The current archive version of Rebekah Cranes’s Day and Night, a collection and arrangement of translations from Sappho, other Greek lyric poets, and Catullus. The collection moves from dawn through desire, celebration, fading light, darkness, loss, and death. Its preface discusses fragmentary transmission, the subjectivity of translation, poetic survival, and the paradox that the most particular and untranslatable element may be what crosses into another language. The body itself is unsigned; Rebekah Cranes’s author/translator role is established by co-frozen canonical provenance. The added “PRIMARY CONTENT INDEX” transclusion note is archive apparatus, not the work’s original title or genre.
*Brief Preface to* Day and Night: Conversations with Sapphic Desire
> Brief Preface to Day and Night: Conversations with Sapphic Desire
>
This work is a collection and arrangement of translations of ancient Greek lyric poets, drawn heavily from Sappho but also including other canonical melic poets (Alcman, Anacreon, Simonides, and a few others), and one Roman poet, Catullus.
> This work is a collection and arrangement of translations of ancient Greek lyric poets, drawn heavily from Sappho but also including other canonical melic poets (Alcman, Anacreon, Simonides, and a few others), and one Roman poet, Catullus.
>
Sappho was a Greek poet from the island of Lesbos who lived from around 630 B.C. Her poems were initially composed to be performed to music. She is the most well-known and celebrated of the ancient lyric poets, both now and with her contemporaries. An epigram in the *Palatine Anthology* (9.506)*,* ascribed -
> Sappho was a Greek poet from the island of Lesbos who lived from around 630 B.C. Her poems were initially composed to be performed to music. She is the most well-known and celebrated of the ancient lyric poets, both now and with her contemporaries. An epigram in the Palatine Anthology (9.506), ascribed -
>
The subtitle of the collection, *Conversations With Sapphic Desire*, speaks to the way in which the collection might be conceived as a series of calls and responses to the shape of desire in Sappho's poetry, and the way that Sapphic desire moves and echoes through a tradition. The inclusion of Catullus, although it violates the consistency of the choice to include mostly Greek poets, and is separated from them temporally by hundreds of years, is one example of the way that Sapphic desire remains a vibrant and evolving force in Roman poetry and beyond. Although the arrangement, at the present moment, is a first draft -
> The subtitle of the collection, Conversations With Sapphic Desire, speaks to the way in which the collection might be conceived as a series of calls and responses to the shape of desire in Sappho's poetry, and the way that Sapphic desire moves and echoes through a tradition. The inclusion of Catullus, although it violates the consistency of the choice to include mostly Greek poets, and is separated from them temporally by hundreds of years, is one example of the way that Sapphic desire remains a vibrant and evolving force in Roman poetry and beyond. Although the arrangement, at the present moment, is a first draft -
>
I have attempted to translate the poems in a flowing, idiomatic modern style, and my goal at every point has been to create translations that read as excellent poems in English. Walter Benjamin, in ―The Task of the Translator,‖ writes, ―the task of the translator consists in finding that intended effect upon the language into which he is translating which produces in it the echo of the original.‖ What kind of object of knowledge is an ―original‖? How do we have access to it if not via our subjective experience of reading, and to what degree is any translation bound to be as much a translation and reproduction of that subjective experience, rather than a translation of an objective ―original‖?
> I have attempted to translate the poems in a flowing, idiomatic modern style, and my goal at every point has been to create translations that read as excellent poems in English. Walter Benjamin, in ―The Task of the Translator,‖ writes, ―the task of the translator consists in finding that intended effect upon the language into which he is translating which produces in it the echo of the original.‖ What kind of object of knowledge is an ―original‖? How do we have access to it if not via our subjective experience of reading, and to what degree is any translation bound to be as much a translation and reproduction of that subjective experience, rather than a translation of an objective ―original‖?
>
For Benjamin, the unessential, the poetic, and the non-communicative in a source-text are the primary objects of the ―good‖ translator. It seems to me that this poetic element is precisely the subjective, aesthetic element, to which one would have access, not through an objective standard of transparent communication or the transmission of information, but through his own subjective experience of reading. And yet this maximally subjective element---this element that is coterminous with the subjective, that is somehow peculiarly in excess of the communicable (the universal)---is precisely the universal element, the element in a poem that, for Benjamin,
> For Benjamin, the unessential, the poetic, and the non-communicative in a source-text are the primary objects of the ―good‖ translator. It seems to me that this poetic element is precisely the subjective, aesthetic element, to which one would have access, not through an objective standard of transparent communication or the transmission of information, but through his own subjective experience of reading. And yet this maximally subjective element---this element that is coterminous with the subjective, that is somehow peculiarly in excess of the communicable (the universal)---is precisely the universal element, the element in a poem that, for Benjamin,
>
persists beyond the disaster of translation, that passes through the desert of impossibility. So we've arrived at a strange impasse, wherein the absolutely particular and untranslatable is coterminous with the absolutely universal -- the untranslatable is the only element that will make it across the desert of translation.
> persists beyond the disaster of translation, that passes through the desert of impossibility. So we've arrived at a strange impasse, wherein the absolutely particular and untranslatable is coterminous with the absolutely universal -- the untranslatable is the only element that will make it across the desert of translation.
>
If all translation is a betrayal, then it is my conviction that the most heinous betrayal is taking a poem that, in its source language, is excellent, and turning it into a poem that, in the target language, is stilted, mediocre, and unexceptional. It is in that spirit that I have given the best I have to offer in maintaining fidelity to the originals.
> If all translation is a betrayal, then it is my conviction that the most heinous betrayal is taking a poem that, in its source language, is excellent, and turning it into a poem that, in the target language, is stilted, mediocre, and unexceptional. It is in that spirit that I have given the best I have to offer in maintaining fidelity to the originals.
Day and Night 1
*Anacreontea 1*
> Anacreontea 1
>
"Anacreon in a Dream"
> "Anacreon in a Dream"
>
you noticed me
> you noticed me
>
in a dream, old Teionian poet,
> in a dream, old Teionian poet,
>
Anacreon:
> Anacreon:
>
in a dream rose up in front of me
> in a dream rose up in front of me
>
to speak.
> to speak.
>
I ran to you
> I ran to you
>
and threw my arms around you
> and threw my arms around you
>
with a kiss:
> with a kiss:
>
old graybeard, yes,
> old graybeard, yes,
>
but lovely;
> but lovely;
>
but eager to love,
> but eager to love,
>
and lovely.
> and lovely.
>
your lips smelled like wine,
> your lips smelled like wine,
>
and Desire led you by the fingers
> and Desire led you by the fingers
>
since you trembled with old age
> since you trembled with old age
>
and you took your garland down
> and you took your garland down
>
to give me --
> to give me --
>
(the flowers, Anacreon,
> (the flowers, Anacreon,
>
theysmelled like you)
> theysmelled like you)
>
Idiot me, I lifted it
> Idiot me, I lifted it
>
and set it on my brow,
> and set it on my brow,
>
and from then, even now,
> and from then, even now,
>
I haven't held myself back
> I haven't held myself back
>
from desire.
