Gilgamesh sat in the ship, and sleep enveloped him like to a black storm cloud.

Pir-napishtim spoke to his wife and said:  “Behold the hero who desireth to have life.  Sleep envelops him like to a black storm cloud.”

To that lone man his wife made answer:  “Lay thine hand upon him so that he may have perfect health and be enabled to return to his own land.  Give him power to pass through the mighty door by which he entered.”

Then Pir-napishtim addressed his wife, saying:  “His sufferings make me sad.  Prepare thou for him the magic food, and place it near his head.”

On the day when Gilgamesh lay down, the food was prepared by seven magic processes, and the woman administered it while yet he slept.  Then Pir-napishtim touched him, and he awoke full of life.

Gilgamesh spake unto Pir-napishtim and said:  “I was suddenly overcome by sleep....  But thou didst awaken me by touching me, even thou....  Lo!  I am bewitched.  What hast thou done unto thy servant?”

Then Pir-napishtim told Gilgamesh that he had been given to eat of the magic food.  Afterwards he caused Arad Ea to carry Gilgamesh to a fountain of healing, where his disease-stricken body was cleansed.  The blemished skin fell from him, and he was made whole.

Thereafter Gilgamesh prepared to return to his own land.  Ere he bade farewell, however, Pir-napishtim revealed unto him the secret of a magic plant which had power to renew life and give youth and strength unto those who were old.

Arad Ea conducted the hero to the island where the plant grew, and when Gilgamesh found it he rejoiced, and said that he would carry it to Erech, his own city, where he would partake of it and restore his youth.

So Gilgamesh and Arad Ea went on their way together, nor paused until they came to a well of pure water.  The hero stooped down to draw water.[216] But while he was thus engaged that demon, the Earth Lion, crept forth as a serpent, and, seizing the magic plant of life, carried it away.  Stricken with terror, Gilgamesh uttered a curse.  Then he sat down and wept bitterly, and the tears streamed over his face.  To Arad Ea he spake, saying:  “Why has my health been restored to me?  Why should I rejoice because that I live?  The benefit which I should have derived for myself has now fallen to the Earth Lion.”

The two travellers then resumed their journey, performing religious acts from time to time; chanting dirges and holding feasts for the dead, and at length Gilgamesh returned to Erech.  He found that the city walls were crumbling, and he spake regarding the ceremonies which had been performed while yet he was in a far-distant country.

During the days which followed Gilgamesh sorrowed for his lost friend Ea-bani, whose spirit was in the Underworld, the captive of the spirits of death.  “Thou canst not draw thy bow now,” he cried, “nor raise the battle shout.  Thou canst not kiss the woman thou hast loved; thou canst not kiss the child thou hast loved, nor canst thou smite those whom thou hast hated.”