The Poems of Sappho

Contents

Who will uncover the mystery of those priceless amphorae and offer the unrefined noses of the average reader the enchanting aroma of wine pressed in a garden in Mitylene, twenty-five centuries ago?—MAURICE THOMPSON.

Then, as I lay awake, a vision
Came to me from across the seas and touched me,
Gently brushed my eyelids and lips; and I, too,
Inspired by the vision,

Saw the rigid white Aphrodite,
She had her hair flowing freely and her bare feet
Glowing like the sunset over the western waters;
Noticed the unsure

Feet, the struggling wings of the doves that carried her,
Constantly searching, searching with turned heads
Returning to Lesbos, returning to the hills where
Mitylene shined.

—SWINBURNE.

Oh gods, is it really Cypris, or who has joined in?
in this?

—SOPHOCLES.

Muses

Come now, O Muses, leaving the golden
House of God hidden in the blue skies,
Come and breathe on my heart and forehead and spark.
Song like the sunrise;

Come and elevate my troubled spirit to the sacred.
Shade cast by Helicon's rustling forests;
Sweep down on wings of fire from the wide skies,
Catch and lift me;

Excite my heart that beats with intense passion,
Cleanse my mouth and throat with heavenly kisses,
Until I provide, at breathtaking heights, the very
Breath of my life.

MUSAGETES

Come with Musagetes, you Hours and Graces,
Dance around the group of swans that are following him.
Up the slopes of Parnassus, to his sacred temple
On top of the hill;

Come, Muses, also from the shadows of Pindus,
Let your songs, that resonate in the winds of joy,
Awaken the lyre he plays to the sweet inspiration
Sound of your voices.

LOVE'S BANQUET

If Panormus, Cyprus, or Paphos has captured your attention,
Either the home of the Gods or the island shrine,
Listen again and respond to my call,
Goddess of good fortune;

Come, foam-born Kypris, and pour into delicate
Golden cups of your sweet nectar,
Subtly blended with the fire that will ignite quickly.
Love in our hearts;

So the divine bowl was stirred in Paphos.
For the feast, grabbing the shiny ladle,
Hermes poured the wine for the Gods who lifted
Respectful cups;

They raised their cups and made offerings,
Spilling wine as a pledge to the Fates and Hades,
Drinking deeply and connecting their hearts to Eros,
Honoring your employee.

So, for me and my lesbian friends who are here,
Each gave me a treasured amphora of love.
Urging us to drink, who long for your exhilarating excitement,
The overflowing cup of passion;

Grant me this, O Kypris, and at your altar
At dawn, there will be a goat from Naxos,
Snowy doves from Cos, and the drops of the rarest
Lesbian retro;

I have a royal taste, and the alluring __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__
The beauty of the sun should shine brightly.
Love for me, which always revolves around perfection,
So difficult to understand.

Moon and Stars

When the full moon rises on the horizon
Illuminating the earth with its silver light,
All the bright stars around her
Hide their gorgeous faces;

So when Anactoria's beauty shines
My vision, which fades with the happiness she gives me,
Gorgo, Atthis, Gyrinno, and everyone else.
Fade out of my view.

ODE TO ANACTORIA

To me, the guy who is with you
Is like a god; he feels happiness as he sits with you,
Hearing the lovely sounds of your voice shatter the silence,
Filled with delightful laughter;

Those sounds make my heart race,
Because if I get close to you, even for a moment,
I can’t find the words I want to express,
And they immediately slip away;

My shaking tongue has a hard time making a whisper,
A burning thrill flows under my skin;
Suddenly, fog fills my vision, making it
Out of their sight;

Echoes fill my ears, and a tremor grips me.
Of my whole body, covered in soft sweat;
Pale as grass, I thrive in the madness of my passion,
Like someone clueless;

But should I risk everything, since I feel unworthy,
For the happiness your beauty brings that even a god could envy;
Never has there been a more beautiful
Image of Cypris as a passionate woman.

Ah! Everlasting Daughter of God, please help me!
Soothe my blood that pulses with excitement;
Fill my lips with the whisper of words to enchant her.
Heart for compassion;

Silence her slightest objections with kisses,
Melt her mood into mine with gentle touches,
Until her gentle agreement and her resigned sigh
Take me to happiness.

The Rose

If Zeus chose to pick a king for the flowers during a relaxed
at that moment, he would surely recognize the rose for its royal beauty,
thinking it’s unmatched;

Its beauty enhances both valleys and hills,
making the earth a sacred place for lovers’ passion;
It is valued by flowers just as much as the appeal of beauty.
eyes are to people;

The happiness and pride of plants, and the beauty of the garden,
It adds a beautiful blush to the meadows' cheeks;
Sucking up fire and dew from the morning for its rarity.
colors and scents

Softly released, its scent beckons for passion,
When it blooms to welcome the kiss of Aphrodite;
Wrapped in aromatic leaves, its quivering petals
dance in the wind.

ODE TO APHRODITE

Aphrodite, nuanced and eternal,
Daughter of God, master of deception, I ask you.
Neither with worry, dear Mistress, nor with pain,
Take my spirit away!

But out of kindness, please hurry back if you can.
From a distance, when my voice called out to you,
You chose to listen to me, leaving the golden
Your dad's house

With your chariot attached and with doves that pulled you,
Beautiful and quick as it moves through the dark earth from above,
Dipping bright wings into the blue distance,
Under the open sky;

They arrived quickly; and you, kind Vision,
Leaning with a smile of timeless beauty,
Leaning towards me and asking, "What troubles are you dealing with?
"Why did you text me?"

"What my frantic heart truly desired,
Who would be tempted to passion by its wild desire?
What contemptuous charms, wildly loved, do you overlook?
"Who's wronged you, Sappho?"

"She who wants to escape will soon follow,"
She who rejects you will still chase you with gifts,
She who pays no attention will soon love you like crazy,
"Love you, the hesitant one!"

Come to me now, Goddess, and liberate me.
From distress and pain; and all my troubles
Heart seeks, please, to feel fulfilled once more,
Still be my friend!

SUMMER

Sleepy vibes come from the shaking leaves that slowly
Enjoy the warmth and tranquility of Lesbian summer;
The air is thick with the sweet smell of apple blossoms.
Floating in the breeze;

From the shade of hanging branches that offer shelter
Across narrow paths meandering through the orchard,
A calming, cool feeling arises from the gentle
Sound of running water.

