94, Farewell now, go on

SAPPHO

(Lobel-Page 94 – Σαπφώ – English translation)

NOTE: There is debate surrounding the nature of this fragment. Edmonds' reconstruction suggests the "reliev[ed] ... desire" is for "delicacies", but it may well be for something erotic, as reconstructions in this case are all quite questionable.


To be dead: for this I genuinely wish.

She faced me weeping – as she was leaving me


– Many tears, and this she said to me:

"Oh, dear me! how terribly I suffer,

Sappho; I swear, from you unwillingly I go."


To her I, with these words, replied:

"Farewell now, go on – and something of me

Remember; for you know how we'd regaled you.


"If not – well, even so, it's you I want to

Remind that [

As gentle and beautiful as we'd gone through.


"For many flower-crowns of violets

And roses – crocuses, too, twined with

Reed-stalks – beside me you'd put on;


"And many garlanded necklaces

Wreathed around your tender throat, where

You laid them down, from blossoms made;


"And many persistent-scented perfumes,

Luxurious and beautiful, over your skin

You'd lavished, full regal;


"And upon a smooth-spread bed, soft and

Supple, with delicacies you would

Relieve your desire promptly, as girls do;


"And neither any [⠀⠀⠀] nor any

Sacred [

There was where we didn't find ourselves;


"No grove [⠀⠀⠀] choir

] sound

]