I wallow in the tavernas and brothels of Beirut. br I didn't want to stay br in Alexandria. Tamides left me; br he went off with the Prefect's son to earn himself br a villa on the Nile, a mansion in the city. br It wouldn't have been right for me to stay in Alexandria. br I wallow in the tavernas and brothels of Beirut. br I live a vile life, devoted to cheap debauchery. br The one thing that saves me, br like durable beauty, like perfume br that goes on clinging to my flesh, is this: Tamides, br most exquisite of young men, was mine for two years, br and mine not for a house or a villa on the Nile.br br Constantine P.