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pec Pound, Ezra
Love poems of ancient
Egypt

3S4A912
334912
893.1
pbeat Pound, Ezra

Love poems of ancient

Egypt

480 PRIMROSE ROAD

BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA 94010
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“Theoriginal1961:‘edition’"Of.thischarming|
“litle.‘collection.ofEgyptianlove|poemshav=~
fing:become:hardto obtain, ‘NewDirections |
“has: reissued. the’book‘i‘in:a:‘completely:new”
, format.and.§‘setting.‘The:material.is taken’"
4from "| ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and ©
- pottery:inscriptions of the New Kingdom,
.. whichwerefirst renderediintoliteralItalian --
| by Boris de Rachewiltzandthen translated."
~ into.English byEzra Poundand NoelStock:
‘With the:intricate andformal.splendors of:
“the Valley of theNileso muchin the public:‘a
“eye, Itis especiallydelightful’to readthese:!
everyday” lyrics ofyouthful. flirtation and
~-passion:,Thecolor,freshness, and. vitalityof-
.. these poemsoffer anenchantingand unique*:
t
- revelationoflifein.Esyeemore. ethan three.
LOVE POEMS OF ANCIENT EGYPT

ib
 Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

http://archive.org/details/lovepoemsofancieOOpoun
 LOVE POEMS
OF ANCIENT
EGYPT

TRANSLATED BY EZRA POUND

AND NOEL STOCK

NEW DIRECTIONS
© 1960 by Ezra Pound, © 1962 by Noel Stock
© 1962 by New Directions
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 62-16925
ISBN: 0-8112-0158-9

NOTE
These versions are based on literal renderings of the hieroglyphic texts
into Italian by Boris de Rachewiltz, which first appeared in the volume
Liriche Amorose degli Antichi Egizioni, published by Vanni Scheiwiller, Milan,
in 1957. Most of the original Egyptian texts have survived only in
incomplete form, but, for the purpose of modern adaptation, it has seemed
desirable to present each poem as complete. The sources for the poetry are:
the Turin (Maspero) Papyrus, the Harris 500 and Chester Beatty I & II
Papyri in the British Museum, and the Ostrakon No. 25218 pottery in the
Cairo Museum—all dating between 1567 and 1085 B.C.

“Conversations in Courtship’’ appeared in X, A Quarterly Review, London,1.4

(October, 1960) pages 253-7; and in National Review, New York, IX.16
(22 October, 1960) pages 244-5.

Reset for a new printing in 1978. Designed by Karolina Harris.

Manufacturedin the United States of America
New Directions Books are published for James Laughlin
by New Directions Publishing Corporation, 333 Sixth Avenue,
New York 10014.
CONVERSATIONS
IN COURTSHIP

Mh
HE SAYS:
Darling, you only, there is no duplicate,
Morelovely than all other womanhood,
luminous, perfect,
A star comingover the sky-line at new year,
a goodyear,
Splendid in colours,
with allure in the eye’s turn.
Her lips are enchantment,
her neckthe right length
and her breasts a marvel;
Herhair lapislazuli in its glitter,
her arms moresplendid than gold.
Her fingers make meseepetals,
the lotus’ are like that.
Her flanks are modeled as should be,
her legs beyondall other beauty.
Noble her walking
(vera incessu)
Myheart would be slave should she unfold me.
Every neck turns—thatis her fault—
to lookat her.
Fortune's who can utterly embraceher;
he would standfirst amongall younglovers.
Deo m1 paresse
Every eye keeps following her
even after she has stepped outof range,
A single goddess,
uniquely.

SHE SAYS:
His voice unquiets my heart,
It’s the voice’s fault if I suffer.
My mother’s neighbor!
But I can’t go see him,
Oughtshe to enrage me?

MOTHER:
Oh,stop talking aboutthatfellow,
the mere thoughtof him is revolting.

SHE:
I am madeprisoner ‘cause I love him.

MOTHER:
But he’s a mere kid with nobrains.

SHE:
So am I, I am just like him
and he don’t know I wantto put my armsround him.
THAT would make mamatalk...

