The Complete Works of Sappho

by Sappho

The stars around the wide moon lose all their shining beauty, as she illuminates the whole earth with silver.

From my suffering, let gathering winds bear it and all my cares away.

And gold stretched along the shores.

καὶ ποθήω καὶ μάομαι. I desire and I seek.

Foolish woman! Be not proud for a ring.

Now Eros stirs my soul, a mountain wind overwhelming the oak trees.

Love shakes my soul, like a mountain wind Falling upon the trees,

But more than all sounds, Surer, serener, Fuller with passion And exultation, Let the hushed whisper 40 In thine own heart say, How I adore thee.

Well I found you in the twilit garden, Laid a lover’s hand upon your shoulder, And we both were made aware of loving Past the reach of reason to unravel, Or the much desiring heart to follow. 5 There we heard the breath among the grasses And the gurgle of soft-running water, Well contented with the spacious starlight, The cool wind’s touch and the deep blue distance, Till the dawn came in with golden sandals. 10

If death be good, Why do the gods not die?

Dreaming saw her dread ineffable beauty, Saw through texture fine of her clinging tunic Blush the fire of flesh, the rose of her body, Radiant, blinding; Saw through filmy meshes the melting lovely Flow of line, the exquisite curves, whence piercing Rapture reached with tangible touch to thrill me, Almost to slay me; Saw the gleaming foot, and the golden sandal Held by straps of Lydian work thrice doubled Over the instep’s arch, and up the rounded Dazzling ankle; Saw the charms that shimmered from knee to shoulder, Hint of hues, than milk or the snowdrift whiter; Secret grace, the shrine of the soul of passion, Glows that consumed me; Saw the gathered mass of her xanthic tresses, Mitra-bound, escape from the clasping fillet, Float and shine as clouds in the sunset splendor, Mists in the dawn-fire; Saw the face immortal, and daring greatly, Raised my eyes to hers of unfathomed azure, Drank their world’s desire, their limitless longing, Swooned and was nothing.

PRIDE Pride not thyself upon a ring, Or any trinket thing Of fleeting value, dross or gold. Wealth, lacking worth, is no safe friend, Though both to life may lend, In just proportion, joy untold.

How the fond words, impassioned music low, Sustain the sigh of love’s divine regret No length of time may bid the heart forget.

Hush, Alcæus! thou must choose a younger Comrade for thy couch, for I would never Join thy years to mine — the Gods forbid it — Youth and ardent fire to age and ashes.

Dost thou think by constant Proofs of lasting passion, Slowly my obdurate Will to wear away? Gorgo, I am weary Of thy love’s insistence, And my strength exhausted Grants thy wish at last.

TELESIPPA Sleep thou in the bosom Of thy tender girl friend, Telesippa, gentle Maiden from Miletus. Like twin petals shyly Closing to the darkness, Dewy on your drooping Lids shall fall her kisses. While her arms enfold you, On your drowsy senses Shall her soft caresses Seal delicious languor. Warm from her desireful Heart the flush of passion On your cheek unconscious, With her sighs shall deepen. All the long sweet night-time, Sleepless while you slumber, She shall lie and quiver With her love’s mad longing.

GYRINNO Now the silver crescent Of the moon has vanished, With the golden Pleiads Drifting down the west. It is after midnight And the time is passing, Hours we pledged to passion And I sleep alone. Anger ill becomes thee, Tender-souled Gyrinno, Shapelier is Dica But less loved by me. Art thou still relentless, Wilful one, annulling All thy protestations In the fervid past? Can it, O Charites, Be thou hast forgotten? Dost thou love another, Even now, perchance? Ah, my tears are falling, Yet in my despairing Mood I lie and listen For thy furtive step; For the lightest rustle Of thy flowing garment, For thy sweet and panting Whisper at the door. Now the moon has vanished With the golden Pleiads; It is after midnight And I sleep alone.