For Rick
26/07/95 Talking Stick, introduction by Paul Collins (British Museum - not included)
THE HEALING OF GILGAMESH (a DRAGONESS production)
Based on Robert Temple's "He who knew everything"
Slide 2 - THE CREATION OF ENKIDU (Tablet I)
Narrator: He who saw everything in the broad-boned earth, and knew what was to be known, Who had experienced what there was, and had become familiar with all things,He, to whom wisdom clung like a cloak, and who dwelt together with Existence in Harmony.He knew the secret of things and laid them bare, and told of those times before the Flood. In his city, Uruk, he made the walls, and the temple called Eanna,which was the house of An, the Sky God, and also of Inanna, Goddes of Love and Battle. Now, hear how Gilgamesh fared many hardships: Long was his journey.He is the hero, He is of Uruk, He leads the Way, He, the Foremost. Gilgamesh, of the offspring of Lugulbanda, the son of the revered Cow Ninsun, Pledged to the Sun God, Utu, he was two thirds god, one third man. Gilgamesh, the heroic Ancestor of Uruk, I sing you praises! Slide 3 - Gilgamesh's angry looks Gilgamesh: Out I went, into the world. But there was none better, none whom I, Gilgamesh, could not best. So I heard in their houses the men of Uruk mutter: 'Gilgamesh, noisy Gilgamesh! Arrogant Gilgamesh! 'For I defeated all young men in combat. All young girls I made women by my lust, leaving no virgin to her lover, nor the wife of a nobleman!I was the King, Shepherd of the city, handsome and firm as a rock. Narrator: In heaven, the gods heard the lament of the people, and turned to Holy Aruru, the Goddess of Creation. The Gods cried out to the Mistress of All: Aruru: I hear you all! Yes, I did create Gilgamesh. Now I'll create his equal! I'll give a second self to him! So that rushing winds meet rushing winds! I'll give them each other to fight and grow in understanding and friendship. I will form an image in my mind, which has conceived all there is. I'll make him of the stuff that makes up the Firmament (reaches out to the Skies) And of the substance of the Deep, Sacred Waters (plunges hands into a bowl of water) From a pinch of clay, I create you! (Gareth will be laying by Aruru's feet by now) Star of heaven fallen into the wilderness, Enkidu, I name you! Born you are with the stregth of Ninurta, the God of War,tough of body and hair waved like corn filaments, I give birth to you, Innocent of Humankind and Wise in the Ways of Wilderness! Slide 4 - Enkidu conversing with beasts Enkidu (stretching his arms and experiencing life for the first time) Star fallen from Heaven, I range this land, Conversing with the Green and the Wild, happy and free! None can surpass me, none that I see I am one with All Nature, bird, fish or beast / I roam pastures and woods with glee sSaving the entrapped Wild Ones when need be. I rejoice at being vibrant, alive and in Union with all there is! Slide 5 - Enkidu liberating beasts Narrator: One day, at the sight of Enkidu a trapper stopped, frozen stiff with fear, as he saw the Man-Beat freeing the Wild Ones from traps and pits, all the hunt slipped away. Only torn game traps were there to stay. The trapper goes to Uruk, to find Gilgamesh / And ask the King to subdue the Wild One, stop him from freeing game and helping beasts. Gilgamesh: A wild one, a star fallen from heaven, strong and free?But unversed in the ways of women, I bet he is! I'll ask for a Maiden of the Holy Temple of Inanna, a Child of Pleasure who will embrace him and teach the art of woman so that a man he will finally be. Slide 6 - Hierodule leaving Uruk at nightime The Hierodule: (makes any gracious movement of reverence before standing up and going moving towards the front of the stage: lights on her) I serve Inanna, the proud Queen of Earth Gods, supreme among the Heaven Gods / I serve the Loud Thundering Storm who pour rain, grains and blessings over the land for the people I serve the one who makes the heavens tremble and the earth quake I serve the Mighty One of Life's Pleasures, the Mistress of Innermost Desires. You, First Daughter of the Moon, I worship. Your Footsteps are mine to follow in great joy and reverence. So by my Sacred Vows, by my Oath, I'll go to the woods and do the Goddess' bidding to transform the Wild One in a fuller human being! (The Hiedule moves to the other side of the stage, watched by Enkidu in the background) Slide 7 - Hierodule seating under the tree, Enkidu watching her The Hierodule:I let the moonlight cover my body as I bathed for the Wild One And I showed my Self to Him, vibrant and free!As the Morning and Evening Star announced the New Day, bringing Fulfillment and Promises to stay / I rose my arms in Trust, Delight and Dare to invite the Wild One into the Sweetness of my Lair! (Enkidu makes a full circle around the Priestess) And he met me - he met me! He put his hand on my hand He pressed his neck close against mine. I incited him to love, I welcomed his eagerness!(they may embrace/kiss, etc.) Slide 8 - Enkidu and Hierodule kissing Enkidu: What is in you that makes me forget time and yet feels so much alive? The hills, the wild beasts have no appeal to me anymore. Yet I feel a different kind of srength, Thoughts in my heart, a man's heart. What is it in you that has strengthened me and makes me rejoice by just sitting at your feet? The Hierodule: We've been together for six days and seven nights, Enkidu, so now you have Wisdom! Now you are as a god! I bid you to come to Uruk of the strong walls To Inanna's Temple of Love, and to the Eanna, where the Sky God An can be found. Gilgamesh is there, strong and raging like a wild bull, for he is so alone. But I, the Keeper of the secrets of the heart, mind, body and soul, Know that Gilgamesh longs to find a friend / Equal in all respects and perfect in strength. Enkidu: Then take me to Uruk, where lives Gilgamesh of perfect strength I'll summon him forth And challenge him. We'll see who is the mightiest. We'll see whether we can be the best of friends! Slide 9 - Hierodule and Enkidu say farewell to the forest The hierodule: Yes! I'll take you to Gilgamesh! You are so like him, Enkidu! When I look at you, Enkidu, You seem to be like a god. Like Gilgamesh, whom you'll love like yourself. But before we go, I'll divide my garments in two One piece for me, one for you. Give me your hand, so that we can go to the Sacred Place of the Sheepfold. We will then eat at the Table The Earth's gifts laboured by man And drink from the seven cups the beer of the Wise. Come, Enkidu, let's go together to Uruk!(Drums and climax to finalise the play)