C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Love’s Ferriage: Agathias (c. 530–582)

Translation of Alma Strettell

SINCE she was watched and could not kiss me closely,

Divine Rhodanthe cast her maiden zone

From off her waist, and holding it thus loosely

By the one end, she put a kiss thereon;

Then I—Love’s stream as through a channel taking—

My lips upon the other end did press

And drew the kisses in, while ceaseless making,

Thus from afar, reply to her caress.

So the sweet girdle did beguile our pain,

Being a ferry for our kisses twain.