Two reluctant women

Two from Book 5 of the Anthology. 'Cyprian' and 'Cytherea' are cult titles of Aphrodite; Melittias's name is sweet (melissa or melitta is a honey-bee).

5.85
ASCLEPIADES

You hoard your maidenhead, and to what gain?
When you go down to Hades, bashful girl,
You will not find yourself a lover there;
The pleasures of the Cyprian are meant
For us, the living, who as bones and dust
Will sleep forever on the Acheron.

5.87
RUFINUS

Melissias denies she is in love,
And yet her body shrieks the quiverful
Of arrows that have pierced it. So her step
Is frantic, like the racing of her breath;
Hollow the eyes where love-darts found their mark.
But, unfulfilled Desires, I call on you
By Cythereia of the shining crown:
This woman who disdains your mother’s fame —
Burn her till she admits, ‘I feel your flame.’