The tales

I am beloved of the little children;

as soon as they see me, they run to me,

and clutch my tunic, and take my legs

in their little arms.

If they have gathered flowers, they give them all to me;

if they have caught a beetle, they put it in my hand;

if they have nothing, they caress me

and make me sit down in front of them.

Then they kiss me on the cheek,

they put their heads on my breasts;

they plead with me with their eyes.

I know well what that means.

That means: "Dear Bilitis, tell us again

because we are nice, the story

of the hero Perseus or the death of little Hellé. "