Maythe golden goddess makefate,

and make him mydestiny.
Cometo whereI can see you.
Myfather and mother will then be happy
Because everyonelikes to throw parties for you
And they would get to doing it too.

SHE SAYS:
I wanted to comeouthere whereit’s lovely
and get somerest,
Now I meet Mehyin his carriage
with a gang of other youngfellows,
Howcan I turn back?

Can I walk in front of him

as if it did not matter?
Oh,theriver is the only wayto get by
and I can’t walk on the water.

Mysoul youareall in a muddle.

If I walk in front of him mysecret will show,
I'll blurt out mysecrets; say:
Yours!

Andhe will mention my name and

hand meoverto just any one of them
who merely wants a good time.

SHE SAYS:
Myheartrunsoutif I think how I love him,
I can't just act like anyoneelse.
It, my heart,is all out of place
It won't let me choose a dress
or hide back of myfan.
I can’t put on my eye make-up
or pick a perfume.

‘Don’t stop, come into the house.”

That’s what myheartsaid, one time,
Anddoes, every time I think of my beloved.
Don't play the fool with me, oh heart.
Whyare you such anidiot?
Sit quiet! keep calm
and he'll cometo you.
And myalertness won'tlet people say:
This girl is unhinged with love.
When you remember him
stand firm andsolid,
don’t escape me.

HE SAYS:
I adore the gold-gleaming Goddess,
Hathor the dominant,
andI praise her.
I exalt the Lady of Heaven,
I give thanksto the Patron.
She hears my invocation
and has fated me to mylady,
Whohas comehere, herself, to find me.
What felicity came in with her!
I rise exultant
in hilarity
and triumph whenI havesaid:
Now,
Andbehold her.
Lookat it!
The youngfellowsfall at her feet.
Loveis breathed into them.

I make vows to my Goddess,

because she has given methis girl for my own.
I have been prayingthree days,
calling her name.
For five days she has abandoned me.

SHE SAYS:
I wentto his house, and the door was open.
Mybeloved wasat his ma’s side
with brothers andsisters about him.
Everybody whopasses has sympathyfor him,
an excellent boy, nonelike him,
a friend of rare quality.
Helooked at me when passed
and myheart wasin jubilee.
If my mother knew what I am thinking
she would go to him at once.

O Goddess of Golden Light,

put that thoughtinto her,
ThenI could visit him
Andput my armsround him while people were looking
And not weep because ofthe crowd,
But would be glad that they knew it
and that you know me.
What a feast I would make to my Goddess,
Myheartrevolts at the thoughtofexit,
If I could see my darling tonight,
Dreamingis loveliness.

HE SAYS:
Yesterday. Seven days and I havenotseen her.
My maladyincreases;
limbs heavy!
I know not myself any more.
Highpriest is no medicine, exorcism is useless:
a disease beyond recognition.
I said: She will make melive,
her namewill rouse me,
Her messages arethelife of my heart
coming and going.
Mybelovedis the best of medicine,
morethanall pharmacopoeia.
Myhealth is in her coming,
I shall be cured at the sightofher.
Let her open my eyes
and mylimbsarealive again;
Let her speak and mystrength returns.
Embracingher will drive out my malady.
Seven days and
she has abandoned me.

EZRA POUND
LOVE LYRICS

Me
I
Diving and swimming with youhere
Gives methe chance I’ve been waiting for:
To show mylooks
Before an appreciative eye.

Mybathingsuit of the best material,

The finest sheer,
Nowthatit’s wet
Notice the transparency,
Howit clings.

Let us admit, I find you attractive.

I swim away, but soon I’m back,
Splashing, chattering,
Anyexcuseat all to join yourparty.

Look! a redfish flashed through myfingers!

You ll see it better
If you comeover here,
Near me.

II
Nothing, nothing can keep me from mylove
Standing on the othershore.
7
Not even old crocodile
There on the sandbank betweenus
Can keep us apart.

I go in spite of him,
I walk upon the waves,
Her love flows back across the water,
Turning waves to solid earth
For me to walk on.

The river is our Enchanted Sea.

IT]
To have seen her
To have seen her approaching
Such beautyis
Joy in my heartforever.
Nortimeeternal take back
What she has brought to me.

