Epic of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh is seaching for eternal life. The rose returns lost youth to those who hold it.... Ironically, Gilgamesh loses what he sought.

There is a plant that grows under the water, it has a prickle like a them, like a rose; it will wound your hands, but if you succeed in taking it, then your hands will hold that which restores his lost youth to a man.'