Born late-seventh century BC in Lesbos, Sappho wrote monody in a form of Aeolic Greek, mainly on personal themes. She has been the subject of endless legends, from antiquity onwards.

    [Ode out of Longinus]

    When Death shall close those Eyes, imperious Dame!
    Silence shall seize on thy inglorious Name.
    For thy unletter'd Hand ne'er pluck'd the Rose,
    Which on Pieria's Realms unhonour'd you shall go,
    And herd amongst th'ignobler Ghosts below.
    Whilst I on Wings of Fame shall rise elate,
    And snatch a bright Eternity from Fate.

    (trans. John Addison, 1735)

    [An Hymn to Venus]

                 I
    O Venus, Beauty of the Skies,
    To whom a thousand Temples rise,
    Gayly false in gentle Smiles,
    Full of Love-perplexing Wiles;
    O Goddess! from my Heart remove
    The wasting Cares and Pains of Love.

                 VI
    Tho'now he Shuns they longing Arms,
    He soon shall court they slighted Charms;
    Tho'now thy Off'rings he despise,
    He soon to Thee shall Sacrifice;
    Tho'now he freeze, he soon shall burn,
    And be thy Victim in his turn.

                 VII
    Thy needful Presence I implore!
    In Pity come and easy my Grief,
    Bring my distemper'd Soul Relief;
    Favour thy Suppliant's hidden Fires,
    And give me All my Heart desires.

    (trans. Ambrose Philips, 1711)