81. Translating Sappho

Most translations of Sappho tend to be a little florid and sticky, rather unfairly In view of the leanness and power of the originals. By contrast Mills is perhaps a shade too pedestrian but this comes as something of a relief. One of the nastiest examples of the first case is Beram Saklatvala’s:

The sight of horsemen’s fair, or marching soldiers,
Or a fleet, the fairest thing on the dark earth.
But I myself find loveliest and fairest
My own true loved one.
(Sappho of Lesbos, 1968)

By way of contrast, here is Mills’ version of the same lines:

Some say the most beautiful thing
on the dark earth is a company
of horsemen. Others say infantry,
or ships. But I say
it’s the person you love.

This is not the definitive version of Sappho. But Mills manages to strike an honest and unpretentious tone which is more than adequate. / John Stathatos, Oasis 16/1976