THE GARDEN OF THE NYMPHS

All around the blooming apple branches
Cool breezes of early summer whisper,
And from the softly shaking leaves above me
Dreams are awakened;

Poppy-filled meadows sway lazily,
Dreaming roses bend, and the oleanders
Take in the warmth and nod along with the buzzing.
Bees in the afternoon heat;

Myrtle bushes outlining the open view,
Loved by the nightly activities of Nymphs and Satyrs,
Create a mossy spot for the weary to rest.
Shepherd's limbs.

Echoes float through the hanging leaves,
A steady silver sound of flowing water
In the cool grotto of the Nymphs, the sacred __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__,
Sanctuary of the Immortals;

Along the edges of gray, lichen-covered rocks
Small streams flow gently, making a cheerful sound.
Dripping and gurgling gently in the clear, sparkling
Pool depths.

Beautiful on leafy beds, they lie back,
Surrounded by the softness of waxy lilies,
Lotus flowers bring purple tones to the edge of the pool,
Moss-covered;

Here, the Nymphs relax at twilight.
In the dim shadows of the cave, their golden
Sea-green eyes half-closed, up to their graceful
Waists in the water.

Once concealed by ferns, I saw them connect.
Long hair, dyed lilac and orange;
Just beyond the glow of the light, their bodies
Glowed with a pink hue;

Expertly, they adorned their waists with garlands,
Connected with vibrant leaves surrounding their arms and shoulders;
On their chests, they crushed the red juice of roses.
Fresh from the garden.

The one with orange hair was the Nymph Euxanthis,
The ones with lilac hair were Iphis and Io;
They laughed, sharing stories of how they easily __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__
Avoided the Satyr.

Aphrodite's Doves

As the gray evening shadows drift
Dimmed their journey upward through the deep blue sky,
And the length of the night caught up with them from a distance.
From Olympus;

Far from the beauty and happiness of Paphos,
From the voice and smile of their incomparable Mistress,
Back to those whose wandering wings were joyfully
Rushing home;

Cold at heart and mourning, they let their wings droop,
Soared gently, gliding down toward Lesbos,
As dusk settled over Mitylene,
Marble pillars;

As the sunset's fading glory gradually dims,
Always moving towards the home of Sappho,
Towards my home, the refuge of the joyful believers.
Servant of the Goddess;

Soon they arrived at the tile of my roof and took a break,
They tucked their heads under their wings while I watched them.
Drift off into sleep and dreams, in the warm and cozy
Summer evening.

ANACREON'S SONG

Golden-throned Muse, sing the song that was sung.
A long time ago, in Teos, there was a story about love and joy.
In the beautiful land of gorgeous women:
Melodies found elsewhere

Years passed for the gray-haired bard with the youthful spirit.
Set to the lively beat of flutes, when the dancing
Nymphs who served the wine at the poet's dinner
Mixed it with hugs;

Sing the song while I’m in the arms of Atthis,
Seal her lips to mine with a lover's passion,
Breathe in her breath and soak up her sighs to the sweetness.
Hush of the melodies.

Daughter of Cyprus

In my dreams, I talked with the Daughter of Cyprus,
I heard the gentle laziness in her voice, the mix
Of calming sounds blended with laughter
Low and craving;

In my dreams, I saw her stunning, indescribable beauty,
Cut through the thin material of her tight tunic.
The blush of her skin, the rosy tone of her body,
Bright and dazzling;

Saw through the thin layers the lovely
Flow of shape, the beautiful curves, from which piercing
Joy reached out with a physical touch to excite me,
Almost destroyed me;

Saw the shining foot and the gold sandal.
Held by triple Lydian straps
Over the curve of her instep and up the rounded
Dazzling ankle bracelet;

Saw the charms that sparkled from knee to shoulder,
Hints of colors, whiter than milk or fresh snow;
Secret grace, the core of passionate spirit,
Glows that took over me;

Saw the flowing mass of her golden hair,
Tied with a headband, breaking free from the tight grip of the ribbon,
Floating and shimmering like clouds in the sunset light,
Mists at dawn;

Saw the eternal face, and took a bold leap,
I raised my gaze to meet her deep blue eyes,
Sipped the desire of their world, their endless yearning,
Fell for someone and disappeared.

THE DISTAFF

Come, beautiful Graces and lovely Muses,
With rosy arms, pure hearts, and the fairest hair,
Come from the groves on Helicon's hill where the __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__
sacred springs speak;

Come with a lively step and harmonious voices,
Come over and check out my ivory distaff,
A present from my brother Charaxus from Cos, __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__,
Back from Egypt;

Sailing back to Lesbos from faraway Naucratis,
From the seven mouths of the Nile and Egypt
Up the blue Aegean, the island-dotted
Greek Sea;

I will only spin the finest wool for my fabrics,
Using a winding reel with threads that are soft and
Just as nice as those brought from distant Phocea,
Sidon or Sardis;

As I weave, my thoughts will be focused on the giver,
Whether here, far out at sea, or resting
In shady courts with the beautiful garlands
Girls of Naucratis.

SLEEPY BREEZE

Softer than the fog over the light green waters,
Across the magical sea, wearing shadow sandals,
Here comes the warm sleep wind of Argolis, drifting
Scented garlands;

The gentle breeze comes with the peaceful hours,
Gently touching tired eyelids on faraway shores,
Always moving toward the headland of Lesbos,
To Mytilene.

Softly, one beautiful evening star lights up.
Its solitary flame on the distant Œtean,
Shining peacefully until the darkness settles in
Into brilliance;

Bringing indescribable peace and joy
Return with the night of everything that morning.
Coldly torn apart, the child from its mother,
Lover to lover.

From the marble courtyard of friends adorned with roses,
All by myself, my feet once more look for the little
Theater dedicated to the Muse, now vacant,
Facing the waves;

Where the carved Pan heads look down and laugh at the gentle
Slope of wide steps to the receding tide,
Playing their slender flutes the timeless hymns,
Songs that haven't been sung.

Every seat is empty where my girlfriends cheered for me,
Poets whose names are carved into the layered stone,
Over whose edge the apple tree blooms, drifting
Fragrance and flowers;

Telesippa and gentle Gyrinno are gone now,
Anactoria, divine woman; Atthis,
Finest of souls; beautiful Damophyla, Dica,
Muses' maidens.

