Sappho and Catullus: Sexual Politics

Phainetai moi kenos isos theoisin
It seems to me t Color hat man is equal to the gods
emmen'oner, hottis enantios toi
that is the one who sits opposite you
isdanei kai plasion adu phonei-
and close up your sweet speaking
sas upakouei
listen to intently

kai gelaisas imeroën, to m'e man
and your lovely laughter, which truly
kardian en stethesin eptoaisen.
the heart in my breast sets fluttering.
Os gar es s'ido broche', os me phonai-
For when I look at you briefly, then for me speaking
s'oud'en et'eikei,
nothing no longer comes,


alla kam men glossa m'eäge, lepton
but my tongue is struck silent, a delicate
d'autika chro pur upadedromeken,
fire straight way runs underneath my skin,
oppatessi d'oud'en oremm', epirrhom-
my eyes see nothing, my ears whirr
beisi d'akouai,
like a top,


kad de m'idros kakcheëtai, tromos de
and sweat pours down me, a trembling
paisan agrei, chlorotera de poias
creeps all over, greener than grass
emmi, tethnaken d'oiligo 'pideues
am I, a little short of dying
phainom'em auta.
I seem to be to myself.


Alla pan tolmaton epei kai peneta...
But all must be endured since a poor...

Read more...Josephine Balmer's Translation

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