146
Translations, &c.
PHAON TO SAPPHO.
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The Ancients have left us little farther account of Phaon, than that he was an old mariner, whom Venus transformed into a very beautiful youth, whom Sappho, and several other Lesbian ladies, fell passionately in love with; and therefore I thought it might be pardonable to vary the circumstances of his story, and to add what I thought proper, in the following Epistle.
I soon perceiv'd from whence your letter came,
Before I saw it sign'd with Sappho's name:
Such tender thoughts in such a flowing verse
Did Phœbus to the flying nymph rehearse;
Yet Fate was deaf to all his pow'rful charms, 5
And tore the beauteous Daphne from his arms.
With such concern your passion I survey
As when I view a vessel toss'd at sea;
I beg each friendly pow'r the storm may cease,
And ev'ry warring wave be lull'd in peace. 10
What can I more than wish? for who can free
The wretched from the woe the gods decree?
With gen'rous pity I'll repay your flame;
Pity! ’tis what deserves a softer name;
Which yet I fear of equal use would prove 15
To sooth a tempest as abate your love.
How can my art your fierce disease subdue?
I want, alas! a greater cure than you:
Before I saw it sign'd with Sappho's name:
Such tender thoughts in such a flowing verse
Did Phœbus to the flying nymph rehearse;
Yet Fate was deaf to all his pow'rful charms, 5
And tore the beauteous Daphne from his arms.
With such concern your passion I survey
As when I view a vessel toss'd at sea;
I beg each friendly pow'r the storm may cease,
And ev'ry warring wave be lull'd in peace. 10
What can I more than wish? for who can free
The wretched from the woe the gods decree?
With gen'rous pity I'll repay your flame;
Pity! ’tis what deserves a softer name;
Which yet I fear of equal use would prove 15
To sooth a tempest as abate your love.
How can my art your fierce disease subdue?
I want, alas! a greater cure than you:
