SAPPHIC ODE

Thou gracious dweller of the woodland green,
Companion ever of the April flowers,
And living breath of mother Venus’s heart,
            O gentle zephyr!—

If thou dost know the sorrows of my love,—
Thou that dost bear afar my sad lament,—
Hear me and frankly say to her I love
            That here I perish!

Filis, who once my bitter yearnings knew,
Filis, who once my bitter yearnings wept,
Once did she love me, but, alas, I fear,
            I fear her anger!

So do the gods with their paternal breasts,
Sodo the heavens with all their hearts benign
Withdraw themselves, what time thy gladsome wing
            The snows uncover;

Never the dark clouds’ burden, at the break
Of morn along the lofty mountain chain,
Bruises thy shoulders, nor their bitter hail
            Shatters thy pinions!