“She shall be kindly favoured, 5
And fair and fashioned well,
As befits the Lesbian maidens
And those who are fated to love.”
Hermes came to thy cradle,
Resourceful, sagacious, serene, 10
And said, “The girl must have knowledge,
To lend her freedom and poise.
Naught will avail her beauty,
If she have not wit beside.
She shall be Hermes’ daughter, 15
Passing wise in her day.”
Great Pan came to thy cradle,
With calm of the deepest hills,
And smiled, “They have forgotten
The veriest power of life. 20
“To kindle her shapely beauty,
And illumine her mind withal,
I give to the little person
The glowing and craving soul.”
VIII
Aphrodite of the foam,
Who hast given all good gifts,
And made Sappho at thy will
Love so greatly and so much,
Ah, how comes it my frail heart 5
Is so fond of all things fair,
I can never choose between
Gorgo and Andromeda?
IX
Nay, but always and forever
Like the bending yellow grain,
Or quick water in a channel,
Is the heart of man.