Sappho by Nancy Freedman

Author:Nancy Freedman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781466885578
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

ATTHIS

News was brought that her brother Kharaxos sailed with his fleet for the Lesbian port, being returned from the Egyptian city of Naukratis, where the Nile ran in a hundred tributaries. It had been an expedition of five years, during which she had not seen his face.

His vessels with their stiff sails and many rowers had been sighted, and were no rumor, but a rumor accompanied them. It was said that with him was no other than Alkaios the poet—the same she had consigned to death rather than give up her child to Gello, that shade whose famished kisses drew the living breath from the very young.

The possibility that Alkaios was alive and sailed with her brother was more than she could absorb. For years she lived in the belief that she had caused his death. Now she was afraid to let herself hope. Her old companion, dear, irreverent Alkaios!

She rushed up and down the stairs of her home, giving orders that everything be put in readiness to receive guests. They would be showered with flowers and walk on cloth of purple to the steps of her home. She devised tempting and exotic menus of caviar, oysters, lobster, crab, and cuttlefish. Snails and anchovies fried in condiments were laid out, highly spiced cheeses, sausage and onions, all strongly salted to arouse the wish for wine. Slaves would cool the foreheads of her guests with pomade, tightrope performers balance above them, oiled and naked. Jars were handed up from the well so that wine bars and seafood bars might be set up. Giant candelabra and fish bladders overhung them filled with tallow, waiting to be lit.

And Hermes had been kind, for without special reason, so it seemed, a Persian dress was already woven, glinting with beads of gold, and a strap of fair Lydian work was in readiness to cover her feet. In the midst of these preparations, Sappho stopped short. Would Khar go first to Eurygyos and Larichos? What tales would they tell of her? Would he hear that his sister had become a whore? All her body seemed to knot in one great spasm. She took a cult bath and prayed the gods to tell her what to do. And as she prayed, it came to her mind to go herself to the quay, be the first to speak, and afterward let slanderers say of her what they would. If the battle was to be one of words, Eurygyos and Larichos were already defeated.

Joyfully she sang:

In my prayers

I looked into the

vaults of Heaven

She went by chariot with many servants and slaves to the mole. Her two brothers were also there. She had not seen them in three years. They bowed toward their sister for the sake of public opinion. How stiff they were, like puppets! She inclined her head, but no word passed between them.

Dark-prowed ships hewed of sturdy poplar, oak, and pine rode outside the breakwater. At a signal, all sails were furled and laid on the decks; the forestays and masts were also lowered into place.

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