Songs of Sappho in English Translation by Many Poets 1000630941

8/21/2019 Songs of Sappho in English Translation by Many Poets 1000630941

1/124


2/124


3/124


4/124
http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=fb&pibn=1000630941http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=it&pibn=1000630941http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=es&pibn=1000630941http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=fr&pibn=1000630941http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=de&pibn=1000630941http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=co.uk&pibn=1000630941http://www.forgottenbooks.org/redirect.php?where=com&pibn=1000630941


5/124


6/124


7/124

[gj^j^MEISMaEMasaSMSM^MMSMMSM^MEMa

THE SONGSOF SAPPHOIN ENGLISH TRANSLATION

BY MANY POETS DECORATED

BY PAULMcPHARLIN

THE PETER PAUPER PRESS

MOUNT VERNON NEW YORK


8/124

9^1

^IS-C'


9/124

fSM^MaMaEEiaMSMSISEMSJSMSEMSMSfSMSIBErajaM^J^

ti- SOME NOTES FOR THE

GUIDANCE OF THE READER

Sappho, one of the earliest and certainlyhe greatest ofGreek lyricoets, was born about 630 B.C. on the islandof Lesbos, and lived there most of her life. Lesbos, famoussince Homer's day for the beauty of its women and thesweetness of its wine, lies ofl the coast of Asia Minor (theLydia of the poems) and is now called Mitylene after itsprincipality.Not a great deal is known about Sappho'slife in Lesbos, except that the ancient story of her unre-uited

love for Phaon, and her suicide by leapingoff theLeucadian cliff,are now considered mythical.So far asmodern scholars can surmise, however, she came from anoble and wealthy family,had three brothers, was mar-ied,

bore at least one child, the daughter Cleis of thepoems, was exiled to Syracuse for politicaleasons, re-urned

after the amnesty of 581 B.C., lived in the satisfyingknowledge that she was the brightstar of the Aeolianschool of poetry, and died at a ripeold age. She apparentlywas head of a girls'chool or women's poetry circle,andprobably some of her poems were written as wedding-songs and holiday-festivalhoruses to be sung by thesegirls.

For many years the standard readingedition of Sapphoin translation was that of Henry T. Wharton, publishedfirst in London, 1877,and since then in several editions


10/124

there and in New York. The virtue of Wharton's editionfor the generalreader was that he suppliednot only hisown literal prose version of each of the poems and frag-ents,

but also the best then-available metrical transla-ionsof the principaliecesby others.

A more recent edition of The Poems of Sappho, thetranslations by Edwin Marion Cox, publishedin a limitededition in London and New York in 1924, makes anexcellent supplement to Wharton by giving new proseversions of the same material, as well as excellent metricalversions of many pieces.

But for the modern reader the essential source editionof Sappho is the section devoted to her in the Loeb Classi-al

LibraryLyra Graeca (volume one) publishedin 1922and revised and enlarged in 1928. This book, edited byJ.M. Edmonds, and with his excellent prose translations,contains new Sappho discoveries which entirelyoutweighin quantity all of her work previouslyknown. This newmaterial is now in a moderately complete condition as theresult of scholarly,ngenious and indefatigableork onthe part of Edmonds in reconstructingfragmentary manu-cripts

that had recentlybeen unearthed in Eg^'pt.Someof these reconstructions must remain conjectural,but inthe main they seem valid and satisfying.

Edmonds followed the Loeb publicationwith hisSappho Revocata a limited edition publishedin London,1928 which contains the same material with a few addi-ions,

but this time mostly in metrical form.Prose translations by David Moore Robinson (together

with metrical versions by Marion Mills Miller) were


11/124

laiajajsMaMaMSMSisMsiajsisi^MSJEMa'SM^MSM

publishedin The Songs of Sappho, New York, 1925.Particularlyaluable to us are Prof. Robinson's translationsof the new discoveries and their Edmonds-reconstructions,and the present publishersre appreciativef his permis-ion

to reprintthem here, togetherwith some of his versetranslations from his Sappho and Her Influence.Except for the droppingof many tinyfragments,the

presentedition givesallof the prose translations of Whar-on;all of the prose and most of the metrical translations

of Cox; all of the prose and most of the metrical transla-ionsof Edmonds; and all of the prose translations by

Robinson of the new discoveries. In addition, it followsthe example of Wharton in reprintingthe best transla-ions

in metrical form from other sources and of coursethose sources are far richer and more varied than wereavailable to Wharton in 1877.

All of Sappho known to us, except the firstgreat hymnto Aphrodite,and a few of the new discoveries whichmay be completepoems, is fragmentary.Edmonds lists191 separate pieces,Wharton 170, Cox 130, Robinson209. Many of these fragments are a word only, or aphrase,which some ancient has preservedor us by quot-ng;

and interestings these tiny fragmentsmay be tothe student of Greek, they are generallyvalueless infact they are irritatingto the generalEnglish reader.Therefore in the present edition it has been our policyoeliminate any fragmentwhich in translation lacked eithersufficient meaning or sufficient suggestionof poetry tointerest that generalreader. As a result,the total of our


12/124

pieces is only 124, but those 124 assay much higher thanEdmonds and the others in the specific gravity of poetry.

The present edition takes also one other liberty withthe text: whereas Edmonds warns that certain passages

are conjectural, by enclosing them in brackets, we havedropped those brackets for the sake of smoother readingand greater poetic enjoyment.

The pieces are numbered consecutively, and followthe order but not the numbers assigned by Edmonds inreconstructing the nine books of Sappho. As a help tothe inquiring reader, the number which Edmonds assignsto each piece is given, as are the numbers assigned byWharton, Cox (who roughly follows Wharton) andRobinson. Where a prose translation by Edmonds is lack-ng

in our text, it is because he used a metrical one in LyraGraeca; where a prose translation by Wharton or Cox islacking, it is because the piece is one of the recent dis-overies,

or because one of these two translators made a

version almost identical to that of the other.


13/124

THE SONGS OF SAPPHO

i3JSEISEM2ISJSEJ5ISf3MSMaiSfSEMSM5MS

THE WORDS I BEGIN ARE WORDS OF AIR

BUT FOR ALL THAT ARE GOOD TO HEAR


14/124


15/124

laiSMSMISMMaMSMSIMSMMSMM^MaMSMMSMSMaMa^^

I. TO APHRODITE

A, PHRODITE splendor-thronedmmortal, wile-weavingchild of Zeus, to thee is my prayer. Whelm not my heart,0 Queen, with sufferingnd sorrow, but come hither Ipray thee, if ever ere this thou hast heard and marked myvoice afar, and stepping from thy Father's house har-essed

a golden chariot, and the strong pinionsof thytwo swans fair and swift,whirringfrom heaven throughmid-sky, have drawn thee towards the dark earth, andlo were there; and thou blest Lady, with a smile on thatimmortal face, didst gentlyask what ailed me, and why1 called,and what this wild heart would have done, andWhom shall I make to givethee room in her heart's love,who is it,Sappho, that does thee wrong? For even if sheflees thee, she shall soon pursue; if she will not take thygifts,he yet shall give; and if she loves not, soon loveshe shall,whether or no ; O come to me now as thouearnest then, to assuage my sore trouble and do what myheart would fain have done, thyselfy stay in battle.

EDMONDS i

Immortal Aphrodite of the broidered throne, daughterof Zeus, weaver of wiles, I pray thee break not my spiritwith anguishand distress,O Queen. But come hither, ifever before thou didst hear my voice afar,and listen,andleavingthy father's golden house camest with chariotyoked, and fair fleet sparrows drew thee, flappingfasttheir wings around the dark earth, from heaven through


16/124

mid sky. Quickly arrived they; and thou, blessed one,smilingwith immortal countenance, didst ask, what nowis befallen me, and why now I call,and what I in my madheart most desire to see. What Beauty now wouldst thoudraw to love thee.? Who wrongs thee, Sappho.?For even ifshe fliesshe shall soon follow, and if she rejectsgiftshallyet give,and if she loves not shall soon love, howeverloth. Come, I pray thee, now too, and release me fromcruel cares, and all that my heart desires to accomplish,accomplish thou, and be thyself my ally.^ / / / WHARTON i

Immortal Aphrodite of the shimmering throne, daugh-erof Zeus, weaver of wiles, I pray thee crush not my

spiritwith anguish and distress,O Queen. But comehither if ever before thou didst hear my voice afar, andhearken, and leavingthe golden house of thy father,camest with chariot yoked, and swift birds drew thee,their swift pinionsflutteringver the dark earth, fromheaven through mid-space.Quickly they arrived; andthou blessed one with immortal countenance smilingdidst ask: what now is befallen me and why now I calland what I in my heart's madness most desire. 'Whatfair one now would thou draw to love thee.? Who wrongsthee Sappho.?For even if she fliesshe shall soon follow,and if she rejectsgiftsshall soon offer them, and if sheloves not shall soon love, however reluctant. Come Ipray thee now and release me from cruel cares, and let

my heart accomplishall that it desires,and be thou myally. cox iiO


17/124

Glittering-throned undying Aphrodite,Wile-weavingdaughterof high Zeus, I pray theeTame not my soul with heavy woe, dread mistress,

Nay, nor with anguish.But hither come, ifever erst of old timeThou didst incline,and listenedst to my crying.And from thy father's palacedown descending

Camest with goldenChariot yoked:thee fair swift flyingparrowsOver dark earth with multitudinous fluttering.Pinion on pinionthroughmiddle ether

Down from heaven hurried.