Just an hour ago, they listened with excitement.
While my captivated heart sang its passionate song,
Sang its untamed prayer to you, Aphrodite,
Cyprus's Daughter;

Now they've returned home to the city,
Reflective, to dream while at ease, like the lazy
Servants come and remove from their untied hair,
Wilting flowers.

You, Sappho, are the only one left in the silence,
Left in the night and dreams that are dark, weaving
Feelings that are deep sighs from the heart and what they signify.
Vague as a shadow;

When the deep silence approaches you, sorrowful one,
People who forget will recall your music,
Whispering your name that will gently ignite their passion.
Like a sleep breeze.

THE REPROACH

Kypris, hear my prayer to you and the Nereids!
Safely bring my brother's ship back home,
Bring him back safely to the heart that loves him,
Regretful beating;

Fair Immortal, please wipe from my memory,
Every hint of conflict that used to separate us;
May it be that hate and conflict never arise again.
Create division between us;

May he never remember in the future.
My harsh criticism that hurt him deeply;
Words that broke my heart when I heard them
Said by others;

Words that hurt deeply and resurface frequently,
He lowered his head in shame at the public feast;
Where my disdain, among cheerful celebrations and laughter,
Injured him secretly

Jokes that wounded his pride and made fun of his foolishness,
Married to a slave when he, a noble from Lesbos,
Could have won the title of the fairest in Mytilene,
The finest young women;

Outright insults that associated his name with Doricha,
Beautiful slave that Xanthes sold in Egypt;
She whose stunning beauty was funded by Charaxus.
To liberate her from slavery.

Now that he’s gone and my anger has subsided,
I feel deep regret and sadness for the pain I caused him.
Pierce my heart, and the overwhelming fear of losing everything.
Shadows the bright day.

Long ago

A long time ago, my dear Atthis,
Your memory still makes me feel sad like the gentle Æolic.
Twilight descends on the ocean, and the restless
Winds that have blown

Over myrtle groves at Amathonte
Carry lost passion on fragrant breezes.
A long time ago, how deeply I loved you, Atthis!
Unfaithful, carefree

Beloved, no longer mine, who loves someone else.
More than I do; the quiet flute and the worn-out
Garlands linger in the heart of someone you’ve forgotten,
Long time since your lover.

Hymenaios

Artisans, raise the roof beam!
The groom stands tall like Ares,
Taller than everyone else,
Oh Hymenæus!

Yes! standing out among his peers,
Like the lesbian singer
Towers over men from all
Oh Hymen!

The girl is lovely too,
Her eyes are sweeter than honey,
Beautiful in both appearance and shape,
O Hymen!

For there has never been another
As beautiful as her,
Blessed by Aphrodite,
O Hymen!

O happy groom, the wedding
Almost done;
You have the bride of your choice,
Oh Hymen!

See how a soft whiteness spreads
Gently across her beautiful features,
A symbol of love's sweet promise,
Oh Hymen!

Go to bed willingly,
Joyful and kind for the groom;
He, in return, is filled with joy,
Oh Hymen!

May Hesperus and Hera lead you,
The person you're honoring tonight,
The silver-throned Goddess of marriage,
O Hymen!

WEDDING SONG

Bride, as you make your way to the bridal chamber
In the carriage pulled by doves belonging to Aphrodite,
Surrounded by a crowd of
Charming romances;

Bride, the most beautiful of all women
Mitylene treasures from the Goddess,
Graceful ladies with rosy ankles
Are your friends;

Bride, oh beautiful and lovely, your friends
Are the kind hours that, as they go by
Spread flowers for your happy moments.

Bride, blushing like the ripest apple
At the very end of the branch, it looks so strange
Ignored and not collected
By the harvesters;

Bride, like the apple that was never
Ignored but just out of reach,
Only one can collect your
Rare sweetness

The bride, who has grown into a woman
For the harvest of the groom only,
He alone will experience your
Beloved sweetness.

Wedding Poem

Evening's here! Check it out!
Soft lights welcoming us shine!
Get up from the feast, hey, young guys,
And sing the fun rhyme!

We sing in front of the door
The wedding anthem;
Evening is here, hey, guys!
The star we've been waiting for.

We lead the celebration groups
At the groom's doorway;
Evening has arrived, hey, guys!
Raise the wedding torch high.

Hey, noble groom, hey!
The beautiful bride has arrived;
Unlock the door and lead
Her quiet walk home.

Hey, noble groom!
Straight as a tall tree;
Tender like a wrapping vine
Your bride will hold on to you tightly.

PIERIA'S ROSE

Pale death will come, and you and your loved ones will be,
Then and always, lost in memory
As overlooked as the wind that blew yesterday
Blown away the last remaining apple buds;

For you never had that timeless rose.
To decorate your forehead and glow with everlasting light;
Pieria's eternal flower that very few can claim.
To restore and celebrate your forgotten name.

Yes! even in the mysterious areas of Dis,
Hiding in the shadows and completely alone,
Your brief shadow will go unnoticed.
By any of the roaming dead.

But no girl, I believe, under the skies,
At any time, you'll live and be wise.
Honestly, as I am; for the Nine Muses
They have honored me, and their gifts belong to me;

And I believe people will never really forget.
My songs or me; as long as the stars keep setting.
Either the sun will rise, or hearts will feel love's passion,
My voice will reach their dreams, a soft whisper of longing.

Lament for Adonis

Oh, handsome!
Look, he's dying.
Delicate and beautiful,
Fit Adonis.

Oh, Adonis!
Cry, you young women,
Beating your chests,
Ruining your dresses.

Oh Venus,
Hurry, for never
Have you ever loved someone?
Like your dream guy.

Look, on the bright
Dimpled cheek,
Not blushing anymore,
Yes, the specter of death.

Save him, oh Goddess!
You, the sorceress,
All-powerful and divine,
Stop this awful outcome.

Oh, wow!
No more during harvest
Will he come along?
The blooming meadows.

Oh, gorgeous!
Look, he's dying.
Fading like blossoms
With the summer gone.

THE STRICKEN FLOWER

Don't think you can ever see this, my love,
As you did before; because you won't anymore.
Find the flower still intact on its stem,
Your deception has left it hurt and bleeding in that moment.

Just like harsh shepherds trample underfoot
The hillside flower blooming in the summer heat;
The hyacinth with its purple center
Left bruised and lifeless, darkening on the ground.

DEATH

Death is a curse; that’s what the Gods say,
That's their judgment, and it's how we should view things.
Our human view; for those who exist above
Would never exist if dying were a good thing.

