Earth's Oldest Love Poem

The Love Song Of Shu-Sin

loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Darling of my heart, my belovéd, 
your enticements are sweet, sweeter than honey. 
Darling of my heart, my belovéd, 
your enticements are sweet, sweeter than honey. 

You have captivated me; I stand trembling before you. 
Darling, lead me swiftly into the bedroom! 
You have captivated me; I stand trembling before you. 
Darling, lead me swiftly into the bedroom! 

Sweetheart, let me do the sweetest things to you! 
My precocious caress is far sweeter than honey! 
In the bedchamber, dripping love's honey, 
let us enjoy life's sweetest thing. 
Sweetheart, let me do the sweetest things to you! 
My precocious caress is much sweeter than honey! 

Bridegroom, you will have your pleasure with me! 
Speak to my mother and she will reward you; 
speak to my father and he will give you gifts. 
I know how to give your body pleasure ...
then sleep, my darling, till the sun rises. 

To prove that you love me, 
give me your caresses, 
my Lord God, my guardian Angel and protector, 
my Shu-Sin, who gladdens Enlil's heart, 
give me your caresses! 
My place like sticky honey, touch it with your hand! 
Place your hand over it like a honey-pot lid! 
Cup your hand over it like a honey cup! 

This is a balbale-song of Inanna.