-zu-e sag gesz ba-an-ra
 en: He killed the snake immune to incantations living at its roots.
141. pa-bi-a muszen anzu4{muszen}-de3 amar-bi szu ba-an-ti hur-sag-sze3 ba-an-ku4
 en: The Anzu bird living in its branches took up its young and went into the mountains.
142. szab-ba-bi-a ki-sikil lil2-la2-ke4 e2 im-ma-an-ni-in-zal
 en: The phantom maid living in its trunk left (?) her dwelling
143. e2-ri-e2-ri-sze3 ba-an-kar-kar-re
 en: and sought refuge in the wilderness.
144. gesz ur2-ba mu-ni-in-bur12 pa-ba mu-ni-in-suh
 en: As for the tree, he uprooted it and stripped its branches,
145. dumu iri-na mu-un-de3-re7-esz-am3
 en: and the sons of his city, who went with him,
146. pa-bi i3-ku5-ru-ne zu2 ba-kesz2-re-ne
 en: cut up its branches and bundled them
147. nin9-a-ni ku3 {d}inanna-ra {gesz}gu-za-ni-sze3 mu-na-ab-szum2-mu
 en: He gave it to his sister silver Inanna for her chair.
148. gesz-nu2-da-ni-sze3 mu-na-ab-szum2-mu
 en: He gave it to her for her bed.
149. e-ne ur2-bi {gesz}ellag-a-ni-sze3 ba-da-ab-dim2-e
 en: As for himself, from its roots, he manufactured his ball (?)
150. pa-bi {gesz}e-ke4-ma-ni-sze3 ba-ab-dim2-e
 en: and, from its branches, he manufactured his mallet (?).
151. {gesz}ellag al du11-du11-ge sila ur3-ra {gesz}ellag na-mu-un-e
 en: He played with the ball (?) in the broad square, never wanting to stop playing it,
152. ni2 silim du11-du11-ge sila ur3-ra ni2 silim na-mu-un-e
 en: and he praised himself in the broad square, never wanting to stop praising himself.
152a. gurusz iri-na-ka {gesz}ellag al du11-du11-ga-ne
 en: The young men of his city were playing with the ball (?).
153. e-ne erin2 dumu nu-mu-un-su-a-ke4-ne TUM-ba u5-a
 en: For (?) him who made the team of the widows’ children ...,
154. a gu2-gu10 a ib2-ba-gu10 a-nir im-ga2-ga2-ne
 en: they lamented: “O my neck! O my hips!”
155. ama tuku dumu-ni-ir ninda mu-na-ab-de6
 en: For those that had a mother, bread for her son she brought;
156. nin9 tuku szesz-a-ni-ir a mu-na-de2-e
 en: for those that had a sister, she poured water for her brother.
157. u2-sa11-an-e um-ma-te-a-ra
 en: As the evening came,
158. ki {gesz}ellag gar-ra-ka-ni gesz-hur in-hur-re
 en: he marked the spot where the ball (?) had been placed,
159. {gesz}ellag-a-ni igi-ni-a mu-ni-in-il2 e2-a-ni-sze3 mu-un-de6
 en: and he picked up his ball (?) from in front of him and took it home.
160. a2-gu2-zi-ga-ta ki gesz-hur in-hur-ra TUM-ba u5-a
 en: But early in the morning as he ... the place marked,
161. szu du3-du3-a nu-mu-un-su-a-ta
 en: the widows’ accusation
162. i-{d}utu ki-sikil tur-ra-ta
 en: and the young girls’ complaint
163. {gesz}ellag-a-ni u3 {gesz}e-ke4-ma-ni dur2 kur-ra-sze3 ba-da-an-szub
 en: caused his ball (?) and his mallet (?) to fall down to the bottom of the nether world.
163a. [...]-da-ta sa2 nu-mu-da-ab-du11
 en: He could not reach them by ...
164. szu-ni mu-ni-in-du11 sa2 nu-mu-un-da-du11
 en: He tried with his hand but could not reach them,
165. giri3-ni mu-ni-in-du11 sa2 nu-mu-un-da-du11
 en: tried with his foot but could not reach them.
166. abul ganzer igi kur-ra-ka dur2 im-ma-ni-in-gar
 en: At the gate of Ganzer, in front of the nether world, he sat down.
167. {d}gilgamesz2 er2 im-ma-an-pa3 szex(SIG7)-szex(SIG7) i3-ga2-ga2
 en: Gilgamesh wept, crying bitterly:
168. a {gesz}ellag-gu10 a {gesz}e-ke4-ma-gu10
 en: “O my ball (?)! O my mallet (?)!