Quickly they came like light,nd thou, blest lady.Smilingwith clear undying eyes, didst ask meWhat was the woe that troubled me, and wherefore

I had cried to thee ;What thingI longedfor to appease my franticSoul: and whom now must I persuade,thou askedst,Whom must entangleto thylove, and who now,

Sappho,hath wronged thee.Yea, for if now he shun, he soon shall chase thee;Yea, ifhe take not gifts,e soon shall givethem;Yea, ifhe love not soon shall he begin to

Love thee, unwillino-.Come to me now too, and from tyrannous sorrowFree me, and allthingsthat my soul desires toHave done, do for me Queen, and let thyselfoo

Be my great ally.^ ^ ^ J. ADDINGTONSYMONDS11


18/124

Beautiful-throned, immortal Aphrodite,Daughter of Zeus, beguiler,implorethee.Weigh me not down with weariness and anguish,

0 thou most holyCome to me now, if ever thou in kindnessHearkenedst my words, and often hast thou hearkened Heeding, and coming from the mansions golden

Of thy great Father,

Yoking thychariot,borne by thy most lovelyConsecrated birds,with dusky-tintedinions,Waving swift wings from utmost heightsof heaven

Through the mid-ether;Swiftlytheyvanished, leavingthee, O goddess.Smiling,with face immortal in its beauty,Asking why I grieved,nd why in utter longing

1 had dared call thee;

Asking what I sought,thus hopelessn desiring,Wildered in brain, and spreadingets of passionAlas, for whom? and saidst thou, Who has harmed thee?

O my poor SapphoThough now he flies,erelonghe shall pursue thee;Fearingthy gifts,e too in turn shall bringthem;Loveless to-day,o-morrow he shall woo thee.

Though thou shouldst spurn him.Thus seek me now, O holyAphroditeSave me from anguish;giveme all I ask for,Gifts at thy hand; and thine shall be the glory.

Sacred protector^ THOMAS W. HIGGINSON

i2


19/124

Shimmering-throned immortal Aphrodite,Daughter of Zeus, Enchantress, I implorethee,Spareme, O Queen, this agony and anguish,

Crush not my spirit.Whenever before thou hast hearkened to me To my voice callingo thee in the distance.And heeding,hou hast come, leavingthy father's

Golden dominions.

With chariot yoked to thyfleet-wingedoursers,Flutteringwift pinionsover earth's darkness.And bringingthee throughthe infinite,gliding

Downwards from heaven.

Then, soon theyarrived and thou, blessed goddess.With divine countenance smiling,idst ask meWhat new woe had befallen me now and why

Thus I had called thee.What in my mad heart was my greatest desire.Who was it now that must feel my

allurements.Who was the fair one that must be persuaded,

Who wronged thee Sappho?For if now she flees,quicklyshe shall followAnd ifshe spurns gifts,oon shall she offer them.Yea, ifshe knows not love, soon shall she feel it

Even reluctant.

Come then, I pray, grant me surcease from sorrow,Drive away care, I beseech thee, O goddessFulfill for me what I yearn to accomplish.

Be thou my ally.^ ^ EDWIN M. COXi3


20/124

Immortal on thymany-splendoredthroneHear, Aphrodite Queen, that art

Zeus' witchingdaughter;and with pain and moanbreak not my heart

But come, if ever thou hast caughtof oldMy distant cry and heard my plea,

And left thy father's palacesf goldTo visit me;

And yoked thy chariot,and from heaven forthDriven thy sparrows fleetand fair

With whirr of wings above the swarthyearthThrough middle air.

How fast theycame Then, Blessed One, didst thouWith lipsdivinelysmilingask:

What new mischance is come upon thee now?Unto what task

Have I been called? what is the dearest aimOf thy mad heart? who is to be

Persuaded to thypassion?Sappho,nameThine enemy

For whoso fliesthee now shall soon pursue;Who spurns thy giftshall giveanon;

And whoso loves thee not, whate'er she do.Shall love thee soon.

Ah, come then, and release me from alarmsThat crush me: all I longto see

Fulfilled,fulfill A ver)^ mate-in-armsBe thou to me.

WILLIAM MARRIS

i'l


21/124

[2M2MSM^IS^MSM3M3MMMHSEMM5MMSJSI3I3MBM5MSf3JSMa

II. TO BROCHEO

It is to be a God, methinks, to sit before you and listenclose by to the sweet accents and winning laughterhichhave made the heart in my breast beat fast,I warrant you.When I look on you, Brocheo, my speechcomes short orfails me quite,I am tongue-tied;n a moment a delicatefirehas

overrun my flesh,my eyes grow dim and my earssing,the sweat runs down me and a tremblingtakes mealtogether,illI am as green and paleas the grass, anddeath itselfseems not very far away; but now that I ampoor, I must fain be content . . . Edmonds 2

That man seems to me peer of gods,who sits in thy pres-nce,and hears close to him thy sweet speechand lovely

laughter;that indeed makes my heart flutter in mybosom. For when I see thee but a little, have no utter-nce

left,my tongue is broken down, and straightwaysubtle fire has run under my skin, with my eyes I havei5


22/124

no sight,my ears ring,sweat bathes me, and a tremblingseizes all my body; I am palerthan grass, and seem in mymadness littlebetter than one dead. But I must dare all,since one so poor . . . wharton 2

That one seems to me the equalof the gods,who sits inthy presence and hears near him thy sweet voice andlovelylaughter;that indeed makes my heart beat fast inmy bosom. For when I see thee even a littleI am bereftof utterance, my tongue is useless and at once a subtlefire races under my skin, my eyes see nothing,my earsring,sweat pours forth and all my body is seized withtrembling.I am palerthan dried grass and seem in mymadness littlebetter than dead. But I must dare all . . .

cox 2

Peer of godshe seemeth to me, the blissfulMan who sits and gazes at thee before him,Close beside thee sits,and in silence hears thee

Silverlypeaking.Laughing love's low laughter.h this,this onlyStirs the troubled heart in my breast to tremble For should I but see thee a littlemoment,

Straights my voice hushed ;Yea, my tongue isbroken, and throughand through me'Neath the flesh impalpableire runs tingling;Nothing see my mine eyes, and a noise of roaring

Waves in my ear sounds ;Sweat runs down in rivers,a tremor seizes

i6


23/124
http://www.forgottenbooks.org/in.php?btn=4&pibn=1000630941&from=pdfhttp://www.forgottenbooks.org/in.php?btn=3&pibn=1000630941&from=pdfhttp://www.forgottenbooks.org/in.php?btn=2&pibn=1000630941&from=pdfhttp://www.forgottenbooks.org/in.php?btn=1&pibn=1000630941&from=pdf


24/124

Fails me ; no voice comes ; my tongue is palsiedThrillingirethroughallmy flesh hath run ;

Mine eyes cannot see, mine ears make dinningNoises that stun ;

The sweat streameth down, my whole frame seized withShivering, and wan paleness'er me spread,

Greener than the grass ; I seem with faintnessAlmost as dead.

WALTER HEADLAM

O LIFE divine to sit beforeThee while thyliquidlaughterflowsMelodious, and to listen closeTo ripplingotes from Love's full score.O music of thylovelyspeechMy rapidheart beats fast and high.My tongue-tiedoul can onlysigh.And strive for words it cannot reach.O sudden subtly-runningireMy ears with dinningringingsing.My sightis lost,a blinded thing,Eyes,hearing,speech,in love expire,My face pale-green,ike wilted grassWet by the dew and evening breeze.Yea, my whole body tremblingsseize.Sweat bathes me. Death nearbydoth pass,Such thrillingwoon, ecstatic deathIs for the gods,but not for me.My beggarwords are naught to thee,Far-off thylaughand perfumedbreath.

DAVID M. ROBINSONi8


25/124

EIcMSJSMSISM2MM2Ma3MM3M3MaiSM3JaMMt5lE M0^^

III. MOONLIGHT

Around the fair moon the brightbeautyof the stars islost them when her silver lightillumes the world at itsfullest. EDMONDS 3

The stars about the fair moon in their turn hide theirbrightface when she at about her full lightsp all earthwith silver. wharton 3

The stars about the fair moon lose their brightbeautywhen she, almost full,illumines allearth with silver.

cox 4

Bright stars, around the fairSelene peering,No more their beautyto the nightdiscoverWhen she, at full,her silverlightensphering,Floods the world over. T. F. higham

The stars around the fair moon fadeAgainst the night,When gazingfull she fillsthe gladeAnd spreadshe seas with silveryight.

h. de vere stackpoole

The gleamingstars allabout the shiningoonHide their brightfaces,when full-orbed and splendidIn the sky she floats,floodinghe shadowed earth with

Clear silver light. edwin m. coxi9


26/124

IV. ORCHARD SONG

. . .And by the cool waterside the breeze rustles amid the

apple-branches,nd the quiveringleaves shed lethargy . .EDMONDS 4

And round about the cool water gurglesthrough apple-boughs, and slumber streams from quiveringleaves.

