SAPPHO
(Lobel-Page 44 – Σαπφώ – English translation)
[
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Cyprus [⠀⠀⠀].
The herald came dashing [
Idaeus here carried the news, quick messenger:
["
And the rest of Asia; on this earth, deathless renown!
"Hector and his comrades are bringing she, swivelling-eyed,
From within holy Thebes by the ever-gushing Plakia –
Delicate Andromache! – in ships on the briny
Sea, with many gold bracelets and girdles
"Purple and perfumed, colourful accessories,
Numberless silver cups and ivory."
Thus he spoke. Promptly leapt up his dear father;
Word went throughout the vast city to friends;
At once the Iliadae under cars well-wheeled
Yoked their mules, on board with a full throng
Of women alongside girls soft-ankled – and
Separately, moreover, Priam's own daughters got on;
Horses drawn by men under curved chariots,
All the men bachelors, greatly [
Carriage. The charioteers [
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] like gods [
] immaculate altogether [
Started [⠀⠀⠀] towards Ilium,
Aulos sweet-tuned with cithara mixed, and
With the click of castanets; then shrilly maidens were
Singing a sacred song attaining the heavens [
Echo divine, laughter [
Everywhere was throughout the streets [
Wine bowls, saucers [
Myrrh with cassia, with frankincense mixed.
The women cried out, every last one among the older;
All the men chanted aloud – lovely and high –
Invoking Paean, sure-aimed, top lyricist,
Hymning Hector and Andromache the godlike.
] [mountain
Phoebus, golden-haired, mothered by Coeus' daughter
Who mingled cloud-high with Cronus' great-named son;
Yet Artemis, by the gods, took a great oath of abstinence –
"By this your head: ever a virgin shall I be,
Unwedded, but on solitary mountaintops
Hunting; come and nod yes to these for my sake."
Thus she spoke. Then you nodded, father of blessed gods.
Virgin deer-shooting huntress: – gods and
Mortals both call her by that great title.
To her, limb-loosening Eros never comes near,
] [undaunted
[I am
[And
[Stream
[
Muses radiant [
Make even the Graces [
Slender [footed
Don't forget the wrath [
Mortals. Among [
[Tarnish