SAPPHO
(Ύμνος προς την Αφροδίτη – Σαπφώ – English translation)
Resplendent-minded immortal Aphrodite,
Wile-weaving child of Zeus, I pray you:
Do not break with wants nor grieves –
O queen – my heart.
But come hither, if at one time or another
You'd caught my far-off voice with
Heedful ears, then leaving your father's abode
Of gold you'd come,
Yoking your chariot – guided by lovely
Sparrows, agile over black earth,
Swift-beating wings whirling through the welkin
Down its midst –
Then suddenly arrive: you, O blessed lady,
Smiling with your deathless face, you
Ask, What has made you suffer this time? and why
Do you invoke me again?
What wish do you yearn most direly to fulfil
In your inebriate heart? Who do you coax this time
To steer back into your affection? Who, oh
Sappho, has wronged you?
For if she flees, soon she will pursue you;
If she accepts no gifts, she'll be giving them instead;
If she does not love, soon she'll love
Even against her will.
Yet still come to me, release me from hard
Solicitudes; and with whatever fulfillments
My heart desires, fulfill it; you yourself
Be my ally.