I couldnt resist doing my own version of the Sappho poem it seemed like a good exercise and I append it below. Critiques, comments, suggestions for revision, very welcome.
Below that, for those on this list who are not so inclined to read prose about poetry, Martin Wests translation and a very short excerpt of exegesis. If hes right, and I think he is, then Sappho speaks of her own girl students as her eternally young wives and, quite likely, sexual consorts. I think it possible that she may have been teaching some of her students more than just poetry and dance. Suitors to the fragrant-blossomed Muses, earnest girls of the clear melodious lyre: my body was tender but old age has seized it. My hair is white, my heart is heavy. My knees -- that once were quick for the dance as fawns -- give in. It hurts to know theres no way to be human and not grow old: as Tithonus, whom rose-armed Dawn carried to the worlds end, was lovely and young, before age fell even on that husband of an immortal wife. --Vivek N *** Here is the poem in my own restoration and translation. The words in square brackets are supplied by conjecture. [You for] the fragrant-blossomed Muses lovely gifts [be zealous,] girls, [and the] clear melodious lyre: [but my once tender] body old age now [has seized;] my hairs turned [white] instead of dark; my hearts grown heavy, my knees will not support me, that once on a time were fleet for the dance as fawns. This state I oft bemoan; but whats to do? Not to grow old, being human, theres no way. Tithonus once, the tale was, rose-armed Dawn, love-smitten, carried off to the worlds end, handsome and young then, yet in time grey age oertook him, husband of immortal wife. This truth is illustrated, as typically in Greek lyric, by a mythical example. It is a tale that was popular at the time, the story of Tithonus, whom the Dawn-goddess took as her husband. At her request, Zeus granted him immortality, but she neglected to ask that he should also have eternal youth, so he just grew ever older and feebler. Finally she shut him up in his room, where he chatters away endlessly but barely has the strength to move. Sappho is very economical with the myth, giving it just four lines and ending the poem with it. At first sight it might seem a lame ending. But the final phrase gives a poignant edge to the whole. Tithonus lived on, growing ever more grey and frail, while his consort remained young and beautiful just as Sappho grows old before a cohort of protégées who, like undergraduates, are always young. The poem is a small masterpiece: simple, concise, perfectly formed, an honest, unpretentious expression of human feeling, dignified in its restraint. It moves both by what it says and by what it leaves unspoken. It gives us no ground for thinking that Sapphos poetic reputation was undeserved. -- Martin West -- You are encouraged to post poetry, respond critically to the poems circulated and participate in discussions. To post, email your message to [email protected] OR post online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTPoets/post/ Tell friends to subscribe to ZESTPoets by sending a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED], OR, if they have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTPoets/join/ ---theZESTcommunity-------------- [1] ZESTCurrent: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCurrent/ [2] ZESTEconomics: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTEconomics/ [3] ZESTGlobal: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTGlobal/ [4] ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/ [5] ZESTPoets: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTPoets/ [6] ZESTCaste: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ [7] ZESTAlternative: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTAlternative/ [8] TalkZEST: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TalkZEST/ --- Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTPoets/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
