Part 19 (1/2)

Yet another:

”As an offering to thee, golden Cytherea, Timo consecrates this spiral bracelet. Mayest thou entwine vengeance round the throat of her thou wottest of, even as this silver serpent entwined itself around her naked arms.”

Myrtocleia and Rhodis advanced, holding one another by the hand.

”Here are two doves of Smyrna, with wings white as caresses, with feet red as kisses.

”O! double G.o.ddess of Amathontis, accept them of our joined hands, if it be true that the tender Adonis is not alone sufficient for thee and that sometimes thy sleep is r.e.t.a.r.ded by a yet sweeter embrace.”

A very young courtesan followed:

”Aphrodite Peribasia, receive my virginity with this blood-stained tunic. I am Pannychis of Pharos: I have dedicated myself to thee since last night.”

Another:

”Dorothea conjures thee, O charitable Epistrophia to remove far from her spirit the desire that Eros has implanted in it, or else to inflame for her the eyes of him that says her nay. She offers thee this branch of myrtle, because it is the tree thou lovest best.”

Another:

”On thine altar, O Paphia, Callistion places sixty silver drachmae, the balance of four minae she received from Cleomenos. Give her a lover still more generous if thou thinkest it a goodly offering.”

There remained before the altar only a blus.h.i.+ng little child who had occupied the last place in the procession. She held nothing in her hand but a little crocus wreath, and the priest scorned her for the poverty of her offering.

She said:

”I am not rich enough to give you silver coins, O glittering Olympian G.o.ddess. Besides, what could I give thee that thou lackest? Here are flowers, yellow and green, pleated into a wreath for thy feet. And now . . .”

She unbuckled the clasps of her tunic; the tissue slipped down to the ground and she stood revealed quite naked.

”I dedicate myself to thee body and soul, beloved G.o.ddess. I desire to enter thy gardens and die a courtesan of the temple. I swear to desire naught but love, I swear to love but to love, I renounce the world and I shut myself up in thee.”

Then the priest covered her with perfumes and enveloped her nudity in the veil woven by Tryphera. They left the nave together by the door opening into the gardens.

[Ill.u.s.tration]