From the Greek Anthology
 
 
 THE FLOWER OF YOUTH
 MARCUS ARGENTARIUS
 
Sweet-breathed Isias, though thy sleep be tenfold spice, awake and take this garland in thy dear hands, which, blooming now, thou wilt see withering at daybreak, the likeness of a maiden's prime.
 
 
 II
THE MAIDEN'S POSY
 RUFINUS
 
I send thee, Rhodocleia, this garland, which myself have twined of fair flowers beneath my hands; here is lily and rose-chalice and moist
anemone, and soft narcissus and dark-glowing violet; garlanding thyself with these, cease to be high-minded; even as the garland thou also dost flower and fall.
 
 
 III
 WITHERED BLOSSOMS 
 STRATO
 
If thou boast in thy beauty, know that the rose too blooms, but quickly being withered, is cast on the dunghill; for blossom and beauty have the same time allotted to them, and both together envious time withers away.
 
 
 IV
 ROSE AND THORN
 AUTHOR UNKNOWN
 
The rose is at her prime a little while; which once past, thou wilt find when thou seekest no rose, but a thorn.
 
 
  V
 THE BIRD OF TIME
 THYMOCLES
 
Thou remembered haply, thou rememberest when I said to thee that holy word, "Opportunity is the fairest, opportunity the lightest-footed of
things; opportunity may not be overtaken by the swiftest bird in air." Now lo! all thy flowers are shed on the ground.
 
 
 VI
 THE END OF DESIRE
 SECUNDUS
 
I who once was Laïs, an arrow in all men's hearts, no longer Laïs, am plainly to all the Nemesis of years. Ay, by the Cyprian (and what is the Cyprian now to me but an oath to swear by?) not Laïs herself knows Laïs now.
 
 
 VII
  HOARDED BEAUTY
 STRATO
 
If beauty grows old, impart thou of it before it be gone; and if it abides, why fear to give away what thou dost keep?
 
 
 VIII
 DUST AND ASHES
 ASCLEPIADES
 
Thou hoardest thy maidenhood; and to what profit? for when thou art gone to Hades thou wilt not find a lover, O girl. Among the living are
the Cyprian's pleasures; but in Acheron, O maiden, we shall lie bones and dust.
 
 
 IX
 TO-MORROW
 MACEDONIUS
 
"To-morrow I will look on thee"--but that never comes for us, while the accustomed putting-off ever grows and grows. This is all thy grace
to my longing; and to others thou bearest other gifts, despising my faithful service. "I will see thee at evening." And what is the evening of a woman's life? old age, full of a million wrinkles.