Sappho Translations X
Sappho Translations X by Michael R. Burch
Sappho, fragment 103c
translation by Michael R. Burch
… remembering delightful Arheanassa,
her laughter lovely as any Lorelei's …
Sappho, fragment 76
translation by Michael R. Burch
Fulfill?
At my age I'm just hanging on!
Sappho, fragment 50
translation by Michael R. Burch
A handsome man pleases the eyes
but a good man pleases.
Sappho, fragment 88
translation by Michael R. Burch
Though you prefer not to get carried away
and may imagine someone sweeter to behold,
someone who may yet say "Yes!"
still I will love you as long as there's breath in me,
swallowing the bitter,
ever the faithful lover.
When anger floods your chest, best to still a reckless tongue. (158)
They say Sappho's sweetest utterance was the hymeneal hymn of Love. (129)
Sappho, fragment 153
translation by Michael R. Burch
Queen Dawn,
solemn Dawn,
come!
Sappho, fragment 26
translation by Michael R. Burch
Why, Mistress Aphrodite,
Dominatrix! Why do you
fill me with such lust? Why
inflict such suffering on me?
When I prayed to you in the past,
you never treated me with such indifference!
Sappho, fragment 132
translation by Michael R. Burch
Love, the child of Aphrodite and heaven;
Sappho, of earth;
Who had the more divine birth?
Sappho, fragment 306a
translation by Michael R. Burch
O most revered Queen of Heaven,
Golden Aphrodite!
Blessed above all mortal women,
and blessed by them …
Goddess, come!
Aphrodite, most beautiful,
enter with your train of elegant attendants!
Arise now for me,
honeysweet Aphrodite!
Meet me with greetings holy and divine!
Be mine!
What ecstasies, O my Queen,
shall we revel in at midnight?
Sappho, fragment 31
translation by Michael R. Burch
To the brightness of Love
not destroying the sight—
sweet, warm noonday sun
lightening things dun:
whence comes the Night?
Sappho, fragment 96
translation by Michael R. Burch
How can mortal women rival the goddesses in beauty? But you may have come closest of all, or second to only Helen! With much love for you Aphrodite poured nectar from a gold decanter and with gentle hands Persuasion bade you drink. Now at the Geraistos shrine, of all the women dear to me, none compares to you.
Keywords/Tags: Sappho, Aphrodite, Persuasion, god, goddess, age, handsome man
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