T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Sapphos Ode
By Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84c. 54 B.C.)(Translated by Ambrose Phillips) BLEST as th’ immortal gods is he, | |
The youth, who fondly sits by thee, | |
And hears and sees thee all the while | |
Softly speak, and sweetly smile. | |
’Twas that deprived my soul of rest, | 5 |
And raised such tumults in my breast; | |
For while I gazed, in transport toss’d, | |
My breath was gone, my voice was lost. | |
My bosom glow’d; the subtle flame | |
Ran quick through all my vital frame; | 10 |
On my dim eyes a darkness hung; | |
My ears with hollow murmurs rung: | |
With dewy damp my limbs were chill’d; | |
My blood with gentle horrors thrill’d; | |
My feeble pulse forgot to play; | 15 |
I fainted, sank, and died away. | |