IV
When she welcomes me
Arms open wide
I feel as sometraveler returning
From thefar land of Punt.

All things change; the mind, the senses,

Into perfumerich andstrange.

And when she parts her lips to kiss

My headis light, I am drunk without beer.
V
If 1 were one of her females
Alwaysin attendance
(Never a step away)
I would be able to admire
The resplendence
Of her body
Entire.

If I were her laundryman, for a month,

I would be able to wash from her veils
The perfumesthat linger.

I would be willing tosettle for less

And beher ring, the seal on her finger.
MORE LOVE LYRICS
‘i

I
Mealtime: time for you to leave?
Youronly mistress, I fear, is your belly!

Why hurry? Why shopfor clothing

At this hour? Why worry, mylove,
The covers on my bedarefine.

Youare thirsty?
Hereis mybreast,
Overflowing.

I]
Your love pervades my body
As wine pervades water when
Wine and water mingle.

ITI
A lotus bud her beauty
Like fruit her breast.

Herface is like a snare in a forest of meryu

And I, a poor wild goose,
A poorwild goose drawn down
To take the bait.

IV
Downriver to the rhythm of rowers
Going to Memphis, my bundle of rushes on
my shoulder,
Memphis, known as the “Life of Two Lands.”
Andto the great god Ptah I will say
‘God of Truth, let me lie with my love tonight.”

Ah! the very thought turns river to wine,

The wine goes to my head,
Ptah inhabits the river reeds,
Goddess Sekhmet the riverside flowers,
The god Nefertem bloomsin the lotus bloom.

The thoughtof my love's beauty

Is dawnrise
Lighting the sky.

The city of Memphis standson the skyline

Mylove’s offering
Her chalice of fruit for Ptah
God with the shining face.

V
Damnher, I will go homeonsick leave!
Andshe will be among the neighbors
Whentheyfind me.
It will be most interesting to see what she does,

11
Especially when the doctors arrive and are puzzled.
For she knows moreabout this illness
Than they do.

VI
My darling’s castle has double doors,
Wide open.
Nowthat she boils with anger
I long to be her doorkeeper
To receive her tongue-lashing.
That way I would be able to hear her when
she’s angry,
Like any young urchin, peepingin terror.

VII
HE
I sail the “King’s Waters,”
Andthen into the waterways of Heliopolis:
My destination the place of tents
At the entrance to Mertu Harbor.
I must hurry!
Restless, excited,
My heart goes out in prayer,
Prayer to the sun god Ra
For a quick, safe voyage.
I will be able to see her
As she walksbeside the river.

SHE
With you here at Mertu
Is like being at Heliopolis already.
Wereturn to the tree-filled garden,
My armsfull of flowers.

Looking at myreflection in thestill pool—

My armsfull of flowers—
I see you creeping on tip-toe
To kiss me from behind,
My hair heavy with perfume.

With your arms around me

I feel as if I belong to the Pharaoh.
PLEASANT SONGS OF THE
SWEETHEART WHO MEETS
YOU IN THE FIELDS
ND i

I
You, mine, my love,
My heart strives to reach the heights of your love.

See, sweet, the bird-trap set with my ownhand.

See the birds of Punt,

Perfume a-wing
Like a shower of myrrh
Descending on Egypt.

Let us watch my handiwork,

The twoof us, together in the fields.

I]
Theshrill of the wild goose
Unabletoresist
The temptation of mybait.

While I, in a tangle oflove,

Unable to break tree,
Must watch the bird carry away my nets.
14
And when my mother returns, loaded with birds,
Andfinds me empty-handed,
What shall I say?

That I caught no birds?

That I myself was caught in your net?

III
Even whenthebirdsrise
Wave mass on wave massin great flight
I see nothing, I am blind
Caught up as | am and carried away
Twohearts obedient in their beating
My life caught up with yours
Your beauty the binding.

IV
Without your love, my heart would beat no more;
Without your love, sweet cake seemsonly salt;
Without yourlove, sweet “‘shedeh”’ turnsto bile.
O listen, darling, my heart’s life needs your love;
For whenyoubreathe, mineis the heart that beats.

