Sappho: Ode to Aphrodite
On the throne of many hues, Immortal Aphrodite,child of Zeus, weaving wiles: I beg you,do not break my spirit, O Queen,with pain or sorrowbut come--if ever before from far awayyou heard my voice and listened,and leaving your father'sgolden home you came,your chariot yoked with lovely sparrowsdrawing you quickly over the dark earthin a whirling cloud of wings downthe sky through midair,suddenly here. Blessed One, with a smileon your deathless face, you askwhat have I suffered againand why do I call againand what in my wild heart do I most wishwould happen: "Once again who must Ipersuade to turn back to your love?Sappho, who wrongs you?If now she flees, soon she'll chase.If rejecting gifts, then she'll give.If not loving, soon she'll loveeven against her will."Come to me now--release me from thesetroubles, everything my heart longsto have fulfilled, fulfill, and yoube my ally.Translation by Rayor Rayor, Diane. Sappho: A New Translation of the Complete Works, Cambridge University Press, 2014. Introduction & notes by André Lardinois.Thank you for listening to our episode zero! You can follow us on Twitter & Instagram @sweetbitterpod. You can support us on patreon.com/sweetbitter - sign up before November 1st at any level for a free Sweetbitter tote bag.Click here for episode transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.