Ancient Egyptians Love Poetry

Ancient Egyptians Love

Love Poem extract from a 3,000 year-old papyrus The ancient Egyptians left behind various love poems which relate the emotions felt all those thousands of years ago. And yet, they can be read as if they apply to us in the 21st century - has anything really changed? I think not

 

 

 

 

She is one girl, there is no one like her.

She is more beautiful than any other.

Look, she is like a star goddess arising

at the beginning of a happy new year;

brilliantly white, bright skinned;

with beautiful eyes for looking,

with sweet lips for speaking;

she has not one phrase too many.

With a long neck and white breast,

her hair of genuine lapis lazuli;

her arm more brilliant than gold;

her fingers like lotus flowers,

with heavy buttocks and girt waist.

Her thighs offer her beauty,

with a brisk step she treads on ground.

She has captured my heart in her embrace.

She makes all men turn their necks

to look at her.

One looks at her passing by,

this one, the unique one

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Two more works from different periods

my beautiful one

I wish I were part of your affairs, like a wife.

With your hand in mine

your love would be returned.

I implore my heart:

"If my true love stays away tonight,

I shall be like someone already

in the grave."

Are you not my health and my life?

How joyful is your good health

for the heart that seeks you

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I wish I were your mirror

so that you always looked at me.

I wish I were your garment

so that you would always wear me.

I wish I were the water that washes

your body.

I wish I were the unguent, O woman,

that I could annoit you.

And the band around your breasts,

and the beads around your neck.

I wish I were your sandal

that you would step on me!

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