Love Unconquered

"Love, unconquered in the fight, Love, who makest havoc of wealth,who keepest thy vigil on the soft cheek of a maiden; thou roamestover the sea, and among the homes of dwellers in the wilds; no immortalcan escape thee, nor any among men whose life is for a day; and heto whom thou hast come is mad.".
(Sophocles, Antigone, 442 B.C.E.)


I have a small daughter who is beautifullike a gold flower.
I would not trademy darling Kleis for all Lydia or even for lovely Lesvos.


Immortal Aphrodite, beautiful-throned,
wiles-weaving child of Zeus, I beg you, Queen,
do not torment my heart with sorrow and pain
but come and help me again as you did before
when having heard my pleadings from far away
you left your father's golden palace
and yoked to your shining chariot swift, lovely sparrows
that brought you over the dark earth,
moving their thick-feathered wings
through the sky's bright ether.
Quickly they arrived; and then you, Goddess,
with a smile on your unaging face you asked me
what is wrong with me this time
and why I am calling you again
and what my wild heart wishes again.
"Again whom must I persuade into the harness of your love?
Who isn't treating you well, Sappho?
For if now runs away from you, soon will pursue you,
if not accepting gifts from you, soon will offer,
if not in love with you,
soon will love even if you no more care".
Come to me now again, release me from this pain.
Everything my spirit longs to have fulfilled, fulfill,
and you be my ally.

Heureux! qui près de toi, pour toi seule soupire,
Qui jouit du plaisir de t'entendre parler,
Qui te voit quelquefois doucement lui sourire.
Les Dieux dans son bonheur peuvent-ils l'égaler ?

Je sens de veine en veine une subtile flamme
Courir par tout mon corps, sitôt que je te vois :
Et dans les doux transports où s'égare mon âme.
Je ne saurais trouver de langue ni de voix.

Un nuage confus se répand sur ma vue.
Je n'entends plus: je tombe en de douces langueurs;
Et pâle, sans haleine, interdite, éperdue,
Un frisson me saisit, je tremble, je me meurs.

(Sapho 7th c.B.C.E.)