Upon my arms, crushed mint; upon my lashes and upon my eyes sweet-marjoram of Kôs. Slave, loosen my hair and fill it with the smoke of incense. Here is oinanthe from the mountains of Cypros; I will let it slip between my breasts; the liquor of roses which comes from Phaselis shall perfume my neck and my cheeks. And now, pour upon my loins the irresistible bakkaris. It is better, for a courtesan, to know the perfumes of Lydia than the ways of the Peloponnesus. CI CONVERSATION “Good morning.--Good morning also.--Thou art in a great hurry.--Perhaps less than thou thinkest.--Thou art a pretty girl.--Perhaps more so than thou believest. “What is thy charming name?--I tell it not so quickly.--Thou hast someone this evening?--Always there is my lover.--And how dost thou love him?--As he wishes. “Let us sup together.--If thou desirest. But what givest thou?--This.--Five drachmæ? It is for my slave. And for me?--Say it thyself.--An hundred. “Where livest thou?--In this blue house.--At what hour may I send to seek thee?--At once, if thou wishest.--At once.--Go before.” CII THE TORN ROBE “Holla! by the two goddesses, who is the insolent one who has put his foot upon my robe?--It is a lover.--It is a blockhead.--I have been awkward, pardon me. “Imbecile! my yellow robe is all torn in the back, and if I walk thus in the street, they will take me for a poor girl who serves Cypris inversely. “Wilt thou not stop?--I believe that he speaks to me again!--Why dost thou leave me, thus angered?... Thou respondest not? Alas! I dare speak no more. “I certainly must return to my house to change my robe.--And may I not follow thee? Who is thy father?--He is the rich captain Nikias.--Thou hast fair eyes, I pardon thee.” CIII THE JEWELS A diadem of fretted gold crowns my straight, white forehead. Five chains of gold that follow the curve of my cheeks and chin, are suspended from my hair by two large clasps. Upon my arms, which Iris would envy, thirteen silver bracelets twine. How heavy they are! But they are weapons; and I know one enemy who has suffered from them. I am truly all covered with gold. My breasts are cuirassed with two pectorals of gold. The images of the gods have not more riches than I have. And I wear upon my heavy robe, a girdle of silver plates. There thou canst read this verse: “Love me eternally; but be not afflicted if I deceive thee three times each day.” CIV THE INDIFFERENT ONE Since he has entered my chamber, whoever he may be (that is his concern): “See,” I say to my slave, “what a handsome man! and should not a courtesan be happy?”