Anonymous The Big Book of Early Fantasy. Illustrated

Epic of Gilgamesh, Twenty-Two Goblins, One Thousand and One Nights, Myths and Legends of Troy, King Arthur, The Story of the Volsungs
1. Auflage 2023
ISBN: 978-0-88004-809-5
Verlag: Strelbytskyy Multimedia Publishing
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, 1487 Seiten

'The Big Book of Early Fantasy' is a magnificent literary compilation that offers readers a captivating journey into the world of ancient and timeless fantasy. This comprehensive anthology features classic tales and myths, including the 'Epic of Gilgamesh,' 'Twenty-Two Goblins,' 'One Thousand and One Nights,' 'Myths and Legends of Troy,' 'King Arthur,' and 'The Story of the Volsungs.' From the earliest recorded epic of 'The Epic of Gilgamesh,' a story of heroism and friendship, to the rich tapestry of 'One Thousand and One Nights,' where Scheherazade's tales mesmerize and entertain, this collection showcases the roots of fantasy storytelling. 'Twenty-Two Goblins' offers a glimpse into the imaginative and often humorous narratives of ancient India, while 'Myths and Legends of Troy' takes readers back to the heroic age of the Greeks and the legendary city of Troy. 'King Arthur' explores the legendary British monarch and his knights of the Round Table, embodying the ideals of chivalry and honor, while 'The Story of the Volsungs' brings Norse mythology to life with tales of gods, heroes, and epic adventures. This illustrated edition enhances the reading experience with visual elements that complement the timeless narratives, making these ancient fantasies even more captivating and immersive. 'The Big Book of Early Fantasy' is a literary treasure trove for readers of all ages who appreciate the enchantment of early fantasy. These tales and myths have influenced generations of storytellers and continue to captivate with their timeless themes of heroism, magic, and adventure. Immerse yourself in this collection and journey back to the origins of fantasy storytelling, where the power of imagination knows no bounds. Contents: Epic of Gilgamesh Twenty-Two Goblins One Thousand and One Nights Myths and Legends of Troy King Arthur The Story of the Volsungs

Autoren/Hrsg.

Anonymous

Weitere Mitwirkende

Thompson, R. Campbell

William, Arthur

Lang, Andrew

Leseproben

THE FIRST TABLET. OF THE TYRANNY OF GILGAMISH, AND THE CREATION OF ENKIDU

He who (the heart of) all matters hath proven let him [teach] the nation,

[He who all] knowledge possesseth, therein shall he [school] all the people,

[He shall his wisdom impart (?)] and (so) shall they]share it] together.

[Gilgamish(?)] — he was the [Master] of wisdom, with [knowledge of all things,

5 He ’twas discovered the secret concealed……

(Aye), handed down the tradition relating to (things) prediluvian,

Went on a journey afar, (all) aweary and [worn with his toiling(?)],

10 [Graved] on a table of stone all the travail.

Of Erech, the high-wall’d,

He (it was) built up the ramparts; (and) he (it was) clamp’d the foundation,

Like unto brass, of [E]-Anna, the sacred, the treasury hallow’d,

[Strengthen’d] its base to grant wayleave to no [one]…

….. the threshold which from [of old (?)]……

….. [E]-Anna……………

15….. to grant wayleave [to no one (?)]….

Two-thirds of him are divine, and [one-third of him human,]…

The form of his body…………….

He hath forced to take………………

7 “….. of Erech ’tis he who hath [taken],

…… (while) tow’reth [his] crest like an aurochs,

10 Ne’er hath the shock of [his] weapons (its) [peer]; are driven [his] fellows

Into the toils, while cow’d are the heroes of Erech un-…..

Gilgamish leaveth no son to [his] father, [his] arrogance swelling

(Each) day and [night]; [aye, he] is the shepherd of Erech, the high-[wall’d],

15 He is [our(?)] shepherd…. [masterful, dominant, subtle]…

[Gilgamish] leaveth no [maid to her mother, nor] daughter to [hero],

[(Nay), nor a spouse to a husband]”

(And so), to (th’ appeal of) their wailing

[Gave ear th’ Immortals]: the gods of high heaven address’d the god Anu],

20 (Him who was) Seigneur of Erech: “’Tis thou a son hast begotten,

(Aye, in sooth, all) tyrannous, [while tow’reth his crest like an aurochs],

Ne’er hath [the shock of his weapons] (its) peer; are driven [his fellows]

Into the toils, awhile cow’d are the heroes of Erech un-….].

Gilgamish leaveth no son to his father, [his arrogance swelling]

(Each) day and night; aye, he is the shepherd of Erech, [the high-wall’d],

25 He is their shepherd… masterful, dominant, subtle…

Gilgamish leaveth no maid to [her mother], nor daughter to hero,

(Nay), nor a spouse to a [husband].”

(And so), to (th’ appeal of) their wailing

30. [Anu] gave ear, call’d the lady Aruru: “’Twas thou, O Aruru,

Madest [(primeval seed of) mankind(?)]: do now make its fellow,

So that he [happen on Gilgamish], yea, on the day of his pleasure,

So that they strive with each other, and he unto Erech give [surcease].”

