- ON a white cliff, which frowningly hung o'er
- The sleepless waters of yon dark blue sea,
- A tiny temple stood; oft wont to be
- Resort of Grecia's maidens, who, of yore,
- Thither had come, in eloquence of woe,
- To rear, with fairest hands, "love-martyrs' shrine,"
- Which roses mixed with myrtle did entwine.
- Here Sappho sat, despairingly; and, lo
- In speechless silence, pale, and broken-hearted!
- Come, tell, ye gods, why she thus met dark fate?
- Hark! Echo cries, "She loved, but could not hate."
- Ah, hapless lover—life's fond hopes departed,
- Thy harp-strings broken—thou, with fearful leap,
- Didst plunge into the bosom of the unslumbering deep!
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