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Sappho

VI

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Peer of the gods he seems, Who in thy presence Sits and hears close to him Thy silver speech-tones And lovely laughter. 5

Ah, but the heart flutters Under my bosom, When I behold thee Even a moment; Utterance leaves me; 10

My tongue is useless; A subtle fire Runs through my body; My eyes are sightless, And my ears ringing; 15

I flush with fever, And a strong trembling Lays hold upon me; Paler than grass am I, Half dead for madness. 20

Yet must I, greatly Daring, adore thee, As the adventurous Sailor makes seaward For the lost sky-line 25

And undiscovered Fabulous islands, Drawn by the lure of Beauty and summer And the sea’s secret. 30

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