Ancient Egyptian Love
Translated By Michael V. Fox

This song dates from the 19th or 20th Egyptian dynasty (ca. 1300-1100 B.C.E.). It was found written in hieroglyphics on a vase.

This love is as good
as oil and honey to the throat,
as linen to the body,
as fine garments to the gods,
as incense to worshippers when they enter in,
as the little seal-ring to my finger.

It is like a ripe pear in a man's hand.
It is like the dates we mix with wine.
It is like the seeds the baker adds to bread.

We will be together even when old age comes.

And the days in between
will be food set before us,
dates and honey, bread and wine.