Carman, Bliss, 1861-1929 / 2008-07-02 00:00:00
EBOOK SAPPHO: ONE HUNDRED LYRICS ***
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SAPPHO
ONE HUNDRED LYRICS
BY
BLISS CARMAN
1907
"SAPPHO WHO BROKE OFF A FRAGMENT OF HER SOUL
FOR US TO GUESS AT."
"SAPPHO, WITH THAT GLORIOLE
OF EBON HAIR ON CALMED BROWS--
O POET-WOMAN! NONE FORGOES
THE LEAP, ATTAINING THE REPOSE."
E.B. BROWNING.
INTRODUCTION
THE POETRY OF SAPPHO.--If all the poets and all the lovers of poetry should
be asked to name the most precious of the priceless things which time has
wrung in tribute from the triumphs of human genius, the answer which would
rush to every tongue would be "The Lost Poems of Sappho." These we know to
have been jewels of a radiance so imperishable that the broken gleams of
them still dazzle men's eyes, whether shining from the two small brilliants
and the handful of star-dust which alone remain to us, or reflected merely
from the adoration of those poets of old time who were so fortunate as to
witness their full glory.
For about two thousand five hundred years Sappho has held her place as not
only the supreme poet of her sex, but the chief lyrist of all lyrists.
Every one who reads acknowledges her fame, concedes her supremacy; but to
all except poets and Hellenists her name is a vague and uncomprehended
splendour, rising secure above a persistent mist of misconception.
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