Chapter 10 Summary

At first, the wine maiden Sabitu is frightened by Gilgamesh's wild and unkempt looks and so she runs into her house and bolts the door, but Gilgamesh pleads that he is the king of Uruk and requires information of her. Still suspicious, Sabitu asks Gilgamesh why he is dressed in animal skins and why his skin appears as if it is badly burnt.

Gilgamesh explains to the young maiden his grief over Enkidu and the terrible journey it has compelled him to make. Finally moved to pity, Sabitu exits her house and offers Gilgamesh food and wine and a place to sit. She asks the King what he seeks and when he responds, as he always has, that he seeks his ancestor Utnapishtim, who knows the secret of life and death, Sabitu tells him - as all others have told him - that...