The fifth tablet is more certain than the last; it appears to refer to the conquest of Khumbaba. Only fragments of this tablet, which opens with a description of the retreat of Khumbaba, have as yet been discovered.
Column I.
- 1. He stood and surveyed the forest
- 2. of pine trees, he perceived its height,
- 3. of the forest he perceived its approach,
- 4. in the place where Khumbaba went his step was placed,
- 5. on a straight road and a good path.
- 6. He saw the land of the pine trees, the seat of the gods, the sanctuary of the angels,
- 7. in front? of the seed the pine tree carried its fruit,
- 8. good was its shadow, full of pleasure,
- 9. an excellent tree, the choice of the forest,
- 10. .... the pine heaped ....
- 11. .... for one kaspu (7 miles) ...
- 12. .... cedar two-thirds of it ...
- 13. .... grown ....
- 14. .... like it ...
- (About 10 lines lost here.)
- 25. .... he looked ....
- 26. .... he made and he ....
- 27. .... drove to ....
- 28. .... he opened and ....
—–———–———–———– - 29. Izdubar opened his mouth and spake, [and said to Hea-bani]:
- 30. My friend ....
- 31. .... with their slaughter ....
- 32. .... he did not speak before her, he made with him ....
- 33. .... knowledge of war who made fighting,
- 34. in entering to the house thou shalt not fear ...
- 35. .... and like I take her also they ....
- 36. to an end may they seat ....
- 37. .... thy hand ....
- 38. .... took my friend first ....
- 39. .... his heart prepared for war, that year and day also
- 40. .... on his falling appoint the people
- 41. .... slay him, his corpse may the birds of prey surround
- 42. ...... of them he shall make
- 43. .... going he took the weight
- 44. they performed it, their will they established
—–———–———–———– - 45. .... they entered into the forest
Column II.
(Five lines mutilated.)
- 6. they passed through the forest ....
—–———–———–———– - 7. Khumbaba ....
- 8. he did not come ....
- 9. he did not ....
- (Seven lines lost.)
- 17. heavy ....
- 18. Hea-bani opened his mouth ....
- 19. .... Khumbaba in ....
- 20. .... one by one and ....
(Many other broken lines.)
There are a few fragments of Columns III., IV., and V., and a small portion of Column VI., which reads:
- 1. .... cedar to ....
- 2. .... he placed and ....
- 3. .... 120 .... Hea-bani ....
- 4. .... the head of Khumbaba ....
—–———–———–———– - 5. .... his weapon he sharpened ....
- 6. .... tablet of the story of fate of ....
It appears from the various mutilated fragments of this tablet that Izdubar and Hea-bani conquer and slay Khumbaba and take his goods, but much is wanted to connect the fragments.