Saturday, June 22, 2013

...for the loss of warrior friends...

"Mighty Gilgamesh came on and Enkidu met him at the gate.  He put out his foot and prevented Gilgamesh from entering the house, so they grappled, holding each other like bulls.  They broke the doorposts and the wall shook, they snorted like bulls locked together.  They shattered the doorposts and the walls shook.  Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on the ground and with a turn Enkidu was thrown.  Then immediately his fury died.  So Enkidu and Gilgamesh embraced and their friendship was sealed.
...
As Enkidu slept alone in his sickness, in bitterness of spirit he poured out his heart to his friend...and he lay stricken with sickness.  One whole day he lay on his bed and his suffering increased.  He said to Gilgamesh, 'Once I ran for you, for the water of life, and now I have nothing.'  [Gilgamesh] touched [Enkidu's] heart but it did not beat, nor did he lift his eyes again.  He dragged off his splendid robes and flung them down as though they were abominations:

'The river along whose banks we sued to walk,
Weeps for you,
All the people of Eridu
Weep for you Enkidu
What is this sleep which holds you now?
You are lost in the dark and cannot hear me.'
- The Epic of Gilgamesh

Benvolio. O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead!  That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
Romeo. This day's black fate on more days doth depend; This but begins the woe, others must end.
Benvolio. Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
Romeo. Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again, That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company: Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.



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