Selection from Sappho’s Lyre (University of California Press, 1991). Translation copyright 2000 Diane Rayor; all rights reserved.

Nossis 1 (EG 1)

       Nothing is sweeter than love, all other riches
second: even honey I’ve spat from my mouth.
This Nossis says: Whomever Kypris hasn’t kissed
knows nothing of her flowers, what sort of roses.

Nossis 2 (EG 11)

       Stranger, if you sail to the land of lovely dances, Mitylene,
to catch fire from the blossom of Sappho’s graces,
say that a friend to her and the Muses, the Lokrian land
bore me. And knowing my name is Nossis, go on!

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