Posted on 06/25/2005 6:38:31 PM PDT by blam
Am I missing something? It was found in a mummy wrapping?
If it was such a great poem why was it found there, and why was another piece found in a garbage dump?
Is the newly found poem online anywhere??
I hear it's called "Ode to Hillary"
There have been cases, in literature, of more than one copy of a poem existing.....
Seriously, how many poems or books exist in their original form from antiquity? Many copies were made, but they got lost, thrown out, the paper used for something else. Most have been lost, often due to the actions of Philistines, like those that burned the great library of Alexandria.
We're luck that much of anything has survived.
sure, they wrapped their peeps up with old newspaper, just like dead fish. dint choo know that?
it was a great honor.
Thanks for all you do! I love your posts. Your effort is appreciated.
Didn't Sappho created lesbianism?
The article in TLS is here:
http://www.the-tls.co.uk/this_week/story.aspx?story_id=2111206
Here's West's translation of the poem:
"[You for] the fragrant-blossomed Muses lovely gifts
[be zealous,] girls, [and the] clear melodious lyre:
[but my once tender] body old age now
[has seized;] my hairs turned [white] instead of dark;
my hearts grown heavy, my knees will not support me,
that once on a time were fleet for the dance as fawns.
This state I oft bemoan; but whats to do?
Not to grow old, being human, theres no way.
Tithonus once, the tale was, rose-armed Dawn,
love-smitten, carried off to the worlds end,
handsome and young then, yet in time grey age
oertook him, husband of immortal wife."
P-ing
If she was so damn great, somebody should have taken the time to write all of her crap down someplace other than a mummy.
Deteriorata
Go placidly amid the noise & waste, & remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet & passive persons unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself and heed well their advice even though they be turkeys; know what to kiss and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right but that three do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity & disillusionment and despite the changing fortunes of time, there will always be a big future in computer maintenance.
Remember the Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, & mutilate.
Know yourself; if you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you. That lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love therefore; it will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth, birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan; and let not the sands of time get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time, call 606-4311; ask for Ken.
Take heart amid the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese; and reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.
You are a fluke of the universe; you have no right to be here, and whether you can hear it or not, the universe is laughing behind your back.
Therefore make peace with your God whatever you conceive Him to be: Hairy Thunderer or Cosmic Muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises & urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate. Give up.
I was reading this to my wife and got to "Sappho - writing on the isle of Lesbos" and I joked to my wife, is that where the term Lesbian came from? Then I continued, "apparently for a court of younger women - is treated as the patron saint of love between women". I said, oh. We just looked at each other with that silly embarassed look.
Sounds like the ultimate shaggy dog story.
I know of no Platonic dialogue in which she's mentioned. I know, however, that the attribution Plato was supposed to have made was part of the Anthologia Palatina.
This is really interesting -- thanks, great post.
I'm not sure she created it. But yeah, I think she's associated with it. She wrote on the island of Lesbos, where the term comes from.
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