> from desire.
Sappho 147
someone, someday
will remember us,
I know it...
Day and Night 2
I.
First Rays
Day and Night 3
*Corinna 691*
> Corinna 691
>
Dawn plunges up
> Dawn plunges up
>
from the ocean deep, drawing off a moon
> from the ocean deep, drawing off a moon
>
holy brightness from the ash
> holy brightness from the ash
>
grey sky.
> grey sky.
>
Sea-sons, sons of deathless
> Sea-sons, sons of deathless
>
Zeus, blossomdeep
> Zeus, blossomdeep
>
in May.
> in May.
>
In the seven-gated city,
> In the seven-gated city,
>
the chorus of singers
> the chorus of singers
>
cries holy
> cries holy
>
*Sappho 136*
> Sappho 136
>
bright-songed nightingale,
> bright-songed nightingale,
>
you prophesy
> you prophesy
>
the Spring
> the Spring
>
*Sappho 73a*
> Sappho 73a
>
word-sweet Aphrodite,
> word-sweet Aphrodite,
>
keeping the dew
> keeping the dew
Day and Night 4
*Sappho 54*
> Sappho 54
>
"Eros"
> "Eros"
>
he comes from heaven
> he comes from heaven
>
wrapped with the deep
> wrapped with the deep
>
purple mantle
> purple mantle
>
*Alcman 3a*
> Alcman 3a
>
from high Olympus, the Muses
> from high Olympus, the Muses
>
call, from Olympus they fill
> call, from Olympus they fill
>
my body with longing: a new song,
> my body with longing: a new song,
>
come, a new song, come:
> come, a new song, come:
>
I want to hear the young girls
> I want to hear the young girls
>
sing the hymn that breaks the sky,
> sing the hymn that breaks the sky,
>
I want to hear the song
> I want to hear the song
>
that scatters dreams from my heavy
> that scatters dreams from my heavy
>
eyelids, and leads me, willing,
> eyelids, and leads me, willing,
>
to the assembly:
> to the assembly:
>
I shake my head and the yellow
> I shake my head and the yellow
>
hair falls down
> hair falls down
>
in waves
> in waves
>
*Sappho 70*
> Sappho 70
>
Harmonia, I'm going to the joy
> Harmonia, I'm going to the joy
>
deep choir,
> deep choir,
>
to hear the liquid
> to hear the liquid
>
voices
> voices
Day and Night 5
*Sappho 6*
> Sappho 6
>
Come with me:
> Come with me:
>
we'll be with golden
> we'll be with golden
>
armed Dawn
> armed Dawn
>
*Sappho 43*
> Sappho 43
>
work disturbs the sleeping
> work disturbs the sleeping
>
mind -- but we have to hurry:
> mind -- but we have to hurry:
>
Dawn is coming
> Dawn is coming
Day and Night 6
*Sappho 81*
> Sappho 81
>
But you, Dica, weave together anise
> But you, Dica, weave together anise
>
stems with your fingers
> stems with your fingers
>
supple; bind
> supple; bind
>
back your hair with garlands
> back your hair with garlands
>
sweet: the blessed
> sweet: the blessed
>
Charites turn to the one
> Charites turn to the one
>
wearing flowers;
> wearing flowers;
>
hide their faces from
> hide their faces from
>
the uncrowned.
> the uncrowned.
>
*Sappho 103*
> Sappho 103
>
holy Charites, holy Pierian
> holy Charites, holy Pierian
>
Muses: don't
> Muses: don't
>
be upset --
> be upset --
>
Sing the soft feet
> Sing the soft feet
>
of the bride; sing the violet-
> of the bride; sing the violet-
>
breasted daughter of Zeus --
> breasted daughter of Zeus --
>
songs in my thoughts,
> songs in my thoughts,
>
hearing a liquid-
> hearing a liquid-
>
sweet music, setting
> sweet music, setting
>
the lyre in place:
> the lyre in place:
>
radiant-sandalled
> radiant-sandalled
>
Dawn in my hair
> Dawn in my hair
Day and Night 7
*Sappho 53*
> Sappho 53
>
Come to me pure rose
> Come to me pure rose
>
wristed Charites,
> wristed Charites,
>
Zeus-daughters
> Zeus-daughters
>
*Sappho 118*
> Sappho 118
>
Holy lyre come to me,
> Holy lyre come to me,
>
sing through me,
> sing through me,
>
find your voice
> find your voice
Day and Night 8
*Sappho 2*
> Sappho 2
>
Here
> Here
>
to me
> to me
>
from Crete
> from Crete
>
to this holy temple, where the glad-
> to this holy temple, where the glad-
>
making grove of apple trees
> making grove of apple trees
>
waits, and the altars smoke
> waits, and the altars smoke
>
thick with frankincense
> thick with frankincense
>
here the cold water chimes
> here the cold water chimes
>
through apple branches, and rose-
> through apple branches, and rose-
>
dappled shadows stretch, and sleep
> dappled shadows stretch, and sleep
>
drips down from bright-
> drips down from bright-
>
shaking leaves
> shaking leaves
>
here the horse-pasturing
> here the horse-pasturing
>
meadow bursts
> meadow bursts
>
with vernal blossoms,
> with vernal blossoms,
>
and breezes whisper
> and breezes whisper
>
sweetly.
> sweetly.
>
Here, Cyprian:
> Here, Cyprian:
>
into our golden
> into our golden
>
cups, pour nectar mixed
> cups, pour nectar mixed
>
with joy.
> with joy.
Day and Night 9
*Sappho 108*
> Sappho 108
>
O beautiful, O grace-
> O beautiful, O grace-
>
touched girl
> touched girl
>
*Sappho 56*
> Sappho 56
>
I cannot imagine
> I cannot imagine
>
another
> another
>
girl with a gift
> girl with a gift
>
like yours
> like yours
>
drinking in sun's
> drinking in sun's
>
light ever
> light ever
>
in time to come
> in time to come
>
*Simonides 567*
> Simonides 567
>
"Orpheus"
> "Orpheus"
>
birds swarm
> birds swarm
>
in the sky above his
> in the sky above his
>
naked song, and fish leap
> naked song, and fish leap
>
up in a vertical
> up in a vertical
>
line
> line
>
above
> above
>
the water
> the water
>
to hear his lovely music
> to hear his lovely music
>
*Sappho 106*
> Sappho 106
>
...as much better
> ...as much better
>
as the Lesbian poet
> as the Lesbian poet
>
is better than
> is better than
>
the other poets
> the other poets
Day and Night 10
*Sappho 38*
> Sappho 38
>
you make us burn
> you make us burn
Day and Night 11
II\.
