LXXIII THE CRADLE OF MNASIDIKA
Mitchell S. (Mitchell Starrett) Buck translation
MY little child, so few years have I had only thee: I love thee, not as a lover but as though thou hadst come forth from my laboring entrails.
When, stretched upon my knees, thy two frail arms about me, thou seekest my breast, thy mouth clinging, and press my nipples softly between thy palpitating lips:
Then I dream that, at some time, I have truly nursed this delicate mouth, supple and moist, this vase of crimson myrrhine in which the happiness of Bilitis is mysteriously enclosed.
Sleep. I will cradle thee with one hand upon my knee which rocks thee. Sleep so. I will sing for thee little mournful songs which bring sleep to the newly-born.