The Ancient Sumerian "Epic of Gilgamesh" was writen 4500 years ago on clay tablets. It predates the Old Testament, and prefigures Noah's flood. (The Old Testament may therefore be the 1st episode plagarism on record). Some of the tablets are on display at the British Museum (room 55)... including the one about the flood.
The discoverer of the "flood tablet" was a Mr George Smith, an assistant in The British Museum. On reading the text (in 1872) he :"... jumped up and rushed about the room in a great state of excitement, and, to the astonishment of those present, began to undress himself!"
Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk is 2/3 God and 1/3 Human...(go figure on the science behind this) and seems to have difficulty accepting his mortality. He is given some seriously good advice about baths, babes and booze. (To which i would add: 'Books'.. i.e. "A Hot Bath, A Good Book, and a Dirty Woman"- or any other noun/adjective combination)
"Oh Mighty King, remember now that only gods are immortal- watching Humans come and go- for that is the way fate decreed on the Tablets of Destiny.
So someday you will depart, but till that distant day sing, and dance, eat your fill of warm cooked food and cool jugs of beer.
Cherish the children your love gave life.
Bathe away life's dirt in warm drawn waters.
Pass the time in joy with your chosen wife
On the Tablets of Destiny it is decreed For you to enjoy short pleasures for your short days.
http://gilgamesh.psnc.pl/index.html
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