Daughter of Zeus and Immortal,
Aphrodite, serene
Weaver of spells, at thy portal
Hear me and slay not, O Queen! As in the past, hither to me
From thy far palace of gold,
Drawn by the doves that o'erflew me,
Come, as thou camest of old. Swiftly thy flock bore thee hither,
Smiling, as turned I to thee,
Spoke thou across the blue weather,
"Sappho, why callest thou me?" "Sappho, what Beauty disdains thee,
Sappho, who wrongest thine heart,
Sappho, what evil now pains thee,
Whence sped the dart? "Flies from thee, soon she shall follow,
Turns from thee, soon she shall love,
Seeking thee swift as the swallow,
Ingrate though now she may prove." Come, once again to release me,
Join with my fire thy fire,
Freed from the torments that seize me,
Give me, O Queen! My desire!
- Sappho