"I took you from the rose-bush and shall hold you fast until you give me your sister there, the other rose, from your bosom, to take home with me as a keepsake." "Please let me go," repeated Sappho, "I will promise nothing unless you let my hand go." "But if I do, you will not run away again ?" "Certainly not." "Well, then, I will give you your liberty, but now you must give me your rose." "There are plenty on the bush yonder, and more beautiful ones; choose whichever you like.

Why do you want just this one ?" "To keep it carefully in remembrance of the most beautiful maiden I ever saw." "Then I shall certainly not give it to you; for those are not my real friends who tell me I am beautiful, only those who tell me I am good." "Where did you learn that ?" "From my grandmother Rhodopis." "Very well, then I will tell you you are better than any other maiden in the whole world." "How can you say such things, when you don't know me at all?
Oh, sometimes I am very naughty and disobedient.

If I were really good I should be indoors now instead of talking to you here.

My grandmother has forbidden me ever to stay in the garden when visitors are here, and indeed I don't care for all those strange men who always talk about things I cannot understand." "Then perhaps you would like me to go away too ?" "Oh no, I can understand you quite well; though you cannot speak half so beautifully as our poor Phanes for example, who was obliged to escape so miserably yesterday evening, as I heard Melitta saying just this minute." "Did you love Phanes ?" "Love him?
Oh yes,--I was very fond of him.

When I was little he always brought me balls, dolls ninepins from Memphis and Sais; and now that I am older he teaches me beautiful new songs." [Jointed dolls for children.