The scorpion man said: “No one is able to cross the Twin Peaks, nor has anyone ever entered the tunnel into which the sun plunges when it sets and moves through the earth. Inside the tunnel there is total darkness: deep is the darkness, with no light at all.”

The scorpion woman said: “This brave man, driven by despair, his body frost-chilled, exhausted, and burnt by the desert sun – show him the way to Utnapishtim.”

The scorpion man said: “Ever downwards through the deep darkness the tunnel leads. All will be pitch black before and behind you, all will be pitch black to either side. You must run through the tunnel faster than the wind. You have just twelve hours. If you don’t emerge from the tunnel before the sun sets and enters, you will find no refuge from its deadly fire. Penetrate the mountains’ depths, may the Twin Peaks lead you safely to your goal, may they safely take you to the edge of the world. The gate to the tunnel lies here before you. Go now in peace, and return in peace.

As the sun was rising, Gilgamesh entered. He began to run. For one hour he ran, deep was the darkness, with no light at all before and behind him and to either side. For a second and a third hour Gilgamesh ran, deep was the darkness with no light at all before and behind him and to either side. For a fourth and a fifth hour Gilgamesh ran, deep was the darkness, with no light at all before and behind him and to either side.  For a sixth and a seventh hour Gilgamesh ran, deep was the darkness with no light at all before and behind him and to either side.

At the eighth hour Gilgamesh cried out with fear, deep was the darkness, with no light at all before and behind him and to either side. At the ninth hour he felt a breeze on his face, deep was the darkness, with no light at all before and behind him and to either side. For a tenth and eleventh hour Gilgamesh ran, deep was the darkness, with no light at all before and behind him and to either side. At the twelfth hour he emerged from the tunnel into the light. The sun was hurtling towards the entrance. He had barely escaped.

Before him the garden of the gods appeared, with gem-trees of all colours, dazzling to see. There were trees that grew rubies, trees with lapis lazuli flowers, trees that dangled gigantic coral clusters like dates. Everywhere sparkling on all the branches, were enormous jewels: emeralds, sapphires, hematite, diamonds, carnelians, pearls.. Gilgamesh looked up and marvelled at it.

Gilgamesh