Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics by Bliss Carman
page 16 of 110 (14%)
page 16 of 110 (14%)
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With oil and honey and wheat-bread,
Praying for strength and fulfilment Of human longing, with purpose 10 Ever to keep thy great worship Pure and undarkened. * * * * * O Hermes, master of knowledge, Measure and number and rhythm, Worker of wonders in metal, 15 Moulder of malleable music, So often the giver of secret Learning to mortals! Now even I, a fond woman, Frail and of small understanding, 20 Yet with unslakable yearning Greatly desiring wisdom, Come to the threshold of reason And the bright portals. * * * * * And thou, sea-born Aphrodite, 25 In whose beneficent keeping Earth, with her infinite beauty, Colour and fashion and fragrance, Glows like a flower with fervour Where woods are vernal! 30 |
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