SAPPHO
(Κύπρι καὶ Νηρήιδες – Σαπφώ – English translation)
Cypris and Nereids – unharmed
Grant that my brother reaches hither;
That whatever his heart desires to realize
Would all see fulfillment;
That whatever wrongs he'd once done, he atones for;
And that he is cause for jubilation to his friends
And for devastation to his enemies; may we no more
Lament for others' sake hereafter.
May he readily give consideration to his sister
In the endowment of honour, yet from baleful sorrow
Unbind her: grieving for whomever passes
Would overwhelm my
Soul – I reproach hearsays – even if skin-deep
Glamour one flaunts before fellow citizens,
Such scant delights would not serve to befuddle,
Surely, much longer.
But listen! O, upon that sight, limbs would
Ease and warm your heart; and you, Cypris – at
Night you lay down laughter despite
Our defences.