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AN HYMN TO VENUS by SAPPHO

First Line: O VENUS, BEAUTY OF THE SKIES
Last Line: AND GIVE ME ALL MY HEART DESIRES.
Subject(s): APHRODITE; LOVE - EROTIC; LOVE; MYTHOLOGY - CLASSICAL; VENUS (GODDESS);

I

O @3Venus,@1 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.

II

If ever thou hast kindly heard
A Song in soft Distress preferr'd
Propitious to my tuneful Vow,
O gentle Goddess! hear me now.
Descend, thou bright, immortal Guest,
In all thy radiant Charms confest.

III

Thou once didst leave Almighty @3Jove,@1
And all the Golden Roofs above:
The Carr thy wanton Sparrows drew;
Hov'ring in Air they wing'd their Way:
As to my Bow'r they wing'd their Way;
I saw their quiv'ring Pinions play.

IV

The Birds dismist (while you remain)
Bore back their empty Carr again:
Then You, with Looks divinely mild,
In ev'ry heav'nly Feature smil'd,
And ask'd, what new Complaints I made,
And why I call'd you to my Aid?

V

What Phrenzy in my Bosom rag'd,
And by what Cure to be asswag'd?
What gentle Youth I would allure,
Whom in my artful Toiles secure?
Who does thy tender Heart subdue,
Tell me, my @3Sappho,@1 tell me Who?

VI

Tho' now he Shuns thy longing Arms,
He soon shall court thy 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

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



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