Bright Morning
Day and Night 12
*Alcman 3b*
> Alcman 3b
>
Her sweetness isn't empty:
> Her sweetness isn't empty:
>
Astymeloisa is coy
> Astymeloisa is coy
>
and quiet. She lifts
> and quiet. She lifts
>
the garland high
> the garland high
>
like a star that falls
> like a star that falls
>
from a burning sky,
> from a burning sky,
>
like an incandescent
> like an incandescent
>
branch, or goose down
> branch, or goose down
>
soft and fluttering:
> soft and fluttering:
>
her glance that melts
> her glance that melts
>
the limbs like desire,
> the limbs like desire,
>
her glance that dissolves
> her glance that dissolves
>
like sleep or death.
> like sleep or death.
>
*Alcman 82a*
> Alcman 82a
>
Mnasidica's body is
> Mnasidica's body is
>
lovelier
> lovelier
>
than poor-sweet,
> than poor-sweet,
>
innocent Gyrrino
> innocent Gyrrino
>
*Sappho 36*
> Sappho 36
>
and I want, I want, I desire...
> and I want, I want, I desire...
Day and Night 13
*Catullus 2*
> Catullus 2
>
Sparrow, my girl's little pet:
> Sparrow, my girl's little pet:
>
if my desire
> if my desire
>
wants some plaything
> wants some plaything
>
she plays with you
> she plays with you
>
in her lap;
> in her lap;
>
she gives you a fingertip
> she gives you a fingertip
>
and startles a painful
> and startles a painful
>
bite --
> bite --
>
I think so that when the fire
> I think so that when the fire
>
dies, the sting of her sadness
> dies, the sting of her sadness
>
will too.
> will too.
>
I'd play with you
> I'd play with you
>
like she does
> like she does
>
and soothe my aching mind.
> and soothe my aching mind.
Day and Night 14
*Sappho 48*
> Sappho 48
>
when I was mad for you,
> when I was mad for you,
>
you came.
> you came.
>
you cooled my mind
> you cooled my mind
>
that burned with desire.
> that burned with desire.
>
*Sappho 62*
> Sappho 62
>
you cowered and
> you cowered and
>
shook, like a laurel:
> shook, like a laurel:
>
anything sweeter
> anything sweeter
>
than that.
> than that.
>
to women a
> to women a
>
wanderer, but I
> wanderer, but I
>
scarcely heard
> scarcely heard
>
darling soul.
> darling soul.
>
Now these thing
> Now these thing
>
come gently, you
> come gently, you
>
came first,
> came first,
>
beautiful
> beautiful
>
and the clothing
> and the clothing
Day and Night 15
*Sappho 23*
> Sappho 23
>
In your eyes when I
> In your eyes when I
>
am close: desire and hope.
> am close: desire and hope.
>
you are my yellow
> you are my yellow
>
haired Helen, or Hermione. I want you
> haired Helen, or Hermione. I want you
>
to know you dissolve
> to know you dissolve
>
all my knots.
> all my knots.
>
The dew on the river
> The dew on the river
>
banks -- I will not
> banks -- I will not
>
sleep
> sleep
>
tonight.
> tonight.
>
*Sappho 130*
> Sappho 130
>
Eros sends a seizure
> Eros sends a seizure
>
again -- he's melting my
> again -- he's melting my
>
body and tenderly stabbing
> body and tenderly stabbing
>
my skin
> my skin
>
useless to fight you, sweet
> useless to fight you, sweet
>
creature desire
> creature desire
Day and Night 16
*Catullus 7*
> Catullus 7
>
Lesbia, do you want to know
> Lesbia, do you want to know
>
how many kisses
> how many kisses
>
would satisfy me
> would satisfy me
>
forever?
> forever?
>
A kiss for each grain of Lybian
> A kiss for each grain of Lybian
>
sand
> sand
>
strewn on the shores of silphium-
> strewn on the shores of silphium-
>
flowering Cyrene,
> flowering Cyrene,
>
or between the oracle of desert
> or between the oracle of desert
>
Jove
> Jove
>
and the sacred tomb of ancient Battis.
> and the sacred tomb of ancient Battis.
>
Or, again, one for each
> Or, again, one for each
>
of the infinite stars at the dead
> of the infinite stars at the dead
>
of night,
> of night,
>
that gaze down on the stolen
> that gaze down on the stolen
>
kisses
> kisses
>
of the world.
> of the world.
>
That many. To kiss you with
> That many. To kiss you with
>
that many kisses
> that many kisses
>
would satisfy and then some
> would satisfy and then some
>
your lovesick Catullus,
> your lovesick Catullus,
>
a number no accountant's eye
> a number no accountant's eye
>
could tally, no
> could tally, no
>
witch's tongue
> witch's tongue
>
could curse.
> could curse.
Day and Night 17
*Catullus 5*
> Catullus 5
>
We are alive and in love,
> We are alive and in love,
>
my Lesbia:
> my Lesbia:
>
their senile whispers weigh as much
> their senile whispers weigh as much
>
as the pennies that clink
> as the pennies that clink
>
in my pockets.
> in my pockets.
>
Suns will rise and set,
> Suns will rise and set,
>
but when the tiny light
> but when the tiny light
>
of our love sinks just once
> of our love sinks just once
>
we've an endless night to sleep.
> we've an endless night to sleep.
>
Give me a million kisses, then a thousand;
> Give me a million kisses, then a thousand;
>
another million, a second thousand,
> another million, a second thousand,
>
always another million and a second thousand --
> always another million and a second thousand --
>
when we've added up a million millions
> when we've added up a million millions
>
we'll scatter the sum to the winds
> we'll scatter the sum to the winds
>
like sand
> like sand
>
and no one will count
> and no one will count
>
our numberless kisses
> our numberless kisses
Day and Night 18
*Catullus 3*
> Catullus 3
>
Whoever's left with a heart
> Whoever's left with a heart
>
that feels,
> that feels,
>
weep aloud and gnash your teeth:
> weep aloud and gnash your teeth:
>
my girlfriend's sparrow,
> my girlfriend's sparrow,
>
no more.
> no more.
>
Sparrow, my girlfriend's pet --
> Sparrow, my girlfriend's pet --
>
she loved you more than her own eyes
> she loved you more than her own eyes
>
because you were sweet to her,
> because you were sweet to her,
>
and clung to her like a little girl clings
> and clung to her like a little girl clings
>
to mother.
> to mother.
>
You never left her lap,
> You never left her lap,
>
you hopped around from spot to spot
> you hopped around from spot to spot
>
chirping for your mistress alone --
> chirping for your mistress alone --
>
Now you hop down the darkest road
> Now you hop down the darkest road
>
through pitchy black
> through pitchy black
>
from which no one has ever
> from which no one has ever
>
come back.
