 | Idyls and Songs |  |
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VIII. FROM SAPPHO. (I)
HYMN TO APHRODITÉ.
Golden-throned beyond the sky,
Jove-born Immortality:
Hear and heal a suppliant's pain:
Let not love be love in vain!
Jove-born Immortality:
Hear and heal a suppliant's pain:
Let not love be love in vain!
Come, as once to Love's imploring
Accents of a maid's adoring,
Wafted 'neath the golden dome
Bore thee from thy father's home;
Accents of a maid's adoring,
Wafted 'neath the golden dome
Bore thee from thy father's home;
When far off thy coming glow'd,
Whirling down th' ætherial road,
On thy dove-drawn progress glancing,
'Mid the light of wings advancing;
Whirling down th' ætherial road,
On thy dove-drawn progress glancing,
'Mid the light of wings advancing;
And at once the radiant hue
Of immortal smiles I knew;
Heard the voice of reassurance
Ask the tale of love's endurance:—
Of immortal smiles I knew;
Heard the voice of reassurance
Ask the tale of love's endurance:—
‘Why such prayer? And who for thee,
Sappho, should be touch'd by me;
Passion-charm'd in frenzy strong—
Who hath wrought my Sappho wrong?
Sappho, should be touch'd by me;
Passion-charm'd in frenzy strong—
Who hath wrought my Sappho wrong?
‘—Soon for flight pursuit wilt find,
Proffer'd gifts for gifts declined;
Soon, thro' long reluctance earn'd,
Love refused be Love return'd.’
Proffer'd gifts for gifts declined;
Soon, thro' long reluctance earn'd,
Love refused be Love return'd.’
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—To thy suppliant so returning,
Consummate a maiden's yearning:
Love from deep despair set free,
Championing to victory!
Consummate a maiden's yearning:
Love from deep despair set free,
Championing to victory!
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