The speaker invokes the goddess Aphrodite, asking her not to inflict anguish or distress. They pray for Aphrodite to come down from Zeus's house in her chariot drawn by sparrows, as she has done before when answering their prayers. They ask Aphrodite to smile her ageless smile and inquire about the source of their troubled heart and who is causing Sappho such pain. The speaker pleads for Aphrodite to come again, slake their thirst, loosen the burden of their craving, and accomplish their heart's desires, acting both as goddess and ally.
Original Description:
A Nigerian poet takes on H.T. Wharton's translation of Sappho's "Immortal Aphrodite..."
The speaker invokes the goddess Aphrodite, asking her not to inflict anguish or distress. They pray for Aphrodite to come down from Zeus's house in her chariot drawn by sparrows, as she has done before when answering their prayers. They ask Aphrodite to smile her ageless smile and inquire about the source of their troubled heart and who is causing Sappho such pain. The speaker pleads for Aphrodite to come again, slake their thirst, loosen the burden of their craving, and accomplish their heart's desires, acting both as goddess and ally.
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The speaker invokes the goddess Aphrodite, asking her not to inflict anguish or distress. They pray for Aphrodite to come down from Zeus's house in her chariot drawn by sparrows, as she has done before when answering their prayers. They ask Aphrodite to smile her ageless smile and inquire about the source of their troubled heart and who is causing Sappho such pain. The speaker pleads for Aphrodite to come again, slake their thirst, loosen the burden of their craving, and accomplish their heart's desires, acting both as goddess and ally.
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Immortal Aphrodite, queen of an embroidered throne Daughter of Zeus, Tortoise, do not break my spirit with anguish and distress I pray. But come, if ever my prayers before you heard and heeded And leaving Zeus gilded house you came, chariot yoked by sparrows, Sparrows beautiful, drawing you, flapping, diving, descending From bright heavenly heights to dark earthly depths Through mid-sky vagueness. Their journey was quick; and you, blessed one, smiling that ageless smile you smile asked what befell I, why called I and what thing my thumping heart thumped mad for What Beauty spurns your attentions? Who hurts Sappho so? For if now she flees soon shell follow, and soon will give The gifts she now rejects, and soon love that love she loves not now Even against her will. In like manner come again I plead Aphrodite, Slake my thirst; loose me from this burden of my craving Accomplish on my behalf my hearts desires and be for me, Aphrodite, both goddess and ally. Kayode Faniyi (2013)