WHARTON 4

And by the cool stream the breeze murmurs throughapplebranches and slumber pours down from quiveringleaves. cox 5

Cool waters tumble, singingas theygoThrough appledboughs.Softlythe leaves are dancing.Down streams a slumber on the drowsy flow,

My soul entrancing. T. f. higham

Through orchard-plotsith fragrancerownedThe clear cold fountain murmuring flows ;And forest leaves with rustlingoundInvite to soft repose. JOHN h. merivale

All around through branches of apple-orchardsCool streams call,while down from the leaves a-tremble

Slumber distilleth. j. addington symonds

By the cool water the breeze murmurs, rustlins:Through applebranches, while from quiveringleaves

Streams down deep slumber. edwin m. cox20


27/124

(3MMMJii MSMSIBJlMSMclia2MSM2MM0M0MSE^^

V. TO APHRODITE

. . .Come, Queen of Love, to bear round goldencups o

nectar mingledwith gentlecheer unto these comrades ofthine and mine. Edmonds 6

Come, goddessf Cyprus,and in goldencups serve nectardelicatelyixed with delights. Wharton 5

KuPRis, hitherCome, and pour from gobletsf goldthe nectarMixed for love's and pleasure'selightith dainty

Joysof the banquet. j. addington symonds2i


28/124

Come, Venus, comeHither with thygoldencup,Where nectar-floated flowerets swim.Fill,fillthe gobletup;These laughinglipsshall kiss the brim Come, Venus, come anon.

Goddess of Cyprus come, where beautylightsThe way, and serve in cups of goldthese lipsWith nectar, mixed by love with alldelightsOf goldendays,and dusk of amorous nights.

H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE

Come hither foam-born Cyprian goddess,ome.And in goldengobletsour richest nectarAll mixed in most ethereal perfection.

Thus to delights. edwin m. cox

VI. TO APHRODITE

And to thee I will burn the rich fat of a white Mat. . .

EDMONDS 7

But for thee will I lead to the altar the offspringf a whitegoat . . . and add a libation for thee. Wharton 1 , S

But for thee I will bringto the altar the young of a whiteCToat

. . .

and add a libation for thee. cox S

22


29/124

For thee, unto the altar will I leadA white goat To the altar by the sea:And there, where waves advance and waves recede,A full libation will I pour for thee.


VII. TO APHRODITE

O GOLDEN-WREATHED Aphrodite,would that such a lotas this were mine

. . .

edmonds 9

This lot may I win, golden-crownedAphrodite.WHARTON 9

May I win this prize,O golden-crownedAphrodite.cox 9

Love-goddess of the wreath of gold,Would that this lot were mine. j. M. edmonds

VIII. TO THE MUSES

. . .Who have made me honored by the giftof their work.

EDMONDS 10

Who gave their giftsnd made me honored.WHARTON 10

. . .

Whose giftof their own workHath brought me honcx.-. J. M. EDMONDS23


30/124

IX. TO SOME WEALTHY WOMEN

But I have received true prosperityfrom the goldenMuses, and when I die I shall not be forgot.

EDMONDS ii

Bu.T to meThe Muses gave true wealth, and when I dieI shall not be forgot.

,J. m. edmonds

X. TO HER COMPANIONS

These songs I will sing rightwell to-dayfor the delightof my comrades. edmonds i2

This will I now singdeftlyo pleasey girl-friends.WHARTON ii

This will I now singskilfullyo pleasemy friends.cox ii

These songs I'llsingto-daywith allmy mightFor my sweet comrades' sake and dear delight.

J. M. EDMONDS

XI. TO HER FRIENDS

For those I have done good to, do me the greatest wrong.EDMONDS i3

For theywhom I benefit injureme most, wharton i 2For thee to whom I do good,thou harmest me the most.

cox i2

24


31/124


32/124

XV. THE DAWN

The golden slipperedDawn had just come upon mewhen

. . .EDMONDS i 9

Me justnow the golden-sandalledawn has called.cox i8

XVI. LYDIAN WORK

. . .And a motley gown, a fair Lydian work, reached

down to her feet. Edmonds 20

A BROIDERED Strap of beautiful Lydian work covered herfeet. WHARTON i9

Her shiningankles clad in fairest fashionIn broidered leather from the realm of Lydia,

So came the Goddess. cox 20

XVII. OF JASON'S MANTLEMingled with all manner of colors. edmonds 2 i

Shot with innumerable hues. cox 20

XVIII. TO HECATE

Aphrodite's golden-shiningandmaid. . .

EDMONDS 24

The handmaiden of Aphrodite,shininglike gold.cox 54

26


33/124

XIX. MAIDENS

. . .Rose-armed, saucy-eyed,air-cheeked, honey-voiced.

EDMONDS 30

With rosy arms and glancingeyes and fair cheeks andhoneyed voices. wharton i29

With rosy cheeks and glancingeyes and voices svi^eet ashoney. cox ii8

XX. TO LOVE

DEARESToffspringof Earth and Heaven. edmonds 3i

Love the child of Aphroditeand Heaven.WHARTON i32

XXI. TO HESPERUS

Fairest of all the stars that shine. edmonds 32

Thou art, I think, an evening star, of all stars the fairest.WHARTON i33

XXII. TO PERSUASION

Man-beguiling daughterof Aphrodite. edmonds 33

Persuasion, daughterof Aphrodite. wharton i3527


34/124

EjaSJMa5M0MHSMSISMSIEJSMSIM3MSM2MaM2M3M2f2M@MSI3J

XXIII. TO HER BROTHERCHARAXUS

. . .Will give.If you hover about the notable rather thanthe good and noble, and bid your friends go their ways,

and grieveme by saying in your svi'ellingridethat I,forsooth, am become a reproacho you, at such thingssthese you may rejoiceyour heart. Feed your fill.For asfor me, my

mind is not so softlydisposedo the anger ofa child. But make no mistake in this; the snare nevercatches the old bird; I know what was the depthof yourknaverybefore, and of what sort is the foe I am opposedto. Be you better advised then, and changeyour heart; forwell I know that beingof a gentledispositionhave theGods on my side. edmonds 35

28


35/124

Thou flittestamong men who are notable but neithergood nor noble, and thou biddest farewell to thy friends,and grieveste by saying in thy swellingprideof heartthat I have become a reproachto thee. Turning to suchthingsmayest thou sate thy heart, for my thought is notso softlydisposedtowards the anger of children. But donot waver in this: the old bird is not caughtby the snare.I understand to what limit of baseness thou formerlydidstgo, and to what sort of an enemy we have been opposed.But do thou, then, attend to others, and placethythoughtson better things.For nourishing a contented spiritIclearlynow that the blessed gods are present with me.

ROBINSON iSO

Aye, seek the false and shun the true,And bid your friends go hang for you.And grieveme in your pride,nd sayI bringyou shame. Go, have your way.And flout me tillyou'vehad your fill;I have no fears,and never will,

For the anger of a child.Do as you choose; but have a care;Old birds know how to shun the snare;The measure of my foe is ta'en ;What once he's done he'll do again;

I shall not be beguiled.Be wise in time then, change your heart;I know the godswill take my part

Because my spirit'sild. j. m. edmonds29


36/124

XXIV. TO THE NEREIDS

Golden Nereids, grant me I pray my brother's safe re-urn,and that the true desires of his heart shall be accom-lished,

and putting away his former errors he shallbecome a delightto his friends and a griefo his enemies;and may our house be disgracedof no man. And may hebe willingto bring honor to his sister; and the sore painand the words wherewith, in bitter resentment of a tauntthat must have cut to the quick,he sought ere he departedto overwhelm my heart, O, when return he does onsome day, may he choose amid his fellow-townsmen'smirth to cast them clean away, and to have a mate, if hedesire one, in wedlock due and worthy; and as for thee,thou black and baleful she-dog,thou mayst set that evilsnout to the ground and go a-huntingother prey.

EDMONDS 36

[The black and baleful she-dog was Doricha, a courte-anbeloved by Charaxus in Egypt]

O Aphrodite and ye Nereids, grant me that my brotherreturn hither unharmed, and that whate'er in his hearthe wishes come to pass, all shall be completed.And torightall the sins which he formerlycommitted, and thathe prove to be a joy to his friends and a woe to his enemies.And may there come to us no illfame. May he be willingto make his sister a sharer in his honor; and I will forgivethe bitter pain and the words with which formerlyhe in30


37/124

his resentment sought to overwhelm my heart when heheard my song that cut to the quick for amid the merryfeast of welcome given him by his fellow citizens whenhe returns, as I hope he may at no distant day,his it shallbe to cast them away; and to find a wife, if he so desires,in worthy wedlock. But as for thee, thou swarthyshe-dog,settingthy ill-smellingnout to the ground,pursue otherprey. robinson i83

Golden Daughtersof the FoamBringme my brother safelyome.And whatsoe'er his heart desireGrant he shall possess entire.And rightinghat was wrong before.Shall sorrow his true friends no more.

That our name bear never a blot.Then he'll fain his sister to bringHonor bright;and the bitter stingAnd the taunt that made my poor heart sickWhen he heard a rebuke such as cuts to the quickO soon, when the brimming cup goes roundFor his returningsafe and sound.

Shall allthat illbe forgot;And ifhe's fain of a wife to wed.Let him take a worthy maid to his bed ;But hellyshe-dog,s for you,Ground your illsnout, and game pursue

Where game is to be got. j.M. Edmonds

3i


38/124

XXV. TO CHARAXUS

. . .O Cypris, may she find even thee too bitter,nor boast

herself so loud, saying: What a delightfulove-matchhath Doricha made this second time edmonds 31

. . .

