Sappho and her influenceRobinson, David M. (David Moore)
History
Sappho and her influence
Robinson, David M. (David Moore)
Sappho -- Influence
His translations of the eight fragments which he includes
are also not remarkable. In 1748, we have Tobias Smollett’s version of
the second ode in _Roderick Random_. About 1745, Mark Akenside in his
tenth _Ode on Lyric Poetry_ based a stanza on Sappho’s first ode. In
1760, “a Gentleman of Cambridge” published his verse translations. In
some publications he is considered to be different from Francis Fawkes,
who undoubtedly is the gentleman referred to. In 1768 appeared E. B.
Greene’s free and mediocre translation, in which Aphrodite’s doves become
“feathered steeds,” and which ignores the Sapphic metre. In 1796, Mrs.
Mary Robinson published _Sappho and Phaon_, but these sonnets of hers are
not, as she claims, legitimate descendants of the real Sappho.
It was not till the nineteenth century, however, that the actual literary
remains of Sappho were scientifically studied. In 1814, we have the
translations of Elton, in 1815 of Egerton, in 1833 the Sapphics by
Merivale, in 1854 Palgrave, in 1877 Walhouse. In 1869, Edwin Arnold’s
_Poets of Greece_ gave one of the best renderings of the Aphrodite
hymn in Sapphic metre and included pretty translations of nine of her
fragments. Edwin Arnold called her: “that exquisite poetess ... whose
genius among all feminine votaries of singing stands incontestably
highest.” He protests against Swinburne’s repetition of the scandal
against her sweet name which gossiping generations have invented; he
rejects the Leucadian Leap and the Phaon myth. In 1871 T. W. Higginson
wrote his important article on Sappho for _The Atlantic Monthly_, which
can now be found in his _Atlantic Essays_. He translated several of the
fragments and the hymn than which, he says, “there is not a lyrical
poem in Greek literature nor in any other which has by its artistic
structure inspired more enthusiasm.” He subjects to many a hard blow
that paltry Scot soul, Colonel Mure, whose history of Greek literature
ought to be tabooed. He repudiates the calumnies of the comedians and
scandal-mongers. His appreciation of Sappho is one of the best that has
been written.
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