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The Bibelot
VOLUME I
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From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume I, Number V, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1895; p. 137.
Aristotle, in his Rhetoric, i. 9, about 330 B. C., says “base things dishonour those who do or wish them, as Sappho showed when Alcaeus said, ‘Violet-weaving, pure, softly-smiling Sappho, I would say something, but shame restrains me.’ ” and she answered him in the words of the present fragment.
Hadst thou felt desire for things good or noble, and had not thy tongue framed some evil speech, shame had not filled thine eyes, but thou hadst spoken honestly about it.
Alcaeus. — I fain would speak, I fain would tell,
But shame and fear my utterance
quell.
Sappho. — If aught of good, if aught of fair
Thy tongue were labouring to
declare,
Nor shame should dash thy glance
nor fear
Forbid thy suit to reach my ear.
ANON. (Edinburgh Review, 1882.)