The poet's home should never contain
Tears and regrets; those things aren't for us.
Who sing endlessly about love and beauty, happiness and spring.

No hint of sadness should ruin our dreams.
Of timeless beauty and enduring love;
For they show a continuous joy,
The everlasting peace that confronts any destiny.

Clëis, my love, please don’t cry anymore, I urge you!
Let the drifting winds take away your sadness,
And all our worries; my daughter, let your smile shine.
Shine through your tears and make me happy in the meantime.

PERSEPHONE

I saw a sweet girl picking flowers.
A long time ago, in the bright morning light;
And then, from above, I saw a sudden cloud.
She fell fast and hard, and I heard her scream loudly.

I took another look, but from my open door.
I could no longer see the girl with my anxious eyes;
The cloud had vanished, taking her with it.
To underground places beyond the bright day.

MAIDENHOOD

Do I miss being a young woman?
Do I miss those days
When I stood on the mountainside
And look out at
The blue of the Aegean Sea,
Blending into fog,
Before love touched
My pure lips?

Maidenhood, oh maidenhood,
Where did you go?
To a land across the ocean
That you've never experienced.
Maidenhood, oh maidenhood,
Will you come back to me?
My youth will never come back
Extend its grace to you.

Now the autumn skies are gray,
Youth and summer are over;
Shepherd hills are distant,
Cercolas has died.
The marble courts of Mytilene
Echo my name;—
Virginity, we never imagined,
A long time ago, the concept of fame.

EVER MAIDEN

I will always be a single woman,
Always a little kid,
In my intense quest for beauty,
Captivated by the marvels of the planet.

I will always be single,
Standing out in spirit,
For the gods unveil the secret of beauty.
Only for the pure-hearted.

CLËIS

My lovely daughter,
With a body like a golden flower,
Why do you look so lost in thought?
And lost in dreams under the myrtle?

Clëis, my dear, your gaze
That turn away from my gaze, your hand
I cherish that trembling so.
More than all the territories of Lydia;

More than just the beautiful hills
Crowned with the Lesbian olive;—
Tell me, babe, what’s bothering
Are your thoughts clouded?

Come closer, my daughter.
And lay your head on my lap;
Whisper gently, don’t be scared,
For your heartbeat belongs to me.

Sweet mother, I can't take it anymore.
Sit comfortably at my loom;
My heart aches, I yearn
For a young man I really care about;

Lykas from Eresus,
Whom I knew when I was a little girl;
My heart is captured by Love.
With the sweetest pain ever.

ASPIRATION

I don't think I can stretch my arms up to the sky.
I don’t dream of accomplishing anything extraordinary;
A small singing bird might never fly that high,
To align the sapphire flame with its restless wings.

I don't think I can stretch my two arms to touch the sky,
I don't dream about sharing at all.
They reject the joy of Paphos with the immortal Gods.
To men hidden behind the blue curtain of air.

HERO OF GYARA

I taught Hero from Gyara, the swift runner;
She was much faster than Atalanta,
When through the clingy fabric of her wind-blown
Clothes, the shine of her skin glowed.

I taught Hero, from Gyara, the fast runner;
She was more beautiful than Atalanta,
When the hopeful gaze of the suitor
I saw her beauty challenge the danger of death.

I taught Hero, from Gyara, the speedy runner,
All of Terpander's songs,
Verses by Archilochus and Alcman,
And my poetic lines that shine so brightly.

I taught Hero, from Gyara, the quick runner,
Sapphic verses with their three-part musical rhythm
Ending with the final Adonic line, __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__,
Like the foam spilling out from a dying wave.

COURAGE

Don't lose hope, strong one!
And don’t stand alone feeling defeated;
There’s no beauty prize that’s out of reach.
of courageous spirit.

Don't lose hope, strong one!
Through the temple, field, and marketplace,
Only courage can earn the reward from the struggle.
that can be won.

THE PRIDE OF ARES

Ares claimed he would pull
Hephaestus by force
From Poseidon's palace
Deep in the ocean;
Where he created
The smart throne
With the hidden shackles.

He introduced the throne,
Sure, as a gift
To the queen of heaven;
But Hera quickly figured out
He wanted revenge.
Opposed to her
For casting him in a role
From the home of the gods.

Trapped in its grip
Of unyielding gold
She was stuck,
A victim of his deceit;
And Hephaestus understood
Just him
Could liberate the queen.

But the mighty God of war
Bragged about his strength;
He would bring the blacksmith
Of metals and tricks
Up high to let go
Hera, and out
Her raging despair.

Ares said he would pull
Hephaestus by strength,
But hesitated
And ran away when attacked
With a fiery brand
By the evil God
From the underworld.

GOLD

Gold is the child of Zeus,
Eternal and radiant;
Neither moth nor worm can consume it,
Nor can rust dull it.

So are the Muse's blessings.
Beautiful kids,
That deserve from above
Agelessness.

Gnomics

I

My methods are peaceful; no one notices.
The darker side within me;
One should hold back the words that come rushing out.
When anger begins to build up inside.

II

Those who receive what I offer from my hands
They live off my generosity.
Are usually the ones who brag the most.
And demonstrate the smallest amount of gratitude the most arrogant.

III

A person who is attractive in appearance and physique
It also needs to be good; the gods say that’s standard.
But he whose thoughts and actions are correct
Will soon be viewed as a beautiful sight.

IV

The beauty of youth is like a flower.
In spring, whose happiness lasts only an hour;
But true value that knows no human boundary
It's like the eternal flower, my friend.

PRIDE

Don't take pride in a ring,
Or any shiny thing
Of temporary value, whether it's trash or treasure.

Wealth that lacks real value isn't a trustworthy companion,
Even though both can contribute,
In just the right amount, immense joy.

LETO AND NIOBE

Leto and Niobe were good friends,
The hearts of the Goddess and the woman were joined.
In that motherly love that men hold dear,
A love that endures when other loves disappear.

But Niobe, bursting with a mother's pride,
Naive and foolish, they wouldn't give up;
She boasted that her kids were more beautiful.
Than Leto's beautiful children of the skies.

The proud Olympians promised to get revenge on her,
Angry Apollo, furious Artemis;
They killed her children, ignoring her pleas,
And with the end, her heart became cold.

THE DYE

They create from Scythian wood
The dye with a yellow shade
That transforms the beautiful hair
Of beautiful lesbians to gold.

