Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics Part 2

LXXIX How strange is love, O my lover

Lx.x.x How to say I love you

Lx.x.xI Hark, love, to the tambourines

Lx.x.xII Over the roofs the honey-coloured moon

Lx.x.xIII In the quiet garden world

Lx.x.xIV Soft was the wind in the beech-trees

Lx.x.xV Have ye heard the news of Sappho's garden

Lx.x.xVI Love is so strong a thing

Lx.x.xVII Hadst thou with all thy loveliness been true

Lx.x.xVIII As on a morn a traveller might emerge

Lx.x.xIX Where shall I look for thee

XC O sad, sad face and saddest eyes that ever

XCI Why have the G.o.ds in derision

XCII Like a red lily in the meadow gra.s.ses

XCIII When in the spring the swallows all return

XCIV Cold is the wind where Daphne sleeps

XCV Hark, where Poseidon's

XCVI Hark, my lover, it is spring!

XCVII When the early soft spring-wind comes blowing

XCVIII I am more tremulous than shaken reeds

XCIX Over the wheat field

C Once more the rain on the mountain

Epilogue

SAPPHO

I

Cyprus, Paphos, or Panormus May detain thee with their splendour Of oblations on thine altars, O imperial Aphrodite.

Yet do thou regard, with pity 5 For a nameless child of pa.s.sion, This small unfrequented valley By the sea, O sea-born mother.

II

What shall we do, Cytherea?

Lovely Adonis is dying.

Ah, but we mourn him!

Will he return when the Autumn Purples the earth, and the sunlight 5 Sleeps in the vineyard?

Will he return when the Winter Huddles the sheep, and Orion Goes to his hunting?

Ah, but thy beauty, Adonis, 10 With the soft spring and the south wind, Love and desire!

III

Power and beauty and knowledge,-- Pan, Aphrodite, or Hermes,-- Whom shall we life-loving mortals Serve and be happy?

Lo now, your garlanded altars, 5 Are they not goodly with flowers?

Have ye not honour and pleasure In lovely Lesbos?

Will ye not, therefore, a little Hearten, impel, and inspire 10 One who adores, with a favour Threefold in wonder?

IV

O Pan of the evergreen forest, Protector of herds in the meadows, Helper of men at their toiling,-- Tillage and harvest and herding,-- How many times to frail mortals 5 Hast thou not hearkened!

Now even I come before thee With oil and honey and wheat-bread, Praying for strength and fulfilment Of human longing, with purpose 10 Ever to keep thy great wors.h.i.+p Pure and undarkened.