O Cypris, and he found thee more bitter. And theothers boasted aloud, saying:To what a delightfulove-match is Doricha come this second time

ROBINSON \%\

. . .And, Cypris,may she find e'en Thee

Less sweet than once Thou wert, nor boast what blissIs Doricha's with a new mate like this

J. M. EDMONDS

XXVI. TO ANACTORIA IN LYDIA

The fairest thingin allthe world some say is a host of foot,and some again a navy of ships,but to me 'tis the heart'sbeloved. And 'tiseasy to make this understood by any.Helen, who far surpassedll mankind in beaur)^chosefor the best of men the destroyerf all the honor of Troy,and thought not so much either of child or parent dear,but was led astray by Love to bestow her heart afar; forwoman is ever easy to be bent when she thinks lightlyfwhat is near and dear. See to it then that you rememberus Anactoria, now that we are partedfrom one of whomI would rather the sweet sound of her footfall and thesightof the brightnessof her beaming face than all the32


39/124


40/124

noblest [or fairest]man the one who quicklydestroyedall Troy'shonor, and thought not so much either of childor parents dear, but was led astray by Eros to love afar.For the female is alwayseasilyent if one thinks lightlyof what is near. And so do thou, Anactoria, now thatthou hast gone off to Lydia with a soldier as thy husband,remember us, Sappho and Atthis, though we are notpresent with thee. I should prefero see thy lovelystepand the brighttwinkle of thine eyes than to have all thechariots of the Lydiansand all those who fightn foot inarms. robinson i84

A TROOP of horse, the serried ranks of marchers,A noble fleet,ome think these of all on earthMost beautiful. For me naught else regarding

Is my beloved.To understand this is for all most simple.For thus gazing much on mortal perfectionAnd knowing alreadywhat lifecould giveher,

Him chose fair Helen,Him the betrayerf Ilium's honor.Then recked she not of adored child or parent.But yieldedo love,and forced by her passion.

Dared Fate in exile.Thus quicklyis bent the will of that womanTo whom thingsnear and dear seem to be nothingSo mightestthou fail,my Anactoria,

If she were vi^ithyou.She whose gentlefootfall and radiant face34


41/124

Hold the power to charm more than a visionOf chariots and the mail-clad battalions

Of Lydia'srmy.So must we learn in a world m_ade as this oneMan can never attain his o-reatest desire,But must pray for what good fortune Fate holdeth,

Never unmindful.EDWIN M. COX

A HOST of horse or foot may beTo some the fairestsighto see,To some a fleetof ships to me

The loved one passes all.And easy 'tisto prove my case;She that had the fairest faceMan ever looked on, set her joyUpon the ravisher of Troy,

And heedless of the callOf parent dear or sweetest child,Left her home, by Love beguiled

To giveher heart afar.For ever easy to misleadIs woman, when she pays no heedTo what is near to her and dear.Anactory,though far thou'rt gone,Let us remembered be by oneWhose sweet footfall I'd rather hear.Whose beaming smile I'd rather see.Than allthe Lydian chariotry

And mighty men of war.35


42/124

Well wot I no mortal wightMay have the best for his delight;Yet a one-time happy lotIs better longed-forthan forgot, j. M. EDMONDS

XXVII. TO HERA

[Upon Sappho'sreturningfrom exile]Make stand beside me in a dream, great Hera, the beaute-us

shape that appeared in answer to the prayer of thefamous kings of Atreus' seed when they had made an endof the overthrow of Troy. At first when they put forthhither from Scamander's swift flood, they could not winhome, but ere that could be, were fain to make prayer tothee and to mighty Zeus and to Thyone's lovelychild. Sonow pray I, O Lady, that of thy grace I may do again,as of old, thingspure and beautiful among the maids of


43/124

Mytilene,whom I have so often taught to dance and tosing upon thy feast-days;nd even as Atreus' seed bygrace of thee and thy fellow-Gods did put out then fromIlium, so I beseech thee, Hera, aid thou at my prayer thishomeward voyage of mine. edmonds 40

Near me in a dream, O revered Hera, may there bepresent thy gracefulorm which in answer to their prayerthe Atreidae, the famous kings,saw when theyhad ac-omplishedthe destruction of Troy. At first,hen fromthe swift-flowingcamander they set forth hither, theywere not able to reach home before they had approachedwith prayer thee and the all-mightyeus and Thyone'scharming child. So now I beseech thee, revered goddess,that as formerly, may do again thingsholy and beauti-ul

among the maidens of Mitylenewhom I have taughtat thy feasts often to dance and often to sing;and as theAtreidae with your helpput out their shipsfrom Ilium,so I urge thee that thou be a helperto me to sail awayhome, kindlyHera. robinson i96

Great Hera, grant my prayer to-night.And show before my dreamingsight

The beauteous faceWhich Atreus' hero-sons of yore,When Troy was fall'n and all was o'er.

Saw of Thy grace.They that from swift Scamander's floodCould not win home when out theystood37


44/124

Till prayer were said to Thee, Great One,And. mighty Zeus and the sweet SonThyone bore. So now pray ITo do againthingspure and highThe Mytilenianmaids among.The maids I taughtwith dance and song

To honor thee ;And even as erst with Your highaidAtreus' seed the anchor weighed.So on this homeward way of mineBe Thy gentlepower divine,

Hera, with me. j. m. edmonds

XXVIII. WHEN TEMPESTS RAGE

When tempests rage, the mariner, for fear of the greatblasts of the wind, doth cast his cargo overboard and drivehis vessel ashore; as for me, I pray I may be bound no-whither in time of storm, nor be fain with fear lyingheavyin my heart to cast my cargo for worthless into the deep;but if so be it should fall to Nereus in his flowingpageantof the sea to receive the giftof my goods . . .

EDMONDS 4i

In raging storms sailors in fear of the great winds castforth their cargoes and beach their shipon the land. MayI not sail from anywhere when it is stormy, nor cast allthecargo, worthless and valuable, at random into the deepsea. But if it shall be for Nereus in his flowingprocessionon the sea to receive my careo . . .^ ^ ROBINSON 20Q38


45/124

XXIX. LOVE IS IN NO HASTE

...If my paps could stillgive suck and my womb were

able to bear children, then would I come to anothermarriage-bedwith unfalteringfeet; but nay, age nowmaketh a thousand wrinkles to go upon my flesh, andLove is in no haste to flyto me with his giftof pain . . .of the noble

. . .taking

. . .

O sing us the praisesof herof the violet-sweet breast

. . .

EDMONDS 42

If my breasts were stillcapableof giving milk, or mywomb could bear children, then would I 2:0 to anothermarriage-couchwith feet that tremble not; but, as it is,age alreadyputs about my flesh ten thousand wrinkles,and Eros flies not to me, pursuing me with his giftsofpain ... of the noble . . . taking . . . O sing us the praisesof her of the violet-sweet breast

ROBINSON i99

And ifthese paps their milk could give,And this womb make new men live.

Then would I go with footstepsreeTo a bridal bed again;

But now that Age doth spreadapaceHis thousand wrinkles o'er my face,Love's in no haste to come to me.

Love with his giftof pain.^ ^ J. M. EDMONDS

39


46/124

XXX. PARTING FROM FRIENDS

And them I answered: Gentle dames, how you willevermore remember tillyou be old, our life togetherinthe heyday of youth For many thingsdid we then to-etherboth pure and beautiful. And now that you departhence, love wrings my heart with very anguish.

EDMONDS 43

To them I said, Gentle ladies,how ye will remember tillold age what we did togetherin our brilliant youth Formany thingsholy and beautiful we did then. And nowthat ye have left the city,love has bitten my heart withkeen pangs. robinson i97

. . .Sweet dames, I answered O,

But you'llremember tillyou'regrayHow we lived in Youth's heyday.And all that we three used once to do,And how 'twas good and how 'twas true;And now that I must part from you

My lovesick heart's all woe. j. M. Edmonds

XXXI. TO HER BELOVED

. . .For when I look upon you, then meseems Hermione

was never such as you are, and just it is to liken you ratherto Helen than to a mortal maid; nay, I tell vou, I renderyour beautythe sacrifice of all my thoughtsand worshipyou with all my feelings. edmonds 4440


47/124


48/124

I too found fault with the Cyprus-born whose favor Ipray these words may lose me not, but rather bring meback again the maiden whom of all womankind I desirethe most to see. Edmonds 45

I BID thee come back the quickestway, my rosebud Gon-gyla,takingthy milk-white cloak; truly longingfromme flitsabout thyself,he beautiful, for thy robe sets meall aflutter,s I look at it,and I rejoice.or I myselfonceblamed the Cyprus-born goddess.I pray that this wordlose me not her grace, but bring to me back again theewhom most of allmortal women I desire to see.

ROBINSON i92

Come to-nightith your Lydianlyre.Come, rosebud mine; this heart's desire,Sweet Gongyla, must go out to you,For a glimpseof your gown hath thrilled me through

And put new joy in my heart.I too found fault once on a dayWith the Lady of Love whose grace I prayThese words of mine may not lose for me.But bringme a maid I'd rather see

Than all her kind apart. J. M. EDMONDS

XXXIII. TALK WITH ME

. . .

For you came to my house the other day and sang tome, and that is why I am come. O talk with me come42


49/124

down and make me free of your beauty.For we are walk-ngnear, and well you know it. O send your handmaidens

away, and may the Gods grant me whatsoever they havefor me. Were there a road which man could tread to greatOlympus, I would ever . . . Edmonds 46Indeed it were nothing unseemly if some blamed theebecause thou hast come to me or talked with me, andbecause thou hast favored so finelythose whom it wasnot fitting;or we walk everywhere.But let us say this,you and me, Is it possibleor mortal maidens to be faraway from the women whom they possess and cherish.?

ROBINSON i90

XXXIV. TO A BRIDEGROOM

. . .And we maidens spend all the night at this door,

singing of the love that is between thee, thrice happybridegroom, and a bride whose breast is sweet as violets.But get thee up and go when the dawn shall come, andmay great Hermes lead thy feet where thou shalt findjustso much ill-luck as we shall see sleepto-night.

