Sappho (ca. 630 b.c.–ca. 570 b.c.)

Beautiful-throned, immortal Aphrodite

TRANSLATED BY THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON (1871)

Beautiful-throned, immortal Aphrodite,

Daughter of Zeus, beguiler, I implore thee,

Weigh me not down with weariness and anguish

O Thou most holy!

Come to me now, if ever thou in kindness 5

Hearkenedst my words,—and often hast thou hearkened—

Heeding, and coming from the mansions golden

Of thy great Father,

Yoking thy chariot, borne by the most lovely

Consecrated birds, with dusky-tinted pinions, 10

Waving swift wings from utmost heights of heaven

Through the mid-ether;

Swiftly they vanished, leaving thee, O goddess,

Smiling, with face immortal in its beauty,

Asking why I grieved, and why in utter longing 15

I had dared call thee;

Asking what I sought, thus hopeless in desiring,

Wildered in brain, and spreading nets of passion—

Alas, for whom? and saidst thou, “Who has harmed thee?

“O my poor Sappho! 20

“Though now he flies, ere long he shall pursue thee;

“Fearing thy gifts, he too in turn shall bring them;

“Loveless to-day, to-morrow he shall woo thee,

“Though thou shouldst spurn him.”

Thus seek me now, O holy Aphrodite! 25

Save me from anguish; give me all I ask for,

Gifts at thy hand; and thine shall be the glory,

Sacred protector!