Earlier there was no one dearer to me than you,

And later too there was none dearer.

The love for you, the delight in you is breath together with life.

This should not change for life.

Thus I thought: with the one beloved will I live well

Lifelong without deceit without pretense.

The god Karman alone knew this my thought.

Therefore, he caused dissension and tore from me the heart that belonged to you.

The joy I had in you, he took away from me.

 
 
 

 

Tocharian Love Song

(from the Indo-European settlements of the Takla Makan desert)
Translation, Mallory & Mair, The Tarim Mummies


title

 
     
Return to Tarim Tapestry   EndTapestry