Sacred Poems and Anthems
Contents Updated: Friday, July 14, 2000
Ishtar’s advice to Gilgamesh
In this early poem, which might be up to 5000 years old and reflect the struggle of the matriarchs and the patriarchs, Gilgamesh is discontent with his lot on earth and seeks to be a god. He wants the secret of immortality, the Goddess Ishtar having killed his friend, Enkidu. Gilgamesh has been trying for a long time to find the secret but full of despair he drowns his sorrows in a tavern. The barmaid, Ishtar in disguise, gives the hero in his cups this advice:
Thou wilt not find, O Gilgamesh,
That which thou seek’st. Forego thy quest!
Just take thy fill of meat and beer,
And day and night be of good cheer;
Spoil not a day with thoughts of woe,
But dance and play where e’er ye go.
Then bow thy head, proud Gilgamesh,
And bathe thyself in water fresh,
And wash thyself and don clean clothes,
Thy spouse to take unto thy hose;
Love well the child which takes thine hand,
For then, proud man, th’art merely sand.
Gilgamesh ignores it as mankind has always, unable to accept that they cannot be gods, however much they might desire it.
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