So when the goddess Aruru heard this, in her mind she imagined

(Straightway, this) Concept of Anu, and, washing her hands, (then) Aruru

Finger’d some clay, on the desert she moulded (it): [(thus) on the desert]

35 Enkidu made she, a warrior, (as he were) born (and) begotten,

(Yea), of Ninurta the double, [and put forth] the whole of his body

Hair: in the way of a woman he snooded his locks (in a fillet);

Sprouted luxuriant growth of his hair-like (the awns of) the barley,

Nor knew he people nor land; he was clad in a garb like Sumuqan.

40 E’en with gazelles did he pasture on herbage, along with the cattle

Drank he his fill, with the beasts did his heart delight at the water.

(Then) did a hunter, a trapper, come face to face with this (fellow),

Came on him [one], two, three days, at the place where (the beasts) drank (their) water;

45 (Sooth), when the hunter espied him, his face o’ermantled with terror,

He and his cattle went unto his steading, [dismay’d] (and) affrighted,

Crying aloud, [distress’d in, his heart, and) his face overclouded,

…. woe in his belly…………

50 (Aye, and) his face was the same as of one [who hath gone] a far [journey].

Open’d [his mouth (then)] the hunter, and spake, addressing [his father]:

“Father, there is [a] great fellow come [forth from out of the mountains],

(O, but) [his] strength is the greatest [(the length and breadth) of the country],

[Like to a double] of Anu’s own self [his strength] is enormous,

5 Ever (?) [he rangeth at large] o’er the mountains, [(and) ever] with cattle

[Grazeth on herbage (and) ever he setteth] his foot to the water,

[So that I fear] to approach him. The pits which I [myself] hollow’d

10 [(With mine own hands) hath he fill’d in (again)], (and) the traps of my [setting]

[Torn up, (and) out of my clutches hath holpen escape] (all) the cattle,

Beasts of the desert: to work at my fieldcraft [he will not allow] me.”

[Open’d his mouth (then) his father, and spake], addressing the hunter:

15 “Gilgamish [dwelleth] in Erech, [my son, whom no one] hath vanquish’d,

[(Nay, but) ’tis his strength is greatest (the length and breadth) of the country]

[Like to a double of Anu’s own self], his strength is [enormous],

[Go, set] thy face [towards Erech: and when he hears of] a monster,

[He will say ‘Go, O hunter, a courtesan-girl, a hetaera]

20 Take [with thee]…. like a strong one;

[When he the cattle shall gather again] to the place of (their) drinking,

[So shall she put off] her [mantle] (the charm of) her beauty [revealing];

[(Then) shall he spy her, and (sooth) will embrace her, (and thenceforth)

his cattle,

[Which in] his very own deserts [were rear’d], will (straightway) deny him.’”

25 Unto the rede of his father the hunter [hath hearken’d, (and straightway)]

He will away [unto Gilgamish].

Taking the road towards Erech

Turn’d he [his steps, and to] Gilgamish [came, his speech thus addressing]:

(Saying): “There is a great fellow [come forth from out of the mountains],

30 [(O, but) his strength] is the greatest, (the length and breadth) of the country,

Like to a double of Anu’s own self [his strength] is enormous,

[Ever (?)] he rangeth at large o’er the mountains, (and) ever with cattle

[Grazeth on herbage, (and)] ever [he setteth] his foot to the water,

35 So that I fear to approach [him]. The pits which I [myself] hollow’d

(With mine own hands) hath he fill’d in (again, and) the traps of my [setting]

Torn up, (and) out of my clutches hath holpen escape (all) the cattle,

Beasts [of the desert]: to work at my fieldcraft he will not allow me.”

40 Gilgamish unto him, unto the hunter made answer (in this wise):

“Go, (good) my hunter, take with thee a courtesan-girl, a hetaera,

When he the cattle shall [gather] again to the place of (their) drinking,

So shall she put off her mantle, (the charm of her) beauty [revealing],

45 (Then) shall he spy her, and (sooth) will embrace her, (and thenceforth) his cattle

Which in his very own deserts were rear’d will (straightway) deny him.”

Forth went the hunter, took with him a courtesan-girl, a hetaera,

(So) did they start on their travels, went forth on their journey (together),

(Aye), at the term of three days arrived at the pleasaunce appointed.

Sate they down in their ambush (?), the hunter and the hetaera,

50 One day, two days they sat by the place where (the beasts) drank (their) water.

(Then) at last came the cattle to take their fill in their drinking.

Thither the animals came that their hearts might delight in the water,

(Aye), there was Enkidu also, he whom the mountains had gender’d,

E’en with gazelles did he pasture on herbage, along with the cattle

5 Drank he his fill, with the beasts did his heart delight at the water,

So beheld him the courtesan-girl, the lusty great fellow,

(O but) a monster (all) savage from out of the depths of the...