169. {gesz}ellag la-la-bi nu-mu-un-gi4-a-gu10
 en: My ball (?), I am still not satiated with its charms,
170. eszemen di nu-mu-un-sug4-ga-gu10
 en: the game with it has not yet palled for me!
171. u4-ba {gesz}ellag-gu10 e2 nagar-ra-ka nu-usz-ma-da-gal2-am3
 en: If only my ball (?) waited still in the carpenter’s house for me!
172. dam nagar-ra ama ugu-gu10-gin7 nu-usz-ma-da-gal2-la-am3
 en: I would treat the carpenter’s wife like my own mother—
173. dumu nagar-ra nin9 banda3{da}-gu10-gin7 nu-usz-ma-da-gal2-la-am3
 en: I would treat the carpenter’s child like my little sister!
174. {gesz}ellag-gu10 kur-sze3 mu-da-szub a-ba-a ma-ra-ab-e11-de3
 en: My ball (?) has fallen down to the nether world—who will retrieve it for me?
175. {gesz}e-ke4-ma-gu10 ganzer-sze3 mu-da-szub a-ba-a ma-ra-ab-e11-de3
 en: My mallet (?) has fallen down to Ganzer—who will retrieve it for me?
176. ARAD-da-ni en-ki-du10-e inim mu-un-ni-ib-gi4-gi4
 en: His servant Enkidu answered:
177. lugal-gu10 er2 e-ne ba-sze8-sze8 sza3 hul a-na-asz mu-e-dim2
 en: “My king, you weep; why does your heart worry?
178. u4-da {gesz}ellag-zu kur-ta ge26-e ga-mu-ra-ab-e11-de3
 en: Today I shall retrieve your ball (?) from the nether world,
179. {gesz}e-ke4-ma-zu ganzer-ta ge26-e ga-mu-ra-ab-e11-de3
 en: I shall retrieve your mallet (?) from Ganzer.”
180. {d}gilgamesz2-e en-ki-du10-ra inim mu-un-na-ni-ib-gi4
 en: Gilgamesh answered Enkidu:
181. tukum-bi u4-da kur-sze3 mu-ni-in-e11-de3
 en: “If today you are going to go down to the nether world,
182. na ga-de5 na de5-gu10 he2-dab5
 en: let me advise you! My instructions should be followed.
183. inim ga-ra-ab-du11 inim-gu10-sze3 gesztu2-zu
 en: Let me talk to you! Pay attention to my words!"
184. tug2 dan2-dan2-na-zu na-an-mu4-mu4-un
 en: “You should not put on your clean garments:
185. gir5-gin7 {gesz}kim na-an-ni-ib-e3-esz
 en: they would recognise immediately that you are alien.
186. i3 du10-ga bur-ra na-an-sze22-sze22-en
 en: You should not anoint yourself with fine oil from a bowl:
187. ir-si-im-bi-sze3 nam-mu-e-nigin2-nigin2-ne-esz
 en: they would surround you at its scent.
188. {gesz}ilar kur-ra nam-mu-e-sag3-ge
 en: You should not hurl throw-sticks in the nether world:
189. lu2 {gesz}ilar ra-a nam-mu-e-nigin2-nigin2-ne-esz
 en: those struck down by the throw-sticks would surround you.
190. {gesz}ma-nu szu-za nam-ba-e-ga2-ga2-an
 en: You should not not hold a cornel-wood stick in your hand:
191. gidim ba-e-de3-ur4-re-esz
 en: the spirits would feel insulted by you.
192. {kusz}e-sir2 giri3-za nam-mu-e-si-ge
 en: You should not put sandals on your feet.
193. kur-ra gu3 nam-mu-un-ga2-ga2-an
 en: You should not shout in the nether world.
194. dam ki ag2-ga2-zu ne na-an-su-ub-be2-en
 en: You should not kiss your beloved wife.
195. dam hul gig-ga-zu nig2 nam-mu-ra-ra-an
 en: You should not hit your wife even if you are annoyed with her.
196. dumu ki-ag2-zu ne na-an-su-ub-be2-en
 en: You should not kiss your beloved child.
197. dumu hul gig-ga-zu nig2 nam-mu-ra-ra-an
 en: You should not hit your son even if you are annoyed with him.
198. i-{d}utu kur-ra ba-e-dab5-be2
 en: The outcry aroused would detain you in the nether world.”
199. i3-nu2-a-ra i3-nu2-a-ra
 en: “She who lies there, she who lies there,
200. ama {d}nin-a-zu i3-nu2-a-ra
 en: Ninazu’s mother who lies there—
201. mur ku3-ga-na tug2 nu-um-dul
 en: her pure shoulders are not covered with a garment,
202. gaba ku3-ga-na gada nu-um-bur2
 en: and no linen is spread over her pure breast.
