Read the excerpt from gilgamesh: a new english version. gilgamesh backed away. he said, "how dreadful humbaba's face has become! it is changing into a thousand nightmare faces, more horrible than i can bear. i feel haunted. i am too afraid to go on." enkidu answered, "why, dear friend, do you speak like a coward? what you just said is unworthy of you. it grieves my heart. we must not hesitate or retreat." which sentence best states the theme of the excerpt? people must persevere despite their fears. enkidu is a loyal source of encouragement. gilgamesh needs support to overcome his fear. cowardice leads to defeat and death.