EDMONDS 47

And we maidens at the doors spend all the night,veryhappy bridegroom,singing of the love of thee and thybride with purplegirdle . . But arise when the dawncomes, and go, and may Hermes himself lead thy feetwhere thou shalt have as much hard luck as we shall seesleep. ROBINSON 20743


50/124

XXXV. TO ATTHIS

I LOVED you, Atthis, long ago, when my own girlhoodwas stillall flowers, and you you seemed to me a small

ungainlychild. edmonds 48I LOVED thee once, Atthis, long ago ... a slightand ill-favored child didst thou seem to me.

^ ^ ^ ,V^HARTON 33, 34

I LOVED thee Atthis, once long ago ... to me thou didstseem a small and ungracefulhild. cox 3i, 32I LOVED you, Atthis, once, longlong ago . . .You seemed to me a small, ungainlychild.

C. M, BOWRA

I LOVED you, Atthis, longago.While yet my youth was blossomingAnd you were still,o outward show,A slightungainlylittlething. J. M. EDMONDS

XXXVI. A FOOLISH WOMAN

But come, be not so proudof a ring. edmonds 5 i

Foolish woman, prideot thyselfn a ring.WHARTON 35

Foolish woman Have no prideabout a ring.cox 33

O FOOLISH woman, dost thou set thy prideupon a ring?MICHAEL FIELD

44


51/124

XXXVII. UNDECIDED

I KNOW not what to do; I am in two minds. . .

EDMONDS 52

I KNOW not what to do; my mind is divided.WHARTON 36

I KNOW not what to do: I have two minds. cox 34

In doubt I am, I have two minds,I know not what to do. edwin m. cox

XXXVIII. THE SKY

I could not expect to touch the skywith my two arms.EDMONDS 53

I DO not think to touch the sky with my two arms.WHARTON 37

With my two arms, I do not aspireto touch the sky.cox 35

I THINK not with these twoWhite arms to touch the blue.


XXXIX. LOVE

As for me, love has shaken my wits as a down-rushingwhirlwind that falls upon the oaks. edmonds 54

45


52/124

Now Eros shakes my soul, a wind on the mountain fall-ngon the oaks, WHARTON 42

Now Eros shakes my soul, a wind on the mountain over-helmingthe oaks. cox 40

Lo, Love once more my soul within me rendsLike wind that on the mountain oak descends,

J. ADDINGTON SYMONDS

As wind upon the mountain oaks in storm.So Eros shakes my soul,my life,my form.


Now like a mountain wind the oaks o'erwhelming,Eros shakes my soul. edwin m. cox

Love hath shaken my heart as a down-rushingwhirlwindthat falleth upon the oaktrees. j. M. Edmonds

XL. ON SOFT CUSHIONS

. . .And I will set you recliningn soft cushions , , .

EDMONDS 56

But I upon a soft cushion disposey limbs.WHARTON 50

But upon a soft cushion I disposemy limbs. cox 4646


53/124

XLI. GOODNESS IS BEAUTY

He who is fair to look upon is good, and he who is good,will soon be fair also. wharton iOi

He that is fair is fair to outward show;He that is good will soon be fair also. edmonds 58He who is fair isgood to look upon;He who isgood is fair,though youthbe gone,


He should be good who is fair of face.And he will be fairwhose soul has grace.

EDWIN M. cox

Beauty, fair flower, upon the surface lies;But Worth with Beauty soon in aspect vies. anon.

XLH. FAR SWEETER

Far sweeter-tuned than the lyre. . .

more golden thangold. EDMONDS 59, 60Far sweeter of tone than harp,more golden than gold.

WHARTON i22, i23

Than the lyre,far sweeter in tone, than gold,moregolden. cox ii5Far sweeter than the throbbinglyrein sound,A voice more goldenthan gold,new found.

EDWIN M. cox

47


54/124

I2I3EMMSMM3MSM2MBM3J2MSM3MSI3MSME3MaiSM2^^

XLIII. FROM A WEDDING SONG

. . .But come, dear maidens, let us end our song, for day

is at hand. edmonds 65

But come, dear girls,et us cease from our song; for theday is near. robinson 20648


55/124


56/124

ways was festal mirth; for bowls and cups were mixed,and myrrh and cassia and frankincense curled aloft. Mean-hile

the elder women raised a loud cry, and all the menshouted amain a delightfulong of thanksgivingnto theFar-DartingGod of the lyre,and hymned the praiseofthe 2od-like Hector and Andromache.

*^ EDMONDS 66

, . .Cyprus

...a herald came sustained by the might of

his swift limbs, to the folk of Ida these fair tidingsbring-ngas a swift messenger . . . and throughoutthe rest of

Asia these tiding-swere a fame that never since has died.Hector and his mates are bringingfrom holy Thebe andever-flowinglacia the shyly-glancingovelyAndrom-che

in shipsupon the briny sea; and many bracelets ofgold and robes of purple,yes and smooth rich embroid-ries,

varied bridal dower, and silver beakers beyond num-er,and ivories, So he spoke; and quicklyuprose the

father beloved, and rumor went throughout the wide-wayed cityof Ilus. Straightwaythe peopleof Ilium underthe well-wheeled carts brought the mules, and thereonmounted all the throng of wives and virginsof slenderankles; but apart from them Priam's daughters went.And steeds the men brought under the chariots,and withthem went all the youths. And mightily moved themighty people,and charioteers brought out their coltsadorned with embossed cheek-pieces.

. .

When then ontheir cars they were mounted, like to gods,Hector andAndromache, there drove with them all the Trojan menand Trojan women into delightfulIlium

. . . they50


57/124

mingled. . .

and as the maidens. . .

and cassia and incenseflamed up in smoke. And the wives, those who were older,cried aloud, and allthe men shouted in a strong clear voicea lovelypaean, callingn the name of the Far-Darter ofthe goodlylyre,and theyhymned Hector and Androm-che,

like to the gods.^^^ ROBINSON 208

Hector and his men bringthe girl,er eyes gleaming.From Thebe the Holy,from Placia fount unfailing,Andromache the beautiful,over the salt sea sailingWith whorls and roundlets golden,with robes for her arrayingPurpleembroidered daintily,way on the wind streaming;And silver cups uncountable and carven ivory.

This was the herald's story.And Hector's father heard it,and gay he rose, and the sayingWent the round of Troy Town for allfriends' knowing.Then the men of Troy put their mules into harnessingBack againstthe chariots,and then mounted pressingThe rout of young women, and of lightfootirlsoing.Then Priam's daughtersapart; and then the soldiersWere harnessingheir horses under the chariot rim,The young men in their prime. . . .And the sweet pipingwith lyreplayas blending.With castanets clashing;nd the maidens highsingingSang the holysong to heaven ascendingWith strange din ringing. . .There were myrrh and cassia with frankincense smoking;There the elder women their chant were choirino-;

5i


58/124

There allthe men sang their high song invokingThe God far-darting,aean of the lyring,Singingfor Hector and for Andromache divine.

GEORGE ALLEN

. . .With tidingsair to Ida's people,sped

By strengthof fleetlimb, swift a herald came.And Asia through,this new^s v^on livingfame: Hector and all his meinie hither bring,

From sacred Thebe and the fair-flowingPlacia,on shipboardo'er the brinyseaThe daintysparkling-eyedndromache;Armlets of goldcome plentydown the windAnd purplefind,bridegiftsf every kind,Much ivorytoo, and many a silver cup.

He spake,and Hector's father dear leaptup,And quickthe news went Troy'swide ways about.Eftsoons her sons the wheeled wains brought outAnd yoked the mules, and in the dames allsteptAnd damsels slender-ankled, one wain keptApart for Priam's daughters;every manJoinedhorse to chariot-pole,nd with them ranThe striplingsach and all, tillin one throngA mighty folk went mightilyalong.

The drivers drave the boss-bedizened steedsOut of the city

When in their equipage the godlikepair,Andromache and Hector, mounted were,52


59/124

Thousands convoyed them as the town spedhomeTowards the walls o lovelyIlium;Sweet-tuned flute was mingled with the lyreTo the din of rattles,and a maiden quireShrilled holysong, tillwide the sky was rivenWith wondrous sound, and the Gods laughed

in Heaven.In every street was merrymaking; mixtWere wine-bowl and wine-cup ; and the firm-fixtAltars sent curlingupward to the skiesFrankincense, myrrh, and cassia, 'mid the criesOf the elder women, while the men each oneThe Paean sweet sang loud to Leto's Son,Lord of the Lyre and Bow, and hymned in gleeThe godlikeHector and Andromache,

J. M. EDMONDS

XLV. GARLANDS

And the maids ripefor wedlock wove garlands.EDMONDS 61

But in their time theyplaitedarlands. wharton 13They plaitedarlandsin their time. michael field

XLVI. TO THE GRACES

Hither, pure rose-armed Graces, daughtersf Zeus.EDMONDS 5S

52


60/124

Come, rosy-armedure Graces, daughtersof Zeus.WHARTON 65

Come, rosy-armedraces, virgindaughtersof Zeus.cox 62

Ye rosy-armed,ure Graces, come,Daughters of Zeus, be near michael field

XLVII. THE GOD OF LOVE

. . .Come from heaven and throv^^ off his purplemantle.

EDMONDS 69

Coming from heaven wearing a purplemantle.WHARTON 64

Coming from heaven, clad in a purplemantle. cox 6iFrom heaven he came.

And round him the red chlamysburned like flame.J. ADDINGTON SYMONDS

From heaven returning;red of hue,His chlamys burningagainstthe blue.


