A Hymn To Venus Poem by Sappho
A Hymn To Venus
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.
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...
...............truly love this rhyming poem.....a joy to read....
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,
Invoking the divine through these lines of a lovely poem. Great sharing sir.
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
Well expressed thoughts and feelings. An insightful work of art..........................................................................
I am looking for the translater's name. Where do you put them on works in translation?
Poem built on aesthetic beauty. Good style and good delivery. Sylva.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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10/11/2024 7:13:07 AM # 1.0.0
Sappho, where did you have your portrait done, it is very unusual looking? (smile)