So, Zanthis, my servant,
Will dip the fine wool,
And color the robes I made.
In saffron color.

Hymn to Paphia

Immortal Paphia! Have I brought you to hate me,
Should I be consumed by the lethal fire of passion?
Isn't my unwavering devotion yours to take,
Are my prayers and praise for you elevated?

Hasn't my life been nothing but a song dedicated to you,
A shaky string on Love's worn-out harp?
My soul has reached out to you in thought,
Discovering the depths of all your joy.

Aren't my endless heartbeats each a promise,
Is each tribute a garland? For your benefit,
The Fates have soaked my soul in the rain of passion,
Roses from Pieria twisted around my head.

The genuine love from my heart was yours,
I trembled with joy that nearly overwhelmed me;
The garlands you put on your altar have blossomed,
My days felt like songs to nights of pure happiness.

So why do you test me with suffering, kind Queen?
Why are you pushing me toward this frightening void of happiness,
Keep your chest away from mine and resist the urge to kiss?
Ah, could you make the pain hurt a bit less?

I have to endure the torment of Tantalus,
Beauty that slips away from me like Thetis;
Looks that captivate, making every breath a gasp,
And then look down on my suffering with pleasure.

She lives out of my reach, disdainful and distant,
Bathed in a glow of passionate heat;—
O bind her, a slave to equal longing desire,
Let the thrilling warmth of passion embrace her!

Come to me, Goddess, just like you did before,
Hearing my voice call you from a distance,
I brought your brilliant form down to earth;
Grant the smile of unspoken, intense happiness.

Ask me the beloved soft question that was once asked;
"Sappho, who is now sad about your passionate heart?"
Do you want to win her beauty, the one who frowns from a distance?
"No matter how passionately you love, she will soon love you even more."

O blessed Olympian, I ask you to respond to this!
Free me from this pain, and give me her enchantments,
In the warmth that connects her heart with mine forever.

EROS

From the twisted branches of the apple trees
The thick petals, carried by the wind,
Fluttered on bursts of sweet fragrance and dropped
Into the clear water of the garden well;

And some were playfully swayed by a strong breeze.
Across the marble expanse of my courtyard,
And some were caught by sudden gusts that spread
Towards the sea and city, down the mountainside.

Lesbos resembled Paphos, shining in a pink light,
With green olive hills and the purple valley below;
The sky was a bright blue, and above the peaceful
The doves of Aphrodite flew over the sea.

My dreaming eyes saw Eros from far away.
Arriving from heaven in his mother's chariot,
Wearing a purple robe, and in my heart
The God was aiming his unbending arrow.

He whom beautiful Aphrodite referred to as her son,
She, the beloved, she, the majestic one;
He moved like winds that touch the soul, like pains
Sweet to the heart, like a fire that warms the blood;

He passed by and left my limbs covered in dew,
Relaxed and light, feeling passion resonate within;
Worn out from exciting waves of enjoyable fear,
A sudden darkness flooding my vision.

PASSION

Now love stirs my soul, a powerful
Wind blowing from the high mountain
Strongly on the oaks in the forest;

Now, leaving my limbs weak, it takes
Taking charge of my life excites me intensely,
Ripping through me with pain and happiness.

Now my heart hurts in my chest,
Pants with desire like a madwoman
Crazy for the wild party.

Now beneath my skin run subtle
Fire arrows, and my body
Shudders with strong emotions.

Now long-lasting cravings
Overwhelm my logic with excess;
Fainting, I lose my senses.

Aphrodite's Praise

O Sappho, why do you always
Praise the blessed
Goddess of the skies?

Why does your heart
Keep craving and
Craving the Goddess?

Why are your senses always on?
Looking for that
Eternal love?

Oh, kind Daughter of Cyprus,
I can never, as a human,
Get fed up with your service.

You are the air I breathe,
The blood in my veins, and the
Pulsing heart inside me.

All-powerful, fiery, unstoppable,
You are the energy that
Always overwhelms me.

You are the ultimate high of pleasure.
Relaxing my body, and the
Melting stream of emotion;

You make me cry.
Sighs escape my lips, in the
Overpowering wave of passion.

O golden-crowned Venus,
I hope I will always be thankful,
Confident of your approval;

Worthy of the role of your priestess,
Leading the song that lasts forever
Rings with your compliments.

THE FIRST KISS

I put the cushion down
On the couch where she
Reclined on her back,
Could offer me her lips.

Like a lovesick goddess
At Aphrodite's temple,
I leaned over her.
Experiencing something divine.

She was effortlessly youthful,
Still a child at heart,
With no indication of any
Secret knowledge of desire.

Her lips were poised for a kiss.
And mine had the talent;
And one long, passionate kiss
Awoke her innocent heart.

ODE TO ATTHIS

I loved you, Atthis, a long time ago!
My blood burned with the intensity of passion's impact;
Now, after a long neglect, that old fire has gone out.
And the weight of the passing years has faded desire.

I loved you, Atthis—joy of the past—
Love stirred my soul like the wind rustling through tall trees;
This daring heart that bravely pursued happiness,
I went unsatisfied and it drove me crazy all night.

I loved you, Atthis, a long time ago!
With pain so deep it turned into anguish, you know;
I went through the storms that tear at the heart and leave
A lonely beach where the waves only crash to mourn.

I loved you, Atthis—spring of days long past—
I saw you leave, heading to Andromeda; sigh—
Then, as intense despair clouded my surroundings,
I walked through my empty house, crying in place.

I loved you, Atthis, once a long time ago!
I realize my memories are now painful, and I understand this;
And all the once plentiful affection shared
Has left me, leaving my heart exposed and frightened.

I loved you, Atthis—a dream from a long time ago—
Understood. Please provide the text you would like me to modernize.
How the sweet words and gentle music play softly and quietly,
Keep the sigh of love's deep regret.
No matter how much time passes, the heart will always remember.

COMPARISON

Not as soft as a Tyrian robe
With a smooth texture,
Less fragile than a rose
Is your skin?

Your chest is whiter than the snow.
That a virgin is on,
And deeper than the ocean
Your eyes are like the ocean.

Richer than the fruit
Orange trees,
Your hair flows and captivates.
The soft breeze.

Not as polished as a silver string
Of an Orphic lyre,
Not as sweet as your gentle laugh
That sparks desire.

THE SACRIFICE

I lay my body on a soft cushion.
With bare limbs,
Having taken off all clothes
To discover a deeper grace;
From burning doves wrapped
In scented leaves,
The calming scents have relaxed
I like a gentle kiss.