XLVHI. TO AN UNEDUCATEDWOMAN

When you are dead you will lie unremembered for ever-ore;for you have no part in the roses that come from

54


61/124

Pieria; nay, obscure here, you will move obscure from thehouse of Death, and flitto and fro among such of the deadas have no fame. edmonds 7 i

But thou shalt lie dead, nor shall there ever be any re-embranceof thee then or thereafter,for thou hast not of

the roses of Pieria; but thou shalt wander obscure evenin the house of Hades, flittingmong the shadowy dead.

WHARTON 68

But thou shalt ever liedead nor shall there be any remem-ranceof thee then or ever, for thou hast none of the roses

of Pieria; but thou shalt wander unnoticed, even in thehouses of Hades flittingmong the shadowy dead.

cox 65

Forever shalt thou liedead, nor shall there be any remem-ranceof thee now or hereafter,for never hast thou had

any of the roses of Pieria; but thou shalt wander, eternallyunregarded in the houses of Hades, flittingmong theinsubstantial shades. cox 65

Thou liestdead, and there will be no memory left behindOf thee or thine in all the earth, for never didst thou bindThe roses of Pierian streams upon thy brow; thy doomIs now to flitwith unknown ghostsin cold and nameless

gloom. EDWIN ARNOLD55


62/124

Yea, thou shalt die,And lie

Dumb in the silent tomb;Nor of thy nameShall there be any fame

In ages yet to be or years to come:For of the floweringoseWhich on Pieria blows,

Thou hast no share:But in sad Hades' house,Unknown, inglorious

'Mid the dim shades that wander thereShalt thou flitforth and haunt the filmyair.


Dead shalt thou lie;and noughtBe told of thee or thought,

For thou hast pluckednot of the Muses' tree:And even in Hades' hallsAmidst thy fellow-thralls

No friendlyhade thyshade shall companyTHOMAS HARDY

Thee too the years shall cover; thou shalt beAs the rose born of one same blood with thee.As a song sung, as a word said,and fallFlower-wise, and be not any more at all,Nor any memor)^ of thee an^^where;For never Muse has bound above thine hair

56


63/124


64/124

L. HERO OF GYARA

Well did I teach Hero of Gyara, the fleetly-runningmaid

. . .Edmonds 73

I TAUGHT Hero of Gyara, the swift runner, wharton 7 iHero of Gyara, that swift runner, I taught. cox 68

LI. NO REVENGE

, . .

Yet I am not resentful in spirit,ut have the heart ofa littlechild. Edmonds 74

I AM not one of revengeful temper, but have a simplemind. wharton 72

I AM not of a malign nature but have a calm temper.cox 69

LH. MY SERVITOR LOVE

My servitor Love and thou, O Sappho. . .

EDMONDS 75

Thou and my servant Love. wharton 74

LIU. FAME

Somebody, I tell you, will remember us hereafter . . .others have been disappointedby oblivion, but never oneby the judgment of good men. Edmonds 76, 77


65/124

Men I think will remember us even hereafter.WHARTON 32

Methinks hereafter in some later springEcho will bear to men the songs we sing.


LIV. TO HER LUTE

Up, my lute divine, and make thyselfthingof speech . .EDMONDS 80

Comenow,

divine shell,become vocal for me.WHARTON 45

Come, O divine shell,yieldthy resonances to me.cox 42

Come now, divine tortoise,mayest thou become endowedwith speechfor me. robinson 58

Come, make thyselfthingof speech.My Lute divine. j. M. edmonds

Come, O come, divinest shell,And in my ear allthy secrets tell. edwin m. cox

Singing, O shell,divineLet now thy voice be mine. H. de vere stackpoole59


66/124

LV. TO ATTHIS

Lo Love the looser of limbs stirs me, that creature irre-istible,bitter-sweet; but you, Atthis, have come to hate

the thought of me, and run after Andromeda in my stead.EDMONDS 8i

Now Love masters my limbs and shakes me, fatal crea-ure,bitter-sweet

. . .but to thee, Atthis, the thought of

me is hateful ; thou flittestto Andromeda.WHARTON 40, 4i

Now Love the limb-loosener sweeps me away in his eddy,a sweet though bitter irresistible beast. . . . Yet, Atthis, itis hateful to thee to think of me, and thou flittest toAndromeda. robinson 7, 8

Love has unbound my limbs and set me shaking,A monster bitter-sweet and my unmaking.

C. M. BOWK A

Now Love, the ineluctable,with bitter sweetnessFills me, overwhelms me, and shakes my being.

EDWIN M. cox

Lo, Love once more, the limb-dissolvinging,The bitter-sweet impracticablehing,Wild-beast-like rends me with fierce quivering.


60


67/124

The Looser of our Limbs shakes me amain,Love, the resistlessravener, joy-in-painBut, Atthis, love is turned to hate in thee;Andromeda's thyquest instead of me.

J. M. EDMONDS

Now Love has bound me, trembling,hands and feet,O Love so fatal,Love so bitter-sweet.Hateful my face is to thee.Hateful to thee beyond speaking,Atthis, who fliestfrom meLike a white bird Andromeda seeking.

H. DE VERB STACKPOOLE

6i


68/124

LVI. TO ATTHIS

... Sappho, I swear if you come not forth I will loveyou no more. O rise and shine upon us and set free yourbeloved strengthfrom the bed, and then like a pure lilybeside the spring hold aloof your Chian robe and washyou in the water. And Cleis shall bring down from yourpresses saffron smock and purplerobe; and let a mantlebe put over you and crowned with a wreath of flowers tiedabout your head; and so come, sweet with all the beautywith which you make me mad. And do you, Praxinoeroast us nuts, so that I may make the maidens a sweeterbreakfast; for one of the Gods, child, has vouchsafed usa boon. This very day has Sappho the fairest of all womenvowed that she will surelyeturn with us, the mother withher children.

. . .

Dearest Atthis, can you then forgetallthis that happened in the old days.?

...^^ ^ EDMONDS ^1

Sappho, trulyunless thou wilt rise and come out, I shallnot love thee. Oh, rise and show thyselfo us, and fromthy bed release thy beloved strength,nd with water likea pure lilybeside the spring wash thee, tucking up thyChian robe. And Cleis shall cast upon thee from thy presssaffron smock and purple robe. Put a mantle over thee,and let wreaths of flowers bound about thy head crownthee; and so come, sweet with the beauty with whichthou makest me mad. Roast us nuts, O Praxinoe, so thatI may make the maidens a sweeter breakfast drink. Forthese thingscome to us from one of the gods,child. This62


69/124

very day Sappho, the fairest of women, vowed that shewould return to Mitylene,most beloved of cities. Returnwith us, the mother with her brood. Dearest Atthis, dostthou forgetall those thingsof the past, or dost thou stillremember.? robinson i88

. . .Sappho, ifyou say me nay

My love is lost you from this day.O quityour bed, sweet star of mine.Rise in your dear strengthand shine.And like a lilyure as snowStandingby the water's flow,Tuck up your smock of Chian seamAnd stand and wash you in the stream.Then shall Cleis from the pressTake and giveyou for your dressShift of saffron,robe of red.Cloak for shoulders, wreath for head.And you shall come in allthe graceThat makes me wild to see your face.Go roast me nuts, Praxinoe,That each maid's breakfast merrier be;For God has sent us luck this morn;'Tis the day our Sappho'sswornThat she, the loveliest woman known.At Mytilen,the dearest town,Shall giveher children back their own.'

Dearest Atthis, dearest yet.Can it be that you forget.?63

J. M. EDMONDS


70/124

LVII. TO ATTHIS LEAVING

So I shall never see Atthis more, and in sooth I might aswell be dead. And yet she wept full sore to leave me be-ind

and said Alas how sad our lot; Sappho,I swear 'tisall againstmy will I leave thee ; and I answered her, Goyour way rejoicingand remember me, for you know Idoted upon you. And if you remember not, O then I willremind you of what you forget,how dear and beautifulwas

the lifewe

led together.or with many a garlandofviolets and sweet roses mingled you have decked yourflowinglocks by my side,and with many a woven neckletmade of a hundred blossoms your dainty throat; andwith unguent in plenty,both of the precious and theroyal,have you anointed your fair young skin in mybosom, and upon a soft couch had from the hands ofgentleserving-maidsllthat a delicate-livingonian coulddesire; and no hill was there, nor holy placenor water-brook, whither we did not go, nor ever did the crowdednoise of the earlySpring fillany wood with the medley-song of nightingales,ut you wandered thither withme

. , .

EDMONDS 83

I SHALL never see Atthis again,and I surelywish I weredead. Yet she wept much when she left me, and said thisto me, Woe is me, how terriblye have suffered Sapphotrulyagainstmy will I leave thee. And I answered herwith these words, Rejoicinggo thy way, and rememberme; for thou knowest how I loved thee. But if it be not so,I am fain to remind thee of what thou hast forgot,hose64


71/124


72/124

Or handmaids trim supplyYou've had your fill;ount, sacred spot,Brookside, there's none we haunted not;No grove was loud at break of SpringWith nightingales'weet jargoning

But we went there,you and I . . . J. M. EDMONDS

Truly I want to die.Such was her weeping when she said good-bye.

These words she said to me:What sad calamity

Sappho, I leave you most unwillingly.To her I made replyGo with good heart,but try

Not to forgetur love in daysgone by.Else let me call to mind,If your heart proves unkind,

The soft delightfulays you leave behind.Many a coronetOf rose and violet.

