72
THE POEMS OF SAPPHO
A later and a better translation is that by J. A. Symonds in 1883.
I
Peer of gods he seemeth to me, the blissful
Man who sits and gazes at thee before him,
Close beside thee sits, and in silence hears thee
Silverly speaking,
II
Laughing Love’s low laughter. Oh this, this only
Stirs the troubled heart in my breast to tremble.
For should I but see thee a little moment,
Straight is my voice hushed;
III
Yea, my tongue is broken, and through and through me
Neath the flesh, impalpable fire runs tingling;
Nothing see mine eyes, and a noise of roaring
Waves in my ear sounds;
IV
Sweat runs down in rivers, a tremor seizes
All my limbs and paler than grass in autumn,
Caught by pains of menacing death I falter,
Lost in the love trance.
