Well, since David Mason has set precedent by promising to gift us with Nims's attempts, I feel not unjustified by turning a little out of the way with Sappho. One of my favorite meters is the dactylic with a catalectic line ending. However, though the Sapphic hendecasyllable is oft-quoted, I know of no extant examples of Sappho's in English, so here's one of my own:
"Truly, I wish I were dead!" She was leaving,
weeping, "Oh Sappho, what grief we've been given!
Truly, I'm going against my own wishes..."
This is the way I remember I answered:
"Go with contentment and peace, and think well of me.
Surely you realize how much you've been cherished,
Let me remind you, if not, of our pleasures --
roses you wove into headbands, and crocus;
violets you weaved into garlands beside me,
circling your neck with their delicate blossoms;
myrrh fit for queens you anointed yourself with,
young girls beside you with all they desired.
There was no sacred place we didn't visit.
There was no chorus or dance we neglected..."
[This message has been edited by Jennifer Reeser (edited July 25, 2004).]
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