Chapter 2: Lover

Supplicant: O Inanna of the Tavern,
Your supplicant draws near
And stands before you as Dumuzid, whom you desire;
Ára, Inanna-eš-dam!

O Inanna of the Holy Vulva,
Your supplicant draws near
And stands before you as Dumuzid, whom you love;
Ára, Inanna-ku-gal-la!

O Inanna of the Dusk,
Your supplicant draws near
And stands before you as Dumuzid, whom you hold dear;
Ára, Inanna-sig!

Speak, O passionate one, that I may know your caress!

The Goddess: I dress in linen, like a woman with no need of a man's approval;
My breasts are draped in precious gems.
I dress for the inner chamber, like a bride;
My hands and feet are decorated with henna
And the taste of honey is upon my tongue.

I dress for the art of love-making, passion,
The kissing of the phallus, and the caress of the vulva;
My hips are clad in silver and gold
And all who gaze upon me are spellbound by my dance.

Supplicant: Speak, O passionate one, that I may know your caress!

The Goddess: Rising up as the new bride,
I take that which is promised to me in the cool hours of dawn;
My lover concedes and delivers his body into my hands;
I draw out that which brings me pleasure and leave him longing for more.

Rising up as the harlot in the city gates,
I lay hold of that which is due to me in the heat of midday;
The men of the city concede and one by one
I take them in turn and bind them into servitude.

I command the plowing of the field,
And the bounty of the earth is poured out into my lap.
Rising up as the evening star,
I seize that which would be given to another.

Dumuzid concedes and brings pleasure to my body;
I give him the names desired by kings and set him upon a throne.

Supplicant: Speak, O passionate one, that I may know your caress!