T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Hymn to Venus
By Sappho (fl. c. 610580 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! | |