Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics Part 3

O Hermes, master of knowledge, Measure and number and rhythm, Worker of wonders in metal, 15 Moulder of malleable music, So often the giver of secret Learning to mortals!

Now even I, a fond woman, Frail and of small understanding, 20 Yet with unslakable yearning Greatly desiring wisdom, Come to the threshold of reason And the bright portals.

And thou, sea-born Aphrodite, 25 In whose beneficent keeping Earth, with her infinite beauty, Colour and fashion and fragrance, Glows like a flower with fervour Where woods are vernal! 30

Touch with thy lips and enkindle This moon-white delicate body, Drench with the dew of enchantment This mortal one, that I also Grow to the measure of beauty 35 Fleet yet eternal.

V

O Aphrodite, G.o.d-born and deathless, Break not my spirit With bitter anguish: Thou wilful empress, 5 I pray thee, hither!

As once aforetime Well thou didst hearken To my voice far off,-- Listen, and leaving 10 Thy father's golden House in yoked chariot,

Come, thy fleet sparrows Beating the mid-air Over the dark earth. 15 Suddenly near me, Smiling, immortal, Thy bright regard asked

What had befallen,-- Why I had called thee,-- 20 What my mad heart then Most was desiring.

"What fair thing wouldst thou Lure now to love thee?

"Who wrongs thee, Sappho? 25 If now she flies thee, Soon shall she follow;-- Scorning thy gifts now, Soon be the giver;-- And a loth loved one 30

"Soon be the lover."

So even now, too, Come and release me From mordant love pain, And all my heart's will 35 Help me accomplish!

VI

Peer of the G.o.ds he seems, Who in thy presence Sits and hears close to him Thy silver speech-tones And lovely laughter. 5

Ah, but the heart flutters Under my bosom, When I behold thee Even a moment; Utterance leaves me; 10

My tongue is useless; A subtle fire Runs through my body; My eyes are sightless, And my ears ringing; 15

I flush with fever, And a strong trembling Lays hold upon me; Paler than gra.s.s am I, Half dead for madness. 20

Yet must I, greatly Daring, adore thee, As the adventurous Sailor makes seaward For the lost sky-line 25

And undiscovered Fabulous islands, Drawn by the lure of Beauty and summer And the sea's secret. 30

VII

The Cyprian came to thy cradle, When thou wast little and small, And said to the nurse who rocked thee "Fear not thou for the child:

"She shall be kindly favoured, 5 And fair and fashioned well, As befits the Lesbian maidens And those who are fated to love."

Hermes came to thy cradle, Resourceful, sagacious, serene, 10 And said, "The girl must have knowledge, To lend her freedom and poise.

Naught will avail her beauty, If she have not wit beside.

She shall be Hermes' daughter, 15 Pa.s.sing wise in her day."

Great Pan came to thy cradle, With calm of the deepest hills, And smiled, "They have forgotten The veriest power of life. 20

"To kindle her shapely beauty, And illumine her mind withal, I give to the little person The glowing and craving soul."

VIII

Aphrodite of the foam, Who hast given all good gifts, And made Sappho at thy will Love so greatly and so much,

Ah, how comes it my frail heart 5 Is so fond of all things fair, I can never choose between Gorgo and Andromeda?

IX

Nay, but always and forever Like the bending yellow grain, Or quick water in a channel, Is the heart of man.

Comes the unseen breath in power 5 Like a great wind from the sea, And we bow before his coming, Though we know not why.

X

Let there be garlands, Dica, Around thy lovely hair.

And supple sprays of blossom Twined by thy soft hands.

Whoso is crowned with flowers 5 Has favour with the G.o.ds, Who have no kindly eyes For the ungarlanded.