In Mixed Glyconic And Alcaic Metre

29

[Greek: Stathi kanta philos ...] [Greek: kai tan ep' ossois ampetason charin.]

Stand face to face, friend ... and unveil the grace in thine eyes.

Athenaeus, speaking of the charm of lovers' eyes, says Sappho addressed this to a man who was admired above all others for his beauty. Bergk thinks it may have formed part of an ode to Phaon (cf. fr. 140), or of a bridal song; and A. Schoene suspects that it was possibly addressed to Sappho's brother. The metre is quite uncertain.