Beyond the symbolic altar
That the tripods light up,
I offer with holy wine
A clear image;
Anadyomene,
Softer than foam,
When from the devastated sea
She flew into the air.

God's daughter, please accept
These are my offerings!
Last night my body relaxed
In heavenly embrace.
These satisfied lips and eyes
That once asked,
Accept this sacrifice
Thanks.

LEDA

Once upon a time
They say Leda found
Under the thyme
An egg on the ground;

And yet, the swan
She embraced a long time ago
Was whiter than
Its shiny snow shell.

AMOEBA: ALCAeus AND SAPPHO

ALCUSÆUS

Violet-weaving Sappho, pure and beautiful,
Softly-smiling Sappho, I want to share
Something that my hidden hope has cherished,
If only I weren't held back by shame.

Sappho

If your heart had been genuine,
You wouldn't have made such a desperate request;
Shame wouldn’t have caused you to look away from me,
And your words wouldn’t have shamed you.

ALCAeus

Softly smiling Sappho, my desire for you grows stronger.
I want to share everything that's in my heart.

Sappho

Don't worry, Alcæus, about hurting me!
Your feelings make my heart feel empathy.

ALCAEA

I want you, violet-weaving Sappho!
I love you passionately, softly-smiling Sappho!

Sappho

Hush, Alcæus! You need to pick someone younger.
Companion for your bed, as I never could.
Mix your youth with my experience—the Gods forbid it—
Youth and fiery passion don't mix well with age and dust.

SELENE'S LOVE

Across the peaceful, moonlit sea
Selene walked over
Carefully locate the Latmian cave,
Her heart ablaze

With the deep pain of unfulfilled longing,
Her doubts disappeared,
And eager to find out
Endymion.

Cretan Dance

Like the moon in all her splendor
Slowly rose above the forest,
The Cretan women stayed quiet
At the altar.

Wearing their slim-fit tops,
Made of sheer fabric,
Highlighting every graceful moment
Body curves.

With respectful eyes lifted
To the shining full moon,
Soon its drifting silver lights
Lit up their faces.

Soft and bright, its shining sphere,
Easily seen above the treetops,
Bathed in soft, surreal light
Across the terrain.

When the silver light settled
On the altar decorated with garlands,
And its light showed the marble
Aphrodite

Holding hands, the Cretan women
Moved smoothly to the beat
As they started to dance to a beat
For the Goddess.

So lightly their bare feet
Pressed the soft grass below,
They barely damaged its delicate
Lush greenery.

Spinning in a circle
To the east, their voices were raised
In a sorrowful tone, the sacred __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__
Ithyphallics;

Then they stopped, going back over their steps.
Westward, responding stanza
By responsive chorus with harmony
Vocal harmonies;

With the final song episode,
Standing before the altar,
Look! The song celebrating Paphos.
Was finished.

To Alcæus

You empty so many cups.
In your songs to Dionysus,
Oh Alcæus!
You only sing about war and wine;—
So why not for Aphrodite,
Oh Alcæus!
You have large halls decorated with many
Trophies honoring Mars,
Oh Alcæus!
Bronze shields and shiny helmets,
Brass plates, Chalcidian blades,
Oh Alcæus!
When the Thracian
The north wind howls through the bare forest in winter,
Oh Alcæus!
You stoke the fire and drive away
Concerns with many a golden cup,
Oh Alcæus!

HYPORCHEME

So the girls dance
In the vibrant beat,
Bright rosy arms,
Sparkling eyes;
Cheeks as beautiful as flowers,
Parted lips shining,
With their lovely voices
Singing gently;
With their elegant bodies
Swaying to the flute music,
Let's get the music going.
Never quiet;
Stylish the dances
They show,
While the evening sky
Turns to gold.
Turns to gold.

LARICHUS

While lovely maidens create flower crowns for you,
Larichus, please bring the pledge for this celebration.
Like beautiful Ganymede, my bro,
And casually pour the wine from your cup.
Your slender limbs have the grace of a Satyr,
Hylas, the Wood-God, smiles at you;
These girls of mine, who care for me a lot,
In my dreams, I have imagined your Nymphs playing with you.
I heard the applause from beautiful Mitylene fade away.
Over Lykas, Menon, and Dinnomenes;
I admire your beauty, deserving of the reward,
Cupbearer to the council of the wise.
No noble young person in the prytaneum
Whose elegant figure is embraced by the purple tunic
Can compare with you when all of Lesbos
Meets with the wise and the powerful for matters of state.

SPRING

Come, beautiful shell, sing for me now,
Just like when the Hebrus River met the sea.
To take to Lesbos, on gentle waves,
The head and golden lyre of Orpheus.

Calliope, the queen of the melodic crowd,
Come down and inspire this song;
For the rhythms of life flow through my body
Bring the cheerful, warm vibe of spring.

The skies that stretch over the earth with their faraway blue light
Transform the wide land into a place of desire;—
Right now, I felt a divine presence brush against my cheek,
In the pleasant breeze, flowing like a soft wind.

Was that Pan's flute, O Atthis, that we heard?
Or the gentle love song of a forest bird?
That flame with a red wing that glided over the stream,
Or the red flash of our intense dream?

Ah, soon we will be together again, beautiful
Garlands of dill and roses to decorate our bare
White arms that hold, a white chest that presses against mine,
When the long night of love keeps us from resting.

INTRO

Skillfully on my little
Seven-string barbitos,
Now to impress my girlfriends
I set songs to music.

Beautiful friends
My feelings about the Muses
For you will never
Transform.

Sung with heartfelt emotion
Old Ionic style,
All the songs I share with you
Are love songs.

ANDROMEDA
Which basic girl
Now steals your heart,
Oh my God
Of the weird relationships?
With her awkward ankles
She doesn't have a clue.
Style that elevates
Her long, awkward dress.
Yet she definitely enchants you,
Oh my God,
For your sweet taboo
Love is a great reward.
Joy and praise are all around you,
In your keen intuition
Appreciate beauty, daughter
Of Polyanax!
Of Polyanax!

EUNEICA

Aphrodite's assistant,
You shine as bright as gold,
Fragile woven garlands
Around your soft neck;

Sweet like smooth talk,
Graceful as the Muses,
Shy Euneica, stunning
Girl from Salamis.

Sleek like Syrinx,
Like the swaying water nymph,
I'm sorry, but I can't fulfill that request.
Summer breezes.

