Prayers for Aphrodite
Oh Muse!
Your overpowering visions fill my soul
For you have shown me Aphrodite of gold
Divine breath stokes me blazing brighter like coal
The Cyprian enflames me with words
Swiftly seductive sounds snare my soul
As lime-twigs trap unwary birds
An ancient poet who spoke the truth said
When Cypris comes swift of heroic spirit full
Her onslaught can not be resisted
Her summons can not be annulled
To flout her is arrogance
Failure to respect the difference
Between god and mortal
Even gods can not her power resist
Only three hold her at bay
Athena, bright-eyed maid,
Artemis, stalking meadow and forest,
And Hestia reject the Paphian’s dove
Alone deny delights of love
The Cyprian’s summons is a trial
Be brave and answer since truly it’s a goddess’s will
Surely the price of refusal is stinging grief
So bend to the Paphian’s will and find relief
Said the poet who would the truth instill
Far-shining Aphrodite, hear our prayer!
Laughter-loving Paphian lady well-dressed
Golden sea-born Cyprian
Tender-hearted companion
However it pleases you to be addressed
We ask you to notice our words of praise
And send your grace
Because you are the source of all
That is charming, graceful, and all that enthralls
In word or deed, in act, figure, face
Your allure all our hearts enlace
Since as the charmed is bound
Also charmer is quickly found
Surrendering with yearning undisguised
Compromiser gladly compromised
Seducer falling to seduction untroubled
Pleasure repaid is pleasure doubled
Bonds around both draw tight
In shared delight
-Apollinius Sophistes