Feel free to act this out at home!

THE COURTSHIP OF INANNA AND DUMUZI


Utu, the Son God: The brother spoke to this younger sister The Sun God, Utu, spoke to Inanna, saying: 'Young Lady, the flax in its fullness is lovely, Inanna, the grain is glistening in the furrow. I will hoe it for you, I will bring it to you A piece of linen, big or small, is always needed. Inanna, I will bring it to you.'
Inanna: 'Brother, after you've brought me the flax, who will comb it for me?
Utu: Sister, I will bring it to you combed.'
Inanna: 'Utu, after you've brought it to me combed, who will spin it for me?
Utu: 'Sister, I will bring it to you spun.'
Inanna: 'Brother, after you've brought the flax to me spun, who will braid it for me?
Utu: 'Sister, I will bring it to you braided.'
Inanna: 'Utu, after you've brought it to me braided, who will warp it for me?'
Utu: 'Inanna, I will bring it to you warped.'
Inanna:'Brother, after you've brought the flax to me warped, who will weave it for me?'
Utu: 'Sister, I will bring it to you woven.'
Inanna: 'Utu, after you've brought it to me woven, who will bleach it for me?'
Utu: 'Inanna, I will bring it to you bleached.'
Inanna: 'Brother, after you've brought my bridal sheet to me, Who will go to bed with me? Utu, who will go to bed with me?'
Utu: 'Sister, your bridegroom will go to be with you He who was born from a fertile womb, He who was conceived on the sacred marriage throne Dumuzi, the shepherd! He will go to bed with you.'
(The couple acts out the words told by the Narrator)

Narrator: Inanna bathed and annointed herself with scented oil. She covered her body with the royal robe She arranged her precious lapis beads around her neck She took the royal seal in her hand Dumuzi waited expectantly Inanna opened the door for him Inside the house she shone before him Like the light of the moon Dumuzi looked at her joyously, he pressed his neck close against hers, he kissed her
Inanna: 'Let the bed that rejoices the heart be prepared! Let the bed that sweetens the loins be prepared! Let the bed of kingship be prepared! Let the bed of queenship be prepared! Let the royal bed be prepared!' Inanna spreads the bridal sheet across the bed: 'The bed is ready! 'The bed is waiting!'
Inanna (Dance: lines read out) 'What I tell you, let the singer weave into song What I tell you, let it flow from ear to mouth Let it pass from old to young. 'My vulva, the horn, the Boat of Heaven, Is full of eagerness like the young moon As for me, Inanna, who will plow my vulva? Who will plow my high field? Who will plow my wet ground? As for me, the young woman, who will plow my vulva?
Dumuzi: 'Great Lady, the king will plow your vulva. I, Dumuzi, the King, will plow your vulva!'
Inanna: 'Then plow my vulva, man of my heart! Plow my vulva!'
Dumuzi: 'O Lady, your breast is your field Inanna, your breast is your field. Your broad field pours out plants Your broad field pours out grain. Water flows from on high for your servant Bread flows from on high for your servant Pour it out for me, Inanna, I will drink all you offer!
Inanna: 'I bathed for the wild bull I bathed for the shepherd Dumuzi Now I will caress my high priest on the bed I will caress the faithful shepherd Dumuzi I will decree a sweet fate for him!'
Narrator: The Queen of Heaven who was presented the Sacred Measures by Enki Inanna, the first daughter of the moon, decreed the fate of Dumuzi.
Inanna: 'In battle, I am your leader In combat, I am your armour-bearer In the assembly, I am your advocate On the campaign, I am your inspiration You, the chosen shepherd of the holy shrine You, the king, the faithful provider of Uruk, You, the light of An's great shrine In all ways you are fit To hold your head high on the lofty dais To sit on the lapis lazuli throne To cover your head with the holy crown To wear long clothes on your body To bind yourself with the garment of kingship To race on the road with the holy sceptre in your hand And the holy sandals on you feet You, the sprinter, the chosen shepherd In all ways I find you fit May your heart enjoy long days. That which An determined for you - may it not be altered That which Enlil has granted - may it not be altered You are the favourite of Ningal Inanna holds you dear.'
Narrator: Ninshubur, the faithful servant of the holy shrine of Uruk Led Dumuzi to the sweet thighs of Inanna and spoke:
Ninshubur (taking Dumuzi's hand and placing it in Inanna's) 'My queen, here is the choice of your heart The king, your beloved bridegroom May he spend long days in the sweetness of your holy loins Give him a favourable and glorious reign! O my Queen of Heaven and Earth Queen of all the Universe May he enjoy long days in the sweetness of your holy loins!'
Narrator: The king went with lifted head on the holy loins Dumuzi went with lifted head to the loins of Inanna He went to the Queen with lifted head He opened his arms to the holy Priestess of Heaven

Information thanks to http://www.gatewaystobabylon.com/myths/texts/inanna/ts94.htm