On your lips, which tremble
As if seeking mercy,
Mine will chill and linger
Like Pan's lips

On Syrinx's mouth,
When he breathed into her
Blowing through her body
With the music of his love.

GORGO

Gorgo, I’m exhausted.
Of your love's dedication,
You seem to me
Like an unattractive kid.

Though I like Jello
Even more than non-sexuals,
I've never
I felt a tiny bit of longing for you.

Last night, I was unsure.
What to do, because it’s pity
Touched me deeply,
Watching you beg.

Caught in a dilemma
Surrendering and saying no,
I was nearly convinced
To fulfill your wish.

Your presence at my doorstep
Stays like a shadow;
It would be pointless for you
To accuse me with your begging eyes.

Do you really think that always
Displays of lasting passion
Will gradually wear down my
Unyielding determination?

Gorgo, I’m exhausted
Of your love's dedication,
And I'm out of strength,
I finally give in to what you want.

MNASIDICA

Set the garlands on your beautiful decor.
A sparkling mass of soft, golden hair,
Dill sprigs delicately intertwined with soft fingers
While I take a step back to get a better view.

People who wear beautiful wreaths on their heads,
Releasing a delightful scent to the senses,
Always win the favor of the Graces
Who turns away from those without wreaths.

Dica, Mnasidica, you're stunning
With the elegant curves of Aphrodite;
Eyes the color of her deep blue ocean.
Gently washing on the relaxed shore of Cyprus.

In every movement, there's a natural elegance.
Sway to the rhythmic poetry of your body,
Enchanting with gentle waves
Like a beautiful lily swaying in the breeze.

As I take a moment to appreciate the beauty
Roses add to the charm,
All your beautiful qualities combined
Sun me until I'm overwhelmed with quick desire.

TELESIPPA

Sleep in someone's arms
From your loving girlfriend,
Telesippa, awesome
Girl from Miletus.

Like shy twin petals
Closing in the dark,
Dewy kisses will drop
On your tired eyelids.

As she hugs you,
Her soft touches
Will bring you sweet sleepiness.

Warm on your cheek,
The rush of her passion
The heart will grow heavier with her sighs.

All through the long, pleasant night,
While you sleep peacefully,
She'll lie there shaking
With her passionate love's longing.

GYRINNO

Now the silver moon
The moon has disappeared,
With the golden Pleiades
Drifting westward.

It's after midnight.
And time is moving forward,
Hours we devoted to passion
And I sleep by myself.

Anger doesn't look good on you,
Kind-hearted Gyrinno,
Dica is curvier
But loved less by me.

Are you still being stubborn?
Stubborn one, canceling
All your promises
From that intense past?

Can it be, O Charites,
Have you forgotten?
Do you love someone new,
Maybe even now?

Ah, I'm crying,
Yet in my hopelessness
State I relax and listen
For your silent step;

For the tiniest sound
Of your flowing outfit,
For your lovely and breathless
Knock softly at the door.

Now the moon has disappeared.
With the golden Pleiades;
It's past midnight.
And I sleep by myself.

MEGARA

You hurt us, Megara,
With your fierce passions;
Bringing from Palermo
Such wild flames.

You burn us, effortless
Flow of intense fire,
Furious, scathing, intense,
Free from will.

You hurt us, Megara,
Love should practice restraint,
Holding on to power to maintain it
Sharper through control.

ERINNA

More arrogant than anyone else, oh beautiful Erinna,
I’ve never encountered a girl like you.

You have such a careless disregard for love.
It's a serious insult to Aphrodite.

When gentle longing finally hurts your heart,
You’ll experience the pain of love and endure even greater suffering.

Keep the gifts I gave you that you've long turned down;
Fabrics for your lap from distant Phocea,

Babylonian perfumes, aromatic sandals,
And the pricey hairband for your hair;

Brass tripods to stand beside the altar
With the ivory statue of the Goddess;

Where the smoke from the sacred
Flames will rise to honor and please her,

At the moment when she calls you, your passionate
My heart and lips will be dedicated to you.

GONGYLA

It was at sunset
Blazing with saffron fire,
And Apollo's chariot horses
Dipped below the hills,

That on Mytilene's
We met at the marble bridge,
Gongyla, you’re a treasure
Girl from Colophon.

Like the morning breeze
Or a breeze coming from the sea,
Fresh, your beauty amazed me,
Strong from the north.

Surprised by your presence,
Transported, nearly divine,
Flooded veins and chest,
Shook me with lust.

Soon the warm sun
Of Aeolic lands
Melted all the useless
Snow around your heart.

DAMOPHYLA

Cold and strange
Not interested in passion,
Wisdom's watch is lost on you,
Proud Damophyla.

You've written Sapphics.
My style of verses,
With unmatched skill
Melody crafting.

You seem quick to reject
Love's incredible magic,
Like the pure Huntress
You have loved for a long time.

Shaped by your clothing,
Every smooth curve
Of her genuine and noble
Figure I want to see;

Even imagine her emerging
From the shady leaves
Down the bright valley,
Majestic like a deer.

For a long time, I begged but eventually found you.
Ignored my requests,
Until one summer night
Sleepy in the heat;

Lulled by the softness of sleep,
And my gentle solo
Singing voice of a hymn
In celebration of love;

Unwilling to surrender but still beaten,
As I kneeled beside you,
All your prolonged resistance
Surrendered to my kiss.

ANAGORA

Anagora, the prettiest
Spoils of a significant battle,
Babylonian temples
Knew your captivating song.

Taken from savage
Captors of your beauty,
You became a priestess
At Mylitta's temple.

Once these quick fingers
Held yours so close,
Under the temple's arches
Softly beat the drum.

You have shared secrets with me.
Of the secret rooms,
How the zonahs worship
In the scorching East;

Delights that my wildest dreams
Unimaginable dreams,
The arts of love that mesmerized me,
Subtle, new, and weird.

Listen to my feelings
Prayer, oh Aphrodite!
May the night last longer
Now for our enjoyment.
$/

PHILOMEL

Philomel in my garden,
Sweet spring messenger,
From the olive tree, share
Exciting news.

Stay a while on your old
Song like in the past;
Before the boatman who was familiar with Aphrodite
Took my vision.

Killer charm of beauty,
God-like beauty in human form;
Ah, I'm always captivated by its charm.
Fear of heaven.