> come back.
>
I'll see you in hell, you ugly
> I'll see you in hell, you ugly
>
emptiness, you dark mouth swollen
> emptiness, you dark mouth swollen
>
wet
> wet
>
with death --
> with death --
>
you swallow down
> you swallow down
>
all pretty sparrows.
> all pretty sparrows.
>
O rotten day!
> O rotten day!
>
O miserable bird!
> O miserable bird!
>
Because of you my girl's poor eyes
> Because of you my girl's poor eyes
>
puff up,
> puff up,
>
and swell wet-pink with sobbing.
> and swell wet-pink with sobbing.
Day and Night 19
*Sappho 94*
> Sappho 94
>
"Really, I'd rather be dead."
> "Really, I'd rather be dead."
>
She left me crying
> She left me crying
>
and through many tears said,
> and through many tears said,
>
"Oh,
> "Oh,
>
Sappho, it's all turned out so badly
> Sappho, it's all turned out so badly
>
for us. I promise I don't
> for us. I promise I don't
>
want to go."
> want to go."
>
I answered, saying, "Goodbye. Go.
> I answered, saying, "Goodbye. Go.
>
But remember me. You know how I
> But remember me. You know how I
>
have cherished you.
> have cherished you.
>
Remember all the beautiful
> Remember all the beautiful
>
times
> times
>
we shared:
> we shared:
>
Together, beside me,
> Together, beside me,
>
you wove through your hair
> you wove through your hair
>
many crowns of violets
> many crowns of violets
>
and roses,
> and roses,
>
and put around your tender neck
> and put around your tender neck
>
many garlands woven
> many garlands woven
>
of blossoms,
> of blossoms,
>
and anointed your breasts
> and anointed your breasts
>
with perfume sweet
> with perfume sweet
>
and flowery,
> and flowery,
>
and on soft beds
> and on soft beds
>
gave way to delicate
> gave way to delicate
>
longing.
> longing.
>
There wasn't a single
> There wasn't a single
>
shrine
> shrine
>
we didn't visit,
> we didn't visit,
>
not a grove,
> not a grove,
>
a dance
> a dance
>
a sound
> a sound
Day and Night 20
*Sappho 16*
> Sappho 16
>
Some say the most beautiful sight
> Some say the most beautiful sight
>
on the black earth's face
> on the black earth's face
>
is a regiment of mounted troops,
> is a regiment of mounted troops,
>
or a phalanx of ships,
> or a phalanx of ships,
>
or a throng of infantry
> or a throng of infantry
>
in armor.
> in armor.
>
Not so.
> Not so.
>
I say it\'s whatever one wants.
> I say it\'s whatever one wants.
>
This is easy to show:
> This is easy to show:
>
Helen, a diamond
> Helen, a diamond
>
in the sweating rough of humanity,
> in the sweating rough of humanity,
>
left behind a successful husband,
> left behind a successful husband,
>
went sailing off to Troy
> went sailing off to Troy
>
without a backward glance for
> without a backward glance for
>
friends, or parents, or family,
> friends, or parents, or family,
>
or child -
> or child -
>
led astray.
> led astray.
>
(much like I remember now
> (much like I remember now
>
my absent Anactoria;
> my absent Anactoria;
>
I\'d rather see
> I\'d rather see
>
the swing of her hips
> the swing of her hips
>
and the pink glow burning
> and the pink glow burning
>
in those cheeks than all
> in those cheeks than all
>
the Lydian armada in its
> the Lydian armada in its
>
splendor.)
> splendor.)
Day and Night 21
*Sappho 105a*
> Sappho 105a
>
Like the too-sweet apple over
> Like the too-sweet apple over
>
red on the treetop, on the tip
> red on the treetop, on the tip
>
of the topmost
> of the topmost
>
branch, forgotten by
> branch, forgotten by
>
the pickers (or -- not forgotten, no --
> the pickers (or -- not forgotten, no --
>
too high)
> too high)
>
*Sappho 52*
> Sappho 52
>
i will never
> i will never
>
wrap
> wrap
>
these two
> these two
>
arms
> arms
>
around
> around
>
the sky.
> the sky.
Day and Night 22
III\.
Zenith
Day and Night 23
*Sappho 27*
> Sappho 27
>
"for mortals, there is one way..."
> "for mortals, there is one way..."
>
you were a young girl, once.
> you were a young girl, once.
>
now we walk to the bitter
> now we walk to the bitter
>
sweet wedding:
> sweet wedding:
>
send off
> send off
>
the young women quickly;
> the young women quickly;
>
sing out
> sing out
>
this moment as song:
> this moment as song:
>
don't hold back the gifts
> don't hold back the gifts
>
of the Muses, girls:
> of the Muses, girls:
>
may the gods make a way, though narrow,
> may the gods make a way, though narrow,
>
to Olympus' heights
> to Olympus' heights
>
for mortals.
> for mortals.
Day and Night 24
*Sappho 30*
> Sappho 30
>
tonight, let the girls
> tonight, let the girls
>
sing all through the dark hour,
> sing all through the dark hour,
>
until the dawn hears the sweetnesses shared
> until the dawn hears the sweetnesses shared
>
by the groom, and the bride covered
> by the groom, and the bride covered
>
purple with violets.
> purple with violets.
>
shake yourselves from sleep, dear girls;
> shake yourselves from sleep, dear girls;
>
call to the boys who are tender
> call to the boys who are tender
>
like you are, and we won't sleep until the bright
> like you are, and we won't sleep until the bright
>
toned dawn
> toned dawn
>
bird cries.
> bird cries.
Day and Night 25
*Sappho 44a*
> Sappho 44a
>
Leto gave birth to Phoebus Apollo
> Leto gave birth to Phoebus Apollo
>
when she lay with Zeus
> when she lay with Zeus
>
whose name has power:
> whose name has power:
>
but Artemis swore a solemn
> but Artemis swore a solemn
>
vow:
> vow:
>
I want to stay a virgin
> I want to stay a virgin
>
forever, hunting on the mountain
> forever, hunting on the mountain
>
peaks -- for my sake nod
> peaks -- for my sake nod
>
in assent.
> in assent.
>
So she spoke,
> So she spoke,
>
and the father of the blessed ones
> and the father of the blessed ones
>
nodded. So the gods have named her
> nodded. So the gods have named her
>
Huntress, a name that has great
> Huntress, a name that has great
>
power:
> power:
>
Eros stays
> Eros stays
>
far away.
> far away.
Day and Night 26
*Anacreontea 2*
> Anacreontea 2
>
"Lucid Madness"
> "Lucid Madness"
>
Give me Homer's lyre
> Give me Homer's lyre
>
without the bloody string.
> without the bloody string.
