Most Ancient Verse

Translator(s): Thorkild Jacobsen, John A. Wilson.
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Miscellaneous Publications

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This volume presents a selection of Sumerian and Egyptian poems, translated by Thorkild Jacobsen and John A. Wilson. Most of these poems had never before appeared in English. The translations are purposefully juxtaposed in order to draw attention to some of the contrasts between these two very different ancient poetic traditions. The translations are also themselves works of art, carefully crafted to convey not only the content but also the tone, rhythm, and style of the originals.

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Table of Contents

Introduction. David Grene

Sumerian Verse

  1. The Kishkanu of White Magic
  2. Girl under the Moon
  3. Bucolic
  4. The Sister as Matchmaker
  5. Love Song to King Shu-Suen
  6. The Bride Sings
  7. Deadly Diseases
  8. You Were Too Young To Die
  9. The Wild Bull, Who Has Lain Down
  10. My Heart Plays a Reed Pipe
  11. The Dead Son to His Mother

Egyptian Verse

  1. Song of the Homecoming Army
  2. ...Or Not To Be
  3. There Is None Who Returns from Over There
  4. The Good Land of Eternity
  5. Hymn to the Sun
  6. The Voice of the Swallow
  7. Come Swiftly
  8. The Maiden Demure
  9. The Lovesick Youth
  10. The Good Fruit Tree
  • Miscellaneous Publications
  • Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1963
  • xii + 57 pages
  • Out of Print

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