203. szu-si-ni uru4 lub-gin7 an-da-gal2
 en: She has fingers like a pickaxe,
204. siki-ni ga-rasz{sar}-gin7 i3-guru5-guru5
 en: she plucks her hair out like leeks.”
205. en-ki-du10 inim lugal-la-na-asz szu nu-um-ma-gi7-i
 en: Enkidu, however, did not heed not his master’s words.
206. tug2 dan2-dan2-na-ni im-ma-an-mur10
 en: He put on his clean garments
207. gir5-gin7 {gesz}kim im-ma-an-ne-esz
 en: and they recognised that he was alien.
208. i3 du10-ga {na4}bur-ra im-ma-an-szesz4
 en: He anointed himself with fine oil from a bowl
209. ir-si-im-bi-sze3 im-ma-an-nigin2-nigin2-ne-esz
 en: and they surrounded him at its scent.
210. {gesz}ilar kur-ra im-ma-an-sag3-ge
 en: He hurled throw-sticks in the nether world
211. lu2 {gesz}ilar ra-a im-ma-an-nigin2-nigin2-ne-esz
 en: and those struck down by the throw-sticks surrounded him.
212. {gesz}ma-nu szu-na im-ma-ni-in-gar
 en: He held a cornel-wood stick in his hand
213. gidim ba-an-da-ur4-re-esz
 en: and the spirits felt insulted by him.
214. {kusz}e-sir2 giri3-na im-ma-ni-in-si
 en: He put sandals on his feet.
215. kur-ra tuku4-tuku4 im-ma-ni-in-gar
 en: He caused irritation in the nether world.
216. dam ki ag2-ga2-ni ne im-ma-an-su-ub
 en: He kissed his beloved wife
217. dam hul gig-ga-ni nig2 im-ma-ni-in-ra
 en: and hit his wife when he was annoyed with her.
218. dumu ki-ag2-ga2-ni ne im-ma-an-su-ub
 en: He kissed his beloved child
219. dumu hul gig-ga-ni nig2 im-ma-ni-in-ra
 en: and hit his son when he was annoyed with him.
220. i-{d}utu kur-ra im-ma-an-dab5
 en: He aroused an outcry and was detained in the nether world.
221. ur-sag {d}gilgamesz2 dumu {d}nin-sumun2-na-ke4
 en: The warrior Gilgamesh, son of Ninsumun,
222. e2-kur-re e2 {d}en-lil2-la2-sze3 giri3-ni dili mu-un-gub
 en: directed his steps on his own to E-kur, the temple of Enlil.
223. igi {d}en-lil2-la2-sze3 er2 im-ma-sze8-sze8
 en: He cried before Enlil:
224. a-a {d}en-lil2 {gesz}ellag-gu10 kur-sze3 mu-da-an-szub {gesz}e-ke4-ma-gu10 ganzer-sze3 mu-da-an-szub
 en: “Father Enlil, my ball (?) fell down into the nether world, my mallet (?) fell down into Ganzer.
225. en-ki-du10 e11-de3 i3-gi4 kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: Enkidu went down to retrieve them but the nether world has seized him.
226. nam-tar nu-un-dab5 a2-sag3 nu-un-dab5 kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but the nether world has seized him.
227. {d}udug {d}nergal sag szu nu-du7 nu-mu-un-dab5 kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: The udug demon of Nergal, who spares nobody, did not seize him, but the nether world has seized him.
228. ki nam-nita-a-ke4 me3-a nu-un-szub kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: He did not fall in battle on the field of manhood, but the nether world has seized him.”
229. a-a {d}en-lil2 inim-bi nu-mu-de3-gub eridu{ki}-sze3 ba-gen
 en: Father Enlil did not stand by him in the matter, so he went to Eridu.
230. eridu{ki} e2 {d}en-ki-ka3-sze3 giri3-ni dili mu-un-gub
 en: In Eridu he directed his steps on his own to the temple of Enki.
231. igi {d}en-ki-ka3-sze3 er2 im-ma-sze8-sze8
 en: He cried before Enki:
232. a-a {d}en-ki {gesz}ellag-gu10 kur-sze3 mu-da-an-szub {gesz}e-ke4-ma-gu10 ganzer-sze3 mu-da-an-szub
 en: “Father Enki, my ball (?) fell down into the nether world, my mallet (?) fell down into Ganzer.
233. en-ki-du10 e11-de3 i3-gi4-en kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: Enkidu went down to retrieve them but the nether world has seized him.
