The Songs of Bilitis: I. Bucolics In Pamphylia: Song
Torti-tortue, what are you doing there? --I am winding wool and I spin Milesian thread. --Alas! alas! Why don't you come and dance? --I am so sad. I am so sad.
Torti-tortue, what are you doing there? --I cut a reed to make a funeral pipe. --Alas! alas! And tell me what has happened. --I'll never tell. Oh, I shall never tell.
Torti-tortue, what are you doing there? --I am crushing olives to make a funeral oil. --Alas! alas! And who has died, mayhap? --How can you ask? Oh, say, how can you ask?
Torti-tortue, what are you doing there? --He fell into the sea. . . --Alas! alas! and tell me how was that? --From his white horses' backs. From his white horses' backs. 27