31, Equal of the gods

SAPPHO

(Lobel-Page 31 – Σαπφώ – English translation)

Seems to me an equal of the gods, he

Does, that man – whoever facing you is

Seated – and close to your sweet speaking

He listens,

And to your thrilling laugh, by which most truly my

Heart inside my breast is set aflutter.

For when I behold you briefly, voice

Would no more come,

But full-through the tongue is shattered; fine

And fast a flame courses beneath the skin;

Eyes see nothing; a pounding rings in the

Ears;

Down over me sweat outpours – trembling

Seizes me whole – more bloodless than grass

I am; – a stretch away from death

I seem [to myself.

But all must be braved, for even a poor drudge [