[361] Adorned, finely clad, bearing garlands, embellished,
her feet stained with lac dye —
a courtesan wearing slippers.
Stepping down from her slippers,
raising her joined palms before me,
she addressed me softly and gently,
smiling first:
"You have gone forth while still young —
abide by my instruction!
Enjoy human sensual pleasures;
I shall give you wealth.
I promise you truly —
or else I shall bring fire for you.
When we have both grown old,
both leaning on our staffs,
then we shall both go forth —
a winning throw on both counts!"
And seeing her coming toward me —
the courtesan with joined palms,
adorned and finely clad,
like a snare of Death laid out —
then wise attention (yoniso manasikāra)
arose in me …
The Elder Sundarasamudda.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.