PagineI behold Arcturus going westward
by Sappho
Translated by Bliss Carman (1904) · From Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics, XX
I behold Arcturus going westward
Down the crowded slope of night-dark azure,
While the Scorpion with red Antares
Trails along the sea-line to the southward.
From the ilex grove there comes soft laughter,—
My companions at their glad love-making,—
While that curly-headed boy from Naxos
With his jade flute marks the purple quiet.
This poem and this translation are in the public domain. Source text: Project Gutenberg.