PoemHunter.com

Hymn To Aphrodite by Sappho

10/11/2008 10:34:55 PM
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Search Member Area Poetry E-Books Sites Mini Quiz
 

POEMS

LYRICS

MUSIC

QUOTATIONS

SEARCH

   
Sappho
(c. 600 BCE)
Free Poetry E-Book:
50 poems of Sappho

File Size: 167k  File Format: Acrobat Reader
To download the eBook right-Click on the title and select "Save Target As". more ebooks >>
   Poems  Comments  More Info  Stats 

 
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Sappho: 11 / 50 next poem >>
  
 
Hymn To Aphrodite
 
  Throned in splendor, immortal Aphrodite!
Child of Zeus, Enchantress, I implore thee
Slay me not in this distress and anguish,
Lady of beauty.

Hither come as once before thou camest,
When from afar thou heard'st my voice lamenting,
Heard'st and camest, leaving thy glorious father's Palace golden,

Yoking thy chariot. Fair the doves that bore thee;
Swift to the darksome earth their course directing,
Waving their thick wings from the highest heaven
Down through the ether.

Quickly they came. Then thou, O blessed goddess,
All in smiling wreathed thy face immortal,
Bade me tell thee the cause of all my suffering,
Why now I called thee;

What for my maddened heart I most was longing.
"Whom," thou criest, "dost wish that sweet Persuasion
Now win over and lead to thy love, my Sappho?
Who is it wrongs thee?

"For, though now he flies, he soon shall follow,
Soon shall be giving gifts who now rejects them.
Even though now he love not, soon shall he love thee
Even though thou wouldst not."

Come then now, dear goddess, and release me
From my anguish. All my heart's desiring
Grant thou now. Now too again as aforetime,
Be thou my ally.


Sappho


Read poems about / on: father, child, beauty, heaven, heart, love, smile, children

User Rating:

9.2 /10
(5 votes)



 
Comments about this poem (Hymn To Aphrodite by Sappho)  more comments >>
Click here to write your comments about this poem (Hymn To Aphrodite by Sappho)
 
Olivia Perpetua (8/2/2005 7:57:00 PM)
The pronoun 'she' should be used in place of 'he, ' for that was what Sappho originally wrote in her works.
People who read Sappho also read: More classic poets:

The complete list >>

Lyrics

The complete list >>

QuickPoll
Do you think PoemHunter.com is fast enough?
Yes
No

 Search in the World Poetry Database => 

 Search:   in:      tips
Hide the search box!

E-MAIL THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND - Found this page interesting? Recommend it to your friend! 
 Your E-mail:  
 Friend's Email:  
   
Your
Message:

 

(c) Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge..  About Us | Copyright notice | Privacy statement | Help
10/11/2008 10:34:55 PM. You Are Here: Hymn To Aphrodite by Sappho

Home | Poets | Poems | Lyrics | Music | Quotations | Forum | Search | Random Poem | Free Poetry eBooks | Contests | Sites |
Submit a Poem | Manage Your Poems | Contact Us

Christmas Poems | Love Poems | Pablo Neruda | Death Poems | Sad Poems | Birthday Poems | Wedding Poems | Annabel Lee | Sorry Poems | Winter Poems