Sappho — The Swallow

Daughter of Pandion, lovely Swallow that veers at my window, Swift on the flood of the sunshine                         Darting thy shadow; What is thy innocent purpose, Why dost thou hover and haunt me? Is it a kinship of sorrow                         Brings thee anear me? Must thou forever be tongueless, Flying in fear of Tereus? Must he for Itys pursue thee,                         Changed to a lapwing? Tireless of pinion and never Resting on bush or the branches, Close to the earth, up the azure,                         Over the treetops; After thy wing in its madness Follows my glance, as a flitting Child on the track of its mother                         Hastens in silence. Daughter of Pandion, lovely Swallow that veers at my window, Hast thou a message from Cyprus                         Telling of Phaon?