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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SAPPHO AND PHAON: 34. SAPPHO'S PRAYER TO VENUS by MARY DARBY ROBINSON

First Line: VENUS! TO THEE, THE LESBIAN MUSE SHALL SING
Last Line: AND LOVE BE CROWNED, IMMORTAL AS THE NINE!

Venus! to thee, the Lesbian Muse shall sing,
The song, which Mytilenian youths admired,
When Echo, amorous of the strain inspired,
Bade the wild rocks with maddening plaudits ring!
Attend my prayer! O! Queen of rapture! bring
To these fond arms, he, whom my soul has fired;
From these fond arms removed, yet, still desired,
Though love, exulting, spreads his varying wing!
Oh! source of every joy! of every care!
Blest Venus! Goddess of the zone divine!
To Phaon's bosom, Phaon's victim bear;
So shall her warmest, tend'rest vows be thine!
For Venus, Sappho shall a wreath prepare,
And Love be crowned, immortal as the Nine!



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