Alcaeus To Sappho[353:1]

How sweet, when crimson colours dart Across a breast of snow, To see that you are in the heart That beats and throbs below.

All Heaven is in a maiden's blush, In which the soul doth speak, That it was you who sent the flush Into the maiden's cheek.

Large steadfast eyes! eyes gently rolled In shades of changing blue, How sweet are they, if they behold No dearer sight than you.

And, can a lip more richly glow, Or be more fair than this? The world will surely answer, No! I, SAPPHO, answer, Yes!

Then grant one smile, tho' it should mean A thing of doubtful birth; That I may say these eyes have seen The fairest face on earth!

1800.