Amœbeum: Alcæus and Sappho

AMŒBEUM: ALCÆUS AND SAPPHO

ALCÆUS

Violet-weaving Sappho, pure and lovely,
Softly-smiling Sappho, I would utter
Something that my secret hope has cherished,
Did no painful sense of shame deter me.

SAPPHO

Had the impulse of thy heart been honest,
It had urged no evil supplication;
Shame had not abashed thy eyes before me,
And thy words had done thee no dishonor.

ALCÆUS

Softly-smiling Sappho, longing bids me
Tell thee all that in my heart lies hidden.

SAPPHO

Have no fear, Alcæus, to offend me!
Thy emotion stirs my heart to pity.

ALCÆUS

I desire thee, violet-weaving Sappho!
Love thee madly, softly-smiling Sappho!

SAPPHO

Hush, Alcæus! thou must choose a younger
Comrade for thy couch, for I would never
Join thy years to mine—the Gods forbid it—
Youth and ardent fire to age and ashes.