T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Sapphic Ode XLVI: Fool, faint not thou! I laughed in blame
By Michael Field (Katherine Harris Bradley) (18461914)(From Long Ago, 1889) “FOOL, faint not thou!” I laughed in blame | |
Of Larichus, pale in the flame | |
Of Hymen’s torches: while, alas, | |
I feel my senses swoon, | |
Or quicken with delight | 5 |
At Nature’s simplest boon: | |
Unmoved I cannot pass | |
The fine bloom of the grass, | |
Or watch the dimpling shadows on the white, | |
Vibrating poplar with unshaken frame. | 10 |
“Faint not,” I said—and yet my breath | |
Comes sharp as I were nigh to death | |
If suddenly across the grove | |
The lovely laugh I hear, | |
Or catch the lovely speech | 15 |
Of one who makes a peer | |
Of the blest gods above | |
The man she deigns to love. | |
O Anactoria, wast thou born to teach | |
Sappho how vainly she admonisheth? | 20 |
“Faint not”—the poet must dare all; | |
Me no experience shall appal, | |
No pang that can make shrill my song: | |
Though Atthis, hateful, flit | |
From my fond arms, and by | 25 |
Andromeda dare sit, | |
I will not let my strong | |
Heart fail, will bear the wrong, | |
With piercing accents for Adonis cry, | |
Or thrice on perished Timas vainly call. | 30 |
“Faint not,” I said. Would’st thou be great, | |
Thou must with every shock vibrate | |
That life can bring thee; seek and yearn; | |
Feel in thyself the stroke | |
Of love, although it rive | 35 |
As mountain-wind an oak; | |
Let jealous passion burn | |
If Rhodope must turn | |
To other love; and laugh that age should strive | |
The ardours of thy bosom to abate. | 40 |