V
With candor I confess my love;
I love you, yes, and wish to love you closer;
As mistress of your house,
Your arm placed over mine.
15
Alas your eyes areloose.
I tell my heart: ““My lord
Has moved away. During
The night moved away
Andleft me. Iam like a tomb.”
And I wonder:Is there no sensation
Left, when you cometo me?
Nothingat all?

Alas those eyes which lead youastray,

Forever on the loose.
Andyet I confess with candor
That no matter whereelse they roam
If they roam toward me
I enter intolife.

VI
The swallowsings ‘‘Dawn,
Whither fadeth the dawn?”’

So fades my happy night

Mylovein bed beside me.

Imagine my joy at his whisper:

“T'll never leave you,’’ he said.
‘Your hand in mine we ll stroll
In every beautiful path.”

Moreover helets the world know

That I am first among his women
And myheart grieves no longer.
VII
Head out the door—
Is he coming?

Ears alert for his step,

And a heart that never stops talking about him.

A messenger:
“I’m not well...”
Whydoesn’t he comestraight out
Andtell me
He’s found another girl.

One moreheart to suffer.

VII
I writhe so for lost love
Half my hair hasfallen in grief.

I am having myhair recurled andset,

Ready, just in case...
PLEASANT SONGS

I
O flowers of Mekhmekh. give us peace!
For vou I will follow mvheart’s dictation.

When you embrace me

So bright is the light that shines trom you
I need balm tor myeves.

Knowing for certain that vou love me

I nestle at vour side.

Myheart is sure that amongall

Men vouare the main onetor me.

The whole world shines

I wish we could go on sleeping together.
Like this, to the end ofeternity.

I]
So small are the tlowers of Seamu
Whoever looks at themteels a giant.

I am first among vour loves.

Like a freshly sprinkled garden otgrass and
pertumed tlowers.
18
Pleasant is the channel you have dug
In the freshness of the north wind.

Tranquil our paths

When your handrests on minein joy.

Your voice gives life, like nectar.

To see you, is more than food or drink.

IT]
There are flowers of Zait in the garden.
I cut and bind flowersfor you,
Makinga garland,
And when you get drunk
And lie downto sleep it off,
I am the one whobathes the dust from your feet.
GARDEN SONGS
o iy

I
The pomegranate speaks:
Myleavesare like your teeth
Myfruit like yourbreasts.
I, the most beautiful of fruits,
Am present in all weathers, all seasons,
As the lover stays forever with the beloved,
Drunk on “‘shedeh”’ and wine.

All the trees lose their leaves, all

Trees but the pomegranate.
I alonein all the garden lose not my beauty,
I remainstraight.
When myleaves fall,
Newleavesare budding.
First amongfruits
I demandthat myposition be acknowledged,
I will not take secondplace.
Andif I receive such an insult again
You will never hear the endofit.

With lotus in bloom

And lotus in bud,
Andoil and sweet myrrh ofevery kind,
You will be amongthe contented
Forthe rose pavilion is highly thought of
And well looked after.
Thereheis!
Let us go up and embrace him
Andkeep him hereall day long.

I]
Hear the voiceofthefigtree:
Compliments to mylady.
Who more noble than I?
Why not yourservant, if you have none?
They brought me from Syria
As plunder for the beloved.

I drink all day, not water

From the waterskin, but beauty.

III
Thelittle sycamore that you planted with your own hands
Movesits mouth to speak.

Howlovely his branches, lovely

As they sway, and swaying, whisper,
Their whisper sweet as honey.

The branches bend with plumpfruit

Redderthan the blood-redjasper,
Leaves like malachite.

They are drawnto you from afar

Whoare not yet in your cool shade.
You entice a loveletter
From the hand of that younggirl,
Daughter of the head gardener,
21
Whorunsupto her lover, saying
‘‘Let us go somewherequiet.”
The gardenisin full splendor,
With tent pavilions;
Andall for you.
Mygardenersrejoice to see you.

Send your slaves for the music gear,

Prepareforfeasting.
Merely to run toward youis cool water
For a man whois thirsty.

