“Blest as the immortal gods”

Sappho (fl. c. 610–580 B.C.)

From the Greek by Ambrose Phillips

BLEST as the immortal gods is he,

The youth who fondly sits by thee,

And hears and sees thee all the while

Softly speak, and sweetly smile.

’T was this deprived my soul of rest,

And raised such tumults in my breast:

For while I gazed, in transport tost,

My breath was gone, my voice was lost.

My bosom glowed; the subtle flame

Ran quick through all my vital frame;

O’er my dim eyes a darkness hung;

My ears with hollow murmurs rung;

In dewy damps my limbs were chilled;

My blood with gentle horrors thrilled:

My feeble pulse forgot to play—

I fainted, sunk, and died away.