Sappho — The Farewell

Beloved, stand face to face,         And, lifting lids, disclose to me the grace, The Paphic fire that lingers yet and lies         Reflected in thy eyes. Phaon, my sole beloved,         Stand not to my mad passion all unmoved; O let, ere thou to far Panormus sail,         One hour of love prevail. Dear ingrate, come and let         Thy breath like odor from a cassolet, Thy smile, the clinging touch of lips and heart         Anoint me, ere we part. Phaon, I yearn and seek         But thee alone; and what I feel must speak In all these fond and wilful ways of mine,         O mortal, made divine! My girl friends now no more         Hang their sweet gifts of garlands at my door; Dear maids, with all your vanished empery         Ye now are naught to me. Phaon, thy galley rides         Within the harbor's mouth and waits the tides And favoring winds, far to the west to fly         And leave me here to die. The brawny rowers lean         To bend long-stroking oars; and changing scene And fairer loves than mine shall soon efface         This last divine embrace. Phaon, the lifting breeze!         See, at thy feet I kneel and clasp thy knees! Go not, go not! O hear my sobbing prayer,         And yield to my despair!