Egyptian poem translated by John L. Foster

- I Was Simply Off to See Nefrus My Friend

I was simply off to see Nefrus my friend,
Just to sit and chat at her place
(about men).
When there, hot on his horses, comes Mehy
(Oh god, I said to myself, it's Mehy!)
Right over the crest of the road
wheeling alng with the boys.

O Mother Hathor, what shall I do?
Don't let him see me!
Where can I hide?
Make me a small creeping thing
to slip by his eye
(sharp as Horus')
unseen.

Oh, look nat you, feet-
(this road is a river!)
you walk me right out of my depth!
Someone, silly heart, is exceedingly ignorant here-
Aren't you a little too easy near Mehy?

If he sees that I see him, I know
he will know how my heart flutters
(Oh, Mehy!)
I know I will blurt out,
"Please take me!"
(I mustn't)

No, all he would do is brag out my name,
just one of the many...
(I know)...
Mehy would make me just one of the girls
for all of the boys in the palace
(Oh Mehy).

The Raven | Eldorado | Cloony the Clown | Evangeline
Southbound on the Freeway | I Was Simply Off to See Nefrus My Friend
In the Workhouse Christmas Day | Sunrise, Sunset
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking | XX
Flowers Are Red