The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English E-Book

Sappho

• Herausgeber: DigiCat
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

In "The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English," this collection presents a masterful reinterpretation of Sappho's ancient verses, encapsulating the intensity of her passion, the subtleties of her imagery, and the intricacies of her emotional landscapes. The book employs a lyrical and evocative English style that attempts to remain faithful to the original Greek's musicality and brevity, while contextualizing Sappho's life on the island of Lesbos during the 7th century BCE. This work invites readers into the vibrant world of one of the earliest and most celebrated poets in Western literature, allowing a deeper appreciation of her innovations in lyric poetry, including themes of love, beauty, and longing that resonate through the ages. Sappho, a prominent figure in the canon of ancient Greek literature, is renowned for her exploration of personal and emotional themes that challenge societal norms. Her life, marked by complexity and artistry, reflects her deep engagement with the human experience, particularly in the realm of female relationships. It is this rich cultural backdrop, alongside her pioneering role as a female poet, that informs the interpretative choices made in this rendition, illuminating her enduring influence in poetry. This interpretative rendition is essential for readers seeking to understand the nuances of Sappho's work within both historical and contemporary contexts. It is an invitation to connect with the timeless themes of love and loss in a fresh light, making it a valuable addition to any literary collection. Those passionate about poetry, feminism, and classical literature will find this work invigorating, offering profound insights and an accessible pathway to Sappho's brilliant, yet fragmented, legacy.

Leseprobe

Sappho

The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English

 

EAN 8596547023951

DigiCat, 2022 Contact: [email protected]

Table of Contents

SAPPHICS

EPITHALAMIA

THRENODES

PARTHENEIA

DIDAKTIKA

EROTIKA>

DITHYRAMBS

GIRL FRIENDS

PHAON

EPIGRAMS

Then to me so lying awake a visionCame without sleep over the seas and touched me,Softly touched mine eyelids and lips; and I, too,Full of the vision,Saw the white implacable Aphrodite,Saw the hair unbound and the feet unsandalledShine as fire of sunset on western waters;Saw the reluctantFeet, the straining plumes of the doves that drew her,Looking always, looking with necks revertedBack to Lesbos, back to the hills whereunderShone Mitylene.—SWINBURNE.

Ω θεόί, πίς ἆρα Κύπρις, ἢ τίς μεροςτοῡδε ξνυήψατο—SOPHOCLES.

SAPPHICS

Table of Contents

THE MUSESHither now, O Muses, leaving the goldenHouse of God unseen in the azure spaces,Come and breathe on bosom and brow and kindleSong like the sunglow;Come and lift my shaken soul to the sacredShadow cast by Helicon's rustling forests;Sweep on wings of flame from the middle ether,Seize and uplift me;Thrill my heart that throbs with unwonted fervor,Chasten mouth and throat with immortal kisses,Till I yield on maddening heights the veryBreath of my body.

MUSAGETESCome with Musagetes, ye Hours and Graces,Dance around the team of swans that attend himUp Parnassian heights, to his holy templeHigh on the hill-top;Come, ye Muses, too, from the shades of Pindus,Let your songs, that echo on winds of rapture,Wake the lyre he tunes to the sweet inspiringSound of your voices.

LOVE'S BANQUETIf Panormus, Cyprus or Paphos hold thee,Either home of Gods or the island temple,Hark again and come at my invocation,Goddess benefic;Come thou, foam-born Kypris, and pour in daintyCups of amber gold thy delicate nectar,Subtly mixed with fire that will swiftly kindleLove in our bosoms;Thus the bowl ambrosial was stirred in PaphosFor the feast, and taking the burnished ladle,Hermes poured the wine for the Gods who liftedReverent beakers;High they held their goblets and made libation,Spilling wine as pledge to the Fates and HadesQuaffing deep and binding their hearts to Eros,Lauding thy servant.So to me and my Lesbians round me gathered,Each made mine, an amphor of love long tasted,Bid us drink, who sigh for thy thrill ecstatic,Passion's full goblet;Grant me this, O Kypris, and on thy altarDawn will see a goat of the breed of Naxos,Snowy doves from Cos and the drip of rarestLesbian vintage;For a regal taste is mine and the glowingZenith-lure and beauty of suns must brightenLove for me, that ever upon perfectionTrembles elusive.

MOON AND STARSWhen the moon at full on the sill of heavenLights her beacon, flooding the earth with silver,All the shining stars that about her clusterHide their fair faces;So when Anactoria's beauty dazzlesSight of mine, grown dim with the joy it gives me,Gorgo, Atthis, Gyrinno, all the othersFade from my vision.