{"collection":"Classics","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/cla/pos/pos38.htm","path":"cla/pos/pos38.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/cla/pos/pos38.htm","text":"The Poems of Sappho, by John Myers O'Hara, [1910]\nImmortal Paphia! have I earned thy hate,\n \u00a0\u00a0That I should burn in passion's fatal flame?\n \u00a0\u00a0Is not my constant service thine to claim,\n My prayer's appeal with praise of thee elate?\nHas not my life been one sole hymn of thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0One quivering chord on Love's harp overwrought?\n \u00a0\u00a0My soul has trembled up to thee in thought,\n Probed to its depth thy every ecstasy.\nAre not my countless heart-beats each a vow,\n \u00a0\u00a0Of tribute throbs a garland? For thy gain\n \u00a0\u00a0The Fates have drenched my soul in passion's rain,\n Pieria's roses twined about my brow.\nThe virgin harvest of my heart was thine,\n \u00a0\u00a0I shuddered in the joy that half consumed;\n \u00a0\u00a0The votive garlands on thy altar bloomed,\n My days were songs to nights of bliss divine.\nWhy try me, then, with torture, gracious Queen?\n \u00a0\u00a0Why verge me on this rapture's dread abyss,\n \u00a0\u00a0Hold breast from breast and stay the yearning kiss?\n Ah, couldst thou fashion pain that stung less keen?\nThe throe of Tantalus is mine to bear,\n \u00a0\u00a0Beauty that Thetis-like eludes my clasp;\n \u00a0\u00a0Glances that lure, that make each breath a gasp,\n And then disdainful gloat at my despair.\nScornful she dwells beyond my ardor's clutch,\n \u00a0\u00a0Bathed in an aureole of carnal fire;\u2014\n \u00a0\u00a0O bind her equal slave to fond desire,\n Let passion's tingling warmth her being touch!\nCome to me, Goddess, come as once of old,\n \u00a0\u00a0Hearing my voice implore thee from afar,\n \u00a0\u00a0I drew to earth thy dazzling avatar;\n Accord the smile of piercing bliss untold.\nAsk me the dear suave question phrased of yore;\n \u00a0\u00a0\"Sappho, who grieveth now thy mad fond heart?\n \u00a0\u00a0Wouldst win her beauty, she who frowns apart?\n Wild as thou lovest, she soon shall love thee more.\"\nO fair Olympian, answer thus, I pray!\n \u00a0\u00a0Release me from this torment, yield my arms\n \u00a0\u00a0The transport thirsted of her folded charms,\n In glow that welds her heart to mine for aye.","title":"The Poems of Sappho: Erotika: Dithyrambs: Hymn To Paphia","type":"page"}