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Sappho Translations III by Michael R. Burch


Bed the bride with the beautiful feet,
or bring her to me!
—Sappho, fragment 103b, translation by Michael R. Burch

I long helplessly for love. Gazing into your eyes not even Hermione compares. Who is your equal? I compare you only to goldenhaired Helen among mortal women. Know your love would free me from every care, and keep me awake nightlong beside dewy deltas.
—Sappho, fragment 22, translation by Michael R. Burch

Aphrodite, do you not love the windlike dances
of beautiful, apple-cheeked Abanthis?
—Sappho, fragment 301, translation by Michael R. Burch

The black earth absorbed grief-stricken tears along with the interred sons of Atreus.
—Sappho, fragment 297, translation by Michael R. Burch

Menelaus, son of Atreus, lies returned to the black earth, finally beyond agony.
—Sappho, fragment 27, translation by Michael R. Burch

Atthis, so charming in the bedroom, but otherwise hateful, proud and aloof, her teeth clicking like castanets.
—Sappho, fragment 87a, translation by Michael R. Burch

I sought the Goddess in your body's curves and crevasses.
—Sappho, translation by Michael R. Burch

Mnemosyne was stunned into astonishment when she heard honey-tongued Sappho, wondering how mortal men merited a tenth Muse.
—Antipater of Sidon, translated by Michael R. Burch

Sappho, fragment 136
translation by Michael R. Burch

1.
Nightingale,
how handsomely you sing
your desire,
sweet crier
of blossoming spring.

2.
Nightingale, enticing-songed harbinger of spring. Sing!


Sappho, fragment 93
translation by Michael R. Burch

Gongyla, wear, I beg,
that revealing white dress
when you come,
so that desire surrounds you,
descending in circling flight as you dance
to the strains of Abanthis's lyre
while I compose hymns to your loveliness,
both of us stirred by your beauty
and that dress!
Wherefore I once prayed to Aphrodite: "I want"
and she reprimanded me.


Sappho, fragment 24 
translation by Michael R. Burch

Remember how we did such things in our youth? Many lovely and beautiful things in the city of dangerous enticements! We lived face-to-face with great daring amid those who inflict pain. Daring even to believe in golden-haired, slender-voiced Love …


Sappho, fragment 33
translation by Michael R. Burch

Golden-crowned Aphrodite,
don't be a glory-hog!
Share a little of your luck with me!

Keywords/Tags: Sappho, love, beauty, beautiful, dress, desire, tears, earth, goddess, bride, Atthis, spring, wedding
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