… frankly I wish that I were dead:
she was weeping as she took her leave from me
and many times she told me this:
‘Oh what sadness we have suffered,
Sappho, for I’m leaving you against my will.’
So I gave this answer to her:
‘Go, be happy but remember
me there, for you know how we have cherished you,
if not, then I would remind you
[of the joy we have known,] of all
the loveliness that we have shared together;
for many wreaths of violets,
of roses and of crocuses
… you wove around yourself by my side
… and many twisted garlands
which you had woven from the blooms
of flowers, you placed around your slender neck
… and you were anointed with
a perfume, scented with blossom,
… although it was fit for a queen
and on a bed, soft and tender
… you satisfied your desire …’
*****