Istanbul 2461
Created 2037 BC - Mesopotamia ( Iraq today )
On Display in the Istanbul Museum of the Ancient Orient
A Love Poem from a Priestess of Inanna to her king Shu-Sin
Bridegroom, Spend the Night in Our House Till Dawn
Bridegroom, dear to my heart,
Goodly is your beauty,
honeysweet.
Lion, dear to my heart,
Goodly is your beauty,
honeysweet.
Bridegroom, let me caress you,
My precious caress,
is more savory than honey,
In the bedchamber, honey filled,
Let me enjoy your goodly beauty,
Lion, let me caress you,
My precious caress,
is more savory than honey.
Bridegroom,
you have taken
your pleasure of me,
Tell my mother,
she will give you delicacies,
My father, he will give you gifts.
You, because you love me,
Give me pray of your caresses,
My lord god, my lord protector,
My Shu-Sin, who gladdens Enlil’s heart,
Give my pray of your caresses.