Crocus and dill upon your brow you set:Many a necklace tooRound your soft throat you threw,

Woven with me from buds of ravishingue,And often balm you spreadOf myrrh upon my head ,

And royalointment on my hair you shed.CM, BOWRA

66


73/124

LVIII. TO A VIRGIN

. . .And I answered you, I swear to you by the Goddess

that although I, Hke you, had o Zeus but one virginit)^nevertheless I feared not the threshold beyond whichHera had bidden me cast it away. Aye, thus I heartenedyou, and cried aloud, That night was sweet enough forme, neither have you, dear maid, anything to fear. . . .Nay, I tellyou, I prayedthat nightof ours might be madetwice as long. edmonds 84

. . .And I answered thee thus: I have sworn this to thee

by the Goddess Aphroditethat, although I myself,too,had from Zeus not many virginities,ut one, neverthelessI feared not the threshold beyond which Hera had com-anded

me to cast it away. With these words I cheeredthee, and shouted aloud, To me, virgin,the night didnot appear to be heavy,so that thou too need not be dis-raught

with fear. ROBINSON i86

LIX. A DREAM OF HERMES[Who led the dead to Hades]

. . .Surely, said Gongyla, you cannot tell.?or have

your eyes seen a sign.? They have, said I; Hermescame to me in a dream, and I said O Master, I am alto-ether

undone; for bv the Blessed Goddess I swear to theeI care not so much any more that I am exalted unto pros-erity,

but a desire possesses me to die, and to behold thedewy lotus-bearinganks of Acheron. ... edmonds 8567


74/124

Long, said I, it cannot be. And Gongyla said, Howknowest thou that? Surelynot Or what sign art thouwillingto show thy children? Certainly,'lltellyou,I answered. Hermes came in, and lookingupon him Isaid, O Master, we are utterlylost. For I swear by theblessed mistress Aphroditethat I care naught any morethat I have been lifted up to prosperity,ut a longingtodie hath seized me. I desire thee to set me in the dewyfield whither in former days thou didst lead Atreus' sonAgamemnon and all the select flower of the Achaeans.But I must leave this lightof day,seeingthat I . . .

ROBINSON 204

Long said I it cannot be.How know you

that? asked Gongyle;Has signbeen sent you? Yes I said;Great Hermes stood before my bed,

And Lord Most High I cried to him,My joysare done ;

All my great prosperity,So helpme Love is nought to me;My one desire's to die,and see

The dew-besprinkledotus-brimOf Acheron ... J. M. EDMONDS

LX. ON ANACTORIA

Atthis, our beloved Anactoria dwells in far-off Sardis,but she often sends her thoughts hither, thinkinghowonce we used to live in the days when you were like a68


75/124

gloriousoddess to her and she loved your song the best.And now she shines among the dames of Lydia as aftersunset the rosy-fingeredoon beside the stars that areabout her, when she spreadsher lighto'er briny sea andeke o'er floweryfield,while the dew lies so far on theground and the roses revive and the daintyanthryscandthe melilot with all its blooms. And oftentime while ourbeloved wanders abroad, when she calls to mind the loveof gentleAtthis, her tender breast, for sure, is weigheddown deep with longing;and she cries aloud for us tocome thither; and what she says we know full well, youand I, for flower-tressed Night that hath the many earscalls it to us alongall that liesbetween. edmonds 86

Atthis, Anactoria dear to you and dear to me, is dwellingin distant Sardis,often turning her thoughthither, think-ng

how once we lived tagethera life in which she heldthee like to a gloriousgoddess,and took especialelightnthy song. And now she is conspicuousamong the Lydiandames as, when the sun has set, is the rosy-fingeredoonbeside the stars about her, when she spreadsher lighto'erbriny sea and o'er the many-flowered fields,while thenoble dew is shed forth,and the roses revive and the daintyanthryscand the honey-lotuswith its bloom. And oft-times as she wanders about, thinkingof her love for gentleAtthis, doubtless her tender heart is weighted down withlonging;and she cries shrillyo us to come thither; andwhat she says, not unknown to us. Night, the many-eared, calls to us across the severingsea. robinson i8769


76/124

Atthis, our Anactory,Dear to you and dear to me,

Is in far Sardis dwelling;But her thoughts turn often hitherTo the life we led together,When you her earthlyGoddess were,Passingnoble, passingfair,

Your song all song excelling.Now the Lydian dames besideShe's like the Moon at eventideWith her rosy fingersedShining,when the Sun's abed.

Beside her neighborfires.And launchinglighto'er brinyseaAnd eke o'er blossom-broidered lea.While the dew its boon outshedsAnd pinksand roses lifttheir heads

And gilliflowersheir spires.And often as her way she wandersAnd on gentleAtthis ponders,With sad longinglove oppressedHer heart sinks in her tender breast

Till she cries in painO come to me for you and IKnow the burden of her cry,Since flower-robed Night of the myriad earsSends us word of what she hears

Across the severing main.J. M. EDMONDS

70


77/124

Atthis, in Sardis far awayAnactoria dear to theeAnd dear indeed alike to me

Now dwells, but hither often stray

Her thoughts sent usward by the powerThat lives anew the lifeshe lovedWhen thou her gloriousgoddessproved,

Thy songs her joy at every hour.

You were her sun , now set too soon ;Among the Lydian dames she shinesAs, after sunset, glow the lines

Of lighthe rosy-fingeredoon

Throws on her retinue of starsSpreadinga far-flungane of beamsThat gleams the salt sea o'er and streams

Across the rockyshore that bars

In vain the lightthat floods its gloom.And leapinglandward bathes the fieldsWhere many a flower itsbeautyyields

With fragrantariegatedloom.

Full fair the dew springsforth and holdsThe light,he roses lifttheir heads,The daintyanthryscsuittheir beds,

The clover,honey-rich,nfolds.7i


78/124

Through allthis beauty,hard unrestAnd longingcrushinglike a stoneHer tender heart, ofttimes alone

She wanders with a weighted breast.She cannot calm her quiveringlip

And through the balmy, scented darkShe cries aloud we must embark

And thither come on some swift ship.Full clear her words to thee and me,

For nightwith allher many earsTheir ardent sound full gladlyhears

And sends us o'er the severingsea.DAVID M. ROBINSON

A GLORIOUS goddessin her eyesWere you, her comrade, and your songsAbove all other songs she'd prize.With Lydian women now she dwellsSurpassinghem, as when day diesThe rosy-fingeredoon excelsThe host of stars, and lightillumesThe salt sea and the cornland glowsWith lightupon its thousand blooms.In loveliness the dew spillsverAnd with new strengthrevives the rose,Slim grasses and the flowering:clover.But sadlyup and down she goes.Remembering Atthis, once her lover.And in her heart sick longinggrows.72

C. M. BOWRA


79/124


80/124

LXII. TO APHRODITE

. . .

And hanging on either side thy face the purplehand-erchiefwhich Timas sent for thee from Phocaea, a

preciousgiftfrom a preciousgiver . . . edmonds 87

And purplenapkinsfor thy lap. . ,

(even these wilt thoudespise) sent from Phocaea, preciousgiftsor thy lap.

WHARTON 44

And tying the snood of cramoisieTo hang beside Thy face,

The preciousgifthat came to TheeFrom a preciousgivero'er the sea

Thy cheeks to grace. j. m. edmonds

LXIII. TO ATTHIS

You are come; it is well; I was longingfor you, and nowyou have made my heart to flame up and burn with love.Bless you, I say, thrice bless you, and for just so long asyou and I have been parted. edmonds 89

Thou hast come: thou hast done well. I longed for thee:and thou hast inflamed my heart alreadyburning withdesire. Hail to us, many times hail,and for as long as wewere partedfrom one another. robinson i 574


81/124

You are come; 'tiswell; I longedfor you;And you have brought to flame anew

The fireof love in my heart ;Welcome's the burden of my songAnd blessingsn you for justso long

As you and I were apart. j. m. edmonds

LXIV. BRILLIANCE

...

A GLAMOR blindingthe eyes . . . edmonds 90A SHEEN blindingthe eyes like to the hyacinth-flower.

ROBINSON i22

LXV. DEATH

Death is an ill; the gods at least think so,Or else themselves had perishedlong ago. edmonds 9 i

Death is evil;the gods have so judged:had it been good,they would die. wharton i37

Death is an evil,for the godschoose breath;Had Death been good the gods had chosen Death.H. DE VERE STACKPOOLE

To die must needs be sad, the godsdo know it;For were death sweet, they'ddie,and straightwayhow it.

EDWIN ARNOLD

75


82/124

LXVI. A PUBLIC BEAUTY

. . .With whom you are mingled in a vagrant friendship

which deems that beautiful which any man may have forthe asking. edmonds 92[Perhapsreferringo her brother's love for Doricha]

Which deems that beautiful which is devoted to thepublicgood. ROBINSON i62

LXVII. STUBBORNNESS

Foolish girl,o not try to bend a stubborn heart.EDMONDS 93

Fool, faint not thou in thystrong heart, wharton i iO

LXVIII. OF THE CRICKET

. . .And pours down a sweet shrill song from beneath his

wings, when the Sun-god illumines the earth with hisdown-shed flame outspread

. .edmonds 94

From beneath her wings she pours forth a clear shrillsong,when she shouts down the outspreadperpendicularlazeof the noonday sun. robinson 9676


83/124

jSiaSJSM3MSMM2MSM3JaMSMa2MSM2MSiaiSMSISEMai^^

. . .And sings

A shrillsweet song from 'neath her wings,When the Sun his rays doth spreadPlumb from the zenith

... j. M. edmonds

LXIX. I HAVE COME BACK

Dainty one, to thee from whom I had been partedalto-etherI have come back again . . . edmonds 96Lo to the soft arms of her whom I had shunned so longIhave come back. robinson i2i

Fair one, from whom I'd partedbeenSo longand far,lo,I behold you ... j. m. edmonds

LXX. LEDA

They say that once upon a time Leda found hidden anegg of hyacinthineue . . . edmonds 97Leda theysay once found an egg hidden under hyacinth-blossoms. WHARTON 56

They say that Leda once found an egg under thehyacinths. cox 52They say, 'neath leaf and blossomLeda found in the gloomAn egg, white as her bosom,Under an irisbloom. h. de vere stackpoole

77


84/124

LXXI. THE COUNTRY GIRL

. . .And what countrified wench in countrified clothes

fires your breast, though she knows not how to draw hergown over her ankles? Edmonds 98

What peasant-girlewitches thy heart, who knows nothow to draw her dress about her ankles? wharton 70

What country maiden charms thy heart,However fair,however sweet.Who has not learned by graciousArtTo draw her dress around her feet?


