Page:Sappho and the Vigil of Venus (1920).djvu/31

Rh Zeus in his glory of beauty, to claim

By the right of his love an earthly bride.

And Niobe envied her friend no more.

Yea, now did she know, taught by love's lore—

Now, when her heart was satisfied—

For what cause she had sighed.

I loved thee, Atthis,—even thee!—

Ah, long ago!

As Aphrodite's handmaid bright

As gold wert thou then in my sight.

A very queen of love to me

Then didst thou show.

Fair gifts I sent thee—broidery

Of golden thread whose shimmering light

Flashed mid the purple on thy knee,

A gleam and glow.

Then I knew not thine heart aright:

But now I know!

Thou incarnate false inconstancy—

To whom I grow

A thing to hate!—thou takest flight

On wings of love to—who is she?

A rustic wench whose garments flow