Drapple-thorned Aphrodite,

Dapple-throned Aphrodite,

eternal daughter of God,

snare-knitter! Don't, I beg you,

cow my heart with grief! Come,

as once when you heard my far-

off cry and, listening, stepped

from your father's house to your

gold car, to yoke the pair whose

beautiful thick-feathered wings

oaring down mid-air from heaven

carried you to light swiftly

on dark earth; then, blissful one,

smiling your immortal smile

you asked, What ailed me now that

me me call you again? What

was it that my distracted

heart most wanted? "Whom has

Persuasion to bring round now

"to your love? Who, Sappho, is

unfair to you? For, let her

run, she will soon run after;

"if she won't accept gifts, she

will one day give them; and if

she won't love you — she soon will

"love, although unwillingly…"

If ever — come now! Relieve

this intolerable pain!

What my heart most hopes will

happen, make happen; you your-

self join forces on my side!