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THE SYMBOLIC RING<br />
Travelers coming from Sardis speak <strong>of</strong> the necklaces and precious stones with<br />
which the Lydian women deck themselves, from the tops <strong>of</strong> their tresses to their<br />
tinted feet.<br />
The young girls <strong>of</strong> my country have neither bracelets nor diadems, but their<br />
fingers bear a silver ring, upon the scroll <strong>of</strong> which the triangle <strong>of</strong> the goddess is<br />
engraved.<br />
When they turn the apex outward, it signifies; "Psyche to be taken." And, when<br />
they turn it inward: "Psyche taken."<br />
The men believe in it, the women don't. As for myself, I scarcely notice the<br />
direction <strong>of</strong> the apex, for Psyche is an easy catch. She is always to be taken.<br />
MOONLIGHT DANCES<br />
Upon the s<strong>of</strong>t grass, in the night, young girls with violet hair have danced<br />
together, and one <strong>of</strong> each pair gave the lover's answer.<br />
The virgins said: "We are not for you." And, as though they were ashamed, they<br />
shielded their virginity. An aegipan played a flute beneath the trees.<br />
The others said: "But you will come to seek us." They fashioned their dresses<br />
after the manly garb, and languidly struggled and twined their dancing limbs.<br />
Then, each declaring herself to be subdued, she took her comrade by the ears,<br />
cup-fashion, and, tilting her head, she drank a lengthy kiss.<br />
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