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Sappho

The greatest of the early Greek lyric poets, Sappho, whom Plato calls "the tenth Muse," was born in Mytilene on Lesbos. Facts about her life are scant. An aristocrat, she wrote poetry for her circle of friends,

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by Sappho (fl. c.612 BCE)

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Deathless Aphrodite, adorned with embroidered flowers,

daughter of Zeus, weaver of wiles, I pray to you,

do not stress my heart, lady,

with aches and pains,

Rather, come here, if ever before

having heard from afar this, my voice,

you heeded it, and leaving your father’s

golden palace, came;

you yoked your chariot; quick, beautiful birds

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