Cairo Ostracon 2518

A man speaks of his love:

If I could just be the washerman
doing her laundry for one month only,
I would be faithful to pick up the bundles,
Sturdy to beat clean the heavy linens
But gentle to touch thouse finespun things
Lying closest the body I love
I would rinse with pure water the perfumes
That linger still in her tunics
And I'd dry my own flesh with the towels
She yesterday held to her face
The touch of her clothes their textures,
Her softness in them
Thank god for the body,
Its youthful vigor!

Papyrus Chester Beatty I

A woman speaks of her intended boyfriend
I just chanced to be happening by
in the neighborhood where he lives;
His door, as I hoped, was open
And I spied on my secret love
How tall he stood by his...