CV PURE WATER OF THE BASIN
Mitchell S. (Mitchell Starrett) Buck translation
“PURE water of the basin, immobile mirror, tell me of my beauty.—Bilitis, or whoever thou art, Tethys perhaps, or Amphitrite, thou art beautiful, thou knowest.
“Thy face inclines beneath thy thick hair, which is heavy with flowers and perfumes. Thy soft eyelids scarcely open, and thy flanks are weary from the movements of love.
“Thy body, fatigued with the weight of thy breasts, carries the fine marks of nails and the blue stains of the kiss. Thine arms are reddened by the embrace. Each line of thy skin was loved.”
“Clear water of the basin, thy freshness brings repose. Receive me, who am truly wearied. Take away the fard of my cheeks and the sweat of my body and the remembrance of the night.”