DEFEAT
Though our hearts were mad and strong
With love for you,
Though we fought for you,
Though our remnant struggled
And not one was false,
We are beaten.
Beauty, for your sake we are lost,
For you we are crushed,
Scorn and bitterness are cast at us,
And fools who hate you
Are preferred to us.
Treacherous wonderful lady,
Despoina! Basilea! Potnia!
You have betrayed us—
Yet, hurt and overwhelmed and in despair
We can but turn to you again
And sing our love for you.
White goddess of beauty,
Take these roses—
It is our blood that colours them;
Take these lilies—
White as our intense hearts;
Take these wind-flowers—
Frail as our strength spent in your service;
Take these hyacinths—
Graven with the sigh of our lost days;
Take these narcissus blossoms
Lovely as your naked breasts.
[57]
