SAPPHO’S ODE TO APHRODITE = 395 
Waving swift wings from utmost heights of 
heaven 
Through the mid-ether ; 
Swiftly they vanished, leaving thee, O God- 
dess ! 
Smiling, with face immortal in its beauty, 
Asking why I grieved, and why in utter longing 
I had dared call thee ; 
Asking what I sought, thus hopeless in desir- 
ing, 
*Wildered in brain, and spreading nets of pas- 
sion — 
Alas, for whom? and saidst thou, “ Who has 
harmed thee? 
O my poor Sappho! 
“ Though now he flies, ere long he shall pursue 
thee ; 
Fearing thy gifts, he too in turn shall bring 
them ; 
Loveless to-day, to-morrow he shall woo thee, 
Though thou shouldst spurn him.” 
Thus seek me now, O holy Aphrodite! 
Save me from anguish, give me all I ask for, — 
Gifts at thy hand! And thine shall be the 
glory, 
Sacred Protector ! 
