SAPPHO
(Οἰ μὲν ἰππήων στρότον – Σαπφώ – English translation)
Some, cavalry horsemen – yet some, infantrymen –
Some others, ships they say – that on the black earth
Are most beautiful; but to me, it is whatever
One desirously loves.
Fully simple it is, to make understandable
Such a thing to everybody: for far exceeding
Earthly beauty, Helen, her husband –
Greatest among men –
She forsakes to depart and sail for Troy,
And neither child nor beloved parents
She at all remembers, but is led astray by Her
– Yet not unwilling – :
Cypris. Whimsical is she, for she softens always
When – O – someone comes nimbly into her thought.
Even now, Anactoria, you would not be remembered
At all, with her here;
I would rather wish for her lovely footfall
And gaze upon the dazzling radiance of her face
Than upon those Lydian chariots with armors full
Or footsoldiers in combat.
If we see that it is not possible to realize our
Wildest wants as mankind, do be charitable and pray;
Our footing as mortals, then, may be more desirable
Than if we but sought to evade.
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