A troop of horse, the serried ranks of marchers,
A noble fleet, some think these of all on earth
Most beautiful. For me naught else regarding
Is my beloved.
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So must we learn in world made as this one
Man can never attain his greatest desire,
But must pray for what good fortune Fate holdeth,
Never unmindful.
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If Not Winter: Fragments of Sappho was the first bit of poetry to ever resonate with me and provoke a real emotional response, even of some of it does happen to be lost in the translation.
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