234. nam-tar nu-un-dab5 a2-sag3 nu-un-dab5 kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: Namtar did not seize him, the Asag did not seize him; but the nether world has seized him.
235. {d}udug {d}nergal sag szu nu-du7 nu-mu-un-dab5 kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: The udug demon of Nergal, who spares nobody, did not seize him, but the nether world has seized him.
236. ki nam-nita-a-ke4 me3-a nu-un-szub kur-re im-ma-an-dab5
 en: He did not fall in battle on the field of manhood, but the nether world has seized him.”
237. a-a {d}en-ki inim-bi ba-e-de3-gub
 en: Father Enki stood by him in this matter.
238. ur-sag szul {d}utu-ra dumu {d}nin-gal-e tu4-da gu3 mu-na-de2-e
 en: He said to the young warrior Utu, the son born by Ningal:
239. i3-ne-esz2 ab-lal3 kur-ra gal2 u3-bi2-in-tak4
 en: “Open a window in the nether world immediately,
240. szubur-a-ni kur-ta e11-de3-mu-na-ab
 en: and then bring up his servant from the nether world!”
241. ab-lal3 kur-ra gal2 im-ma-an-tak4
 en: He opened a window in the nether world
242. si-si-ig-ni-ta szubur-a-ni kur-ta mu-da-ra-ab-e11-de3
 en: and brought up his servant with his breeze (?) from the nether world.
243. gu2-ni gu2-da mu-ni-in-la2 ne mu-un-su-ub-be2
 en: They hugged and kissed.
244. en3 tar-re im-mi-in-kusz2-u3-ne
 en: They wearied each other with questions:
245. a2-ag2-ga2 kur-ra igi bi2-du8
 en: “Did you see the order of the nether world?
246. nu-usz-ma-ab-be2-en gu5-li-gu10 nu-usz-ma-be2-en
 en: If only you would tell me, my friend, if only you would tell me!”
247. tukum-bi a2-ag2-ga2 kur-ra mu-ra-ab-be2-en
 en: “If I tell you the order of the nether world,
248. za-e tusz-a er2 ge26-e ga-tusz ga-er2
 en: si yourself down and weep! I shall sit down and weep!
249. x szu bi2-in-tag-ga sza3-zu ba-e-hul2
 en: ..., which your heart rejoiced to touch,
250. [...]-szi?-du-un bi2-in-du11
 en: is ...,
251. [...] tug2 sumun-a-gin7 uh bi2-in-tag
 en: worms infest it like an old garment (?);
252. [...] ki-in-dar-ra-gin7 sahar-ra a-ab-si
 en: like ... of (?) a crevice, it is full of dust.”
253. en-e u8 bi2-in-du11 sahar-ra ba-da-an-tusz
 en: “Alas!” he said and sat down in the dust.
254. lu2 dumu-ni 1(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 1 son?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
255. {gesz}gag e2-gar8-a-na ab-du3-a gig-ga i-i
 en: “He weeps bitterly at the wooden peg which was driven into his wall.”
256. lu2 dumu-ni 2(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 2 sons?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
257. szeg12 2(disz)-a al-tusz ninda al-gu7-e
 en: “He sits on 2 bricks, eating bread.”
258. lu2 dumu-ni 3(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 3 sons?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
259. {kusz}ummu4 dag-si-ke4 a al-na8-na8
 en: “He drinks water from a saddle waterskin.”
260. lu2 dumu-ni 4(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 4 sons?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
261. lu2 ansze 4(disz) la2-gin7 sza3-ga-ni al-hul2
 en: “His heart rejoices like a man who has four asses to yoke.”
262. lu2 dumu-ni 5(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 5 sons?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
263. dub-sar sa6-ga-gin7 a2-ni gal2 bi2-in-tak4 e2-gal si sa2-bi ba-an-ku4-ku4
 en: “Like a good scribe he is indefatigable, he enters the palace easily.”
264. lu2 dumu-ni 6(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 6 sons?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
265. lu2 {gesz}apin-la2-gin7 sza3-ga-ni al-hul2
 en: “He is a cheerful as a ploughman.”
266. lu2 dumu-ni 7(disz)-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had 7 sons?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
267. dub-us2 dingir-re-e-ne-ke4 {gesz}gu-za ib2-tusz di-da gesz ba-tuku
 en: “As a companion of the gods, he sits on a throne and listens to judgments.”
268. tiru-e igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see the palace eunuch?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
269. pa a-la-la hur-ra-gin7 ub-du11-ga-a ab-us2
 en: “Like a useless alala stick he is propped in a corner.”
270. munus nu-u3-tu4 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see the woman who never gave birth?” “I saw her.” “How does she fare?”