What rustic girlewitches thee.Who cannot even drawHer garments neat as theyshould be.Her ankles roundabout? edwin m. cox

LXXH. THE YOUNG HUSBAND

. . .But if

youlove me, choose yourself younger wife;for I cannot submit to live with one that is younger than I.

EDMONDS 99

But if thou lovest us, choose a younger bed-fellow; for Iwill not brook to live with thee, thine elder as I am.

WHARTON 75

78


85/124

For ifthou lovest us, choose another and a younger spouse ;for I will not endure to live with thee, old woman withyoung man. cox 72

If love thou hast for me, not hate,Arise and find a younger mate ;For I no longerwill abideWhere youth and age lieside by side.


LXXIII. WEALTH AND WORTH

Wealth without worth is no harmless housemate; butthe blendingof the two is the top of fortune.

EDMONDS iOO

Wealth without worth is no safe neighborbut the mix-ureof both is the heightof happiness. WHARTON Si

Wealth without thee, Worthiness, is no safe neighbor,but the mixture of both is the heightof happiness.

cox 78

Wealth without Worth is a dangerousguest;They that have both are of all men most blest.J. M, EDMONDS

Wealth without virtue is a dangerousguest;Who holds them mingled is supremelyblest.

JOHN H. MERIVALE

79


86/124

LXXIV. COME, GRACES

O HITHER, soft Graces and lovely-tresseduses.EDMONDS iOi

Come now, delicate Graces and fair-haired Muses.WHARTON 60

Come, Graces soft and Muses lovely-tressed.J. M. EDMONDS

Come to me, O ye graces,Delicate, tender, fair;Come from your heavenlyplaces.Muses with goldenhair. H. de vere stackpoole

LXXV. ADONIS IS DYING

The delicate Adonis isdying,Cytherea;what can we do.f*. . .

Beat your breasts,maidens, and rend your garments.EDMONDS i03

Delicate Adonis is dying,Cytherea;what shall we do?Beat your breasts,maidens, and rend your tunics.

WHARTON 62

Gentle Adonis is dying, O Cythera; what shall we do?Beat your breasts,O maidens, and rend your garments.

cox 59

80


87/124


88/124

LXXVIIL FLOWERS

A MAIDEN full tender pluckingflowers, wharton i 2 iA MOST tender maiden gatheringflowers cox i i 4I SAW one day a-gatheringlowersThe daintiest littlemaid. edmonds ^07

LXXIX. DYING, TO HERDAUGHTER

For lamentation may not be in a poet'shouse: such thingsbefit not us. wharton i36

For it is not right that in the house of sono- there bemourning. Such thingsbefit not us. robinson i55

Nay, lamentation must not dwellWithin a poet'shouse . . . michael fieldNo house that serves the Muse hath room, I wis.For grief;and so it illbeseemeth this. edmonds i08

LXXX. GOLD

Gold is a child of Zeus; no moth nor worm devours it,and it overcomes the strongest of mortal hearts.

edmonds i i 0

82


89/124

Yea, goldis son of Zeus: no rustIts timeless lightan stain;

The worm that bringsman's flesh to dustAssaults its strengthin vain. MICHAEL FIELD

LXXXI. THE MOON HAS SET

The moon has set, and the Pleiades; it is midnight,thetime is going by, and I sleepalone. wharton 52The moon hath left the sky;Lost is the Pleiads' light;It is midnightAnd time slipsy;But on my couch alone I lie. j. addington symonds

The moon has set, and o'er the seasThrow their last glancethe Pleiades ;The weary nightiswaning fast.The promisedhour is come and past; Yet sleeplessnd alone I lie.Alone

ah, false one, tell me why.

The silver moon is set;The Pleiades are gone;Half the longnightis spent, and yetI lie alone.

BLACKWOOD

JOHN H. MERIVALE

The moon has set beyond the seas.And vanished are the Pleiades;Half the longweary nighthas gone.Time passes yet I lie alone. h. de vere stackpoole83


90/124

LXXXII. AS ROUND AN ALTAR

The moon rose full,and. the maidens, takingtheir standabout the altar

. . .Edmonds i i 2

The moon rose full, and the women stood as thougharound an altar. WHARTON 53

The moon rose full: the women stoodAs though within a sacred woodAround an altar

. . .Michael field

Now rose the moon, full and argentine,While round stood the maidens, as at a shrine.

EDWIN M. COX

Then the full globedmoon arose, and thereThe women stood as round an altar fair.


LXXXIII. THE CRETAN WOMEN

Thus of old did the daintyfeet of Cretan maidens dancepat to the music beside some lovelyaltar,pressingthe softsmooth bloom of the grass. edmonds i i 4

Thus at times with tender feet the Cretan women dancein measure round the fair altar,tramplingthe fine softbloom of the grass. wharton 54

84


91/124

Thus sometimes, the Cretan women, tender footed, dancein measure round the fair altar,crushingthe fine bloomof the grass. cox 50

The Cretan women thus of old carefullyith tender feetdanced about a fair altar,treadingthe delicate soft bloomof the sward. ROBINSON 25

And thus at times, in Crete, the women thereCircle in dance around the altar fair;In measured movement, treadings theypassWith tender feet the soft bloom of the grass.


[With the previous]

Then, as the broad moon rose on high,The maidens stood the altar nigh;And some in gracefuleasureThe well-loved spot danced round,With lightsomefootstepsreadingThe soft and grassy ground. m. j. walhouse

LXXXIV. MNASIDICA

Mnasidica, of fairer form than the daintyGyrinno.EDMONDS ii5

Mnasidica is more shapelythan the tender Gyrinno.WHARTON 76

85


92/124

More shapelyis Mnasidica, than gentleGyrinno.cox 73

Mnasidica of fairer shape than tenderest Gyrinno.J. M. EDMONDS

LXXXV. GO GARLANDED

. . .But do you, Dica, let your daintyfingerswine a

wreath of anise-spraysnd bind your lovelylocks; for itmay well be that the blessed Graces, too, are more apt tolook with favor on that which is adorned with flowers,whereas theyturn away from allthat goes ungarlanded . .

EDMONDS i i 7

Do thou, Dica, surround garlandswith fair foliage,ithsoft hands twining shoots of dill together:for even theblessed Graces look kindlier on a flowerysacrifice,andturn their face away from those who lack garlands.

WHARTON 78

Do thou, O Dica, set garlandsupon thylovelyhair,weav-ngsprigsof dill with thy delicate hands; for those who

wear fair blossoms may surelystand first even in thepresence of Goddesses who look without favor upon thosewho come ungarlanded. cox 75

But placethose garlandsn thylovelyair,Twining the tender sprouts of anise greenWith skilful hand ; for offeringsnd flowersAre pleasingo the Gods, who hate allthoseWho come before them with uncrowned heads.

C. D. YONGE

86


93/124

[aaMM2M3MSM5MSrSMMSISMMSMMSiaiSiaJSiaiaiSMMSIS^^

Of foliagend flowers love-ladenTwine wreaths for thyflowinghair,With thine own soft fingers,aiden.Weave garlandsf parsleyair;For flowers are sweet, and the GracesOn suppliantsreathed with mayLook down from their heavenlyplaces.But turn from the crownless away. j. a. symonds

Here, fairestRhodope,recline,And 'mid thybrightlocks intertwine,With fingersoft as softest down,The ever verdant parsleyrown.The Gods are pleasedith flowers that bloomAnd leaves that shed divine perfume.But, ifungarlanded,despiseThe richest offered sacrifice. John h. merivale

Let daintyfingers,ica mine,With wreathen dillthylove-locks twine;For that which is with flowers gay.Favor never saith it nay.But she will turn away her headFrom all that goes ungarlanded. j. m. edmonds

Weave garlands,aiden, from the strandsOf dill,and with soft gentleandsSet the delicious leafageound your head.87


94/124

The Goddess and the happy GracesLove to look on flower-crowned faces,But turn aside from the ungarlanded.

CM. BOWRA

Bring summer flowers,bringpansy, violet.Moss-rose and sweet-briar and blue columbine.Bringloveliest leaves,rathe privet,eglantine.Brown myrtleswith the dews of morning wet:Twine thou a wreath upon thy brows to set;With thy soft hands the wayward tendrils twine ;Then placethem, maiden, on those curls of thine.Those curls too fairfor gems or coronet.Sweet is the breath of blossoms, and the Graces,When suppliantshrough Love's templewend their way.Look down with smiles from their celestialplacesOn maidens wreathed with chapletsf the may;But from the crownless choir theyhide their faces.Nor heed them when theysing nor when theypray.


Take sprigsof anise fairWith soft ha

Documents

Songs of Sappho in English Translation by Many Poets 1000630941