Spring brings gentle breezes and blooming flowers,
Grasses, leaves, and aromas,
On my heart like the breath of someone lost
April is vibing;

Filled with excitement and regret of
Lost hugs and kisses;
Atthis, Anactoria's memory
Always remembered.

Philomel in my yard,
Spring’s sweet messenger,
From the olive tree, share
Exciting news.

GOLDEN PULSE

Golden pulse thrived along the shore,
Ferns on the hill,
And the red cliff roses remained
Bees sipping their fill;

Bees that collect from the fields
The sweet smell of melilot,
Honey sippers on golden wings
In the garden shed.

But to me, forgotten flower,
Phaon won't see,
Passion brings no happy moments,
No honey or the bee.

THE SWALLOW

Pandion's beautiful daughter
Swallow that darts by my window,
Fast in the sunlight
Chasing your shadow;

What’s your innocent purpose,
Why do you hang around me?
Is it a feeling of sadness?
Does that bring you closer to me?

Do you always have to be quiet,
Fleeing in fear of Tereus?
Must he chase you for Itys,
Transformed into a plover?

Tireless in flight and never
Resting on shrubs or branches,
Close to the ground, high in the sky,
Above the treetops;

After your wing in its chaos
Follows my gaze, like a quick
Child running after mom
Rushing quietly.

Pandion's beautiful daughter
Swallow that darts by my window,
Do you have a message from Cyprus?
About Phaon?

NEWS

She wrapped herself in tightly woven linen,
Fine and delicate fabrics like those
The Nile traders bring goods for us to trade.
From Egypt, Crete, and far-off Phocea.

Love gave her feet the wings of the wind to reach.
(Who walks softly on the beach without disturbing the pebbles)
My marble court, and out of breath, let me know
My lover's sails are billowing across the harbor.

To her, he looked the same way he sees himself,
Like a radiant goddess, she has long been admired in her dreams;
She saw him standing at the front of his boat—
My Phaon, mine, now in Mitylene!

Hesperus

Evening star shines
Low on the east wave,
Toward the Asian coast;

Over smooth lines
Of grays and purples spread
Where the peaceful sea embraces the night.

Gorgeous sunset light,
The brightest stars, shining
With a quiet secret joy;

Star of desire,
Take me with the night
Dreams and my Phaon's kiss.

DAWN

Just now the golden-sandaled Dawn
I looked out the window of my room;
Why do you have to leave so soon, my Phaon?

Last night, I saw you by the shore,
The sky was filled with a thousand colors;
The breeze from Cyprus blew, my Phaon!

I came to soothe your worried mind,
My handkerchief soaked with seawater;
Why did you travel so far, my Phaon?

High up the narrow mountain trails
We heard the shepherds playing their flutes;
You seemed like some kind of white god, my Phaon!

And through the olive trees, we saw
The sparkle of my evening lamp;
Will you kiss me now like you did back then, my Phaon?

No, don’t loosen your gentle grip.
On the clasp of my holding arms;
I won’t let you go, my Phaon!

Check it out, confidently in my flowing dress
I jump up and pull the window shut;
Is it night again, my Phaon?

THE FAREWELL

Dear, let's stand face to face,
And, lifting your eyelids, show me your grace,
The passion that still remains and exists
Reflected in your eyes.

Phaon, my one and only,
Don't just stand there, indifferent to my intense longing;
Oh, before you set sail to faraway Panormus,
Just give me one hour of love.

Dear ungrateful one, come and let
Your breath smells sweet like a tasty dish,
Your smile, the lasting feel of lips and heart.
Bless me before we part.

Phaon, I desire and look for
It's just you, and I need to express what I'm feeling.
In all these caring and passionate ways of mine,
Oh human, now divine!

My girlfriends are gone now.
Bring their beautiful gifts of garlands to my door;
Dear girls, with all your lost power
You don't mean anything to me anymore.

Phaon, your ship has docked.
At the harbor entrance and waits for the tides.
And gentle winds, to travel far west
And leave me here to die.

The powerful rowers lean
To row with long strokes; and as the scene shifts,
Nicer loves than mine will soon be forgotten.
This ultimate divine embrace.

Phaon, the gentle breeze!
Look, I'm kneeling at your feet and holding your knees!
Don't leave, don't leave! Oh, listen to my tearful plea,
And surrender to my despair!

DARK-EYED SLEEP

Dark-eyed Sleep, child of Night,
Come in your dark robe to my bed,
And with your soothing touch,
Chill like the evening breeze,
Help me move on;

Grant me real relief,
A feeling of peace that comes with never-ending sleep;
Drive away the nightmares,
The fierce Furies
That disturbs my peace.

I would like to live a bit longer.
Even though Phaon has left me, I wouldn't
Be found in dark fields
In the tall lilies
Of pale Persephone.

THE CLIFF OF LEUCAS

A far-off cliff
Stands in the west sea
To the lands of Cephallenia.

Apollo's temple roof
Its bright summit,
And at its foundation
The waves always crash.

Its jump has the power
To relieve the pain
Of unreciprocated love.

There, ghostly lovers roam
With heavy hearts
To take risks and relax
Love's slow-burning passion.

Pushed to the limit
By intense desire,
I’ll throw myself too.
Please,
Apollo, god and king!

Into the chill
Embrace the ocean,
Less cold than your heart, O Phaon,
I'm going to fall—
Fall like a hurt dove;

And I will rise.
Always indifferent to love's dreams,
Or find below
The ocean's endless sound,
Peace forever.

THE DUST OF TIMAS

This is the dust of Timas! Here lies at rest.
Are the dear ashes where her spirit shone brightly?
She passed away, gentle maiden,
Before her wedding day, now just a faint memory,
Quiet and filled with sadness, she has to stay.
In Persephone's dark room.
When life had withered with the flowers and leaves,
Each dear friend, showing her sorrow,
Gave up their cut hair with their heads down,
A beautiful tribute to the wonderful deceased.

THE PRIESTESS OF ARTEMIS

Young women who walk past my grave with joyful laughter,
A restless voice calls out from below you;
Stop, and if anyone wants to hear my story,
Even though I'm quiet, these carved words will communicate;
Once, many years ago, it pleased __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__
Arista, daughter of Hermocleides,
To devote my life to pure joy
To you, esteemed among women, Artemis!
O Goddess, please bless my grandfather's family line,
For Saon was one of your temple priests;
And please, O Queen, in your generous kindness,
Endless fame and wealth to his descendants.