Sappho: A Tragedy in Five Acts

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D. Appleton, 1858 - 160 pages
 

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Page 146 - ... [moved] — Sappho ! Sappho — Be still, and let us part in peace. [To her people. Ye who have seen your Sappho weak, forgive : For Sappho's weakness well will I atone. Alone when bent, the bow's full power is shown. [Pointing to the altar in the background. Kindle the flames at Aphrodite's shrine, Till up to heaven they mount like morning beams ! [They obey her. And now retire and leave me here alone: I would seek counsel only from the gods. Rhamnes [to the people] — It is her wish. Let us...
Page 144 - Crept shuddering fear ; I quailed beneath Her piercing eye, and fled to thee. Rhamnes — Left her ? Return ! yet see, herself comes near ! [SAPPHO enters richly dressed as in the first act : the purple mantle on her shoulders, the laurel crown upon her head, and the golden lyre in her hand. She is surrounded by her women, and descends the steps of the marble colonnade. Melitta — Sappho ! dearest mistress ! Sappho [calm and earnest'] — What wouldst thou, then ? Melitta — Rent is the bandage...
Page 147 - I mould drink, not deep of life's sweet cup, But only taste the overflowing draught. Behold ! Obedient to your high behest, I set it down untouched. For this all thanks. All that ye have decreed, I have obeyed; Therefore deny me not, a last reward. They who belong to Heaven, no...
Page 62 - I will trust thy peaceful sleep, Whate'er thy waking painful may disclose. Forgive me, then, if I have injured thee By unjust doubt; or if I dared to think That falsehood could approach a shrine so pure. A smile plays o'er his mouth ! His lips divide ! A name is hovering in his burning breath ! Awake, and call thy Sappho! She is near! Her arms are clasped about thee!
Page 60 - The flave of change—and changing with each change. Boldly man enters on the path of life, Illumined by the morning ray of hope: Begirt with sword and fhield, courage and faith, Impatient to commence a glorious ftrife.
Page 61 - A kifs from other lips, he takes at will. Alas ! that this is so ; yet so it is. (Turns and sees PHAON fleeping.) ******* Ha!
Page 62 - To lend such glowing colors to my dream. But why so sad ? I am quite happy now. The anxious care that lay upon my breaft, Hath difappeared, and I am glad again.
Page 144 - Thinkft thou that SAPPHO hath become so poor, As to have need of gifts from one like thee ? That which is mine, I fhall ere long poflefs.

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