>
Bring me cups filled with rules,
> Bring me cups filled with rules,
>
bring them with laws mixed in
> bring them with laws mixed in
>
so drunk I'll dance
> so drunk I'll dance
>
with lucid madness;
> with lucid madness;
>
singing to a lute
> singing to a lute
>
I'll shout out the wine-song.
> I'll shout out the wine-song.
>
Give me Homer's lyre
> Give me Homer's lyre
>
without the bloody string.
> without the bloody string.
Day and Night 27
*Sappho 44*
> Sappho 44
>
"the wedding of Hector and Andromache"
> "the wedding of Hector and Andromache"
>
A messenger comes, swift Idaeus
> A messenger comes, swift Idaeus
>
announcing --
> announcing --
>
...and the rest of Asia, undying
> ...and the rest of Asia, undying
>
glory: from sacred Thebes and Placias
> glory: from sacred Thebes and Placias
>
whose waters flow eternally, Hector and his men
> whose waters flow eternally, Hector and his men
>
bring radiant Andromache over the briny
> bring radiant Andromache over the briny
>
deep in ships filled with bangles contrived
> deep in ships filled with bangles contrived
>
of pure gold, purple robes anointed
> of pure gold, purple robes anointed
>
with fragrance, intricately crafted
> with fragrance, intricately crafted
>
adornments, numberless goblets silver
> adornments, numberless goblets silver
>
and ivory.
> and ivory.
>
With this, Hector's dear father starts
> With this, Hector's dear father starts
>
to his feet. The news spreads through the wide
> to his feet. The news spreads through the wide
>
laned city; on the spot the Iliadai harness
> laned city; on the spot the Iliadai harness
>
beasts of burden to the smooth
> beasts of burden to the smooth
>
running carriages and the gathered
> running carriages and the gathered
>
crowd of women and tender
> crowd of women and tender
>
ankled adolescent girls jumps up, the daughters
> ankled adolescent girls jumps up, the daughters
>
of Priam separately. The unmarried
> of Priam separately. The unmarried
>
men harness horses to their chariots:
> men harness horses to their chariots:
>
charioteers with power,
> charioteers with power,
>
godlike, holy,
> godlike, holy,
>
all together to Ilium:
> all together to Ilium:
>
the honey voices of the citharis and the double
> the honey voices of the citharis and the double
>
flute blend with the shout of
> flute blend with the shout of
>
castanets and the sweet clear voice
> castanets and the sweet clear voice
>
of the young girls' holy song that builds
> of the young girls' holy song that builds
>
in a breath-numbing echo rolling up
> in a breath-numbing echo rolling up
>
to heaven:
> to heaven:
>
everywhere along the
> everywhere along the
>
streets, deep bowls and drinking cups
> streets, deep bowls and drinking cups
>
and the aroma of myrrh and cassia and
> and the aroma of myrrh and cassia and
>
frankincense mingle, and the older women cry
> frankincense mingle, and the older women cry
>
out ecstatically and the men lift up a high-clear
> out ecstatically and the men lift up a high-clear
>
strain of desire, calling on the archer god Paean
> strain of desire, calling on the archer god Paean
>
whose gift is the lyre:
> whose gift is the lyre:
>
a hymn
> a hymn
>
to godlike Hector and Andromache.
> to godlike Hector and Andromache.
Day and Night 28
*Sappho 111*
> Sappho 111
>
Up high, hey, the ceiling:
> Up high, hey, the ceiling:
>
Hymenaeus!
> Hymenaeus!
>
Raise the rafters
> Raise the rafters
>
Make room, hey, the roof:
> Make room, hey, the roof:
>
Hymen! Hymenaeus!
> Hymen! Hymenaeus!
>
Carpenters lift up,
> Carpenters lift up,
>
hey, the rafters:
> hey, the rafters:
>
Hymen! Hymenaeus!
> Hymen! Hymenaeus!
>
The bridegroom is coming
> The bridegroom is coming
>
tall as Ares,
> tall as Ares,
>
taller than a tall man!
> taller than a tall man!
>
*Sappho 103b*
> Sappho 103b
>
from the chamber: the bride with her tender
> from the chamber: the bride with her tender
>
feet
> feet
Day and Night 29
IV\.
Fading Light
Day and Night 30
*Sappho 88*
> Sappho 88
>
There's little you could
> There's little you could
>
wish for
> wish for
>
sweeter:
> sweeter:
>
Someone might say
> Someone might say
>
you've forgotten, but I
> you've forgotten, but I
>
will love
> will love
>
as long
> as long
>
as I
> as I
>
have breath.
> have breath.
>
I have been
> I have been
>
a friend
> a friend
>
to you.
> to you.
>
sweet and
> sweet and
>
bitter, yes.
> bitter, yes.
>
but know that I
> but know that I
>
will love you.
> will love you.
Day and Night 31
*Sappho 31*
> Sappho 31
>
That man seems blessed as any god to me —
> That man seems blessed as any god to me —
whoever sits across from you and close,
> whoever sits across from you and close,
drinking the sweetness of your voice,
> drinking the sweetness of your voice,
your easy laugh.
> your easy laugh.
>
This. This is what sets my heart to drum
> This. This is what sets my heart to drum
against my ribs. I catch one glimpse of you
> against my ribs. I catch one glimpse of you
and suddenly my throat closes, my voice
> and suddenly my throat closes, my voice
gives out, gives up —
> gives out, gives up —
>
my tongue snaps clean in half, a subtle fire
> my tongue snaps clean in half, a subtle fire
goes racing just beneath my skin, my eyes
> goes racing just beneath my skin, my eyes
go dark, a roaring fills my ears and rings
> go dark, a roaring fills my ears and rings
and will not stop —
> and will not stop —
>
cold sweat breaks out across my body, trembling
> cold sweat breaks out across my body, trembling
takes me entire, I go gray as dry grass
> takes me entire, I go gray as dry grass
gone to drought, and I seem to myself
> gone to drought, and I seem to myself
not far from dead —
> not far from dead —
>
but all must be dared. Since you, Kypris,
> but all must be dared. Since you, Kypris,
save beggar and king alike,
> save beggar and king alike,
and lift even the small city beyond ruin —
> and lift even the small city beyond ruin —
let this song survive in script.
> let this song survive in script.
Day and Night 32
*Sappho 47*
> Sappho 47
>
Eros destroys
> Eros destroys
>
the mind in me,
> the mind in me,
>
a wind, shattering the mountain
> a wind, shattering the mountain
>
oaks
> oaks
>
*Sappho 105b*
> Sappho 105b
>
like the mountain hyacinth
> like the mountain hyacinth
>
trampled by shepherd men's
> trampled by shepherd men's
>
feet,
> feet,
>
and on the ground
> and on the ground
>
the purple flower
> the purple flower
Day and Night 33
*Sappho 26*
> Sappho 26
>
the ones I love
> the ones I love
>
always hurt me.
> always hurt me.
>
I want you
> I want you
>
to feel
> to feel
>
inside myself
> inside myself
>
I know it
> I know it
>
*Sappho 67*
> Sappho 67
>
this corrosive
> this corrosive
>
demon
> demon
>
didn't love
> didn't love
>
now because
> now because
>
and the cause is neither
> and the cause is neither
>
nothing much
> nothing much
>
*Sappho*
> Sappho
>
your pain
> your pain
>
etched face shines
> etched face shines
>
back at me
> back at me
Day and Night 34
*Sappho 44b*
> Sappho 44b
>
The Muses' shining
> The Muses' shining
>
gifts make the Charites
> gifts make the Charites
>
slender: don't forget the anger
> slender: don't forget the anger
>
that mortals share
> that mortals share
Day and Night 35
*Sappho 7*
> Sappho 7
>
Doricha orders,
> Doricha orders,
>
arrogance like a teenage
> arrogance like a teenage
>
boy
> boy
>
*Sappho 15*
> Sappho 15
>
Cyprian,
> Cyprian,
>
don't let Doricha get stuck on herself,
> don't let Doricha get stuck on herself,
>
saying she came -- not once --
> saying she came -- not once --
>
but twice to the arms
> but twice to the arms
>
of her aching desire.
> of her aching desire.
>
Let her discover how bitter
> Let her discover how bitter
>
barbed you are.
> barbed you are.
>
*Sappho 91*
> Sappho 91
>
I've never met such an awful
> I've never met such an awful
>
pest as you, Irana
> pest as you, Irana
Day and Night 36
*Sappho 71*
> Sappho 71
>
but how could I let you, Mica?
> but how could I let you, Mica?
>
you wanted to make friends
> you wanted to make friends
>
with those Penthilus girls, and you really are
> with those Penthilus girls, and you really are
>
a bitch.
> a bitch.
>
*our* honey song
> our honey song
>
singing soft-voiced:
> singing soft-voiced:
>
everything,
> everything,
>
a mist of dew...
> a mist of dew...
Day and Night 37
*Sappho 3*
> Sappho 3
>
You give
> You give
>
gifts swollen
> gifts swollen
>
with hurtful words:
> with hurtful words:
>
have your fill. I am not
> have your fill. I am not
>
so disposed, and I know
> so disposed, and I know
>
how wicked
> how wicked
>
the heart is.
> the heart is.
>
*Corinna 690*
> Corinna 690
>
self-violence, a heart
> self-violence, a heart
>
demanding murder:
> demanding murder:
>
she hid it away; she gave
> she hid it away; she gave
>
gifts that burned
> gifts that burned
>
with fire.
> with fire.
Day and Night 38
*Sappho 95*
> Sappho 95
>
i don't like it
> i don't like it
>
up here above ground: i want
> up here above ground: i want
>
to feel death, i want
> to feel death, i want
>
to see the dew
> to see the dew
>
spotted banks, i want
> spotted banks, i want
>
to see the lotus
> to see the lotus
>
fringed banks of
> fringed banks of
>
Acheron
> Acheron
>
*Sappho 65*
> Sappho 65
>
to Sappho:
> to Sappho:
>
a queen in Cyprus
> a queen in Cyprus
>
great,
> great,
>
on whomever blazing
> on whomever blazing
>
radiant everywhere
> radiant everywhere
>
glory --
> glory --
>
and you in Acheron
> and you in Acheron
Day and Night 39
Sappho 1, a new translation
I'm begging you, Aphrodite: Zeus-
born immortal of light-
dappled thrones: don't
abandon me---but come.
If ever you've heard
my cries and quit
your father's golden house
in sparrow-drawn chariots, bright
wings cutting above black
earth, a blur
of speed from the middle-
horizon: they came---
and you, goddess: depthless
eyes smiling, you asked
what's happened, this time, and why
do I call on you, this time? What
does my frenzied heart need
so badly? "What sweet girl
will crawl to your arms? Sappho,
love, who's hurt you? If the girl
strays, she'll soon
give chase; or spurns
your gifts, she'll give them.
Though she feels
no desire, she'll burn
for you soon."
So come to me. Drain
tension from my
troubled thoughts,
whatever my heart
wants---do it.
Once again be in battle beside me.
Day and Night 40
V.
Middle Night
Day and Night 41
*Sappho 98a*
> Sappho 98a
>
When she was young,
> When she was young,
>
my mother said,
> my mother said,
>
the girls used to bind dark locks
> the girls used to bind dark locks
>
with purple bands,
> with purple bands,
>
or weave fresh flowers
> or weave fresh flowers
>
through braids of summer yellow,
> through braids of summer yellow,
>
and that was a simple ornament.
> and that was a simple ornament.
>
Now they wear gaudy things
> Now they wear gaudy things
>
bought from Sardis.
> bought from Sardis.
>
*Sappho 42*
> Sappho 42
>
when winter cold
> when winter cold
>
sneaks over the heart, wing
> sneaks over the heart, wing
>
beats slow,
> beats slow,
>
then stillness
> then stillness
>
*Sappho 49*
> Sappho 49
>
long ago I loved you, Atthis,
> long ago I loved you, Atthis,
>
when you were a tiny girl,
> when you were a tiny girl,
>
and you seemed so
> and you seemed so
>
small and
> small and
>
awkward.
> awkward.
Day and Night 42
*Sappho 96*
> Sappho 96
>
from Sardis,
> from Sardis,
>
she often turns her thoughts toward you,
> she often turns her thoughts toward you,
>
like a goddess. she loved your song
> like a goddess. she loved your song
>
like no other.
> like no other.
>
now she shines among Lydian women
> now she shines among Lydian women
>
like the rose-fingered moon in the night
> like the rose-fingered moon in the night
>
outshines all other stars, its silver light
> outshines all other stars, its silver light
>
spreading over salt
> spreading over salt
>
heavy sea, and over the blossom
> heavy sea, and over the blossom
>
thick meadows.
> thick meadows.
>
the grass weeps lovely
> the grass weeps lovely
>
dew and the roses open
> dew and the roses open
>
wide, beside flowering
> wide, beside flowering
>
melilot and chervil.
> melilot and chervil.
>
how many times has she wandered
> how many times has she wandered
>
aimlessly, remembering
> aimlessly, remembering
>
gentle Atthis? while longing gnaws
> gentle Atthis? while longing gnaws
>
at her fragile heart?
> at her fragile heart?
>
(this mind sings
> (this mind sings
>
to go there)
> to go there)
>
it's not easy for us
> it's not easy for us
>
to be like goddesses
> to be like goddesses
>
in loveliness of form.
> in loveliness of form.
>
Aphrodite poured nectar
> Aphrodite poured nectar
>
from her golden
> from her golden
>
hands:
> hands:
>
persuasion
> persuasion
>
desire
> desire
>
I will come.
> I will come.
Day and Night 43
*Sappho 22*
> Sappho 22
>
the trial: a lovely face --
> the trial: a lovely face --
>
unpleasant, yes. but otherwise
> unpleasant, yes. but otherwise
>
winter.
> winter.
>
Abanthis: while desire still flutters
> Abanthis: while desire still flutters
>
around you, pick up your lyre
> around you, pick up your lyre
>
and sing the beauty
> and sing the beauty
>
of Gongyla, and how the sight of her dress
> of Gongyla, and how the sight of her dress
>
made you quiver --
> made you quiver --
>
and I'll be happy.
> and I'll be happy.
>
One time the holy Cyprian
> One time the holy Cyprian
>
even blamed me
> even blamed me
>
for praying these words:
> for praying these words:
>
I want
> I want
Day and Night 44
*Sappho 20*
> Sappho 20
>
the glimmer:
> the glimmer:
>
a chance to return
> a chance to return
>
to the harbor's dusk -
> to the harbor's dusk -
>
black sand:
> black sand:
>
the sailors in the fierce wind
> the sailors in the fierce wind
>
blasts, the sail and the shifting
> blasts, the sail and the shifting
>
cargo:
> cargo:
>
much work to dry land.
> much work to dry land.
Day and Night 45
*Sappho 132*
> Sappho 132
>
My little girl's face,
> My little girl's face,
>
like bright
> like bright
>
yellow flowers: Cleis,
> yellow flowers: Cleis,
>
more precious to me
> more precious to me
>
than all Lydia.
> than all Lydia.
>
*Sappho 98b*
> Sappho 98b
>
but Cleis I don't know
> but Cleis I don't know
>
where to get the special
> where to get the special
>
ribbons to hold
> ribbons to hold
>
your hair back:
> your hair back:
>
there's nowhere, Cleis.
> there's nowhere, Cleis.
just one more reminder that Myrsilus
has exiled us
> has exiled us
>
from Mytilene.
> from Mytilene.
>
*Sappho 102*
> Sappho 102
>
Mother I do
> Mother I do
>
love you, but I really can't
> love you, but I really can't
>
work the loom --
> work the loom --
>
Aphrodite is making me need that boy
> Aphrodite is making me need that boy
>
*Sappho 24*
> Sappho 24
>
Remember:
> Remember:
>
we too did the same
> we too did the same
>
in our youth.
> in our youth.
>
we are many
> we are many
>
and lovely in the city,
> and lovely in the city,
>
in the city's foundations we live
> in the city's foundations we live
>
at a whisper
> at a whisper
Day and Night 46
*Hipponax 32*
> Hipponax 32
>
Dear Hermes, Cyllenian Hermes, son of Maia,
> Dear Hermes, Cyllenian Hermes, son of Maia,
>
I'm praying to you
> I'm praying to you
>
while my teeth are clattering
> while my teeth are clattering
>
in my skull, and I'm shaking
> in my skull, and I'm shaking
>
like a seizure: give poor Hipponax
> like a seizure: give poor Hipponax
>
a sweater, and a nice coat to keep warm,
> a sweater, and a nice coat to keep warm,
>
and nice warm shoes, and a pair of sandals,
> and nice warm shoes, and a pair of sandals,
>
and, while you're at it, a pile of
> and, while you're at it, a pile of
>
coins, to balance the books.
> coins, to balance the books.
>
Thanks,
> Thanks,
>
Hipponax
> Hipponax
>
*Hipponax 34*
> Hipponax 34
>
Dear Hermes,
> Dear Hermes,
>
You haven't given me
> You haven't given me
>
a nice warm coat yet
> a nice warm coat yet
>
as a cure for the freezing
> as a cure for the freezing
>
winter. You haven't covered my feet
> winter. You haven't covered my feet
>
with fur-lined shoes yet, so my chilblains don't
> with fur-lined shoes yet, so my chilblains don't
>
pop.
> pop.
>
Thanks,
> Thanks,
>
Your friend Hipponax
> Your friend Hipponax
>
*Hipponax 39*
> Hipponax 39
>
Dear Hermes,
> Dear Hermes,
>
Soon I'll give my tortured soul over
> Soon I'll give my tortured soul over
>
to hanging, if you don't hurry up and send
> to hanging, if you don't hurry up and send
>
some barley, about a bushel,
> some barley, about a bushel,
>
so I can brew up a cure
> so I can brew up a cure
>
for all my boundless suffering.
> for all my boundless suffering.
>
Thanks,
> Thanks,
>
Sincerely,
> Sincerely,
Day and Night 47
Hipponax
> Hipponax
>
*Anacreon 358*
> Anacreon 358
>
Again Desire smacks me
> Again Desire smacks me
>
with his purple ball,
> with his purple ball,
>
and calls me out to play
> and calls me out to play
>
with the girl in spangled
> with the girl in spangled
>
sandals:
> sandals:
>
But she's a city girl
> But she's a city girl
>
from Lesbos. She laughs
> from Lesbos. She laughs
>
behind her hand
> behind her hand
>
because my hair is gray,
> because my hair is gray,
>
and instead makes eyes
> and instead makes eyes
>
at a girl!
> at a girl!
>
*Sappho 85b*
> Sappho 85b
just like an old man
Day and Night 48
*Sappho 168b*
> Sappho 168b
>
The moon has set
> The moon has set
>
and the Pleiades. It's middle
> and the Pleiades. It's middle
>
night, and the hour
> night, and the hour
>
slips past.
> slips past.
>
Alone in bed.
> Alone in bed.
>
*Sappho 34*
> Sappho 34
>
The stars hide their shining
> The stars hide their shining
>
bodies
> bodies
>
behind her,
> behind her,
>
when the lovely moon
> when the lovely moon
>
overflows,
> overflows,
>
and her glow spreads over the earth
> and her glow spreads over the earth
>
silvery
> silvery
Day and Night 49
*Alcman 26*
> Alcman 26
>
No more, sweet girls, sweet holy-voiced girls,
> No more, sweet girls, sweet holy-voiced girls,
>
will I dance: my knees just shake
> will I dance: my knees just shake
>
underneath me. If only I
> underneath me. If only I
>
were a cerylus, who glides
> were a cerylus, who glides
>
with the teeming halcyons
> with the teeming halcyons
>
over waves that blossom white
> over waves that blossom white
>
with spray:
> with spray:
>
strong ocean-purple bird,
> strong ocean-purple bird,
>
strong bird,
> strong bird,
>
your heart never shakes
> your heart never shakes
>
underneath you.
> underneath you.
Day and Night 50
*Sappho new fragment*
> Sappho new fragment
>
Burn for the beautiful unearned gifts
> Burn for the beautiful unearned gifts
>
and the violet covered breasts of the Muses, girls;
> and the violet covered breasts of the Muses, girls;
>
long for the song-sweet liquid of the lyre.
