THE WAISTBAND OF HERMIONE

By

ASCLEPIADES
(4^th Century B.C.)

&/\&/\&

Chance one day found us alone together,

And, as happens, with one thing leading to another,

I found my fingers undoing the knot

That fastened the ceinture around her waist. It was shot

Through with lime green, jet, and organdy threads

And in tiny white letters on the underside

These words were stitched: “Enjoy me as you wish,

Though at your peril, for other men have handled this.”
 

&/\&/\&