The Songs of Bilitis: II. Elegies At Mytilene: The Nameless Tomb

THE NAMELESS TOMB

Mnasidika then took me by the hand, and led me through the portals of the town to a little barren field where a marble shaft was standing. She said to me: "This was my mother's mistress."

I felt a sudden tremor, and, clinging to her hand, leaned on her shoulder, to read the four verses between the serpent and the broken bowl:

"Death did not carry me away, but the Nymphs of the river. I rest here beneath the light earth with the shorn ringlets of my Xantho. Let her alone weep for me. I shall not say my name."

We stood there long and did not pour libation. How can one call upon an unknown soul from out the rushing hordes of souls in Hades?