Ganymede, Sappho and some others

O Venus, beauty of the skies,
To whom a thousand temples rise,
Gaily false in gentle smiles,
Full of love-perplexing wiles;
O goddess, from my heart remove
The wasting cares and pains of love.

If ever thou hast kindly heard
A song in soft distress preferred,
Propitious to my tuneful vow,
A gentle goddess, hear me now.
Descend, thou bright immortal guest,
In all thy radiant charms confessed.

Thou once didst leave almighty Jove
And all the golden roofs above:
The car thy wanton sparrows drew,
Hovering in air they lightly flew;
As to my bower they winged their way
I saw their quivering pinions play.

The birds dismissed (while you remain)
Bore back their empty car again:
Then you, with looks divinely mild,
In every heavenly feature smiled,
And asked what new complaints I made,
And why I called you to my aid?

What frenzy in my bosom raged,
And by what cure to be assuaged?
What gentle youth I would allure,
Whom in my artful toils secure?
Who does thy tender heart subdue,
Tell me, my Sappho, tell me who?

Though now he shuns thy longing arms,
He soon shall court thy slighted charms;
Though now thy offerings he despise,
He soon to thee shall sacrifice;
Though now he freezes, he soon shall burn,
And be thy victim in his turn.

Celestial visitant, once more
Thy needful presence I implore.
In pity come, and ease my grief,
Bring my distempered soul relief,
Favour thy suppliant's hidden fires,
And give me all my heart desires.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• lgbt
• liselle87
• ancient
• greek
• greece
• homosexuality
• sappho

[etrout713]

thank you for choosing this era sophie! i'm so glad you guys have had this as the topic for the week since i hardly knew any of it.

[madieous]

I loved your video and I'm a huge history buff especially when it comes to ancient Greece and I second that prior remark thanks for mentioning it. I make videos as well if you care to take a look :)

[liselle87]

@marillbuddy ho' crap really? :( didn't know that one. Poor Plato. At least their pedo-pairing was educational :D

[marillbuddy]

I've just finished my Philosophy&Ethics A-level and most of the ancient Greek philosophers were definitely down with their male-male pairing up. :p It's actually quite sad; Plato was Socrates' student until Socrates was sentenced to death for corrupting the youths of Athens with irreligious thinking, and Plato spent the rest of his life continuing Socrates' work and honouring his memory. :C

[thesunsetshere]

Thanks for mentioning ancient Greece. :)