SAPPHO

Calm with the burden of a great despair,
Amid the starry glory of the night,
Her clear eyes full of death's mysterious light,
The moonbeams wandering through her yellow hair,
Her royal beauty shining cold and fair,
While far away dim sails show soft and white,
And fragrant winds moan 'round the beetling height,
She hears the sea's low sobbing fill the air.
Ah, sorrow fierce, and throbs of biting pain,
Oft have the bright eyes, now so sad and dry,
Swayed by love's bitter gladness filled with tears,
But never more will passion's color stain
The bloodless cheeks, or kisses wake reply
From lips grown cold with waiting through long years.