| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 1453. A Night in Lesbos |
| | | By George Hortom |
| | | | | [Greek]—SAPPHO |
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| THE MOON has left the sky, | |
| The Pleiades are flown, | |
| Midnight is creeping nigh, | |
| And I am still alone. | |
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| Ah me! how long, how long | 5 |
| Are all these weary hours! | |
| I hate the night-bird’s song | |
| Among the Lesbian flowers. | |
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| I hate the soft, sweet breeze | |
| That comes to kiss my hair | 10 |
| From oleander trees | |
| And waters cool and fair. | |
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| My heart is fierce and wild; | |
| The winds should rave and moan. | |
| Ah! why is Nature mild | 15 |
| When I am here alone? | |
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| While yet the silver moon | |
| Rode o’er the laughing sea, | |
| My heart was glad, for, “for, “Soon,” | |
| I said, “he comes to me.” | 20 |
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| But when its placid sphere | |
| Slid swiftly ’neath the wave, | |
| I sighed, “He is not here. | |
| Be brave, my heart, be brave!” | |
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| Then for an age of woe, | 25 |
| Of doubts and hopings vain, | |
| I watched the white stars snow | |
| On you Ægean plain. | |
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| I named them by their names— | |
| Alcyone, and all | 30 |
| Those far and happy flames | |
| On which we mortals call. | |
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| “Ere that one sets,” I said, | |
| “My soul shall swim in bliss;” | |
| And then, “Ere that is fled | 35 |
| My lips shall feel his kiss.” | |
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| The moon has left the Pole, | |
| The Pleiades are flown; | |
| ’T is midnight in my soul, | |
| And I am here alone! | 40 |
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