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Bliss Carman · Sappho: One Hundred Lyrics

Poem 40 of 100 · Book I

Ah, what detains thee, Phaon,

— ✻ —

Ah, what detains thee, Phaon,
So long from Mitylene,
Where now thy restless lover
Wearies for thy coming?

A fever burns me, Phaon;
My knees quake on the threshold,
And all my strength is loosened,
Slack with disappointment.

But thou wilt come, my Phaon,
Back from the sea like morning,
To quench in golden gladness
The ache of parted lovers.

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