Such a kiss as might inspire Let not Pride our sports restrain, HORACE. ODE X. BOOK IV. CHLOE, my most tender care, ⚫ Cruel gods! does beauty fade, SAPPHO'S HYMN TO VENUS. HAIL! (with eternal beauty bless'd, Break the fond bonds, remove the rankling smart, And bid thy tyrant son from Sappho's soul depart. Once you descended, Queen of Love, At Sappho's bold desire, From the high roofs of sacred Jove, Thy ever glorious sire! I saw thy dusky pinion'd sparrows bear No transient visit you design'd, That sooth'd my fluttering heart, 'Sappho (say you), what sorrow breaks thy rest? How can I give relief to thy conflicting breast?" Is there a youth severely coy, Or has she lost some wandering boy, Spread thy soft nets, the rambler shall return, And, with new-lighted flames, more fond, more fiercely burn. Thy proffer'd gifts though he deride, To win thee to his arms: Though he be now as cold as virgin snow, The victim, in his turn, shall like roused Ætna glow.' Thee, goddess, I again invoke, These mad desires remove! Again I've felt the furious stroke Of irresistless love: Bid gentle peace to Sappho's breast return, Or make the youth she loves with mutual ardour burn. |