271. {dug}zal-lil2-da-gin7 ti-na i3-guru4 lu2 nu-mu-un-hul2-e
 en: “Like a ... pot, she is thrown away violently, she gives no man joy.”
272. gurusz tur ur2 dam-na-ka tug2 nu-ub-si-ge igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see the young man who never undressed his wife?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
273. esz2-szu-ak szu im-mi-du7-un esz2-szu-ak-ba er2 im-mi-in-sze8-sze8
 en: “You finish a rope, and he weeps over the rope.”
274. ki-sikil ur2 dam-na-ka tug2 nu-ub-si-ge igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see the young woman who never undressed her husband?” “I saw her.” “How does she fare?”
275. gi-szu-ak szu im-mi-du7-un gi-szu-ak er2 mi-in-sze8-sze8
 en: “You finish a reed mat, and she weeps over the reed mat.”
276. lu2 ibila nu-tuku igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who had no heir?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
277. szeg12 {gesz}KID-ra-gin7 ninda al-gu7-e
 en: “Like him who ... bricks (?), he eats bread.”
278. x [...] igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “...?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
279. [...] um x x
 en: ...
280. [...]
 en: ...
281. [...]
 en: ...
282. [...]
 en: ...
283. [...]
 en: ...
284. [...]
 en: ...
285. [...]
 en: ...
286. lu2 [...] ba? [...] igi bi2-du8-am3
 en: “Did you see ...?”
287. u2-ni al-bar a-ni al-bar u2 gi7 al-gu7-e a gi7 al-na8-na8
 en: “His food is set apart, his water is set apart, he eats the food offered (?) to him, he drinks the water offered (?) to him.”
287a. lu2 ur-mah-e gu7-a igi bi2-du8-am3
 en: “Did you see him who was eaten by a lion?”
287b. a szu-gu10 a giri3-gu10 gig-ga-bi im-me
 en: “He cries bitterly “O my hands! O my legs!”
287c. lu2 ur3 szub-ba igi bi2-du8-am3
 en: “Did you see him who fell down from the roof?”
287d. giri3-pad-ra2-ni szu NE nu-ub-be2-esz
 en: “They cannot ... his bones.”
288. lu2 sahar-szub-ba igi bi2-du8-am3
 en: “Did you see the leprous man?”
289. gu4-gin7 al-dub2 uh im-da-gu7-e
 en: “He twitches like an ox as the worms eat at him.”
290. lu2 me3-a szub-ba igi bi2-in-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who fell in battle?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
291. ad ama-ni sag-du nu-mu-un-dab5 dam-a-ni er2 i3-sze8-sze8
 en: “His father and mother are not there to hold his head, and his wife weeps.”
292. gidim lu2 ninda sig10-ge5 nu-tuku igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see the spirit of him who has no funerary offerings?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
293. szu su-ub-be2 ninda pad-pad-ra2 PA-a sila szub-ba i3-gu7-e
 en: “He eats the scraps and the crumbs ... tossed out in the street.”
293a. [...] x er2 bi2-du8-am3
 en: ...
293b. [...] x [...] x [...]
 en: ...
294. lu2 {gesz}ma2-du3 ra igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him hit by a ship’s board? How does he fare?”
295. a2-sze ama-gu10 lu2 he2-en-na-ab-be2
 en: “Alas, my mother!” the man cries to her,
296. {gesz}ma2-du3 bur12-ra-ni a he2-em-mi-dab-be2?-esz
 en: as he pulls out the ship’s board ...,
297. {gesz}sag-du ninda pad-pad-ra2-ni nig2 mu-ni-gu-ul-e
 en: he ... cross beam ... crumbs.”
298. nigar{gar} tur-tur-gu10 ni2-ba nu-zu igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see my little stillborn children who never knew existence?” “I saw them.” “How do they fare?”
299. {gesz}banszur ku3-sig17 ku3-babbar lal3 i3-nun-ta e-ne im-di-e-ne
 en: “They play at a table of gold and silver, laden with honey and ghee.”
300. lu2 ug7-am3? x x-na i3-usz2 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi bi2-du8-am3 a-na-gin7 an-ak
 en: “Did you see him who died ...?” “I saw him.” “How does he fare?”
301. ki gesz-nu2 dingir-re-e-na al-nu2
 en: “He lies on a bed of the gods.”
302. lu2 izi la2 igi bi2-du8-am3 igi nu-mu-ni-du8-am3
 en: “Did you see him who was set on fire?” “I did not see him.
303. gidim-a-ni nu-gal2 i-bi2-ni an-na ba-e-e11
 en: His spirit is not about. His smoke went up to the sky.”