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His body is still covered with sores. The magic potion must be followed by immersion into the fountain of life. Parnapishtim instructs Ardi-Ea to convey Gilgamesh to this fountain. He speaks to the ferryman. The man whom thou hast brought is covered with sores. The eruption on his skin has destroyed the beauty of his body.
Take him, O Ardi-Ea, to the place of purification, To wash his sores in the water, that he may become white as snow. Let the ocean carry off the eruption on his skin, That his body may become pure. Let his turban be renewed and the garment that covers his nakedness. Ardi-Ea carries out these instructions and Gilgamesh at last is healed. The hero is now ready to return to his land.
Obedient to the advice of Sabitum, Gilgamesh tells Ardi-Ea his story and also his desire. Ardi-Ea consents, and tells Gilgamesh to take his ax, to go into the woods, and to cut down a large pole that may serve as a rudder. Gilgamesh, upon hearing this, Takes an ax in his hand, ... Goes to the wood and makes a rudder five gar long. Gilgamesh and Ardi-Ea mount the ship.
And after thou hast crossed the waters of death, what wilt thou do?" Sabitum then tells Gilgamesh that there is one possibility of his accomplishing his task. If Ardi-Ea, the ferryman of Parnapishtim, will take Gilgamesh across, well and good; if not, he must abandon all hope.
All is lost! Gilgamesh sits down and weeps bitter tears. He pours out his woe to Ardi-Ea, but there is nothing left except to return to Uruk. He reaches the city in safely. His mission the search for immortality has failed. Though healed from his disease, the fate of mankind old age and death is in store for him. With the return to Uruk the eleventh tablet ends.
See above, p. 39, and Hommel's full discussion, Altisraelitische Ueberlieferung, chapter iii. Haupt, pp. 12, 67. Attitude of despair. I.e. 'servant of Ea. The reading Ardi-Ea is preferable to Arad-Ea. Lit., 'sailor. See above, p. 443. Haupt, pp. 64, 36; 65, 1. Altisraelitische Ueberlieferung, p. 35. Tum is the feminine ending. A large measure. Of the week?
Gilgamesh departs on the ship, and with the help of Ardi-Ea finds this plant, which is called 'the restoration of old age to youth. It is a long journey to the place. The plant grows at the side or at the bottom of a fountain. Gilgamesh secures it, but scarcely have his hands grasped the plant when it slips out of his hand and is snatched away by a demon that takes on the form of a serpent.
The ship tosses from side to side. After a course of one month and fifteen days, on the third day Ardi-Ea reaches the waters of death. This appears to be the most dangerous part of the voyage. Ardi-Ea urges Gilgamesh to cling to the rudder, and counts the strokes he is to take.
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