Then Syllikmas entered and, seeing us so familiar, seated herself upon the bench. She took Glottis upon one knee, Kyse on the other, and said: “Come here, little one.” But I remained away. She resumed: “Art thou afraid of us? Approach, thou: these children love thee. They will teach thee something thou knowest not: the honey of the caresses of a woman. “Man is violent and lazy. Doubtless thou knowest this. Avoid him. He has a flat chest, a rough skin, short hair, shaggy arms. But women are altogether beautiful. “Women alone know how to love; stay with us, Bilitis, stay. And if thou hast an ardent soul, thou wilt see thy beauty, as in a mirror, upon the bodies of women, thy lovers.” XLIX UNCERTAINTY I know not whether I should espouse Glottis or Kyse. As they are not like each other, one would not console me for the other, and I fear lest I choose badly. They each hold one of my hands and one of my breasts also. But to which shall I give my mouth? to which shall I give my heart and all that one cannot divide? It is shameful to remain thus, all three in one house. They talk of it in Mytilene. Yesterday, before the temple of Ares, a woman who passed did not greet me. It is Glottis whom I prefer; but I cannot reject Kyse. What would become of her, all alone? Shall I leave them as they were, and take for myself another friend? L THE MEETING I have found her like a treasure, in a field, under a bush of myrtle, enveloped from throat to feet in a yellow peplos broidered with blue. “I have no friend,” she said; “for the nearest city is forty stadia from here. I live alone with my mother who is a widow and always sad. If thou wishest, I will follow thee. “I will follow thee to thy house, were it at the other side of the island, and I will live with thee until thou sendest me away. Thy hand is soft and thine eyes are blue. “Let us go. I carry nothing with me but this little naked Astarte which hangs from my necklace. We will put it near thine and we will give them roses in recompense for each night.” LI THE LITTLE TERRA COTTA ASTARTE The little guardian Astarte which protects Mnasidika was modeled at Camiros by a skilful potter. It is large as a thumb and of fine yellow earth. Its hair falls back and curls upon its narrow shoulders. Its eyes are cut very long and its mouth is very small. For it is the Most-Beautiful. With its right hand it points to its delta which is worked with little holes on the lower belly and along the groins. For it is the Most-Amorous-One. With the left arm it supports its heavy, round breasts. Between its wide hips protrudes a fecund belly. For it is the Mother-Of-All-Things. LII DESIRE