Ideals of beauty should be worshiped by all men.


Ideals of beauty were worshiped by Egyptian men. Their effect on the male populace echoes the yearning so prevalent in modern society. A beautiful Egyptian earthly goddess could certainly turn the heads of adoring fellows.

She makes all men turn their necks
to look at her.
One looks at her passing by,
this one, the unique one. 

Here is another poem of adoration.

She is one girl, there is no one like her.
She is more beautiful than any other.
Look, she is a star goddess arising
at the beginning of a happy new year;
brilliantly white, bright skinned;
with beautiful eyes for looking,
with sweet lips for speaking;
she has not one phrase too many. . . .
(from Papyrus Chester Beatty I in Dublin, c. 1000 BC)


And this guy really really falls for the woman, even to the extent of elation while sacrificing his favorite beverage.

It will be for me a spell against the water
For I see my heart,
My beloved standing right before my face.
My arms open wide to embrace her
And my heart if joyful in my breast.
She will be to me like eternity
Her lips open wide as I kiss her

 And I am joyful even without beer.

Romance was certainly alive in Egyptian imagery and in devotion to never-ending love.


Sister without peer
For heaven makes your love
Like the advance of flames in straw,
And its longing like the downward swoop of a hawk.
George A. Barton, Archaeology and The Bible, 3rd Ed.


As clean ritual robes to the flesh of Gods,
As fragrance of incense to one coming home
Hot from the smells of the street. It is like nipple-berries ripe in the hand,
Like the tang of grainmeal mingled with beer,
Like wine to the palate when taken with white bread.

While unhurried days come and go,
Let us turn to each other in quiet affection,
Walk in peace to the edge of old age.
And I shall be with you each unhurried day,
A woman given her wish: to see
For a lifetime the face of her lord.

translated by John L. Foster


And, honey was an often used sensual symbol. It contains boron, which stimulates the sex hormones in both males and females. Ancient Egyptians ate figs and honey in celebration of Ma'at -- the Goddess of truth, balance and order -- to remind themselves that truth is sweet.

Your love has penetrated all within me
Like honey plunged into water,
Like an odor which penetrates spices.


When her little sycamore begins to speak
The murmur of its leaves
Drips honey in the ear
Its fragrant words taste sweet
Her own hand, as soft and delicate as lotus.
from Love Songs of the New Kingdom


My beloved met me,
Took his pleasure of me, rejoiced as one with me.
The brother brought me into his house,
Laid me down on a fragrant honey-bed.
My precious sweet, lying by my heart,
One by one "tongue making", one by one,
My brother of fairest face did so fifty times, . . .

Man of my heart, my beloved man,
your allure is a sweet thing, as sweet as honey.
Man of my heart, my beloved man,
your allure is a sweet thing, as sweet as honey.
You have captivated me,
of my own free will I will come to you.
Man, let me flee with you—into the bedroom.
You have captivated me;
of my own free will I shall come to you.
Lad, let me flee with you—into the bedroom.
Man, let me do the sweetest things to you.
My precious sweet, let me bring you honey.
In the bedchamber dripping with honey
let us enjoy over and over your allure, the sweet thing.
Lad, let me do the sweetest things to you.
My precious sweet, let me bring you honey.
from The Song of Songs