Your servants are coming with beer of every brand,

Cakes, pastries, fresh flowers overflowing
Their baskets, and fresh coolfruit.

Stay one day, one day of happiness,

And tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow,
Three whole days in my shade.

The chosen onesits at his right,

He plies her with liquor
Until she is ready to do anythinghesays.

With everybody dead drunk,

Noneof them a clue what is going on,
Hepursues his course in earnest.

Andthat is all I am telling:

My discretion is such
That ofthe things that follow
I give not a single hint.
SWEET PHRASES
.
I
My girlfriend's house is rowdy
That is the only wayto describeit.
Crammedall night with song and dance
Overflowing with beer and wine.

I consider how melodies entwine,

Andfinally, after my love has forced theissue
With a request for active cooperation,
I conclude that the night has been worthit,
after all.

And tomorrow?
The sameold song.

I]
If you find yourself at the ivy-covered house
Before the other guests arrive,
Makeyourself at home
In the banquet hall.

Flowersstir in the breeze,

Which, if it is not smothered by perfume,
Will manage to convey to you
The quality of some of the fragrance, at least.

23
Perfumespreads,
Drunkennessbegins.

That girl there, the one like Noubt:

If you are lucky enoughto receive her asa gift,
Myfriend, you should be preparedto offer sacrifice
of yourlife
As the only thing worthyin return.

ITI
She is a collector of men.

As accurate as the tax-gatherer withhislariat

On the hunt for some poor farmer’s cattle.

She fixed me with her eye,

Etherized me with her perfume,
Finally lassoed me with her long darkhair.

And nowshehas branded me

With her branding-ironoffire.

IV
Mouse, whydo you whisper love in your heartall day?
Whydo youtalk about her, incessantly,
All the time, any time
Except whensheis presentin the flesh?
Damnit all, man,
Goto her, and try to look as if you meanbusiness!

24
V
I find mylovefishing
His feet in the shallows.

Wehavebreakfast together,
Anddrinkbeer.

I offer him the magic of mythighs

Heis caughtin thespell.

VI
I refuse to put up with her insults.
She made me wait hoursat the door when called
And then whenshe did comeout, she
Didn't even say good evening,the rotten bitch.

God, how she’s changedher tune.

She doesn’t wantto spend the night with me.
She doesn’t even wantto talk to me.

VII
Youarrive at her house,
Yourlucky night, perhaps?
I knock and nothing happens.
The doorkeeper must have goneto bed.

Latch! how canI get in?

Please, bolt, wish me luck, be my
Goodgenie, it’s me, yourold friend,
I pass this way often.

25
I promise to offer the following:
a bull to the interior
an ox to the latch
a gazelle to the bolt
a goose to the catch
If only you will let me in!

Of course the best cuts of meat

Will go to those apprentice carpenters
Who havesense enough to make
Thelatch from roses
Andthe door from reeds, so that
The lover may enter his sweetheart's house
At any hour;
With fine linen on the bed
Andthe beloved waiting.

What she actually said to me was:

“Excuse me, butthis palace is for the Governor’s son.”’
HASTE

W
I
Comeswiftly to your love,
As a royal messenger spurred on by the
Impatience of his master—that is, if
Royal messengersare to be believed.

Come swiftly,
The entire stable is at your disposal,
The chariot ready.

No headlong horses
—When you meet her—
Will match the stampedeof yourheart.

I]
Comeheadlong
To your mistress’ house
Like the pride of the king’s stable,
Chosen from a thousand thoroughbreds,
Trained onspecial feed,
Whobreaksinto unrivaled gallop
At the mere mention of the wordstirrup,
So that not even the headtrainer
(Whois a Hittite)
Can hold him in.

27
How well he knows her heart
Who mustalwaysbe near him.

Itt
Comeas the desertgazelle
Spurred on to zig-zag in nervoushaste
Crossing and re-crossing the track
In terror of yelping dogs and hunter;
Whoat last has bearings,
And breaksoff in a line of straight speed
With eye on the hideout.

You safe within your mistress’ house

Kissing her hands, making
A fitting proclamationof your love,
You doall this
All within the great pre-destined framework
Of the golden goddess.