We left He-Who-Sets-Snares sitting facing the courtesan at the water mine for three days waiting for Enkidu to appear. We rejoin them as finally the herds reappeared at the water mine and among them frolicking in the joy of pure water, Enkidu himself. "There he is! Now, woman, bare your breasts, have no shame, do not delay in receiving his embrace. When he approaches, disrobe and lay with him; let him see you naked, let him possess your body. Teach him, a savage, your womanly wisdom because, as he murmurs his love for you, the wild animals who share his life in the hills will surely reject him." Suffice it to say that the courtesan followed instructions effectively, for it was six days and seven nights before Enkidu remembered his abode in the hills and returned to rejoin the wild animals. The latter, as predicted, however, fled and, says the story, Enkidu would have pursued them but his body was tied as if by a rope and his knees gave way when he tried to run. Encode was weak because wisdom was with him and manly thoughts inhabited his heart. He consequently returned to sit at the feet of the woman and listened attentively to what she said: "You are wise, Enkidu and now you are like a god. Why would you want to be a savage like the wild animals? Come with me; I will take you to Uruk, the city of strong walls; come to Ishtar's temple and Amu's; there lives Gilgamesh who is strong as a wild ox and rules over men" Enkidu wanted a companion, someone who would understand his heart, tells the story. And yet, his words to the woman were: "Take me there: I want to defy him, for I am the strongest, I was sent to alter the course of events, I will prove victorious." The desirable virile qualities of being wise, strong and handsome; of having manly thoughts in your heart and wanting a bit of a tussle with a best friend are a heartwarming reminder of those far gone days before the rise of New Man... "Let's go, Enkidu. I know well where Gilgamesh lives and there everyone dresses with coloured robes, they party everyday, the young are beautiful and smell nice. You, who loves life will meet Gilgamesh, a man of many parts, a man of radiant virility and perfect body, in the height of maturity. unstoppable night and day. He is stronger than you, so stop bragging: Gilgamesh was favoured by the gods and he will know you are coming even before you arrive". And indeed, Gilgamesh had a prophetic dream, that a meteorite had fallen from the skies; it was so heavy that it could not be lifted and so beautiful that he had to fall in love with it. He brought the dream to his mother who interpreted that a strong and loyal companion was coming to him. He would be the star from the sky and the axe that gives strength. Gilgamesh's dreams were relayed by the courtesan to Enkidu who entreated him to rise from the floor, gave him half her clothes to adorn him for the journey to Uruk; she then took him to the shepherds who gave him bread and wine and she said to Enkidu: "Eat this bread, which is the staff of life; drink the wine, as is customary in the land" At this moment it is hard to resist the Eucharistic overtones of the scene, but this is a fleeting reference: Enkidu drinks seven goblets and was merry, his heart was fit to burst and his face shone: he was inebriated but still able to untangle his body hair and anoint himself with oil: he became a man then, but when he donned man's clothes, he was like a bridegroom. he hunted and watched over the shepherds, who rested. So now Enkidu is strong, civilised, caring, handsome, and has acquired some polish and manners. Life is good. But then, a messenger arrives. Gilgamesh is behaving as usual, being brutal and lustful and shutting out his people. They needed a champion and Enkidu was sent to earth to be that champion. Cometh the hour, cometh the man!
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