The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson including many pieces never before published. In Three Volumes |
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 | The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson |  |
xxviii
TO MRS. ROBINSON,
BY THE REV. WILLIAM TASKER, Translator of the Classics and Author of “Aviragus,” a tragedy.
When Sappho, from the lofty steep,
O'erwhelm'd with dire despair,
Plung'd headlong in the foaming deep,
To end her hopeless care,
O'erwhelm'd with dire despair,
Plung'd headlong in the foaming deep,
To end her hopeless care,
Venus, who saw the tuneful maid
Bend o'er the yawning wave,
Sent her own son, the nymph to aid—
He came too late to save!
Bend o'er the yawning wave,
Sent her own son, the nymph to aid—
He came too late to save!
But as her trembling spirit rose,
To seek its calm abode,
Venus, in pity to her woes,
This gentle boon bestow'd:
To seek its calm abode,
Venus, in pity to her woes,
This gentle boon bestow'd:
xxix
“No more the victim of despair
“Shall Sappho's spirit rove,
“But on the earth, divinely fair,
“Claim every gazer's love!”
“Shall Sappho's spirit rove,
“But on the earth, divinely fair,
“Claim every gazer's love!”
And see! the wondrous nymph appears!
More tuneful, more divine;
She brings new music from the spheres,
And her blest lyre is thine!
More tuneful, more divine;
She brings new music from the spheres,
And her blest lyre is thine!
| The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson | |