T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Hymn to Venus
By Sappho (fl. c. 610–580 B.C.)(Translated by Francis Fawkes. From The Festival of Love, 1789) |
VENUS, bright Goddess of the skies, | |
| To whom unnumbered temples rise, | |
| Jove’s daughter fair, whose wily arts | |
| Delude fond lovers of their hearts; | |
| Oh, listen gracious to my prayer, | 5 |
| And free my mind from anxious care. | |
| If e’er you heard my ardent vow, | |
| Propitious goddess, hear me now! | |
| And oft my ardent vow you’ve heard, | |
| By Cupid’s friendly aid preferred, | 10 |
| Oft left the golden courts of Jove | |
| To listen to my tales of love. | |
| The radiant car your sparrows drew; | |
| You gave the word, and swift they flew, | |
| Through liquid air they winged their way, | 15 |
| I saw their quivering pinions play: | |
| To my plain roof they bore their queen, | |
| Of aspect mild and look serene. | |
| Soon as you came by your command, | |
| Back flew the wantoned, feathered band, | 20 |
| Then, with a sweet enchanting look, | |
| Divinely smiling, thus you spoke; | |
| “Why didst thou call me to thy cell? | |
| Tell me, my gentle Sappho, tell. | |
| “What healing medicine shall I find | 25 |
| To cure thy love-distempered mind? | |
| Say, shall I lend thee all my charms | |
| To win young Phaon to thy arms? | |
| Or does some other swain subdue | |
| Thy heart? my Sappho, tell me, who? | 30 |
| “Though now, averse, thy charms he slight, | |
| He soon shall view thee with delight: | |
| Though now he scorns thy gifts to take, | |
| He soon to thee shall offerings make; | |
| Though now thy beauties fail to move, | 35 |
| He soon shall melt with equal love.” | |
| Once more, O Venus! hear my prayer, | |
| And ease my mind of anxious care; | |
| Again vouchsafe to be my guest, | |
| And calm this tempest in my breast! | 40 |
| To thee, bright queen, my vows aspire; | |
| O grant me all my heart’s desire! | |