SAPPHO.

Photogravure from a Painting by Von Hafften.

Ye who have seen your Sappho weak, forgive:
For Sappho's weakness well will I atone.
Alone when bent, the bow's full power is shown.

[Pointing to the altar in the background.

Kindle the flames at Aphrodite's shrine,

Till up to heaven they mount like morning beams!

[They obey her.

And now retire and leave me here alone:
I would seek counsel only from the gods.

Rhamnes [to the people]-It is her wish. Let us obey. Come all.

Sappho [advancing] –

[They retire.

Gracious, immortal gods! list to my prayer.
Ye have adorned my life with blessings rich:
Within my hand ye placed the bow of song;
The quiver of the poet gave to me;

A heart to feel, a mind to quickly think;

A power to reveal my inmost thoughts.

Yes! ye have crowned my life with blessings rich.
For this, all thanks.

Upon this lowly head.

Ye placed a wreath, and sowed in distant lands

The poet's peaceful fame,-immortal seed;
My songs are sung in strange and foreign climes;
My name shall perish only with the earth.

For this, all thanks.

Yet it hath been your will

That I should drink not deep of life's sweet cup,
But only taste the overflowing draught.

Behold! obedient to your high behest,

I set it down untouched. For this, all thanks.

All that ye have decreed I have obeyed,
Therefore deny me not a last reward:
They who belong to Heaven no weakness show;
The coils of sickness cannot round them twine;
In their full strength, in all their being's bloom,

XII-421