A Hymn To Venus Poem by Sappho

A Hymn To Venus

Rating: 2.9


O Venus, beauty of the skies,
To whom a thousand temples rise,
Gaily false in gentle smiles,
Full of love-perplexing wiles;
O goddess, from my heart remove
The wasting cares and pains of love.

If ever thou hast kindly heard
A song in soft distress preferred,
Propitious to my tuneful vow,
A gentle goddess, hear me now.
Descend, thou bright immortal guest,
In all thy radiant charms confessed.

Thou once didst leave almighty Jove
And all the golden roofs above:
The car thy wanton sparrows drew,
Hovering in air they lightly flew;
As to my bower they winged their way
I saw their quivering pinions play.

The birds dismissed (while you remain)
Bore back their empty car again:
Then you, with looks divinely mild,
In every heavenly feature smiled,
And asked what new complaints I made,
And why I called you to my aid?

What frenzy in my bosom raged,
And by what cure to be assuaged?
What gentle youth I would allure,
Whom in my artful toils secure?
Who does thy tender heart subdue,
Tell me, my Sappho, tell me who?

Though now he shuns thy longing arms,
He soon shall court thy slighted charms;
Though now thy offerings he despise,
He soon to thee shall sacrifice;
Though now he freezes, he soon shall burn,
And be thy victim in his turn.

Celestial visitant, once more
Thy needful presence I implore.
In pity come, and ease my grief,
Bring my distempered soul relief,
Favour thy suppliant's hidden fires,
And give me all my heart desires.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Patti Masterman 14 October 2011

Sappho, where did you have your portrait done, it is very unusual looking? (smile)

8 10 Reply

i had no idea that poetry rhymed back in Sappho's day so this poem answers a timeless question; which came first prose or rhyme? at any rate beautiful poem still timeless and timely after all these centuries...

7 1 Reply
* Sunprincess * 06 June 2014

...............truly love this rhyming poem.....a joy to read....

4 1 Reply
Rajnish Manga 19 November 2017

The poem reflects many faces of longing and love for the beloved. A divine invocation. Thanks. Though now he shuns thy longing arms, He soon shall court thy slighted charms; In pity come, and ease my grief, Bring my distempered soul relief,

4 0 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 19 November 2017

Invoking the divine through these lines of a lovely poem. Great sharing sir.

2 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 26 February 2020

excellent Hymn To Venus- Celestial visitant, once more Thy needful presence I implore. In pity come, and ease my grief, Bring my distempered soul relief, Favour thy suppliant's hidden fires, And give me all my heart desires. /// praiseworthy Hymn on the goddess of beauty Venus/// truly enjoyable

0 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 21 October 2019

Well expressed thoughts and feelings. An insightful work of art..........................................................................

0 0 Reply
Deborah Taylor-French 03 February 2019

I am looking for the translater's name. Where do you put them on works in translation?

0 0 Reply
MadMax 28 June 2018

Truly a lesbo icon. Absolute homosexual mad lad.👌👌

4 0 Reply
Sylvaonyema Uba 19 November 2017

Poem built on aesthetic beauty. Good style and good delivery. Sylva.

1 0 Reply
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