V

O Aphrodite, God-born and deathless, Break not my spirit With bitter anguish: Thou wilful empress, I pray thee, hither!

As once aforetime Well thou didst hearken To my voice far off,— Listen, and leaving Thy father’s golden House in yoked chariot,

Come, thy fleet sparrows Beating the mid-air Over the dark earth. Suddenly near me, Smiling, immortal, Thy bright regard asked

What had befallen,— Why I had called thee,— What my mad heart then Most was desiring. “What fair thing wouldst thou Lure now to love thee?

“Who wrongs thee, Sappho? If now she flies thee, Soon shall she follow;— Scorning thy gifts now, Soon be the giver;— And a loth loved one

“Soon be the lover.” So even now, too, Come and release me From mordant love pain, And all my heart’s will Help me accomplish!