> long for the song-sweet liquid of the lyre.
>
As for me, it's too late: my skin (so supple once)
> As for me, it's too late: my skin (so supple once)
>
old age has changed.
> old age has changed.
>
The black has bled from my pale white braids.
> The black has bled from my pale white braids.
>
There's a knot in the pit of my stomach, and the same knees
> There's a knot in the pit of my stomach, and the same knees
>
that once in the dance leapt light like gazelles
> that once in the dance leapt light like gazelles
>
now shake underneath my weight.
> now shake underneath my weight.
>
Not a day goes by that I don't despair
> Not a day goes by that I don't despair
>
for this state of affairs. But what can I do?
> for this state of affairs. But what can I do?
>
Every person alive must someday die.
> Every person alive must someday die.
>
(which reminds me of Tithonus: They say that once
> (which reminds me of Tithonus: They say that once
>
upon a time the rose-fingered Dawn,
> upon a time the rose-fingered Dawn,
>
consumed with longing,
> consumed with longing,
>
carried him off to the ends of the planet.
> carried him off to the ends of the planet.
>
He was young and pretty and the time,
> He was young and pretty and the time,
>
but old age eventually caught up with him,
> but old age eventually caught up with him,
>
holding on tight to his deathless lover.)
> holding on tight to his deathless lover.)
Day and Night 51
*Sappho 21*
> Sappho 21
>
Pity me, love: palsy and death
> Pity me, love: palsy and death
>
hang on my flesh, and Desire
> hang on my flesh, and Desire
>
flies off, chasing after younger girls.
> flies off, chasing after younger girls.
>
Sing to me, love: pick up your lyre
> Sing to me, love: pick up your lyre
>
and sing of a girl with violets
> and sing of a girl with violets
>
on her breasts, who wanders
> on her breasts, who wanders
>
somewhere far from here.
> somewhere far from here.
>
*Sappho 140*
> Sappho 140
>
She dies, Cytherea: gentle Adonis
> She dies, Cytherea: gentle Adonis
>
is dying. What can we do?
> is dying. What can we do?
>
Beat your breasts, dear girls;
> Beat your breasts, dear girls;
>
tear you clothes and cry out.
> tear you clothes and cry out.
>
*Sappho 150*
> Sappho 150
>
Cleis, it's a sin to weep
> Cleis, it's a sin to weep
>
in the house of the Muses'
> in the house of the Muses'
>
servant:
> servant:
>
this is not our way
> this is not our way
Day and Night 52
*Sappho 55*
> Sappho 55
>
When all your stirrings,
> When all your stirrings,
>
of blood and breath cease,
> of blood and breath cease,
>
and you pass through the outermost silence,
> and you pass through the outermost silence,
>
where neither remembrance of you
> where neither remembrance of you
>
nor the heat of desire can puncture
> nor the heat of desire can puncture
>
once
> once
>
that final hanging veil,
> that final hanging veil,
>
then (since you take no communion
> then (since you take no communion
>
with roses
> with roses
>
where Music was born
> where Music was born
>
with the Muses)
> with the Muses)
>
you will dart,
> you will dart,
>
invisible in the House of Hades,
> invisible in the House of Hades,
>
to and fro above the bodies,
> to and fro above the bodies,
>
that melt like shadow beneath you.
> that melt like shadow beneath you.
>
Departed from us.
> Departed from us.
Day and Night 53
*Sappho 63*
> Sappho 63
>
Dream of black you come
> Dream of black you come
>
whenever sleep comes sweet
> whenever sleep comes sweet
>
god terrible, yes, but you
> god terrible, yes, but you
>
have power to keep away
> have power to keep away
>
pain: a little hope grips me
> pain: a little hope grips me
>
yet that I will not share
> yet that I will not share
>
in nothing with the blessed -- I
> in nothing with the blessed -- I
>
do not
> do not
>
want to be
> want to be
>
as I am:
> as I am:
>
let me have these trinkets
> let me have these trinkets
Day and Night 54
*Stesichorus 15*
> Stesichorus 15
>
Like a living thing silent
> Like a living thing silent
>
and thirsty, the arrow bites
> and thirsty, the arrow bites
>
sharp through skin and
> sharp through skin and
>
bone, to lodge vibrating
> bone, to lodge vibrating
>
in the middle brain,
> in the middle brain,
>
where it buries itself
> where it buries itself
>
to the feathers.
> to the feathers.
>
Geryon's neck
> Geryon's neck
>
slumps gently to one side
> slumps gently to one side
>
while the blood flows black
> while the blood flows black
>
on gore-stained limbs
> on gore-stained limbs
>
and breastplate:
> and breastplate:
>
a trickle of petals
> a trickle of petals
>
at summer's end,
> at summer's end,
>
the poppy's tender
> the poppy's tender
>
glory.
> glory.
Day and Night 55
*Simonides VIII*
> Simonides VIII
>
If righteousness
> If righteousness
>
Is a holy death
> Is a holy death
>
Then Fortune has smiled on us
> Then Fortune has smiled on us
>
Above all others: we fought
> Above all others: we fought
>
To crown Greece with freedom,
> To crown Greece with freedom,
>
And now we lie here,
> And now we lie here,
>
Undying praise
> Undying praise
>
Our possession.
> Our possession.
>
*Simonides IX*
> Simonides IX
>
Around their country
> Around their country
>
These men set deathless
> These men set deathless
>
Glory, and around themselves
> Glory, and around themselves
>
The dark cloud of death.
> The dark cloud of death.
>
Though dead, they live.
> Though dead, they live.
>
Their courage gives them fame
> Their courage gives them fame
>
Above, and calls them back
> Above, and calls them back
>
From the halls of Hades.
> From the halls of Hades.
>
*Simonides XLVII*
> Simonides XLVII
>
Long ago the savage god Ares
> Long ago the savage god Ares
>
Dipped his long-barbed arrows
> Dipped his long-barbed arrows
>
In the breasts of those
> In the breasts of those
>
Who lie here, and gorged them on
> Who lie here, and gorged them on
>
Bloody droplets.
> Bloody droplets.
>
This stone memorial, touched with
> This stone memorial, touched with
>
dust, stands in the place
> dust, stands in the place
>
Of the spear-struck dead,
> Of the spear-struck dead,
>
Lifeless rock
> Lifeless rock
>
In place of the living.
> In place of the living.
Day and Night 56
*Sappho 104a and b*
> Sappho 104a and b
>
Hesperus, you carry home the dawn
> Hesperus, you carry home the dawn
>
scattered sheep, home the goat
> scattered sheep, home the goat
>
that dawn scattered. you carry home
> that dawn scattered. you carry home
>
the little child
> the little child
>
to mother.
> to mother.
>
you are twilight lovely
> you are twilight lovely
>
evening
> evening
>
star.
> star.