"The Poet's Corner..."

Gilgamesh's Dream

From Gilgamesh - A New English Version

By Stephen Mitchell

"...Even before you came down from the hills,

you had come to Gilgamesh in a dream."

And she told Enkidu what she had heard.

"He went to his mother, the Godess Ninsum,

and asked her to interpret the dream.

'I saw a bright star, it shot across

the morning sky, it fell at my feet

and lay before me like a huge boulder.

I tried to lift it, but it was too heavy.

I tried to move it, but it would not budge.

A crowd of people gathered around me,

the people of Uruk pressed in to see it,

like a little beby they kissed its feet.

This boulder, this star that had fallen to earth--

I took it in my arms, I embraced and caressed it

the way a man caresses his wife.

Then I took it and laid it before you. You told me

that it was my double, my second self.'

The mother of Gilgamesh, Lady Ninsum,

the wise, the all-knowing, said to her son,

'Dearest child, this bright star from heaven,

this huge boulder that you could not lift--

it stands for a dear friend, a mighty hero.

You will take him in your arms, embrace and caress him

the way a man caresses his wife.

He will be your double, your second self,

a man who is loyal, who will stand at your side

through the greatest dangers. Soon you will meet him,

the companion of your heart. Your dream has said so.'

Gilgamesh said, 'May the dream come true.

May the true friend appear, the true companion,

who through every danger will stand at my side.' "