Hymn to Aphrodite, Sappho

Many-throned, ever-living Aphrodite,

meddlesome child of God, I beg you,

please don’t crush me with your yellow taxi!

 Vengeful one, spare me!

Be with me now if at any time

my singing wafted to your ears from far,

and you listened, leaving your father’s shining

  heavens to join me –

driving your bird-car, golden sparrows
drawing you over the dark earth,

dense wings whirring from the sky down
  through middle air...

And suddenly you appeared, O blessed one, a smile
playing over your lips, asking,

“Sappho, what’s the matter?
  "Why are you crying?”

And what in my crazy heart did I most
want to happen? – "Sappho, dearest,” you said,

“on whom shall I use my powers of persuasion?

  “Who, Sappho, hurts you?

“If she runs away now, she’ll soon run after you.

"If she once scorned your gifts, she’ll use extortion.

"She doesn’t want to love you, but she will.

  "She can't refuse."

So, Goddess, please return and wipe away

my worry. What my heart craves, make it
happen! – Do it! – You, my

  invincible conniver.